Retail Data Capture Technology News

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) refers to the process of automatically identifying and collecting data about objects/goods, then logging this information in a computer. The term AIDC refers to a range of different types of data capture devices. These include barcodes, biometrics, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), magnetic stripes, smart cards, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and voice recognition. AIDC devices are deployed in a wide range of environments, including: retail, warehousing, distribution & logistics and field service.

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Bidali integrates Enjin Coin into payment gateway enabling seamless Liquidity and real-time payments

1 Bidali integrates Enjin Coin into payment gateway enabling seamless Liquidity and real-time payments

Bidali, Canada’s first regulated crypto-payment processor and online gift card retailer, has announced the integration of Enjin Coin (ENJ) as a method of payment across their ecosystem, in a move to offer seamless liquidity and real-time payments to gamers.

BigChange Mobile Tech transforms Utopia furniture deliveries

2 BigChange Mobile Tech transforms Utopia furniture deliveries

Utopia Furniture Group has rolled out a 5 in 1 cloud-based system from BigChange that combines mobile apps including electronic POD and vehicle tracking, with customer relationship management system (CRM).

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam chooses Rambus to secure mobile payments

3 Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam chooses Rambus to secure mobile payments

Rambus Inc., the digital security, semiconductor and IP product and services provider, has announced that Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) has selected the Rambus Token Service Provider (TSP) as part of its mobile payment strategy to enable secure transactions to its customers.

Gen Z driving retail’s cashierless future

4 Gen Z driving retail’s cashierless future

To borrow that famous quote from the great American author Mark Twain, reports of the death of the physical retail store have been greatly exaggerated.

Ultracomms warns businesses to review processes as telephone payment security watchdog issues strict new guidelines

5 Ultracomms warns businesses to review processes as telephone payment security watchdog issues strict new guidelines

Ultracomms, the provider of PCI DSS compliant secure telephone payment solutions, has warned businesses that they must urgently review the way they take card payments over the phone after the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) issued the latest update to its guidelines for telephone payments.

New research confirms businesses will pivot to a ‘voice first’ strategy within five years

6 New research confirms businesses will pivot to a ‘voice first’ strategy within five years

Red Box, the platform for voice, has announced the results of a global survey of CIOs, general C-suite and IT management enterprise employees into their views of voice capture in the enterprise, showing the majority of businesses are capturing only partial voice data sets and are not able to make the most of this highly valuable data set as it is largely inaccessible.

Siemens extends RFID portfolio with compact reader for space-saving uses

7 Siemens extends RFID portfolio with compact reader for space-saving uses

Siemens is extending its range of Simatic RF600 ultra-high frequency (UHF) devices to include a new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader. The Simatic RF615R comes with a particularly compact design (133 x 155 x 45 millimeters), an internal, circularly polarised antenna and an additional external antenna connection.

SATO - Embracing the IoT era in retail

8 SATO - Embracing the IoT era in retail

Retail is rapidly changing, with a huge increase in the use of technology across every element of the process, from concept to consumer. In particular, the increased prevalence of the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) in the retail sector means businesses must adapt and invest in technologies to support this new era of network-controlled device management and automation.

Only 36% of top UK retailers fully secure online store

9 Only 36% of top UK retailers fully secure online store

The shopping season is upon us and, like every year, many of us choose to buy online instead of trawling through the shops. But do UK retailers ensure shoppers can trust their websites?

In the loop: how technology can enhance customer service for the hearing impaired –UK’s largest disabled group

10 In the loop: how technology can enhance customer service for the hearing impaired –UK’s largest disabled group

The spending power of disabled customers in the UK is estimated at £249bn. But the high street is yet to maximise income from the ‘Purple Pound’ because of a lack of awareness, poorly-maintained facilities or assistive technology that could smooth the interaction between customer and staff.

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)

Technologies typically considered as part of AIDC include:

  • Barcodes
  • QR codes
  • Radio frequency identification (RFID)
  • Biometrics
  • Magnetic stripes
  • Optical character recognition (OCR)
  • Smart cards
  • Voice recognition

AIDC is used in a wide variety of applications, including:

  • Inventory management
  • Shipping and logistics
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Retail
  • Transportation
  • Security

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) refers to the methods of automatically identifying objects, collecting data about them, and entering that data directly into computer systems (i.e. without human involvement). Technologies typically considered as part of AIDC include bar codes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), biometrics, magnetic stripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), smart cards, and voice recognition. AIDC is also commonly referred to as “Automatic Identification,” “Auto-ID,” and "Automatic Data Capture."

Barcoding has become established in several industries as an inexpensive and reliable automatic identification technology that can overcome human error in capturing and validating information. AIDC is the process or means of obtaining external data, particularly through analysis of images, sounds or videos. To capture data, a transducer is employed which converts the actual image or a sound into a digital file which can be later analysed. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is relatively a new AIDC technology which was first developed in 1980’s. The technology acts as a base in automated data collection, identification and analysis systems worldwide

In the decades since its creation, barcoding has become highly standardised, resulting in lower costs and greater accessibility. Indeed, word processors now can produce barcodes, and many inexpensive printers print barcodes on labels. Most current barcode scanners can read between 12 and 15 symbols and all their variants without requiring configuration or programming. For specific scans the readers can be pre-programmed easily from the user manual.  

Despite these significant developments, the adoption of barcoding has been slower in the healthcare sector than the retail and manufacturing sectors. Barcoding can capture and prevent errors during medication administration and is now finding its way from the bedside into support operations within the hospital.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

RFID is the wireless non-contact use of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data. Unlike a bar code, the tag does not necessarily need to be within line of sight of the reader, and may be embedded in the tracked object. It can also be read only or read-write enabling information to be either permanently stored in the tag or it can be read-write where information can be continually updated and over-written on the tag.

RFID has found its importance in a wide range of markets including livestock identification and Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) systems and are now commonly used in tracking consumer products worldwide. Many manufacturers use the tags to track the location of each product they make from the time it's made until it's pulled off the shelf and tossed in a shopping cart.

These automated wireless AIDC systems are effective in manufacturing environments where barcode labels could not survive. They can be used in pharmaceutical to track consignments, they can also be used in cold chain distribution to monitor temperature fluctuations. This is particularly useful to ensure frozen and chilled foods have not deviated from the required temperature parameters during transit.

Cost used to be a prohibitive factor in the widespread use of RFID tags however the unit costs have reduced considerably to make this a viable technology to improve track and trace throughout the supply chain. Many leading supermarket chains employ RFID insisting that their suppliers incorporate this technology into the packaging of the products in order to improve supply chain efficiency and traceability.

Overall, AIDC is a powerful technology that can be used to improve efficiency, accuracy, and traceability in a wide variety of applications. However, it is important to weigh the costs and benefits of AIDC before implementing a system.

Here are some examples of how AIDC is used in different industries:

  • In the retail industry, AIDC is used to track inventory levels, scan barcodes at checkout, and prevent theft.
  • In the healthcare industry, AIDC is used to track patient records, identify patients, and prevent medication errors.
  • In the manufacturing industry, AIDC is used to track parts and products, automate assembly lines, and prevent counterfeiting.
  • In the transportation industry, AIDC is used to track cargo, track vehicles, and prevent collisions.

AIDC is a rapidly growing field, and new applications for AIDC are being developed all the time. As AIDC technology continues to develop, it is likely to become even more widespread and have an even greater impact on our lives.

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