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Dead Constitution See other Dead Constitution Articles Title: RFID for postal, courier and high volume light logistics RFID for postal, courier and high volume light logistics RFID is an idea whose time has come in postal, courier and high volume light logistics. IDTechEx estimate that the global market for RFID systems, including tags, will reach $US 3 billion in 2016. It could be much bigger if current efforts to tag individual items gain widespread acceptance. In due course, over one trillion postal items will be tagged yearly, making this the second largest application of RFID in the world after the retail supply chain. In the past, RFID has been used for little more than the evaluation of postal performance using tags in a small percentage of letters and the tracking of a small number of conveyances and vehicles. No longer: From DHL taking bids for RFID labels on one billion packages to Saudi Post tagging postal boxes, the big innovations are now happening. There is even a postal RFID system that completely automates the whole process of mail delivery from accepting the package to classification and dispatching. It has been successfully tested in Korea this year. Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI demonstrated this RFID system in front of representatives from the Ministry of Information and Technology and private sector representatives. When perfected, it will replace the existing barcode system. The current postal package unified information system uses barcodes, thus necessitating human effort at every mail center to input mail numbers into the system. This results in inaccuracies during transfer of duties and it delays the mail dispatches. The new RFID system, developed by ETRI of Korea, aims to reduce costs, errors and tedious human intervention. When perfected, it will provide a comprehensive electronic postal system with the potential to maximize mail package process capabilities while minimizing logistics cost. Real-time information automation, impossible with the existing system, is now possible, claims ETRI. In 2005, Microsoft started marketing its new RFID system for postal and courier services at a stamp exhibition in Taiwan. It wishes to persuade the Taiwan government postal service with a device it claims can ensure the smooth, safe and recorded delivery of tagged packages and parcels. Microsoft marketed the new RFID package at the Taipei 2005 – 18th Asian International Stamp Exhibition. The key sponsor of the exhibition, Taiwan’s Chunghwa Post company, is considering whether to use the Microsoft RFID package and a decision is expected soon. Microsoft has held talks with India’s postal service about using the RFID system. Microsoft India says these talks are still in the early stages. No tender offer for the system has yet been issued. If RFID were deployed by India’s postal service it would probably be used for its premium, SpeedPost service. Microsoft has developed the software for the RFID system and is working with hardware companies, such as Texas Instruments for the inlets and other components. Many suppliers of automation for postal services now offer RFID enabled versions, an example being the FKI Logistex free roaming storage retrieval machine. From tray-mail license plates to parcel tags, FKI Logistex says it can help add RFID technology to an existing facility, or assist in the design and integration of RFID in a new build project. As the world’s most experienced material handling RFID integrator, FKI Logistex can assist in handling multiple ID technologies and other challenges in RFID deployments. It is difficult to estimate when pervasive RFID tagging of most of the courier and letter post will occur but RFID enabled parcels, conveyances, vehicles and trailers are now commonplace, with multiple paybacks often being enjoyed. RFID is enhancing security and safety and removing tedious operations. Swedish Post has a parcel that detects and records tampering using RFID and other innovations abound, including RFID cards controlling driver access to postal vehicles and RFID enabled postal sorting equipment. Little wonder that companies as large as Microsoft have entered the fray. The global potential is illustrated by its decision to offer its first postal systems in Taiwan and elsewhere in East Asia. It is clear that: • The main license free frequencies for passive (no battery) RFID are LF (125-135 KHz), HF (13.56 MHz) and UHF (850-950 MHz). The main frequencies for active (with battery) RFID are 315 MHz, 433 MHz, UHF and microwave (mainly 2.45 GHz). Passive tags are best for high volume and/ or short ranges such as below 2 meters. Active tags are only used in a minority of cases such as for longer ranges – typically up to 100 meters – and where sensors are managed. No frequency will ever be ideal for all applications but HF and UHF are most attractive for item level tagging and conveyances. Conveyances involving a great deal of metal can use LF. • Passive RFID labels have the most applications and are particularly suited to the high volume uses. Their Active RFID tags are useful for locating items and other long range applications, such as some involving vehicles and trailers. • Open systems will typically use EPC and the overarching ISO standards. • Closed systems (for example if you alone handle your mailbags) will use their own RFID systems. No need to apply to EPCglobal for a tranche of numbers to go on your mailbags – quicker, cheaper and possibly more secure to do your own system. • Most usage of RFID in this sector is for conveyances and vehicles but there is enormous scope for item level tagging and certain practitioners are moving ahead rapidly with this for competitive advantage. • RFID in this sector, as in others, is not all about cost, service to the customer and other quantifiable benefits, it is also very useful for security, safety, removing tedious tasks and other benefits that cannot be easily quantified financially. The total number of letters and parcels delivered by postal and courier services will be much bigger in ten years time – probably around one trillion yearly, mainly due to growth in East Asia. Items will be tagged with disposable labels whereas conveyances and vehicles will have RFID tags of various formats fixed for life to what are usually reusable conveyances and vehicles. Source: Dr Peter Harrop and Glyn Holland, in RFID News Online
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