Schneider Electric SE

06/20/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/20/2021 02:24

RFID: What are its Advantages and Disadvantages?

RFID refers to Radio Frequency Identification. It is a modern technology whereby leaders capture all the digital data encoded in RFID tags or smart labels via radio waves. It consists of three components which include:

  • The RFID tag or smart label
  • RFID reader
  • Antenna

RFID tags transmit data to the RFID reader, converting the radio waves to a more unstable form of data. Thus, the tags information collected is used to transfer to the host computer system, where the data is stored in a database and analysed later.

RFID systems are used across different industrial sectors like construction, engineering, chemical industry, manufacturing, retail etc. RFID application offers various advantages and disadvantages to other sectors:

Advantages

1. Security - The data on RFID systems are usually secure because it takes specialised equipment to read the data. This helps to maintain the lock system security.

2. Convenience - It only takes up a fraction of a second to put an RFID key in the proximity to unlock the security system. The procedure is highly convenient and fast.

3. Size - The size of the card is handy and the same as a regular bank card. Thus it is easy to store. Users have fewer chances of forgetting these cards when going to the place where they require access. RFID cards are convenient and easy to store.

4. Diverse - RFID locks come with different ranges of cams and spindle length that can fit a wide range of doors and furniture, making them suitable for any business or applications.

5. Master Card Functionality - Different kinds of locks can use one RFID key card to program. This saves the users from the mess of having different cards for different locks while allowing each lock to have independent access policies.

Disadvantages

Despite offering numerous advantages, the RFID system even has some of the disadvantages, which are listed below:

1. Lost Keycard - Unlike the traditional locks, forgetting or misplacing the modern keycard gives you a double headache of figuring out how to open the lock or track back the keycard to access the appliances.

2. Hacker Alert - The RFID system can be hacked by someone who is tech-savvy, thus offering a security issue.

3. Power Shortage Issue - Electric RFID keycards malfunction when power outages, causing some lockers to shut you out or leave the lockers open. It offers a lot of uncertainty to the users of keycards.

4. Expensive to Set Up - The Set-Up of RFID is expensive and complex. The set-up requires that locks are wired with a secured system that can be accessed, controlled and logged through the computer system.

5. Not Totally Hassle-Free - Users need to manually change their computer clock twice a year. This is required if the server computer is not connected to the internet or if there is a time-based access restriction.

Schneider Electric India provides a wide range of RFID systems and sensors for smart operation. It offers a wide range of limit switches, proximity and presence sensors, safety sensors and switches and many more options. Do visit the Schneider Electric India website to know more about RFID key cards and sensors!