There are clear benefits of RFID technology, both for exterprises and individuals.
Security and privacy must be ensured as the new technology is developed.
Radio frequency identification, RFID, is a technology that uses radio waves
to identify tagged objects in a manner similar to the way in which light waves
are used to identify printed bar codes. RFID systems include electronic devices,
called tags or transponders, and reader electronics to communicate with the
tags. When the antenna of an RFID reader transmits a signal to a tag, the tag
replies by sending an information-carrying signal back to the reader. The reader
may be coupled to a computing system for the management of tag-derived information.
RFID is used today for electronic toll collection, wireless cards for credit
transactions, access control, and animal identification. RFID systems do not
require direct line-of-sight as do bar code systems. They are capable of reading
tags through materials or around objects. The reading range of tags may vary
from a few centimeters to many meters for tags without batteries, and even up
to ten meters for tags with batteries. Tags may be small and thin or large and
bulky, depending upon the application.
The Auto-ID Center, founded in 1999 at MIT, has been at the center of an industry-driven
movement to use RFID for the supply chain. EPCglobal is to supplant the role
of the Center in furthering the standardization of RFID for this industry. The
goal is to use RFID to automate the labor-intensive processes that involve the
tracking of goods and to enhance data accuracy.
IBM is currently involved in RFID technology through research projects, standardization
initiatives, and customer engagements. IBM is working with industry partners
to supply complete solutions for RFID. IBM will provide robust, scalable solutions
for the retail supply chain and other industries. Initial projects will include
the tagging and tracing of pallets and cases. There is some individual item
tagging being done now, but more extensive item tagging may be done in the future.
The RFID industry and application standards groups are currently working to
address consumer privacy and security concerns. The clear benefits of RFID technology,
both for retailers and consumers have to be carefully balanced and considered
alongside the needs and concerns of the consumer to find beneficial solutions
for all parties concerned.
At all levels in the RFID architecture, IBM is advocating the inclusion of
technologies and policies to enforce adequate security and privacy features
to protect trading partners' data confidentiality and consumers' privacy. The
initial phase of the project will focus on protecting data confidentiality for
trading partners. IBM will continue working with industry and application standards
groups on exploring policy and technology to address consumer's privacy concerns.
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