RFID is a technology that uses radio frequencies to transmit and receive signals. This technology is often leveraged in business to associate and track assets. There are several components that make up an RFID solution, the tags, the readers and software.

How you use them. There are many types of scanners on the market that will read both Barcode and RFID tags. Barcodes are optical (line of sight) while RFID is radio frequency. Tags come in varying sizes and shapes but Barcodes must be read by placing the scanner directly in front of a tag and it has the ability to read a single tag within a couple of inches of a barcode while RFID can be read over a much wider area and you can read hundreds of RFID tags concurrently.

Where you use them. There are many different applications for RFID but the two (2) main types of RFID tags deployed in the data centers are Active RFID TAG (battery powered) and Passive RFID TAG (no battery power – these tags get low energy power from a transmitter). These tags used in data centers range from the size of a small fingernail to boxes similar to the tags used for tolls in an automobile.

Famous IT answer… It depends. There are several types of tags. There are many considerations such as the type of surface you are affixing the tag, the type of racks you use and expected results of the tags performance. There are some tags manufactured for specific areas of the world on different frequencies. Evaluating your situation and objectives will help determine the best tag for your needs.

No. There are many devices in data centers today that already have RFID tags embedded in them such as security cameras and technology equipment. The FCC in the US (and their counterparts in other countries) keep tight control over the acceptable frequency ranges. At Asset Vue we have over 1,000,000 assets under management in data centers today.