RFID VS BARCODES: Advantages and disadvantages comparison

Author: May

Mar. 07, 2024

Consumer Electronics

Barcode Advantages

Much smaller and lighter than
RFID
tags and therefore easier to use.
Less expensive than
RFID
tags; as barcodes are directly printed onto plastic or paper materials and therefore the only cost involved is the ink; a tiny overall cost.
Barcodes work with the same accuracy on various materials in which they are placed.
Barcodes are a universal technology in that they are the norm for retail products; stores that own a barcode reader can process barcodes from anywhere in the world.
In many cases; barcode accuracy has been said to be the same or even better than
RFID
tags.
Today barcodes are found on almost every item and there are no privacy issues involved with its use.

Barcode Disadvantages

Barcode scanners need a direct line of sight to the barcode to be able to read.
In order to read the barcode, the barcode scanner needs to be quite close; around no more than 15ft.
Barcodes have no read/write capabilities; they do not contain any added information such as expiry date etc. They only contain the manufacturer and product.
They are very labour intensive; as they must be scanned individually.
Barcodes have less security than
RFID
; as they can be more easily reproduced or forged.
Barcodes are more easily damaged; as the line of sight is needed to scan, the printed bar code has to be exposed on the outside of the product.
If a barcode is ripped or damaged there is no way to scan the product.

RFID
Advantages

Can read
RFID
tags from a greater distance than barcodes.
RFID
tags don’t need to be positioned in a line of sight with the scanner.
RFID
tags can be read at a faster rate than barcodes; as approximately 40
RFID
tags can be read at the same time.
RFID
tags can work within much greater distances; information can be read from a tag at up to 300 ft.
RFID
tags are read/write devices.
RFID
contain high levels of security; data can be encrypted, password protected or set to include a ‘kill’ feature to remove data permanently.
RFID
tags carry large data capabilities such as product maintenance, shipping histories and expiry dates; which can all be programmed to the tag.
Once these are set up; it can be run with minimal human participation.
RFID
tags are more reusable and rugged as they are protected by a plastic cover.

RFID
Disadvantages

RFID
involves assembling and inserting a computerized chip; which works out to be more expensive.
RFID
readers struggle picking up information when passing through metal or liquid.
Reader collision can occur where two signals from different readers overlap and the tag is unable to respond to both.
Tag collision can occur when numerous tags in the same area respond at the same time.
RFID
still has two separate chips (read only and readable/writable), which cannot be read by the same machine.

The medical supplies/equipment I will be using the two dimensional bar codes on all items inside the container since this allows for more data storage accurate description of products being sent and received. With the use of contact memory buttons (CMB), disturbances to a shipping containers will be made know when the containers are scanned when it reaches the port and final receiving port. The benefits of such technology is it allows for full life cycle support and high data capacity. The Yellow Trucking Company uses the universal RFID readers and CMB scanner prior to transport the medical equipment getting loaded on to the ship. The Yellow Trucking Company scans at multiple travel points, such as when stopping at truck stop to refuel, this is included in our agreement with the trucking company. The last scan before leaving for overseas is at the port, the shipping container is scanned by our San Diego based operations to detect if any variances were detected during shipment. If variances are detected the container is opened, reviewed for accuracy according to the shipping list via the RFID reader/scanner and corrected before

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