Smart Labeling: The Ability to Monitor and Track Just About Anything

As labeling technology becomes more advanced, the term "RFID label " is now commonly used. When we talk about smart labels, we are referring to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). RFID technology uses electromagnetic or radio waves to convey information from a microelectronic transponder to a tracking device or monitoring system.

RFID labels contain tiny electronic devices that are so small and thin they can be embedded into labels. An RFID printer/encoder is able to write, or encode, data to a label containing one of these tiny RFID chips. Any company that makes the investment in one of these machines will have the capability to print and encode RFID labels with human-readable data, on-demand.

The Smart Label Advantage

At the store: A smart label can contain much more information than a typical barcode label found on a product in a retail outlet. Data can also be manipulated, changed, and stored within RFID labels as opposed to the one-time opportunity of embedding information within a barcode.

A smart label can also help prevent theft by communicating with an in-store detection device. If an individual attempt to leave a store before the detection system is deactivated through the purchase of an item, the system is alerted.

Additionally, smart labels not only allow items to be more easily tracked within a store but by the manufacturer or producer of the product. This technology makes inventory management easy.

With some systems, RFID labels can help speed up the check out process as the items are scanned automatically as a group versus barcodes which are scanned individually and manually.

Equipment Tracking Many businesses and companies are taking advantage of smart label technology for asset tracking. RFID label can be attached to equipment and furniture so that when the equipment or furniture needs to be located, scanners can be used to track their location.