Uses for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has revolutionized the way organizations in various industries track and manage inventory, as well as improve overall efficiency and safety. In recent years, the use of RFID has expanded beyond inventory management to customer engagement, particularly through Near Field Communication (NFC) labels. NFC labels are becoming popular for creating unique brand experiences before and after the sale. They allow customers to learn more about the product or brand by sending the customer to a product-specific landing page. This white paper will examine the use cases of NFC labels as a promotional labeling tool and explore two industries – healthcare and wine – where RFID technology is driving value.
Promotional Labeling Tool
NFC labels can be used to create a unique and interactive brand experience for customers before and after the sale. They are versatile and can be programmed with any content that the brand owner would like to put in front of their customers. This includes product-specific information such as the origin story of the wine, food pairing ideas, ideal serving temperature, and branded video content. The potential for social engagement is endless, making NFC labels an exciting tool for brand owners.
NFC labels can also be used for omnichannel promotional campaigns. The label itself can be used as a promotional tool, incorporating the brand’s messaging and product information. Smart labeling technology can also be used to authenticate medical devices and luxury goods, addressing the widespread counterfeit drug problem.
Smart Labeling Applications for Healthcare
RFID labeling is particularly valuable in the healthcare industry, where efficiency and safety are paramount. The global RFID market for healthcare is expanding at a double-digit rate due to the value and efficiency RFID promises to bring to healthcare organizations. As hospitals, labs, and entire supply chains adopt RFID technologies, they become smarter, enabling them to track and trace every blood sample or pallet of medication. Real-time visibility into inventory and monitoring the temperature of heat-sensitive drugs throughout the supply chain are also possible. Smart labeling adds another layer of visibility, efficiency, and patient safety to the healthcare industry.
Two Ways RFID Labeling Can Drive Value for Hospitals
Hospitals are a great microcosm of the healthcare industry as a whole, with various processes happening under one roof, including diagnostic testing, movement of samples and pharmaceuticals, medication dispensing, and patient care. Smart labeling can benefit hospitals in two ways that could also benefit the entire healthcare industry: authentication of pharmaceuticals and samples, and improving hospital inventory management with smart cabinets.
Authentication of Pharmaceuticals and Samples
RFID technology can be used to track and trace pharmaceuticals and blood samples throughout the hospital to ensure that every patient receives the right diagnosis and medication, without fail. Each RFID tag has a unique identification number, which is assigned to a particular product and input into the hospital’s database. RFID tags can be read as quickly as 700 products per second, making accuracy and productivity possible. Secure RFID authentication is also an effective way of fighting the widespread counterfeit drug problem.
Improving Hospital Inventory Management with Smart Cabinets
Automating inventory tracking with smart labels and smart cabinets streamlines in-hospital supply chain management, aligning with many hospital’s administrative goals to save money. The moment a medication or product is brought into the hospital, it is tagged with an RFID smart label and put into the hospital’s database. Products are then placed in smart cabinets, which sync with the hospital’s inventory management system. Authorized personnel can immediately locate in which cabinet and on which shelf the product is. The reader will let them know whether the product they took is the oldest available product, which ensures products get used before they expire. Smart cabinets keep a real-time inventory count, reducing the need for manual counting, re-ordering, and managing expired and recalled
