The main differences between Barcode and RFID technology

Barcode and RFID technology are both effectively used by companies as a tool for asset identification and tracking. Whilst both technologies are used to store and transmit data, they have some main differences that are useful to know before deciding what solution is most suitable for your business requirements.

How does a barcode work?

Barcode technology consists of a visual barcode and an optical barcode scanner. A barcode encodes data into a visual pattern, this visual pattern is read by a barcode scanner which uses a beam of light to capture and decode the information contained by a barcode.

How does RFID work?

RFID which is short for radio frequency identification is a technology that consists of an RFID tag and an RFID reader. The RFID tag contains a microchip and antenna. The microchip stores the data related to the item it is attached to and the antenna transmits this data. An RFID reader communicates with the tag via radio signals and receives the tag's data.

Differences between RFID and Barcode

Line of sight

Barcode technology requires that the barcode scanner is in line of sight of the barcode to read and decode the data. Contrastingly as an RFID scanner uses radio waves to communicate with the RFID tag it does not require line of sight to read the tag.

Scanning multiple items

A barcode scanner can only scan one barcode at a time, consequently it relies on hand scanning each item individually. An RFID reader in contrast can read multiple RFID tags at the same time. This can help save time as a large number of items can be read simultaneously.

Reading range

RFID tags can be read at greater distances than barcodes. Active RFID tags can have a read range of up to 100 meters.

Data stored

Barcodes are limited in the type and volume of data that they can store, contrastingly RFID tags are able to store a higher volume of more complex data for example maintenance records, warranty information and product specifications.

Costs

An RFID solution can be very costly when compared to a barcode solution. Cost is often a barrier to implementing RFID solutions within businesses.

If you are interested in implementing either a barcode or RFID solution within your business and require more information, please email us at info@labelmarket.co.uk or call us on 0800 169 1980.