SimplyRFiD solves Tracking and Traceability problems, using RFID.
Our products are the pieces that go into those solutions.
- NOX Asset Tracking and Supply Chain Logistics
- Department of Defense mandated RFID tags of all types
- Whatever else it takes to make the solution for a customer's problem.
About solving track and trace problems
Every customer's unique problem requires a unique solution. Software and integration come with every system sale. Customer service, user training, and ongoing excellent support are part of the deal. That's why we work with custom integrators to help you get your solution exactly the way that is right for you. Even though we customize each solution, our solid software components provide the core to each system -- saving you money, time, and aggravation with each system sale. We sell custom products at off-the-shelf prices. Our pre-packaged software anticipates your feature needs.
About RFID tags
The right tags can make your system work better. Bad tags jam the printers, cause read errors, and encourage mis-shipments. Our RFID tags make your operation run more smoothly. We also have tags for metal devices, such as your data center servers and laptops. Over two thousand suppliers to the Department of Defense use our high quality RFID tags.
About NOX
Our proprietary NOX asset tracking system uses RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tags to monitor asset movement. Assets can be people, equipment, computers, and other property. It links the asset movement to video. Using Nox, you can search for any asset and retrieve instant video and time of the entire asset movement through the facility. You can also locate the current location and watch items in real-time. You can find those items, even if they are in briefcases, inside boxes, packed on trucks, under tarps, under coats, behind furniture, or in file drawers. If those items are moved, you can choose to receive an alert, including a picture and time stamp of who moved it and when it happened.
Nox works via a standard web browser and on most iPads, iPhones, or Androids. It provides 24x7 unattended asset surveillance, alerts management to triggered security events, and maintains a complete history of your asset movement that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
Concept of Operations
Items to be tracked are tagged with RFID chips. The chips come in a variety of sizes, depending on the item to be tagged. The first system decision is an assessment of what types of RFID tags to use. In most applications, this is a passive, self-adhesive label that is typically 4” X 0.62.” They usually come standard on a roll of 1,000.
Labels are purchased blank. Blank passive RFID labels come with an inlay inside which serves as a receiving antenna. We run the labels through an RFID printer (such as a Zebra printer), and each label is programmed in the printer to associate the item with a specific, 24-digit hexadecimal code. To help out the humans, the printer will print the ID number on the label, but it generally isn’t important for the humans to read it. Some customers will have a need for so many tags that they will want their system to include printers, so they can print tags for themselves. Most customers, however, will be happy to buy the tags pre-printed, from us
Tracking zones
Each area to be tracked by NOX is called an “interrogation zone.” Typically, a zone can be a room up to 800 square feet, or a specific entrance point such as a doorway or loading dock. Tracking areas greater than 800 square feet require incremental sets of NOX Interrogator modules. Each interrogator zone requires an RFID reader (such as a ThingMagic reader.) Readers come in varying shapes and sizes, and are selected based on customer-needs criteria. Readers can also be handheld devices, such as the NOX Vault handheld reader. Readers can be installed covertly or overtly. That is, they can be hidden inside walls or ceilings, or they can be mounted where they can be seen. They have varying read ranges, and can be installed with “slave” modules to expand their coverage area. Full NOX technical training includes criteria for selecting and mounting readers.
The NOX ATA
Every time a tagged item passes a defined interrogation point, or is noted as present by a handheld reader, the RFID tag ID is stored in an MS SQL database on the NOX ATA. The time of this event is also stored, so a history of the item’s movement is built. This history may optionally include a video still frame of the event, stored in the database with the item information. The customer chooses whether a specific event should or should not trigger an alarm. If the event is set to trigger an alarm, the alarm can be indicated by flashing lights, bells, or messages sent to cell phones or mobile devices. Further information on how to configure alarms is contained in the NOX technical training.
Video events are retained based on disk space provided, approximately 400GB per camera per month. This is highly variable based on the amount of movement in that camera zone, frame rate stored, and resolution selected. The key surveillance factor is that the tagged item does not have to be visible to be read by the sensors. It will be read inside briefcases or other containers. Video of the time frame that the item moved past the reader will capture the event.
Finding an item and querying the database
Any tagged item may be located by searching on the product ID. The search will bring up a video view of the item on a web browser. The video will show every location the asset has been seen passing a reader, a time it was seen, and a link to the all video events. Asset movement may also be accessed using an XML API, if the customer’s application requires software development.
Check-in-Check-out Procedures
Often, a customer’s security concern will be based on the authority of the user. Some people are authorized to move certain items; some people are not. The NOX Check-in-Check-out module allows customers to identify who may move what items without triggering an alarm. It also records who had the item last, who removed it from a specific zone, and where it is now. This is particularly useful in tool rooms and evidence rooms.
Supply Chain Logistics
NOX also supports conveyors, palletization stretch wrap machines, handheld RFID inventory procedures, visual asset maps, and text message notifications on asset movement.
Want to know more?
