At the foundation of every RFID system sits the silicon. Chip makers such as NXP Semiconductors, Impinj, and EM Microelectronic design and fabricate the integrated circuits that power RFID tags and reader modules. These companies invest heavily in R&D and set the performance ceiling for the entire industry. They sell to other manufacturers rather than to end users, so you are unlikely to buy directly from them unless you are producing millions of units a year.

Tag manufacturers, sometimes called converters or inlay producers, take those ICs and turn them into usable products. Companies like Avery Dennison, Smartrac (now part of Avery Dennison), and HID Global bond chips to antennas and encapsulate them as labels, hard tags, wristbands, or cards. The tag manufacturer is where decisions about form factor, adhesive, operating frequency, and environmental durability get made. If your project has unusual physical requirements, this is the vendor category you need to engage with.

Reader OEMs build the hardware that interrogates those tags. Zebra Technologies, Impinj (which also operates at the chip level), CAEN RFID, and Feig Electronic all produce fixed, handheld, or embedded readers along with the antennas that go with them. Choosing the right reader depends on read range, environment, throughput, and which air-interface protocol your tags use. Many reader OEMs also provide SDKs and middleware, bridging the gap between raw RF data and your business applications.

System integrators are the companies that pull everything together. They assess your workflow, select compatible tags and readers, develop or configure the software layer, install the infrastructure, and train your team. Firms like SML Group, Convergence Systems Limited, and numerous regional specialists operate in this space. A good integrator understands not just RFID but also your existing IT environment, including ERP, WMS, and POS systems that need to receive tag data. For most organisations deploying RFID for the first time, the system integrator is the single most important vendor relationship.

Value-added resellers sit between manufacturers and end users. They hold stock of readers, tags, and accessories, bundle them with support or basic configuration, and sell to businesses that know roughly what they need but want a convenient one-stop shop. VARs are particularly useful for repeat orders, consumable restocking, or smaller deployments that do not justify a full integration project.

So who should you talk to first? If you have a well-defined requirement and in-house technical capability, going directly to a tag manufacturer or reader OEM can get you better pricing. If your project is complex, involves multiple read points, or needs custom software, start with a system integrator. And if you simply need to reorder supplies for an existing deployment, a VAR will be your fastest route. Understanding these vendor types is the first step toward building an RFID solution that actually works for your operation.

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The PSS division sits within Honeywell’s Industrial Automation business and reported revenues of approximately $1.1 billion for 2025. It serves warehouse, logistics and manufacturing customers, markets where RFID reader technology plays a central role in inventory management, asset tracking and supply chain visibility. The inclusion of RFID readers in the sale means that Brady Corporation will inherit a well-established hardware offering in the automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) space.

Brady Corporation, listed on the NYSE under the ticker BRC, is an international manufacturer of high-performance labels, signs, safety devices and printing systems. The company already has a strong presence in industrial identification, so the addition of Honeywell’s data capture and RFID reader portfolio is a logical extension of its existing capabilities. Brady has described the acquisition as an opportunity to build a more integrated, end-to-end productivity and safety platform for industrial and logistics customers.

For the RFID sector, the deal raises questions about continuity of product development and support for existing Honeywell RFID reader customers. Brady’s leadership in identification solutions could, however, provide a strategic home that values and invests in the technology. The combination of Brady’s labelling and identification expertise with Honeywell’s RFID reader hardware may ultimately create a more cohesive offering for end users who need both the tag and the reader infrastructure in a single supply relationship.

Honeywell framed the divestiture as part of a broader multi-year portfolio transformation. The company is also preparing to spin off its Aerospace business, expected to complete in the third quarter of 2026, and continues to assess strategic alternatives for its Warehouse and Workflow Solutions business, which operates under the Intelligrated and Transnorm brand names. The sale of PSS follows earlier divestitures including the offload of Honeywell’s Personal Protective Equipment business in 2024 and the spin-off of its Advanced Materials division as Solstice Advanced Materials in October 2025.

Vimal Kapur, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell, said the PSS divestiture brings the company close to completing its portfolio transformation as it prepares to separate its Aerospace and Automation businesses into two independent publicly listed companies. He added that PSS would benefit from Brady’s complementary expertise in industrial identification and safety, creating a broader offering for warehouse, logistics and manufacturing customers.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions. Centerview Partners is acting as financial advisor to Honeywell, with Kirkland and Ellis LLP, Baker McKenzie and Womble Bond Dickinson providing legal counsel.

Read more at https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/press/2026/04/honeywell-to-sell-productivity-solutions-and-services-business-to-brady-corporation

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Map Out the Full Cost Picture

The biggest mistake in RFID budgeting is focusing solely on tag prices. Tags are just one line item. A complete cost model should cover five categories:

Tags and consumables. Unit costs vary widely. A passive UHF inlay for retail might sit below five pence, while a ruggedised on-metal tag for asset tracking could reach several pounds. Multiply by expected volume and factor in attrition rates for tags that get damaged or lost.

Readers and antennas. Fixed readers at dock doors, handheld readers for cycle counts, overhead readers for conveyor lines. Include mounting hardware, cabling, and any edge-computing devices needed at the read point.

Middleware and software. This is the layer that filters, deduplicates, and routes tag data into your existing systems. Some organisations use commercial RFID middleware platforms; others build lightweight connectors directly into their ERP or WMS. Either way, licence fees, hosting, and ongoing support belong in the model.

Integration. Connecting RFID event data to warehouse management, ERP, or point-of-sale systems is often the most underestimated cost. Budget for API development, data mapping, user acceptance testing, and a parallel-run period where old and new processes overlap.

Training and change management. Staff need to understand new workflows, how to handle exceptions when a tag fails to read, and how to interpret dashboard data. A rushed training phase leads to workarounds that erode ROI.

Quantify the Benefits

Hard savings are the easiest to defend. Calculate current labour hours spent on manual counts, barcode scanning, or searching for misplaced assets, then estimate the reduction RFID will deliver. In retail, inventory accuracy improvements from around 65 percent to above 95 percent are well documented and translate directly into fewer stockouts and markdowns.

Soft benefits matter too, but label them honestly. Faster receiving, improved compliance audit times, and better customer experience all have value. Assign conservative estimates and flag them as secondary gains rather than primary justification.

Calculate the Payback Period

A simple payback model works for most initial business cases. Divide total project cost by annual net benefit to find the number of years until the investment breaks even. Many RFID projects in logistics and retail achieve payback within 12 to 18 months. For asset tracking in healthcare or manufacturing, the timeline may stretch to two years but often comes with regulatory or safety benefits that carry weight beyond pure financials.

For larger deployments, consider a discounted cash flow approach that accounts for phased rollouts and scaling costs. A pilot phase covering one facility or product line keeps upfront risk low while generating real data to refine the model before full-scale commitment.

Present It as a Template

Structure your business case document with an executive summary, a cost breakdown table, a benefits summary with assumptions clearly stated, a payback timeline, and a risk register. Keep the language plain and the numbers auditable. Decision-makers trust a model they can stress-test over one that looks polished but hides its assumptions.

Building a business case for RFID is not about proving the technology works. That debate is long settled. It is about proving it works for your operation, at your scale, with your constraints. Get the cost categories right, quantify benefits conservatively, and let the numbers make the argument.

The post How to Build a Business Case for RFID first appeared on RFID News.

The programme uses passive UHF RAIN RFID tags applied directly to packages, paired with reader infrastructure installed across sorting hubs. Each tagged parcel triggers a read the moment it passes through a scan point, without the need for a worker to line up a barcode. That change eliminates one of the most stubborn bottlenecks in large scale parcel handling and removes a common source of missed scans that lead to delays and misroutes.

For UPS customers, the benefits show up in the details. Packages are logged automatically at induction, during sortation, at loading, and again when they leave a facility. Every one of those touch points feeds real time data back to tracking systems, so shippers and recipients see movement updates reflected more quickly and more accurately than before. The extra resolution helps retailers manage returns, reduces the volume of customer service queries, and gives operations teams earlier warning when something is off.

RAIN RFID is well suited to the job. The passive UHF tags are low cost, battery free, and can be read in bulk at high speed, which is a fit for an environment moving millions of packages through hubs each day. Readers can capture dozens of items simultaneously, a step change from one at a time barcode scanning. Because the tags do not need line of sight, packages can be oriented in any direction and still get picked up.

The data layer is where UPS expects the real transformation to show. Each scan creates a verifiable event that is tied to an individual parcel, which builds a complete chain of custody for every shipment. That kind of granular record supports better exception handling, smarter network planning, and more accurate service commitments, particularly for time sensitive freight. It also positions UPS to offer more advanced analytics products to enterprise shippers who increasingly want raw data they can plug into their own supply chain platforms.

Industry observers see the move as a meaningful signal for RFID more broadly. While retailers like Walmart have driven much of the recent RAIN RFID adoption through inventory mandates, the UPS programme extends the technology into the transit and logistics layer, where the operational gains compound with every handoff. The deployment demonstrates that RFID is no longer a pilot technology in logistics but an infrastructure investment with returns measured in reliability and throughput.

UPS has framed the rollout as part of a broader push to raise service standards across its network, and the early indications suggest the investment is paying off. With package volumes growing and customer expectations rising, the visibility delivered by RFID gives UPS a tangible advantage in an extremely competitive market, and sets a reference point that other carriers will find hard to ignore.

Read more at https://about.ups.com/mx/en/newsroom/press-releases/customer-first/ups-s-rfid-sensingtechnologytransformslogisticsindustry-givingcu.html

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The project brings together SAF-HOLLAND SE, a major trailer axle manufacturer, alongside Tageos, identytag GmbH and Winckel GmbH. Together they have embedded NFC technology directly into the hub caps of trailer axles, creating a durable link between physical components and their digital records.

At the heart of the solution is the Tageos EOS-920 NTAG213 inlay, a compact 20mm NFC tag with 144 bytes of user memory. The chip sits inside a specially designed label that is fixed to each axle hub cap, where it can survive the rough conditions of road transport and still deliver reliable reads when scanned.

Workshop technicians interact with the tags through SH-Connect, a dedicated app that opens up a full suite of services the moment a tag is scanned. From one interface, mechanics can order spare parts, pull up technical documentation, find the nearest authorised workshop and access training materials. The result is a faster, cleaner workflow that keeps trailers moving rather than stuck waiting for paperwork.

Before this rollout, technicians were often forced to hunt for QR codes tucked away in awkward spots beneath vehicles or inside inspection pits. Dirt, grease and damaged labels turned what should be a routine check into a time sink, and misreads led to ordering errors and avoidable downtime. NFC sidesteps these issues entirely because it does not rely on line of sight or a clean surface.

Felix Passia, Head of Sales at identytag, said the partnership “embodies the power of the RFID ecosystem” and creates “systems that don’t just track corporate assets: they generate valuable product information and intelligence.” His comment captures a broader shift in the industry, where tagged components are becoming active sources of operational data rather than passive identifiers.

The benefits stack up quickly. Fleet operators get unambiguous identification of every axle, immediate access to up to date product information, faster service turnarounds and lower spare parts errors. Because the tags can be retrofitted to existing axles and scanned with standard smartphones, there is no need for specialised readers or expensive new hardware. The move to NFC also cuts down on printed documentation, delivering a modest but welcome environmental win.

For Tageos, headquartered in Montpellier, France, the project reinforces its position in industrial NFC applications where durability and data density matter. For SAF-HOLLAND, it offers a clear differentiator in a competitive market and a practical answer to customer demand for smarter, connected components.

As trailers become more connected, expect the humble hub cap to keep doing more than its share of the work. NFC at the point of service is a small change with a surprisingly large ripple effect across the logistics chain.

Read more at https://www.tageos.com/en/why-tageos/news/news-details/smart-axles-revolutionize-trailer-maintenance.html

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At the heart of UHF RFID adoption is the GS1 EPC Gen2 standard, also known as ISO 18000-63. This protocol defines how UHF tags and readers communicate, ensuring interoperability between hardware from different manufacturers. The standard supports features like dense reader mode, which allows multiple readers to operate in close proximity without interference, and tag memory banks that can store unique product identifiers alongside user-defined data.

Compared to other RFID frequency bands, UHF stands apart in several key areas. Low Frequency (LF) RFID, operating at 125 to 134 kHz, provides read ranges of only a few centimetres and is typically used for animal identification and access control. High Frequency (HF) RFID at 13.56 MHz extends that range to about one metre and powers applications like contactless payments and library systems. UHF pushes well beyond both, offering read distances that make it ideal for warehouse management, retail inventory, and supply chain logistics where items need to be scanned quickly at a distance.

In retail, UHF RFID has transformed inventory management. Major retailers use it to achieve inventory accuracy rates above 95%, enabling real-time stock visibility from warehouse to shop floor. Tags attached to individual items can be read in bulk, allowing staff to count thousands of products in minutes rather than hours. This same capability drives adoption in logistics, where pallets and cases tagged with UHF inlays pass through dock door portals at speed, automating receiving and shipping processes.

The power profile of UHF RFID also deserves attention. UHF tags are passive, meaning they harvest energy from the reader’s radio signal to power their response. This keeps tag costs low, often just a few pence per unit at volume, and eliminates the need for batteries. Readers, however, must transmit at higher power levels than their LF and HF counterparts. Typical UHF reader output sits between 1 and 2 watts EIRP, depending on regional regulations, which accounts for the extended read range.

Regional frequency allocations do vary. In Europe, UHF RFID operates within 865.6 to 867.6 MHz under ETSI regulations, while the US permits a wider band from 902 to 928 MHz. These differences mean that global deployments require tags and readers designed to work across the full 860 to 960 MHz spectrum, something that modern hardware handles comfortably.

With the continued growth of RAIN RFID, the industry alliance promoting UHF technology, and billions of tags shipped annually, UHF RFID has firmly established itself as the dominant frequency for large-scale identification and tracking. Its combination of range, speed, cost efficiency, and standards compliance makes it the natural choice for organisations looking to digitise their physical operations.

The post What is UHF RFID and Why Does It Dominate Modern Deployments? first appeared on RFID News.

Passive RFID tags have no internal battery, which gives them a significant longevity advantage. In theory, a passive UHF or HF inlay sealed in stable conditions could function for 20 years or more. But real-world performance tells a more nuanced story. Environmental exposure, mechanical stress, and chemical contact all play a role in determining how long a tag will continue to deliver reliable reads.

Label Tags

Adhesive-backed RFID label tags are the most widely deployed form factor, commonly used in retail, logistics, and document tracking. Under normal indoor conditions, these tags typically last between 3 and 5 years. The limiting factor is rarely the IC or antenna. Instead, adhesive degradation, moisture ingress, and physical abrasion tend to reduce performance over time. In warehousing environments with temperature swings and dust, read range can drop noticeably within 18 to 24 months.

Hard Tags

Encapsulated in durable plastic or polycarbonate housings, hard tags are built for longevity. These are common in asset tracking, tool management, and reusable container programmes. Hard tags routinely survive 10 years or more, even in outdoor or semi-industrial environments. The rigid casing protects the antenna from flexing and shields the IC from moisture and impact. Some manufacturers warranty their hard tags for over 100,000 read cycles without measurable performance loss.

Laundry Tags

Laundry tags represent one of the most punishing use cases in RFID. Designed to withstand repeated wash cycles at temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius, along with tumble drying, pressing, and chemical detergents, these tags are typically encased in flexible, heat-resistant polymers. Leading laundry tags from manufacturers like Datamars and HID are rated for 200 or more wash cycles. Field studies have shown consistent read performance beyond 300 cycles in commercial laundry operations, translating to a practical lifespan of 2 to 3 years in high-turnover textile rental services.

On-Metal Tags

Standard UHF tags fail when mounted directly on metal surfaces because the metal detunes the antenna. On-metal tags solve this with a spacer or ferrite layer that isolates the antenna from the metallic substrate. These specialised tags, used heavily in manufacturing, defence, and IT asset management, are among the most durable available. With ruggedised housings rated to IP68 or higher, on-metal tags can endure extreme temperatures, vibration, and chemical exposure for 15 to 20 years.

Accelerated Aging and Read Performance

Manufacturers validate tag lifespan through accelerated aging tests that simulate years of environmental stress in compressed timeframes. These protocols expose tags to elevated temperatures, humidity cycling, UV radiation, and mechanical shock. Read sensitivity and range are measured at intervals throughout the process. Most high-quality tags show minimal degradation in read distance during the first 70 to 80 percent of their rated lifespan, followed by a gradual decline. For mission-critical deployments, establishing a replacement schedule well before end-of-life thresholds is essential to maintaining system reliability.

Choosing the right tag for the environment is just as important as choosing the right frequency or IC. Matching form factor and construction to the application’s physical demands ensures that RFID investments deliver reliable performance across their full intended lifespan.

The post RFID Tag Durability: How Long Do Tags Actually Last? first appeared on RFID News.

1. What is the business problem you are solving?
Every successful RFID project starts with a well-defined objective. Whether you need to reduce shrinkage in retail, speed up warehouse picking, or track surgical instruments in a hospital, the use case should drive every technical decision that follows. Avoid deploying RFID simply because it sounds innovative.

2. What does the read environment look like?
RF signals behave differently around metal, liquids, dense packaging, and varying temperatures. Walk the floor where tags will be read. Identify potential sources of interference, including other wireless systems operating nearby. A site survey at this stage can save months of troubleshooting later.

3. How will RFID integrate with existing systems?
Your ERP, WMS, or asset management platform will need to ingest RFID data. Map out integration points early. Determine whether middleware is required, what APIs are available, and who owns the data pipeline. Overlooking integration is one of the fastest ways to stall a project after go-live.

4. What is your realistic budget, including hidden costs?
Tags, readers, antennas, and software licences are only part of the picture. Factor in site preparation, cabling, middleware, staff training, process redesign, and ongoing consumable costs such as replacement tags. A phased rollout can help spread expenditure while proving value incrementally.

5. What does your timeline look like?
Pilot programmes typically run eight to twelve weeks, but full-scale deployments can take considerably longer. Build in time for tag testing, reader tuning, software integration, user acceptance testing, and change management. Rushing these phases almost always backfires.

6. How will you handle change management?
Technology only works when people use it correctly. Identify stakeholders early, communicate benefits clearly, and invest in hands-on training. Warehouse operatives, shop-floor staff, and IT teams all need to understand their role in the new workflow.

7. Which tag technology is right for your application?
UHF RAIN RFID tags suit long-range bulk reads in logistics and retail. HF and NFC tags work well for item-level authentication, access control, and customer engagement. Dual-frequency options exist for specialist use cases. Match the tag to the read range, memory requirements, and environmental conditions of your application.

8. What is your data strategy?
RFID generates vast volumes of event data. Decide what you will capture, how long you will store it, and how you will turn raw reads into actionable insight. Consider data filtering at the edge to reduce noise before it hits your central systems.

9. How will you evaluate vendors and partners?
Look beyond hardware specifications. Assess vendor experience in your sector, the strength of their support organisation, and their ability to provide references from comparable deployments. A knowledgeable systems integrator can be the difference between a smooth rollout and a painful one.

10. How will you measure success?
Define key performance indicators before the first tag is applied. Read accuracy, inventory count time, labour savings, and return on investment are common metrics. Establish a baseline now so you can quantify improvements once the system is live.

Taking the time to answer these questions honestly will not slow your project down. It will give it the foundation it needs to deliver measurable, lasting results.

The post 10 Questions to Ask Before Starting Any RFID Project first appeared on RFID News.

The data, compiled from four leading tag chip manufacturers – EM Microelectronic, Impinj, NXP, and Shanghai Quanray Electronics – paints a nuanced picture of an industry navigating short-term headwinds while maintaining a strong long-term trajectory.

Several factors contributed to the year-over-year decline. The semiconductor inventory cycle produced amplified supply-chain swings, with days of inventory running 26 days above the 10-year median at the start of 2025. Tariff uncertainty also dampened U.S. demand for apparel and general retail, while broader retail destocking pressure weighed on order volumes.

Aileen Ryan, President and CEO of the RAIN Alliance, highlighted the growing adoption of RAIN RFID technology across multiple sectors. Beyond its established presence in retail and logistics, the technology is gaining traction in healthcare, manufacturing, and emerging markets including beauty, sports, consumer electronics, healthcare and pharma, food, and perishables.

A significant driver of future growth is the European Union’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) regulation, which will require detailed product-level data across various industries. RAIN RFID has been accepted as a qualified data carrier for DPP compliance, positioning the technology as a critical enabler for brands and manufacturers preparing to meet these regulatory requirements.

Another development set to expand the reach of RAIN RFID is the integration of RAIN capabilities into mobile chipsets. With smartphone suppliers building RAIN reader functionality directly into handsets, consumers and businesses alike will be able to interact with tagged products using everyday devices, opening up new use cases in authentication, product information, and supply chain transparency.

The RAIN Alliance will bring the industry together at its RAIN in Action conference, scheduled for Madrid from September 29 to October 1, where stakeholders will explore the latest developments and applications driving the technology forward.

Despite the 2025 dip, the broader trend remains clear. RAIN RFID is embedding itself deeper into global supply chains, regulatory frameworks, and consumer experiences, and the 42.7 billion chips shipped last year reflect an industry that has matured well beyond its early adopter phase.

Read more at https://therainalliance.org/rain-alliance-reports-42-7-billion-tag-chip-shipments-in-2025/

The post RAIN Alliance Reports 42.7 Billion Tag Chip Shipments in 2025 first appeared on RFID News.

The NFC Checkpoint is a double-sided custom printed PVC tag measuring 1.2mm thick. It is both waterproof and dustproof, with an integrated antenna and chip sealed within the body. Two chip variants are available – the NTAG213 for standard applications, and the NTAG424 for environments where anti-cloning encryption security is required. The tags come in 60mm and 100mm sizes and are compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones.

The concept behind the product is straightforward. A checkpoint tag gets installed at a fixed location, such as a depot entrance, a building lobby, or a patrol route marker. When a worker, courier, or contractor arrives, they simply tap their phone against the tag. That single tap logs a timestamp, the user’s location, and their user ID, then transmits the data securely to whatever backend system the organisation is using.

What makes this approach stand out from alternatives is the security model. GPS-based check-in systems have long been vulnerable to location spoofing, and QR codes can be photographed and shared between users. An NFC tap requires genuine physical proximity to the tag, which eliminates both of those attack vectors. For organisations running the NTAG424 variant, there is an additional layer of protection through cryptographic authentication that prevents tag cloning.

The practical applications span several industries. Courier and delivery companies can use the tags for depot registration and route verification. Facilities managers can track contractor attendance without relying on paper sign-in sheets. Security firms can verify that patrol officers are physically visiting each checkpoint on their rounds. And any business with shift workers can use them as a frictionless clock-in and clock-out system, replacing badge readers or manual timesheets.

The simplicity of the interaction is worth highlighting. There are no apps to open, no forms to fill out, and no passwords to remember. A single tap handles everything, which means adoption rates tend to be high even among less tech-savvy users.

With workforce verification and compliance becoming increasingly important across regulated industries, products like the NFC Checkpoint address a real operational need. The combination of physical security, ease of use, and flexible deployment makes it a practical solution for organisations looking to move beyond honour-based attendance systems.

Read more at https://seritag.com/news/the-nfc-checkpoint-tag

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