Bartender RFID Label Software

Radio-frequency identification, or RFID, is a relatively new wireless technology that uses electromagnetic fields to transmit data and information. Each RFID tag encodes electronic information. While most battery-powered tags have a range of several hundreds of meters, other tags can only be read from a few meters via electromagnetic induction. The range covered by a particular RFID tag depends on the specific frequency. Most RFID tags work at either 13 megahertz or 900 megahertz. The 13 megahertz tags are effective at penetrating liquids. These tags are usually employed in wristbands and security cards. While the 13 megahertz tags have a range of only one meter, 900 megahertz tags have a range of about ten feet. The 900 megahertz tags can read multiple tags at the same time, which is why it's usually used for quantifying inventory.

Unlike the antiquated bar code, an RFID tag does not require a line of sight with the reader. Because of this, the tag can be embedded inside the object. Barcoding has been around for several years before RFID tags became popular. Because of the emergence of the RFID tag, the cost of barcoding has dramatically reduced. RFID tags are more expensive and business executives often have to make a choice between the two technologies. However, the advantages of the RFID tag usually outweigh the heightened cost of implementation.

RFID tags are used in several industries. For example, the automobile industry uses radio-frequency identification to track a car's progress through the assembly line. Pharmaceutical companies use RFID tags to track medicine through the production process. RFID tags can also be implemented on wild animals, pets, and livestock. Retail stores use RFID tags on merchandise to prevent shoplifting. Additionally, access ID cards, toll roads, law enforcement officers implement RFID tags for effective operation and tracking.

Encoding data on an RFID tag is a complex, multi-step process. An effective RFID system requires tags, printers, readers, data-filtering middleware, and sensors. Data is encoded in RFID tags in a variety of ways. The most common method of encoding RFID tags implements an RFID label printer with a built-in writer. After purchasing a label printer with a RFID tag writer, one must acquire the appropriate smart tag labels. Once this is accomplished, the data can be formatted for specific formats such as Electronic Product Code (EPC). To encode unique information, a database field must be accessed. Once the data is encoded, the tags should be read and double-checked to confirm the written data.

Several options are available for RFID encoding. However, BarTender provides the most comprehensive and holistic RFID encoding system on the market. BarTender implements radio-frequency identification in three ways. In addition to Unicode, you can choose from twenty different types of character encoding. Formats supported by BarTender include DoD, GIAI, GID, GRAI, SGLN, SGTIN, SSCC, SGLN, and GDTI. BarTender also supports data formats for Wal-Mart. Business owners can rest assured with their decision in using BarTender because there is a downloadable trial version that can be tested, thus minimizing risk and cost. The flexibility of choosing your own data format makes BarTender the premier choice for RFID encoding.

Optimedia Labs offers a complete line of RFID printers, RFID labels, tags and software sales. The Primera RX900 offers the best color RFID tag and label printers, dwarfing the competition's quality and performance by a considerable margin.

Try BarTender for 30 days, Free!

Download the Trial Edition of BarTender RFID Label Software and try all the great features before you buy.

See why BarTender RFID software is the world's leading software for designing, printing and automating the production of barcodes, labels, cards, RFID tags and more.

BarTender’s four editions support a wide range of printing and marking solutions, from small, stand-alone environments to large, automated infrastructures that are integrated with major ERP applications from Oracle, SAP, IBM and others.

Try all of BarTender’s powerful features, including 

• Easy design and printing of barcodes, labels, cards, and RFID tags

•  Printing data from spreadsheets, databases, and ERP systems

• Automated and conditional printing
• Centralized printing and administration