Barcode

A visual representation of data that is scanned using optical readers, typically showing a series of parallel lines of varying widths.

Barcodes have been the standard for inventory management for decades due to their low cost and simplicity. However, they require a direct line of sight to be scanned, can only be read one at a time, and are easily damaged.

Senitron Example: Senitron’s RFID systems offer a significant upgrade over traditional barcode scanning, enabling bulk, hands-free reads without line of sight.

Cycle Count

An inventory auditing procedure where a small subset of inventory in a specific location is counted on a specified day or schedule.

Regular cycle counting helps maintain high inventory accuracy without the disruption of a full physical inventory count. This proactive approach allows businesses to identify and correct discrepancies quickly, improving overall inventory management and reducing stockouts.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s retail inventory solution automates cycle counts, allowing staff to audit entire sections of a store in minutes.

 

Choke Point

A specific, constrained physical location, like a doorway or conveyor belt, where RFID readers are installed to reliably track items passing through. By forcing all tagged items to pass through a controlled area, choke points ensure complete data capture and create automated tracking events. They are fundamental to process automation, such as verifying shipments or tracking assets between zones.

Senitron Example: Senitron installs choke point reader systems at warehouse dock doors to automate shipping and receiving validation without manual intervention.

EPC (Electronic Product Code)

A unique serial number stored on an RFID tag, designed to provide a specific identity for every individual item.

Unlike a barcode that identifies a product type (e.g., “blue shirt, size large”), an EPC identifies a single, specific item (e.g., “this one specific blue shirt, size large”). This granular level of identification is fundamental to advanced inventory and asset tracking.

• Senitron Example: Senitron utilizes EPC data to provide item-level tracking, enabling precise inventory visibility and loss prevention measures.

 

EPC Gen2 (EPCglobal UHF Class 1 Generation 2)

The current global standard for UHF RFID technology defines the communication protocols between tags and readers to ensure interoperability between different hardware manufacturers.
Adherence to the Gen2 standard means that RFID tags and readers from different vendors can work together seamlessly. This simplifies system deployment and ensures that investments in RFID technology are future-proof and scalable.

• Senitron Example: All Senitron RFID solutions are fully EPC Gen2 compliant, guaranteeing compatibility with hardware from leading manufacturers like Zebra and Impinj.

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Integration

The process of connecting and synchronizing RFID software with a company’s central ERP system ensures that data flows smoothly between them.

Integrating RFID data directly into an ERP provides a single source of truth for inventory and asset information across the entire organization. This automates data entry, reduces errors, and gives departments like finance and procurement real-time visibility.

Senitron Example: Senitron’s RFID inventory management system is designed for easy integration with major ERP platforms to enhance operational efficiency.

Fixed RFID Reader

A stationary device, including an antenna, that is installed at a specific point, like a doorway, conveyor belt, or checkpoint, to automatically read tags that pass through its field.
Fixed readers are the foundation of RFID automation, as they can track the movement of goods and assets without any human intervention. They are often used at choke points to monitor shipping, receiving, and transitions between different zones.

Senitron Example: Senitron deploys fixed readers at facility exits and entrances to automate asset tracking and prevent unauthorized removal of items.

Geofencing

The creation of a virtual boundary around a real-world geographical area, which triggers an automated alert or action when an RFID-tagged asset enters or leaves.

Geofencing is a key feature of Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS) that enhances security and process control. It can be used to prevent theft by triggering an alarm if a high-value asset nears an exit or to improve workflow by notifying managers when equipment enters a specific work zone.

Senitron Example: Senitron’s RTLS uses geofencing to send alerts if a critical medical device is moved outside its authorized department in a hospital.

Handheld RFID Reader

A portable, mobile device used by personnel to scan RFID tags on items and assets throughout a facility for tasks like inventory counts or asset location.
Handheld readers provide the flexibility to perform inventory audits, find specific items, and manage assets on the go. They are an essential tool for tasks that require mobility, such as cycle counting in a retail store or locating equipment in a hospital.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s retail solution utilizes handheld readers for quick and accurate stock-taking and locating misplaced merchandise on the sales floor.

HF (High Frequency) RFID

An RFID technology that operates at the 13.56 MHz frequency, characterized by a short read range, typically from a few centimeters to about a meter.
HF RFID is ideal for applications that require a high degree of security and precision, where close-proximity scanning is a feature, not a limitation. Common uses include access control cards, payment systems, and library book tracking.

Senitron Example: Senitron can implement HF RFID for secure access control or item-level check-in/check-out processes where close-range scanning is beneficial.

Interference

The disruption of RFID signals is caused by other radio waves or by materials in the environment, such as metal and liquids, which can absorb or reflect radio signals.
Managing interference is a critical aspect of a successful RFID deployment. Proper system design, antenna placement, and tag selection are essential to ensure reliable read rates and prevent data capture issues in challenging environments.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s 10+ years of deployment experience ensure system designs account for potential interference in complex environments like hospitals.

 

Inventory Accuracy

A metric, expressed as a percentage, that measures the difference between the inventory recorded in a company’s system and the actual physical inventory on hand.
High inventory accuracy is crucial for preventing stockouts, reducing carrying costs, and improving customer satisfaction. Inaccurate records lead to lost sales, inefficient reordering, and wasted time searching for items that aren’t there.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s RFID inventory management system helps businesses achieve over 99% inventory accuracy, drastically reducing discrepancies.

 

Inventory Management

The systematic process of ordering, storing, using, and selling a company’s inventory, which includes raw materials, components, and finished products.

Effective inventory management ensures that a business has the right amount of stock, in the right place, at the right time. It is a balancing act between meeting customer demand and minimizing the costs of holding inventory.

Senitron Example: Senitron provides a complete RFID inventory management system to automate and streamline stock control from receiving to point-of-sale.

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LF (Low Frequency) RFID

An RFID technology operating at the 125–134 kHz frequency, known for its very short read range and excellent performance in the presence of liquids and metals.
LF RFID’s strong performance in challenging environments makes it a reliable choice for applications like animal tracking (livestock tags) and access control. Its slow data transfer rate and short range make it unsuitable for supply chain applications.

Senitron Example: For specialized use cases like tool tracking in metallic environments, Senitron can utilize LF RFID to ensure consistent read performance.

Middleware

Software that acts as a bridge between RFID hardware (readers) and enterprise applications (like an ERP or WMS), filtering and translating raw tag data into useful information.
RFID readers can generate thousands of reads per second. Middleware is essential for processing this flood of raw data, removing duplicate reads, and converting it into meaningful business events, such as “Item X has entered the warehouse.”

Senitron Example: Senitron’s advanced RFID software functions as sophisticated middleware, managing all hardware and delivering clean, actionable data to users.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

A specialized subset of High-Frequency (HF) RFID technology that allows for two-way communication between two devices held within a few centimeters of each other.
NFC is commonly found in smartphones and is used for applications like contactless payments and “tap-to-pair” functionality. Its intuitive, close-range nature makes it ideal for consumer-facing interactions and secure data exchange.

Senitron Example: While focused on UHF, Senitron’s systems can be configured to interact with NFC for customer engagement or secure verification tasks.

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Passive RFID Tag

An RFID tag that does not have its own power source. It is powered by the energy from the RFID reader’s signal, which it uses to respond with its data.
Passive tags are inexpensive, small, and have a virtually unlimited lifespan, making them the most common type of tag for inventory management and supply chain logistics. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit different applications.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s solutions predominantly use passive UHF RFID tags for cost-effective, item-level tracking in retail and healthcare.

 

Personnel Tracking

The use of RFID to monitor the location and movement of staff or contractors within a facility for safety, security, and workflow management.

In environments like large industrial sites or high-security buildings, tracking personnel helps improve safety protocols, verify guard patrols, and manage access to restricted areas. It provides real-time visibility to ensure people are where they should be.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s personnel tracking solution is used to monitor security guard patrols and ensure employee safety in large facilities.

 

Polarization (Antenna)

The orientation of the electromagnetic waves broadcast by an RFID antenna can be linear (in one plane) or circular (rotating).

The choice between linear and circular polarization is a critical technical detail for ensuring read reliability. Circular polarization is better when tag orientation is variable or unknown, while linear polarization provides a longer, more focused read range but requires precise tag alignment.

Senitron Example: Senitron often uses circular polarization antennas in its portals to ensure reliable reads regardless of how tagged items are oriented.

Read Range

The maximum distance from which an RFID reader can successfully communicate with and capture data from an RFID tag.

Read range is a critical factor in system design and depends on the type of tag (active or passive), frequency (UHF, HF, LF), reader power, and environmental factors. Matching the read range to the application’s needs is key to a successful deployment.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s hands-free retail solution uses UHF technology to achieve the optimal read range for conducting fast shelf reads.

 

RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification)

A technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects, allowing for data capture without direct line of sight.
RFID is a foundational technology for digital transformation in logistics and retail, enabling massive efficiency gains over manual or barcode-based systems. It allows for bulk reading, automation, and real-time data collection.

• Senitron Example: As a leading RFID technology company, Senitron provides end-to-end solutions that make RFID easy to deploy and use.

 

 

RFID Antenna

A device that both emits radio waves to power RFID tags and receives the signals that the tags send back in response.

The antenna’s design and placement are critical to shaping the RF field where tags can be read. Different antennas (e.g., linear or circular polarization) are used to optimize performance for specific applications and environments.

• Senitron Example: Senitron strategically deploys RFID antennas at checkpoints and on shelves to ensure comprehensive coverage and data capture.

 

RFID Portal

An archway or checkpoint equipped with fixed RFID readers and antennas, designed to automatically read tags on items, pallets, or people passing through it.
Portals are a key component of automated tracking systems, typically installed at dock doors, conveyor belts, or doorways. They create a hands-free “read zone” to register the movement of goods without stopping or manual scanning.

• Senitron Example: Senitron installs RFID portals at the distribution center dock doors to automate the verification of inbound and outbound shipments.

 

RFID Tag

A a small device consisting of a microchip and an antenna that can be attached to or embedded in an object to store and transmit data to an RFID reader.

Also known as a transponder, the tag is the core data carrier in an RFID system. It stores a unique identifier (like an EPC) that allows a single item to be distinguished from millions of others.

• Senitron Example: Senitron provides a wide range of RFID tags and labels optimized for different surfaces and use cases, from apparel to medical assets.

 

RTLS (Real-Time Locating System)

A technology used to automatically identify and track the location of objects or people in real time, typically within a defined space like a building or campus.
Unlike basic RFID, which may only record the last-seen location, an RTLS provides continuous, live visibility of an asset’s position. This is critical for locating high-value mobile equipment, improving workflow efficiency, and enhancing personnel safety.

• Senitron Example: Senitron’s RTLS solutions provide real-time visibility for high-value assets in healthcare and manufacturing environments.

 

 

 

Read Rate

A performance metric measuring how many RFID tags a reader can successfully identify within a specific period, often expressed as tags per second.

A high read rate is essential for applications involving rapidly moving items, such as products on a fast conveyor belt or during a quick scan of a pallet. This metric is influenced by the reader’s capability, the number of tags present, and environmental factors.

Senitron Example: Senitron’s software is optimized to process the high read rates generated by fixed readers in automated manufacturing environments.

Shrinkage

The loss of inventory that can be attributed to factors such as employee theft, shoplifting, administrative error, or vendor fraud.

Shrinkage is a major source of financial loss for retailers and other businesses. High inventory accuracy and item-level visibility provided by RFID are powerful tools for identifying the sources of shrinkage and reducing its impact.

• Senitron Example: By providing real-time item visibility, Senitron’s solutions help retailers significantly reduce shrinkage due to theft or misplacement.
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Slap and Ship

A process where a shipping label with an embedded RFID tag is applied to a carton or pallet just before it is shipped, without linking the tag to the contents.
While simple, this method offers limited value, as it only tracks the container, not the individual items inside. True supply chain visibility requires encoding tags with specific information about the contents of each shipment.

• Senitron Example: Senitron recommends tagging at the item level over “slap and ship” to provide full inventory visibility throughout the supply chain.

 

Stockout
A situation in which a business runs out of a specific item of inventory, resulting in an inability to fulfill customer demand.

Stockouts lead directly to lost sales and can damage customer loyalty. RFID-driven inventory accuracy ensures that replenishment systems are triggered at the right time, minimizing the risk of an item being unavailable.

Senitron Example: Senitron’s real-time inventory data helps prevent stockouts by providing accurate counts and automated replenishment alerts.

Tagging
The physical process of applying or embedding an RFID tag onto an item, case, or pallet that needs to be tracked.

Proper tagging is essential for a successful RFID system. The choice of tag and its placement on the asset must be carefully considered to ensure optimal read performance and durability throughout the item’s lifecycle.

Senitron Example: Senitron provides professional services that include guidance on best practices for tagging diverse types of inventory and assets.

UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) RFID

An RFID technology that operates in the 860–960 MHz frequency band, known for its long read range (up to 10+ meters) and high data transfer speed.

UHF is the most common frequency for supply chain and inventory management because its long range and fast read speed allow for the rapid scanning of hundreds of items at once. This makes it ideal for applications like dock door portals and retail inventory counts.

Senitron Example: Senitron’s hands-free inventory solutions leverage UHF RFID to perform rapid, bulk inventory reads from a distance.

WMS (Warehouse Management System)

A software application that supports and optimizes warehouse functionality and distribution center management, including inventory, picking, and shipping processes.

Integrating RFID data with a WMS provides real-time updates on inventory location and movement, automating data entry and improving the accuracy of all warehouse operations. This connection is vital for achieving a fully automated, visible supply chain.

Senitron Example: Senitron’s software seamlessly integrates with leading WMS platforms to provide real-time inventory visibility from the receiving dock to shipment.