Difference between barcode and RFID

Correct and accurate knowledge on various aspects of RFID
Simple and easy-to-understand presentation of knowledge on RFID with examples from daily life
Opportunity to discuss and learn more about RFID from our experts

I believe to provide correct and accurate knowledge, it is important to start from the basics. With RFID and Barcode being used extensively in conversations (many a times, interchangeably), we believe we should make an attempt to educate our users on the difference between Barcode and RFID. We will do so in an easy-to-understand manner as promised.

What is a barcode?

Imagine standing in a queue at a supermarket. You may have bought a lot of things. You reach the teller after standing in the queue for quite a while. The teller holds the bar code scanner in his hand and swiftly fetches the pricing data for each item. The price of each item is captured in the computer in front of him and he gives you a final bill within minutes.

If one of the items cannot be scanned, you may have to go back into the supermarket and fetch another unit of the same thing.

What was being used here and how was the data read? Every item that you put into your cart has an attached barcode. A barcode is a series of black lines with data stored in them. The scanner that the teller places on the barcode reads this data and converts it into a numerical equivalent which you see on the tellers screen.

Now, consider a warehouse which has 400 boxes of goods. Is it possible to tag each item with a barcode? Then, when the data has to be read, scan each box with a barcode and collect the data. It is possible for sure but the question to be asked is – Is it efficient?

Wouldn’t it be easier if there was a mechanism which could transmit data stored on or in each of these boxes and a reader could collect the data much faster?

That is exactly where RFID comes in.

Tell me a bit more – How does RFID work?

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) uses radio waves to retrieve the data stored in a tiny circuitry on each object. The circuit is neatly stored with protection (often in the goods/ tagged item). Radio waves can pass through solid objects, meaning no line of sight is necessary in getting the data. Since line of sight is not required (you do not need to hold the scanner right on top of the RFID tag on the object to scan data), the process is automated and can read anywhere between 40 to 100 tags in a second.

Imagine the power of this technology by thinking that you bought about 50 items in a supermarket and it was placed on the counter. Your happiness would multiply if the items were scanned in 2 seconds and the bill was ready for you. Won’t it?

Over and above the obvious efficiency advantage, there is a lot more that distinguishes RFID from barcodes. A gist is as below:

Advantages of RFID over Barcode

No Line-of-sight required to read Data
Simultaneous and multiple Tag reads – 10’s to 1000’s within seconds
Works in harsh environments(compared to bar-code / optical technologies
Can be read through clothing and non-metal items thus negating need to open boxes for counting

The advantages of RFID in a scenario like a warehouse are best illustrated as follows:

Empowerment: The investment one makes in RFID is worth because it is durable. It is much better protected, and can be attached inside an item in transit so it can be read in any environment. This enables RFID to provide real-time insights, even while items are in transit or stored at distant location, which empowers seamless decision making.

Security: RFID tags are difficult to replicate. Data in the tags can be encrypted, password protected, and the tag can be completely formatted if required, so information stored is as secure as desired. However, a barcode can be tampered with or counterfeited without much effort hence it is not secure. RFIDs can also send triggers to alert the accountable people in case of an unauthorized entry or access. Thus, it becomes highly useful in preventing thefts and loss due to events such as pilferage.

One of the key questions is whether RFID is worth the investment. We believe one needs to look at a long term view here. RFIDs obvious advantage over barcodes is accepted. The adaptability is easy if the mindset is to tweek our processes, bring more orderliness in tracking or assets, inventory etc. The value from storing all the required information, analyzing it to make better business decisions and avoiding losses due to pilferage by systematic information storage as well as event triggering (alerts sent when an unauthorized access to a product is observed) is immense.

If we have explained the difference clearly, our objective is achieved. However, if there is still any ambiguity with adoption of RFID, we are open to deliberate. Please drop a comment and we will be happy to engage with you.

Difference between barcode and RFID

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