Retailer Marks & Spencer has completed a trial of UHF radio
frequency identification (RFID) tracking tags on men's clothing at
one of its UK stores. Integrator Intellident Ltd. was named sole
supplier for the RFID reading equipment and label inlays.
"I am delighted with the initial results and recognise the value
of the skills and experience within Intellident as our partner as we
move forward – a true partnership which provides an unambiguous
approach to the adoption of this exciting technology," said James
Stafford, head of Marks & Spencer's RFID program.
The tags were contained in throwaway paper labels called
Intelligent Labels attached to men’s suits, shirts and ties at the
High Wycombe store in the UK. The trial lasted for four weeks.
The Intelligent Label is attached to the garment alongside the
pricing label and can be cut off and thrown away at the point of
sale or thereafter. For items such as shirts, which are prepacked,
the tag is an adhesive label attached to the outside of the
transparent shirt bag.
The trial was designed to build a business case for use of RFID
in general merchandise operations, allowing Marks & Spencer to
check stock deliveries and count stock more quickly in stores and
depots.
The retail group used two styles of scanner to read the tags. A
portal installed at the distribution center and the loading bay of
the store reads rails of hanging garments and trolleys containing
packaged garments. A hand-held reader is used to scan the shelves or
hanging rails of garments for immediate stock reconciliation.
Intellident Ltd. invited used several sub-contractors for tag and
reader design, including EM Microelectronic (a member company of the
Swatch group based in Switzerland), IdealTag in France, and SAMSys
Technologies in North America, all working closely with label
provider Paxar UK.
The scanners operate at frequencies and power permitted for RFID
radio signals in Europe, which are currently around eight times
lower than those used in the US. This means that the maximum
accurate read range attainable is around half a meter.
http://www.intellident.co.uk/
http://www.marksandspencer.com/
