Registration Services
Lead Management Systems
RFID and Near Field Communications (NFC)

What is RFID?
Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is the generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. There are several methods of identification, but the most common uses a microchip attached to an antenna to store a serial number that identifies a person, object or any other  information. Together, the chip and the antenna  are called an RFID transponder or RFID tag. The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification data to a reader or scanning device. Once it receives the data from the tag, the reader converts it into radio waves that become digital information. The digital data is then passed on to computers that interpret it.

How does an RFID system work?
An RFID system consists of a tag, (together, a microchip and an antenna) and an interrogator (or reader), also with an antenna. The reader sends out electromagnetic waves. The tag antenna is tuned to receive these waves. A passive RFID tag draws power from the field created by the reader and uses that power the microchip’s circuits. The microchip then modulates the waves that the tag sends back to the reader. The reader converts the new waves into digital data, and passes it along to a computer.

Is there a difference between long-range RFID and short-range RFID?
Yes, there is a drastic difference. One key difference is that long range RFID tracks individuals without necessarily gaining their permission or knowledge of being tracked and identified, vs. short-range which requires a deliberate “opt-in” from the attendee. Long range RFID has an accuracy rate of 80%, whereas short range RFID has an accuracy rate of 100%. Long range RFID is prohibitively expensive, and short range RFID is quite affordable.  

Which RFID technology does ITN International use?
ITN uses short-range RFID technology, known as NFC (Near Field Communication).

What is short-range RFID, or NFC (Near Field Communications)?
With NFC technology, data transmits in a very close proximity between the RFID tag (typically embedded inside a BCARD credential) and the RFID  reader (usually integrated inside a data collection device or attached via USB). Close proximity is usually under 12 inches.  NFC is an excellent method to transmit data because the short range ensures high security (virtually impossible for data to be "hijacked"), speedy interaction, highly reliable and is also memorable and fun.  Not only can information can be transmitted FROM the RFID tag, it can also write data ONTO the RFID tag, which creates limitless possibilities for currency transactions, information delivery, access management and marketing message delivery.

Is RFID better than bar codes?
RFID is different than bar codes, not necessarily "better" or "worse".  These two different technologies have different applications, which  may sometimes overlap. The big difference is bar codes are line-of-sight technology. That is, a scanner has to "see" the bar code to read it, which means people usually have to physically orient the bar code towards a scanner for it to be read. If a barcode label is ripped, soiled or absent, there is no way to scan an item. Also, standard bar codes identify only the manufacturer and product, not a unique item. As an example, the bar code on one milk carton is identical to every other, making it impossible to identify which one might expire first. RFID, by contrast, is highly flexible and offers speed of movement because it does not require line of sight or physical orientation. RFID tags can be read as long as they are within range of a reader.  

Will RFID replace bar codes?
Doubtful. Bar codes are inexpensive and effective for certain tasks. We expect that RFID and bar codes will co-exist for many years.

How does ITN International use RFID technology?
We use RFID technology to store demographic, session scheduling, permission codes and other information on an RFID chip embedded in our plastic BCARD badgesThe type of RFID we employ is NFC (Near Field Communication), which means that the distance between a credential and a reader device must be short range (a few feet). We call our method "Touch 'N Go" because it allows incredibly fast movement through secure areas at a venue, it offers a highly secure information exchange because of the close proximity, and it allows data to be read from and written to the credential, which offers many opportunities for message delivery and information exchange.

What does short-range RFID technology look like when it is in use?
The  clips in our Video Library will give you a good understanding of what  short-range RFID, a.k.a. Touch 'N Go event solutions -- looks like in action.

Is RFID new?
Not at all. RFID is a proven technology that's been around since the 1970s. Up to now, it's been too expensive and too limited to be practical for many commercial applications. But if RFID tags can be made cheaply enough, they can solve many of the problems associated with bar codes. Radio waves travel through most non-metallic materials, so they can be embedded in packaging or encased in protective plastic for weather-proofing and greater durability. And RFID tags have microchips that can store a massive amount of information. As an example, an RFID tag can store unique serial numbers for every product manufactured around the world.

If RFID has been around so long and is so great, why aren’t all companies using it?
Many companies have invested in RFID systems to get the advantages they offer. These investments are usually made in closed-loop systems—that is, when a company is tracking goods that never leave its own control. That’s because all existing RFID systems use proprietary technology, which means that if company A puts an RFID tag on a product, it can’t be read by Company B unless they both use the same RFID system from the same vendor. But most companies don’t have closed-loop systems, and many of the benefits of tracking items come from tracking them as they move from one company to another and even one country to another.

Is the lack of standards the only thing that has prevented long range RFID from being more widely used?
No. Long range RFID is expensive. One reader set-up typically costs $1,000 or more. Companies would need thousands of readers to cover all their factories, warehouses and stores. RFID tags are also fairly expensive – 20 cents or more – which makes them impractical for identifying millions of items that cost only a few dollars.

How much information can the RFID tag store?
It depends on the vendor and the application, but typically a tag would carry no more than 2KB of data—enough to store some basic information about the item it is on. Companies are now looking at using a simple "license plate" tag that contains only a 96-bit serial number. The simple tags are cheaper to manufacture and are more useful for applications where the tag will be disposed of with the product packaging.

 What’s the difference between read-only and read-write RFID tags?
Microchips in RFID tags can be read-write or read-only. With read-write chips, you can add information to the tag or write over existing information when the tag is within range of a reader, or interrogator. Read-write tags usually have a serial number that can't be written over. Additional blocks of data can be used to store additional information about the items the tag is attached to. Some read-only microchips have information stored on them during the manufacturing process. The information on such chips can never been changed. Other tags can have a serial number written to it once and then that information can't be overwritten later.

Are there any health risks associated with NFC or RFID and radio waves?
No. RFID technology uses the low-end of the electromagnetic spectrum. The waves coming from readers are no more dangerous than the waves coming to your car radio.

What is the difference between low-, high-, and ultra-high frequencies?
Just as your radio tunes in to different frequency to hear different channels, RFID tags and readers have to be tuned to the same frequency to communicate.  RFID systems use many different frequencies, but generally the most common are low- (around 125 KHz), high- (13.56 MHz) and ultra-high frequency, or UHF (850-900 MHz). Microwave (2.45 GHz) is also used in some applications. Radio waves behave differently at different frequency, so you have to choose the right frequency for the right application.

How do I know which frequency is right for my application?
Different frequencies have different characteristics that make them more useful for different applications. For instance, low-frequency tags are cheaper than ultra high frequency (UHF) tags, use less power and are better able to penetrate non-metallic substances. They are ideal for scanning objects with high-water content, such as fruit, at close range. UHF frequencies typically offer better range and can transfer data faster. But they use more power and are less likely to pass through materials. And because they tend to be more "directed," they require a clear path between the tag and reader. UHF tags might be better for scanning boxes of goods as they pass through a bay door into a warehouse. It is probably best to work with a consultant, integrator or vendor that can help you choose the right frequency for your application.

Do all countries use the same low-, high and ultra-high frequencies?
Most countries have assigned the 125 kHz or 134 kHz area of the radio spectrum for low-frequncy systems, and 13.56 MHz is used around the world for high-frequency systems. But UHF RFID systems have only been around since the mid-1990s and countries have not agreed on a single area of the UHF spectrum for RFID. Europe uses 868 MHz for UHF and the U.S. uses 915 MHz. Until recently, Japan did not allow any use of the UHF spectrum for RFID, but it is looking to open up the 960MHz area for RFID. Many other devices use the UHF spectrum, so it will take years for all governments to agree on a single UHF band for RFID. Government’s also regulate the power of the readers to limit interference with other devices. Some groups, such as the Global Commerce Initiative, are trying to encourage governments to agree on frequencies and output. Tag and reader makers are also trying to develop systems that can work at more than one frequency, to get around the problem.

What’s the difference between passive and active tags?
Active RFID tags have a battery, which is used to run the microchip's circuitry and to broadcast a signal to a reader (the way a cell phone transmits signals to a base station). Passive tags have no battery. Instead, they draw power from the reader, which sends out electromagnetic waves that induce a current in the tag's antenna. Semi-passive tags use a battery to run the chip's circuitry, but communicate by drawing power from the reader. Active and semi-passive tags are useful for tracking high-value goods that need to be scanned over long ranges, such as railway cars on a track, but they cost a dollar or more, making them too expensive to put on low-cost items. Companies are focusing on passive UHF tags, which cost under a 50 cents today in volumes of 1 million tags or more. Their read range isn't as far -- typcially less than 20 feet vs. 100 feet or more for active tags -- but they are far less expensive than active tags and can be disposed of with the product packaging.

What is an Electronic Product Code?
The Electronic Product Code, or RFID Code, was developed by the Auto-ID Center as a successor to the bar code. It is a numbering scheme that will be used to identify products as they move through the global supply chain.

 What is reader collision?
One problem encountered with long range RFID is the signal from one reader can interfere with the signal from another where coverage overlaps. This is called reader collision. One way to avoid the problem is to use a technique called time division multiple access, or TDMA. In simple terms, the readers are instructed to read at different times, rather than both trying to read at the same time. This ensures that they don't interfere with each other. But it means any RFID tag in an area where two readers overlap will be read twice. So the system has to be set up so that if one reader reads a tag another reader does not read it again.

 What is the "read range" for a typical RFID tag?
The read range of passive tags (tags without batteries) depends on many factors: the frequency of operation, the power of the reader, interference from metal objects or other RF devices. In general, low-frequency tags are read from a foot or less. High frequency tags are read from about three feet and UHF tags are read from 10 to 20 feet. Where longer ranges are needed such as for tracking railway cars, active tags use batteries to boost read ranges to 300 feet or more.

Are there any standards for RFID?
Yes. International standards have been adopted for some very specific applications, such as tracking animals. Many other standards initiatives are under way. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is working on standards for tracking goods in the supply chain using high-frequency tags (ISO 18000-3) and ultra-high frequency tags (ISO 18000-6). EPCglobal, a joint venture set up to commercialize Electronic Product Code technologies, has its own standards process, which was used to create bar code standards. EPCglobal intends to submit EPC protocols to ISO so that they can become international standards.

What are some common applications for RFID?
RFID is used for everything from tracking cows and pets to triggering equipment down oil wells. It may sound trite, but the applications are limited only by people’s imagination. The most common applications are tracking goods in the supply chain, reusable containers, high value tools and other assets, and parts moving to a manufacturing production line. RFID is also used for security (including controlling access to buildings and networks) and payment systems that let customers pay for items without using cash.

Q: What information will I capture from a BCARD interactive badge?
A: Embedded in the badge is the general contact information entered by the attendee during his/her registration process. Changes and edits to this information can be made after the badge has been read.

Q: What format are the leads stored in?
A: Leads are stored in the internal database of the software application and they are exported in a standard ASCII comma delimited text format. This format easily opens in Microsoft Excel.

Q: How do I retrieve my leads?
A:For customers using PocketLeads, data is typically uploaded to a secure website in real time via the WebSend service.. For customers using MultiLead PC software, leads are saved locally to your computer. When connected to the Internet, data can be uploaded to a secure website for access from any Internet device, anytime. ITN can also provide your data on your USB storage device or via email.

Q: Do you have any advice to help exhibitors and corporate marketers leverage and mine their leads most effectively?
A: The best way for companies to manage and measure their lead generation program is to develop a consistent lead form or question/answer set. When you develop your question set, get input from your sales organization and make sure the data fields match your company’s CRM or contact management software. Rent the data collection device that will yield an electronic data file. Build and follow a standard post-show process to fulfill inquiries, merge data into your CRM system and measure results. Many of our clients have a team dedicated to Lead Management and Measurement. If you don’t have a team or task force, start one!

Q: Can we integrate our own web registration software with your badge printing solution?
A: Absolutely.

Q: Can we use our own payment processing service in combination with your registration and badge production solutions?
A: Absolutely.

Q: What kinds of reports can your system produce?
A: We provide a variety of standard and custom reports.

Q: What software platform is used for your web registration interface (Java, .asp, html/CGI, etc.)
A: We use active server application (asp) running on MS IIS and we use a lot of XML for automated integration with other systems. We use SQL as our database.

Q: Describe the operating system upon which your registration application is built:
A: All our applications have been designed for the MS Windows environment (today we run Windows 2000 server) and we are currently in beta test of our .NET application which is our next version. Our programmers have obtained .NET training.

Q: Describe the server and network architecture:
A: Client server applications with full local back-up. We can run our registration system from a local IIS server with no online connection (no online credit card processing). We require an online connection for live credit card processing. We are very flexible in what type of hardware or network topology to use to run our onsite system.

Q: Describe the procedures to collect registration revenue and submit it to the client:
A: We run our secured website with complete integration with Verisign or Authorize.net credit card processing systems. Accounts are usually created by our clients and revenues are immediately credited to our Clients' merchant accounts. We provide accounting reconciliation from the registration database through online reports.