Radio Frequency Identification - Case Study Example

RFID solution in UAE Table of Contents Introduction 3 The Evolution of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and its Importance in IT Management 3 Present Implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in UAE 4 The Impact of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in UAE and its Future 5 Conclusion and Recommendations 6 Reference 8 Introduction Various factors were responsible for the drastic change in life style that characterized the last three decades. Among them, tremendous technological development deserves special mention. More specifically, information technology has become the defining statement of the current decade. This development has facilitated the entire human activities related to trade and business, administration, infrastructure and academic development and other allied activities. These developments have enabled the people and government to accelerate global development. These technologies assist in maintain total quality management within shorter period of time. The use of technology in trade and business has brought a revolution in the entire business environment (Walden University, “Importance of Information Technology in the Business Environment”). This paper will attempt to discuss about the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and its implementation in different projects of United Arab Emirates (UAE). A brief introduction to RFID solutions will be provided with special reference to its importance. The next section will provide a brief overview on the implementation process of RFID solutions in UAE. This section will also analyze different strategies for implementing RFID solution in UAE. This will followed by a discussion on the impact of this solution on UAE. Finally, this paper will end with some relevant recommendations for future actions. The Evolution of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and its Importance in IT Management The RFID solution is a wireless technology that utilizes radio-frequency waves for transferring useful information between various tagged objects. This technology helps to track, catalogue, number and sort the tagged objects without any mistakes (Sheng et al, p.1). This technology works through computer system and all the information are stored in it. The software program for RFID tracks the specific identification numbers of those tagged object and the users can easily watch and control the process by using the stored information (Virginia Tech, “How RFID Works”). During World War II, Americans, Germans, Japanese and the British Government used the radar technology, discovered by Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt, a Scottish physicist in 1935; to detect the fighting airplanes. However, further development and addition in radar technology led to the development of RFID technology. Mario W. Cardullo was the first person in America who got the RFID patent on January 23, 1973. In the same year, it was used first used for commercial purpose by a California entrepreneur, Charles Walton. He implemented this technology for unlocking doors by using card instead of keys. This particular technology was licensed to various lock maker companies (RFID Journal, “The First RFID Patents”). The RFID has become an integral part of human life, since this technology is used for various purposes. Increasing convenience and productivity are the two prime reasons that have resulted in such tremendous popularity. This solution is used for various proposes like for “preventing theft of automobiles and merchandise; collecting tolls without stopping; managing traffic; gaining entrance to buildings; automating parking; controlling access of vehicles to gated communities, corporate campuses and airports; dispensing goods; providing ski lift access; racking library books; buying hamburgers; and the growing opportunity to track a wealth of assets in supply chain management” (Landt, p.1). Present Implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in UAE Rapid development in UAE has restructured the entire economy. Infrastructural development, the most prominent and sweeping progress, has enhanced its trade and business, lifestyle and administrative tasks. The country has developed large number of airports, ports and terminals. This country owns 4,080 kilometer of paved roadways (CIA, “Middle East: United Arab Emirates”). Information technology has played a very crucial role in this development. Middle East Countries including UAE have encouraged the use of RFID technology in this progress. Many government supported non-profit originations are working for spreading awareness related to various advantages of implementing RFID technology. For example, Middle East RFID Association (MERFIDA) is one of the most popular non-profit organizations responsible for encouraging the use of RFID technologies in the Middle East countries. This organization focuses on the development of industry, business and the Government sectors (Aghayan, “Welcome Note”). Information system and technology has become an inevitable business tool for organizational development in UAE. It enables the business organization to achieve competitive advantage through Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP). This systematic planning has helped organizations in implementing various information system and technology. The RDIF technology is one of the vital solutions that have facilitated the entire business world of UAE (Albadri and Abdallah, “Case B (Utility)”). The UAE Government has used the RFID technology in many projects for infrastructural development of the country. The ‘Road and Transport Authority’ of UAE have introduced RFID system in the project called ‘Salik’. It is one of the most excellent implementations of the RFID technology. Salik is the latest computerized automatic tolling system that was introduced in 2007. It is a “free flow tolling system without toll booths, barriers, or gates, allowing traffic to move freely through the tolling point at highway speeds” (Roads and Transport Authority, “How it works”). Al Safa, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Barsha and Al Maktoum Bridge are the four tolling points and at each tolling point, the RFID system has been implemented which automatically collects toll from a prepaid toll account (Roads and Transport Authority, “How it works”). Many retailers have also implemented the RFID technology that has enhanced their operational activities. The Damas, a UAE based jewelry company is using the RFID system in its retail stores. This technology has enabled the company to interlink its different operational activities like store operations, accounting and head office management. However, the primary objective of Damas for implementing this technology was to reduce the inventory cost and also to act as a safeguard against the theft of precious ornaments. This system has thus brought efficiency in the operational activities of Damas (Sorour, “Damas implement RFID in jewellery stores - UAE”). In order to execute RFID technology through ERP system, effective and efficient technical strategy is required. UAE has taken all necessary steps in this regard. The RFID middleware is a vital aspect in implementing the technical strategies. These middleware systems are developed on three basic layers and it includes service management, data management and device management. Some of the important RFID middleware are Multi-agent Based RFID Middleware, Accada, Hybrid Middleware, WinRFID, RF2ID, LIT Middleware and REFiLL etc (Al-Jaroodi, Aziz and Mohamed, p.154-156). The Impact of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in UAE and its Future The Middle East countries including UAE is planning to implement RFID solution in their health care sectors. It is expected that the use of wireless technology in health care will pose certain rewards as well as challenges. The primary advantage of implementing RFID in heath care sector is to ensure patient safety and to reduce the operating expenses “capturing real-time data” (Middle East RFID Association, “Challenges & Rewards of Wireless in Health Care”). The most important benefit of RFID implementation is the enhanced security system. The present business and non-business organizations including the Government authority are now being able to develop a safeguard against the increasing theft. The machines used for RFID system act as watchdogs that prevent theft without any biasness. For example, the Dubai airport has implemented RFID solution to reduce the loss and misplacement of baggages. The trolleys in the airport are tagged with RFID to help tracking these trolleys at sixty read points (ACI EUROPE Airport Business, “Trolley Management – Dubai International Airport”). The airline companies are also using this technology in their operational activities. For example, Emirates SkyCargo has increased its business value by demonstrating RFID technology (Airport Cargo, “Emirates SkyCargo Demonstrates RFIDs Business Value”) Apart from this, non-governmental profit making organizations of UAE have also benefited significantly by the implementation of RFID. For example, the Dubai Government has applied RFID system in Dubai Public Libraries. The local users of these libraries have benefited significantly by this implementation as they can now easily access the books that are available (Dubai Municipality, “Dubai Public Libraries apply RFID system”). Apart from non-government business organizations, the UAE Government is using RFID for IT management and other administrative purposes. The UAE Government has already used the RFID technology for issuing documents related to Government authenticated ID and Passport. However, the Government has recently identified certain drawbacks or vulnerabilities of behalf of RDIF technology that have posed the threat of fake identification (The Gulf Today, “Tackling cyber threats”). However, in this respect, the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) have discussed the various aspects of IT security in a conference of Black Hat Abu Dhabi. The primary aim of this conference is to rectify the vulnerabilities of the RFID technology (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, “RFID: Radio Frequency Identification”). Conclusion and Recommendations The above analysis and discussions have reflected crucial aspects of the RFID implementation in UAE. This essay has dealt with three main sections. The first section has discussed about the evolution of the RFID technology and its importance. The first RFID technology was used during the World War II and it played a very crucial role in it. Later, it was used for other commercial purposes. Currently, this technology is being used for various purposes related to growth and development. The second section has explained the present use of RFID technology in UAE by different government and non-government organizations. For encouraging the use of RFID technology, the Middle East countries are working towards a collective growth. Salik is one of the most successful projects this far, in which the RFID technology has been implemented. The last section has analyzed the impact of RFID technology in UAE. The implementation of RFID in UAE has enhanced the infrastructure, trade and business. However, the vulnerable nature of RFID solution has posed several problems. Some relevant recommendations are thus provided for moving forward with RFID implementations in UAE. The UAE Government must encourage the use of RFID solution in different sectors by providing necessary resources. It should also conduct programs for spreading the RFID awareness. The Government must focus on technical education related to RFID implementation as it requires technical experts. Currently, the UAE government is facing challenge of fake identification. The Government must recognize these areas and solve them by investing in research and development. This will lead to bring innovations in RFID implementation. The RFID middleware are important and vital for implementing effective RFID solutions. Therefore, the Government should encourage development of such software programs within the country. To ensure effective implementation of RFID, proper benchmarking is an effective tool. The Government and business organizations must set benchmark of international standards to achieve higher success. The IT companies are the suppliers of RFID services. The UAE Government must encourage various multinational IT companies to set their business units in UAE. These IT solution companies play a very important role in the implementation of RFID technology. Reference ACI EUROPE Airport Business. Trolley Management – Dubai International Airport. May 2008. T3: Dubai’s latest infrastructural marvel. November 15, 2010. . Aghayan, C. G. Welcome Note. 2009. Middle East RFID Association. November 15, 2010. . Airport Cargo. Emirates SkyCargo Demonstrates RFIDs Business Value. 2008. Air Cargo News UAE. November 15, 2010. . Al-Jaroodi, J. Aziz , J. and Mohamed, N. 2009. Middleware for RFID Systems: An Overview. November 15, 2010. . Albadri, F. and Abdallah, S. Case B (Utility). April 12-13 2010. Strategic Information Systems Planning In UAE Organization: SISP Approaches Classification. November 15, 2010. . CIA. .Middle East: United Arab Emirates. November 9, 2010. The World Factbook. November 15, 2010. . Dubai Municipality. Dubai Public Libraries apply RFID system. May 07, 2008. News. November 15, 2010. . Landt, J. October/November, 2005. The history of RFID. November 15, 2010. . Middle East RFID Association. Challenges & Rewards of Wireless in Health Care. March 10 and 11, 2009. RFID in Healthcare Consortium Presentation: Challenges & Rewards of Wireless Technology in Health Care. November 15, 2010. . RFID Journal. The First RFID Patents. 2010. The History of RFID Technology. November 15, 2010. . Roads and Transport Authority. How it works. August 11, 2010. Salik. November 15, 2010. . Sheng, M., Zeadally, S., Luo, Z., Cheung, J. Y. and Maamar, Z. No date. Special Issue of Information Systems Frontiers on Advances in RFID Technology. November 15, 2010. . Sorour, W. Damas implement RFID in jewellery stores – UAE. July 14, 2009. RFID in Region. November 15, 2010. . Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. RFID: Radio Frequency Identification. November 02, 2010. Press Releases. November 15, 2010. . The Gulf Today. Tackling cyber threats. November 15, 2010. Local. November 15, 2010. . Virginia Tech. How RFID Works. 2007. Sloan Foundation Forest Industries Center. November 15, 2010. . Walden University. .Importance of Information Technology in the Business Environment. November 15, 2010. Technology. November 15, 2010. . Read More