RFID For Dummies [Paperback]

Patrick J. Sweeney II (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

• Many companies have asked suppliers to begin using RFID (radio frequency identification) tags by 2006
• RFID allows pallets and products to be scanned at a greater distance and with less effort than barcode scanning, offering superior supply-chain management efficiencies
• This unique plain-English resource explains RFID and shows CIOs, warehouse managers, and supply-chain managers how to implement RFID tagging in products and deploy RFID scanning at a warehouse or distribution center
• Covers the business case for RFID, pilot programs, timelines and strategies for site assessments and deployments, testing guidelines, privacy and regulatory issues, and more

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Discover how RFID can save your business money

See what goes into an RFID set-up, choose your equipment, and test your system

Is the rush to implement RFID causing you sleepless nights? Take heart! As more and more retailers require their suppliers to get on the RFID bandwagon, this book can save the day. Even if you're IT challenged and skipped physics class, you'll discover how RFID works and how to set up and deploy your network — just in time.

Discover how to

• Plan your RFID implementation
• Evaluate and choose system components
• Compare types of RFID tags
• Assess your site
• Set up and test readers
• Administer and maintain your system

About the Author

Patrick J. Sweeney II heads ODIN Technologies, an RFID integration and software development company. He learned the technology at MIT and is considered an industry expert.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076457910X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764579103
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Distribution & Warehouse Management

More About the Author

Patrick is ODIN's (www.odintechnologies.com) founder and provides strategic leadership and management. He is a proven entrepreneur and technology visionary. He is the author of two industry-leading books - RFID for Dummies and the CompTIA RFID+ Study Guide and is well-recognized as a thought leader in the RFID industry. His combination of technical expertise and go-to-market success have enabled him to constantly be ahead of the market. He holds several RFID patents. He has been interviewed in CIO Magazine, The Washington Post, Fortune Magazine and ABC News, among others. He is a talented spokesman and frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars. His combination of technical and business background help him form the strategy to lead the direction of the RFID industry; his involvement in many governing bodies and standards committees effectively transfers those ideas into policy.

In the late 90's he founded ServerVault, a secure managed hosting company, and led the company as CEO, through fourteen quarters of consecutive sales growth. At ServerVault, he recruited world-class talent, developed novel technologies and earned loyal customer relationships. He successfully sold ServerVault in 2001, the company was sold again in 2009 for a 5x return to its investors.

Patrick graduated from the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia, where he currently sits on the Alumni Board and represents the Technology interests to the Board of Trustee. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of New Hampshire. He is the only North American member of Trinity College, Dublin's Advisory Board, and is on the advisory group for RFID Business and a member of the AIM Global RFID Experts Group. He is also on the board of Peace Players International, helping use sports to bring children in areas of conflict together. Patrick is a champion rower, having won the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, the Norwegian World Cup and numerous World Cup and international events. He finished second in the 1996 Olympic trials in the single scull. He is also an instrument-rated airplane pilot who flies his own Beechraft regularly. Patrick believes in building companies based on innovation, integrity and a focus on client satisfaction. He is a member of Young President's Organization (YPO) and sits on the membership committee in his chapter.He and wife Christen live in northern Virginia and have three children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars SHOULDA BEEN TITLED "HIGH-FREQUENCY RFID FOR DUMMIES", April 19, 2005

By 

Jeff Jensen "RFID COOLER" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: RFID For Dummies (Paperback)

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is all the rage now. Unfortunately, most of the hype is for high-frequency RFID, i.e. 915 MHz and above. High-freq RFID systems are incredibly complicated, and are difficult to set up and get into good working condition, mostly because high-freq RFID is HIGHLY susceptible to electromagnetic interference, plus interference from water, liquids, metal, etc. People also need to be familiar with LOW-FREQUENCY RFID, which I'll get to in a moment.

While Wal-Mart and the DoD are leading the push to integrate high-freq RFID into everyday supply-chain systems, many of the systems simply don't work; again, because of the limitations I discussed above.

RFID for Dummies is a decent primer for HIGH-FREQ RFID, not low-freq RFID (125-134 KHz frequencies in the U.S.). In fact, the book only mentions low-freq RFID a couple of times. There's a tried-and-true system for low-freq that's been around for more than 15 years, while this high-freq RFID stuff has been struggling like a lost babe in the jungle.

This book, again, is not for low-freq RFID, which is now used to track and ID animals, humans, medical devices, weapons, sensitive items, automobiles, gas cylinders, trees, etc. The high reliability of low-freq is unquestionable.

More about this book: the physics section is weak, at best. The author obviously wasn't a physics or electrical engineering major in college or grad school. Too bad, because many people out there could use a good lesson in HOW RFID works. Some good diagrams and figures woulda done the trick here. I've talked with dozens of people who are now implementing RFID in their work, and ALL of them commented that they would love to see a simple set of figures and diagrams that illustrate how the technology works.

So, if you're interested in a book about HIGH-FREQUENCY RFID, and you don't need a lesson in the physics of RFID, then I would recommend you read this book at the library.

Unfortunately, there are NO really good general books about RFID out there. You're better off reading white papers found on various RFID web sites.

WARNING: THIS BOOK DOES NOT DISCUSS LOW-FREQUENCY RFID. IT IS ABOUT HIGH-FREQUENCY RFID ONLY.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, April 29, 2007

By 

Larkin Moly - See all my reviews

This review is from: RFID For Dummies (Paperback)

This is a good book on RFID. Lots of useful stuff in there. However, do not use it as yuor first RFID book. The material is quite advance at places.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great information for all backgrounds, April 18, 2005

By 

C. Bratten "-CB" (West Lafayette, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: RFID For Dummies (Paperback)

It's easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding the ever-evolving world of RFID. There is a lot of misinformation and empty promises about what RFID can and can't do, resulting in much confusion and head-scratching. RFID for Dummies cuts through all the hype with a firm foundation of physics. Patrick Sweeney lays down the basics of RFID and the fundamentals of implementing a successful RFID pilot with a dash of wit thrown in for good measure.
As a graduate student researching RFID, I found this book to be both an excellent addition to anyone's RFID library as well as a great first-read for those just getting their feet wet. It's bound to become the "go-to" book for those seeking insight into the realm of RFID.

Oh, and keep that Cheat Sheet handy, it's a great aid when wading through RFID white papers.