The document summarizes a webcast on barcode and RFID convergence presented by VDC Research. It discusses how barcode and RFID technologies are increasingly being integrated to provide greater visibility across supply chains. The Electronic Product Code (EPC) standard enables this convergence by allowing both technologies to represent items in a common way. Examples show convergence occurring in various industries and applications. Expectations are that convergence will continue as adoption of RFID grows and companies seek to leverage multiple technologies and data sources.

1. VDC Research WebcastBarcode & RFID Convergence: Enabling Greater Visibility Through StandardsPrepared for GS1/EPC Global USAutoID & Transaction Automation PracticeTom Wimmer, Practice DirectorDrew Nathanson, Director of Research Operations

2. Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I get the slides from this presentation?YESIs this webcast being recorded?YESCan I ask a question?YES1–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

3. VDC ResearchCopy of webcast, white paper and complimentary insights and data on the RFID & Barcode market available at:http://vdcresearch.com/market_research/autoid/research_reports.aspxAudio and copy of webcast and white paper available at:http://www.gs1us.org/epcglobal_us/education2–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

4. AgendaOverview & DefinitionsWhat’s Converging?Why Convergence?Where is Convergence Happening?EPC – Enabling ConvergenceExpectations3–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

5. Barcodes or RFID??4–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation PracticeIt’s not an either or proposition

6. It’s a More Harmonious Story!Working together, the two support existing requirements while providing added benefits5–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

7. Key DescriptionsWhat is Convergence? Convergence refers to previously separate technologies and solutions that now share resources and interact with each other synergistically, creating new efficiencies and additional value.What is Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)? AIDC is the non-manual identification, collection and routing of information about an object.What is Barcode and RFID?Barcode: An optical, machine readable representation of data that can be used to show information for a specific object.RFID: A wireless, machine readable piece of memory that can be used to gather, store and show data for a specific object.What is the Electronic Product Code (EPC™)?An RFID-friendly encoding scheme that represents the same GS1 identifiers used with U.P.C. barcodes for the identification of a specific instance or a type of trade item or asset.Provides a bridge between legacy AIDC systems and new solutions and is supported by a suite of globally accepted technical standards.Ensures items are identified and data is captured and shared in a common way that can be understood by all value chain participants.6 –  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc. AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

8. Types of AIDC TechnologiesEncodedPrintedScan-basedImage CaptureElectro-MagneticRFSatelliteContact Memory ButtonsGPS2D BarcodesDatamatrix

9. QR Code

10. MaxiCode

11. Microsoft HCCB

12. MIT BokodeOptical CharacterRecognition(OCR)1D Barcodes EAN-8

13. UPC-A

14. EAN-13

15. ITF-14

16. GS1-128Passive RFIDLow Frequency

17. High Frequency

18. Ultrahigh FrequencyActive RFID UHF

19. Ultra Wideband

20. WiFi

21. ZigBeeMag StripeStacked LinearDataBarPrinted: information is coded via symbology which is printed, or engraved on a label, or substrate.Encoded: information is encoded on silicon memory which is intregrated into a device.7–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

22. AIDC has Architectures with CommonalityRegardless of the technology, every AIDC system has common components8–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

23. What’s Converging?Technologies are being integrated with each other because the end user wants to leverage the information and attain the benefits from each independent system.Gathering and sharing information from independent systems can be attained by creating consistency within common architectures.This consistency can be accomplished by developing a single, unifying platform that will ensure that the information being used is essentially the same … a standard.Although technologies continue to be integrated with each other and leverage a diversity of carriers, the real convergence is occurring at the data level.Convergence is not about technology, its about commonality.The real convergence is happening at the data level9–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

24. GS1 US Visibility Framework10–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice

25. Converging AIDC TechnologiesSurvey of AIDC users indicates a diversity of converged/converging AIDC solutionsRespondent Converged/Converging AIDC Solutions(N = 217)11–  2010 VDC Research Group, Inc.AutoID & Transaction Automation Practice