RFID vs Barcode
We live in an era where technology touches practically every aspect of our lives. We can now buy groceries from the comfort of our sofas, cars are driving themselves, doorbells are now security devices, and our phones can access unlimited information on anything you could ever ponder. The way we use wristbands—yes, even wristbands—has changed as a result of technology. No longer are these simple bands just “tickets” to an event, fundraiser, or attraction. This begs the question, which wristbands should I choose? This article will discuss RFID vs. barcode technology, and help you make the right decision.
RFID Wristbands
RFID wristbands use radio waves to identify people and objects through a little chip embedded in the band itself. Businesses everywhere are turning to these wristbands to add value and security to their gust experience. For instance, Disney has begun incorporating RFID into their theme parks through their Magic Bands. These bands allow admission to the park, act as a room key, and allow you to make purchases while in the park amongst other things. Hotels and resorts everywhere are ditching their old keycards in exchange for RFID wristbands.
How does RFID work?
Here is a simple explanation. RFID technology is made up of two parts—tags and readers. Readers emit and receive radio signals. Tags use radio waves to communicate data to the reader. For example, say to get into a music festival, you must scan your RFID wristband. You can store information on the RFID tag inside your wristband, which needs to be sent to the reader. First, the reader must acknowledge the signal from the tag to secure the connection. Once connected, the reader collects the data stored on the tag. This data is then sent to a database in the blink of an eye, and all you see is that your admission has been validated.
Benefits of RFID Wristbands
- Increase revenue – when making a payment is as easy as tapping your wrist to a reader, people tend to make more payments. Who would have thought?
- Maximize profitability – RFID allows you to decrease the amount of manpower needed at your event, especially in terms of security.
- Boost speed of service – nobody enjoys standing in line. When entering an event and making a purchase only requires the tap of a wrist, lines move faster and people are happier.
- Eliminate cash management issues – with RFID, events are going cashless. This eliminates the chance of theft and other fraud.
- Prevent fraudulent or counterfeit admission – It is extremely difficult to fraudulently enter an event when RFID is being used.
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Barcode Wristbands
Barcode wristbands are similar to RFID wristbands, but with fewer capabilities. Barcoding is method of encoding data into a machine-readable pattern of bars and spaces. Using a scanner, a computer receives this data. When used on wristbands, these barcodes offer an extra layer of security to your event. By scanning the wristband, you can uncover important information, such as the guest’s name, whether or not they paid, and (for events lasting multiple days) the days they bought admission.
Why use barcode wristbands?
If your main goal is to identify basic in formation about a person, then barcoding offers a more cost-effective solution compared to RFID. For example, a healthcare institution may need to quickly identify important medical information about a patient, such as previous medical procedures, allergies, current medications, and more. With a quick scan, all this information and more can be quickly identified.
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RFID vs. Barcode: Which is best for me?
If you need a wristband that can enhance the security and convenience of your event or organization, then we recommend RFID wristbands. These bands give you the tools you need to run more efficient operations, eliminate the need for cash, and reduce wait times for guests while also providing valuable guest information.
However, if you are looking for a cost-effective way to identify important information about your guests, then barcode wristbands are the way to go. These wristbands are especially popular in healthcare settings where the quality of care is determined by the information obtained by scanning these bands.