RFID Lowdown

BGN Books a Profitable Ticket

-- By Pushpa Sathish, Staff Writer

Here’s another example of an RFID deployment living up to its potential – tagging each item at the Almere outlet of its retail operations has allowed the Boekhandels Groep Nederland (BGN) to realize increased sales and decreased inventory times.

The Dutch book retailer had implemented the change in April this year, and within the short span of eight weeks, had reported a 12 percent increase in sales. The sharp rise is attributed to the fact that customers are able to locate books of interest more easily, both when browsing the Internet from home and when browsing the store using an in-house kiosk.

The store has also cut back its inventory time for each box of books, from four minutes to a few seconds. Misplaced books are also found faster, and the promised future benefits of this technology are driving BGN to expand the deployment across 16 more stores in its chain of operations. CIO Jan Vink estimates an annual cost savings of $3.8 million if RFID was implemented at all its 42 stores. As many as seven million books are handled by the retail chain each year. 

Yet Another RFID Library: Hamburg, Germany

Public libraries in Hamburg, Germany, will be implementing RFID next month for their signout materials. The conversion will allow library patrons to go through self-serve lanes and automatically check out materials. The entire project is expected to be completed by next year. [via RFID Journal]

Hamburg is just one of numerous libraries around the world which have decided to implement radio frequency technology. The local university and city library where I live has been using RF tags in books for close to twenty years, possibly longer, and has actually been a test bed for RF technology. I don't even think twice anymore about the weird foil sticker with a flat copper antenna. Over the years, library RF systems have matured, with new systems being tested all the time.

Library systems are prime example of how RFID can reduce operating costs, automate  help quickly locate misplaced inventory, and speed up the check-out process - something patrons will appreciate on busy days. Certainly something to consider for giant libraries such as the one in Shenzhen, China.

Automating Libraries With RFID

Tag manufacturer TAGSYS is contributing to making the Shenzhen Library in China the largest RFID-enabled library automation system in China, and the second-largest in the world. The library will tag all its books, CDs, videos, and library cards in order to facilitate utilities such as self-checkout and return, security gates, and programming and circulation stations. Shenzhen Seaever Enterprise Co. Ltd., TAGSYS’ integration partner, is in charge of installing the 2 million tags that will be used in the first phase. RFID Update reports:

The goal is to equip the Shenzhen Library with automation technology that allows it to support high volumes of patron traffic as well as deep resource capacity. Opening its doors to the public next month, the 50,000 square meter library will support 8,000 patrons circulating 50,000 volumes daily.

New RFID Systems for American Libraries

Library management is expected to improve with the introduction of two new RFID systems that were released at the 2006 American Library Association Midwinter Conference held on Jan 20-23. The two new products are the SelfCheck System C-Series and the SelfCheck System R-Series. They are expected to reduce costs and improve in the tracking of library material as they move in and out of shelves.

The main feature of SelfCheck System C-series for material check in is that they provide real time information on returned and new items. It uses a 3M Digital Library Assistant connection for fast sorting and return of popular items. It is compliant with all regulations and supports web based control.

The features of SelfCheck System R-series for checkout and check-in are it provides for self checkout of materials and is easy to use. This system is also compliant with all regulations and allow Web based monitoring similar to the C-series system. TMC Net reports:

"In addition, all SelfCheck Systems now notify library staff by e-mail when printer paper is low, and offer customers the choice of either a paper or e-mail receipt at checkout," said Rory Yanchek, business manager, 3M Library Systems. "We're proud to add to our already robust line of customizable library solutions."

Libraries adopt RFID Technology

Now libraries are implementing RFID in their applications. RFID plays a crucial role in checking the catalogues. According to sources, currently, approximately 120 million media and books in about 500 libraries worldwide are already attached with RFID labels. This is a significant number which is still increasing. The RFID labels enable the customers to pass by card readers that automatically update the computer system. That indicates that the book has been checked out. The ID information on the patron's library card is synchronized with the book, enabling accurate recordkeeping.

RFID standards are being developed for an array of industries today across the globe. They are setting the stage for increased usage of the technology in the coming years. upi.com reports:

Major technology companies are involved in the standards-setting efforts too. Last month IBM announced an array of new partnerships in the RFID realm to help customers build what it called "on-demand" business processes.

Kingston University installed RFID in its Library

Many libraries are deploying RFID in their system to give better quality to the customers. Kingston University Library is going to install a RFID book tracking system. The library contains 432,000 books at four sites. It will use the system for better management and functionality. Currently 20,000 students and staff use the library.

RFID system will enable the staff to spend less time on repetitive administrative tasks, such as checking books in and out. RFID allows the library to automate the check-out and check-in process for students. It will also meet the demands of complex IT and information research enquiries, such as tracing e-books and electronic journals and creating links to digital materials. vnunet.com reports:

Kingston is looking to bring in an outside contractor to supply the chips and scanning equipment, and integrate them with the library management system. ‘Cost and ease of use are big considerations for us,’ said Grove. ‘We don’t want to be forced to have someone standing next to the self-service machine to explain how to use it.’

Amsterdam Libraries Adopt RFID

The Amsterdam Public Library and its 25 branches are all set to deploy RFID technologies to manage their functioning. The Amsterdam library started RFID deployment a year ago. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. About 15 branches already have been equipped with RFID readers. The RFID deployment has simplified the inventory system.

In the first phase, the library will roll out RFID in all its branches. In the second phase, it will extend the system to its central library and its collections. The central library will go live with RFID by 2007. rfidjournal.com reports:

By the end of this year, patrons at each library branch will be able to use RFID-enabled machines to check out books without staff assistance. The machines can be used to scan existing bar codes on patrons’ membership cards and link those details, and the due dates of books being out, with the book's RFID tags.

Sentry Technology installs Library Self Services Systems using RFID Technology

Sentry Technology Corporation has announced that it has installed Library Self Service Systems at the Omaha Public Library. It is known as QuickCheck Patron. The Library is expected to increase its circulation by using QuickCheck. It operates in a similar fashion to a bank ATM. Patrons get access to library's circulation software through a user card and a touch screen monitor. Security functions are performed by reading the barcode or RFID chip.

After the security check is over, a receipt is printed to inform the patron the list of items borrowed and their due date. Once the process is complete, the patron exits the library through the security system. morerfid.com reports:

The entire process is fast and frees library staff from the circulation desk to perform higher-level tasks. The system includes statistical usage report software as well as remote diagnostic control and management over a local network and via the Internet.

Read More: Sentry Technology Installs Library Self Service Systems At Omaha Public Library