Barcodes? iButtons? RFID Tags?

Your first choice is to determine the most appropriate “data collection media”. The most common choices are barcode labels and iButtons, with RFID emerging. Additionally there is a variety of proprietary media.

To date, Oversight-Inc has focused on barcodes and iButtons; however, by design, our Service can be adapted to any media.

Everyone is familiar with barcode technology; they are used throughout the world. Though inexpensive, they do have limitations. While they may start as a unique identifier, they can be easily copied or reproduced. They can also be easily destroyed or defaced.

As a result, iButtons have become the collection medium of choice for many of today’s security applications.

• As you can see, an iButton is a small silicon microchip, containing a unique serial number and is enclosed and protected by a rugged steel casing. Just like a barcode, they act as a unique “digital nametag” for any attribute you decide to associate with them. They may attach to structures or objects with the adhesives or mounting devices. They may be given to employees on key fobs.

• The metal top of each iButton acts as a “data contact”, meaning that it transmits the iButton’s serial number when it makes contact with an iButton reader. The reader in turn assigns a specific date and time when the contact is made.

• While iButtons are more rugged (weather-resistant and tamper-resistant) than barcodes, the iButtons themselves are more expensive.

The Future

Currently there is considerable discussion about RFID. As their use increases, the cost for both the readers and the tags will decline.

Oversight-Inc is currently exploring both an RFID and a GPRS option. Assuming one or both prove cost effective; we should be able to offer a “real time” option early next year. That means you can review data collection as it is happening, rather than having to wait for the data to be specifically transferred to your web site.

Another benefit of using one of these two common forms is that it is fairly easy for a new client to transition to Oversight-Inc using some of their existing hardware.