Many of the ways to benefit from Gen 2 ID cards may not be immediately obvious. This is because users traditionally lacked a cost-effective long-range option and developed their applications and processes accordingly. Better range, speed and memory improve most identification processes, but Gen 2 ID cards are especially beneficial when organizations want to:
Relieve congestion or enable identification where it is impractical to install a short-range reader
Conveniently support a second form of identity validation, such as biometric and facial recognition
Provide high throughput entry/exit for convenience and crowd control
Automatically monitor specific zones and areas
Associate people with assets
Combine long-range identification with other shorter-range applications, such as cashless payment or access control
Identify customers for loyalty and VIP programs to enhance service and customer experience
Link personal experience with emerging social media platforms, automate “Check-Ins” and virtual “likes”
Long-range reading can relieve congestion by identifying, validating or counting multiple people simultaneously, which also enables the use of larger exits and entryways. Extended range is also beneficial when the reader does not afford easy installation at the desired read point. Benefits extend to when it is advantageous to identify a person before he or she reaches a specific location, such as in the Passport Card program.When a Passport Card holder reaches the front of the line, the border control officer’s computer screen immediately displays the entrant’s picture, resulting from the UHF card read that took place several feet away. The photo provides another form of identification for the officer to validate when checking credentials.
Parking gates provide a more common example of the convenience that extended read range provides. UHF ID cards or parking passes on vehicles drive user-friendly systems that raise the gate so the driver does not have to stop. Because the read range is customizable, long-range identification applications can be combined with other short-range applications using the same UHF ID cards.
Extended-range identification is also an excellent way to monitor an area to count passers-by or monitor traffic flow. For example, a museum could issue its patrons RFID ID cards and install readers throughout the facility to count how many people visit different wings and exhibits.
Gen 2 readers find common use in monitoring zones for security and asset management applications. Whenever a tagged item enters or leaves the zone, the tracking system records the action and can issue alerts if asset movements are suspicious or fall outside set guidelines. For example, data centers often use Gen 2 to track laptops, servers and other IT assets.
With Gen 2 ID cards, RFID infrastructures can leverage exiting zone monitoring, and security departments can enhance the processes to improve asset tracking and worker convenience. For example, using Gen 2 on items and ID cards enables accurate, unattended dispensing of tools, equipment and other assets, and other automated check-in/checkout procedures.
Learn more about RFID.