| Automated Data Capture (ADC) and Retrieval | | | | read from longer devices.c) Keyboard-wedge |
| consists of two components, an identification and a | | | | scanners |
| reader. The simplest ADC is the bar code that we see | | | | Keyboard-wedge scanners are connected between |
| on so many items in the supermarket and the | | | | the computer and the keyboard sending data to the |
| corresponding retrieval device is the barcode reader. | | | | computer. The advantage with this system is that it |
| Other systems are RFID, OCR, laser scanners, CCD | | | | does not require any special programming or software |
| scanners etc. and direct on computers. | | | | for basic functions. However using the programmable |
| ADC implementation is generally an expensive | | | | features it can be configured for many different kinds |
| preposition. However, selection of the proper | | | | of data. Keyboard wedge scanners are very cheap |
| technology based on the requirement can be an | | | | to implement for data punching and retrieval.d) |
| economical way to implement within a realistic budget. | | | | Computers |
| It could be as simple as adding a keyboard-wedge | | | | Portable or stationery computers directly used for |
| bar-code scanner added to an existing PC for existing | | | | ADC & R come in an infinite variety of |
| shop-floor. The hardware for this is quite economical | | | | configurations, processors, operating systems, displays |
| and requires only some programming to add bar code | | | | and sizes. They can be direct physical connect or |
| on the items. | | | | remote by use of radio frequency (RF) waves |
| The different types of technologies available for | | | | wirelessly.e) RFID |
| encrypting data and retrieving are discussed below:a) | | | | Tags that are attached to an item for transmitting data |
| Bar codes | | | | to a receiver are referred to as simply RFID or Radio |
| These are the older one dimensional (1-D) and the later | | | | Frequency Identification. These come in various sizes |
| developed 2-D type. 1-D barcodes are quite | | | | depending on the amount of data to be captured on |
| extensively used which consist of shaded thick and | | | | the tag and are capable of storing huge amounts of |
| thin lines and other shapes and some codes printed on | | | | data as compared to bar codes. The stored data can |
| paper or plastic or cardboard. The 2-D bar code on | | | | be changed from one stage to another and does not |
| the other hand though costlier, is capable of storing | | | | require line-of-site to work. The tags are very hardy |
| greater amount of data and the scanners are | | | | capable of working in harsh environments. |
| different.b) Bar-code scanners | | | | RFID technology is very advantageous over others |
| The scanners use either of the two technologies | | | | but is a little expensive. |
| Laser or CCD for reading bar codes. We are all | | | | All the data capture devices profiled above go |
| familiar with laser beams which have been in use for | | | | hand-in-hand with an Inventory Software and an Asset |
| many years. CCD or charged coupled device | | | | Management Software. ASAP Systems offers |
| scanners take a digital photo of the bar code which is | | | | different versions of their Inventory Control and Asset |
| then read. CCD scanners typically work from smaller | | | | Management Software for trial downloads and |
| distance of a few inches while laser scanners can | | | | anyone can try out the above devices on it. |