NEWS

RFID against counterfeit products

GERA-IDENT finalised a comprehensive system in June 2008, in which RFID technology is used to help a client protect his products from counterfeits. Protection against counterfeits plays an enormous role in a business that produces high-quality design products. GERA-IDENT has managed to efficiently solve this problem with its RFID solutions.

Regarding the practical nature of this project, small form-factor HF “Smart Labels” were applied to the products just like normal identification labels. The labels were conceived in such a way that the chips and antennas could no longer be visually identified. The very good range achieved by these HF Labels (Ø17mm) guarantees smooth processing. The packaging work stations for reading and writing to the chips were designed and installed by GERA-IDENT.

They enable bulk reading of numerous transponders within a larger packaging unit. The labels are fixed on to the products at the end of the manufacturing process. Multiple articles are then packed and stored in packaging units. After reception of an order, the appropriate product is accessed from a warehouse and a product order is made for the shipment. All incoming packaging units are read and initialised at the RFID work stations. The transponder identification numbers are then stored in the internal ERP-system database.

Customer and order information are saved on the transponders to be counterchecked. With the use of ERP-synchronized PDAs, random checks are carried out at the various distributors. This way, authentic products can easily be distinguished from those that aren´t. So far, 100,000 labels out of the Gera product line have been utilised in this project, offering a solution to a significant problem in this line of business.