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The Future of RFID?

A personal view.Mick Fortune, April 8 2016

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Topics

• Where are we now? – A Quick Recap• A Changing Landscape– 1. The Technology– 2. The Players

• Conclusions.

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Where are we now?

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Major Uses

• Self-Service Loans, Returns, Renewals using kiosk (98%)

• Security (88%)• Collection Management (74%)• Acquisition/Accessions (29%)• Returns Sorting (28%)

(source: 2014 Global RFID survey - http://www.mickfortune.com/Wordpress/?p=1093)

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Competing RFID Technologies

• USA, UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand– Mostly HF frequency, passive tags– Based on ISO 28560-2 or 28560-3– National data models– Operates with LMS

• China, India, Japan– Higher incidence of UHF tags– Some based on ISO 28560-4– Mostly single numeric ID data– Stand alone

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A Word about Access Control

• Many academic institutions stated that they use RFID for access control.

• Majority were based on MIFARE or DESFIRE smartcard standards.

• Smartphone access increasing in popularity.

(Image courtesy of Grosvenor Technology)

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A Changing Landscape1. The Technology

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Near Field Communication (NFC)

• What is it?• What are its uses/limitations?

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What is it?“RFID is the process by which items are uniquely identified using radio waves, and NFC is a specialized subset within the family of RFID technology. Specifically, NFC is a branch of High-Frequency (HF) RFID, and both operate at the 13.56 MHz frequency. NFC is designed to be a secure form of data exchange, and an NFC device is capable of being both an NFC reader and an NFC tag. This unique feature allows NFC devices to communicate peer-to-peer.”

(Source: RFID Insider http://blog.atlasrfidstore.com/rfid-vs-nfc)

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What does that mean for me?

• Put very simply, NFC devices can now read and write data directly to library RFID tags.

• Meaning your stock can now be modified by anyone with an NFC enabled smartphone – this is both a good thing, and a bad thing.

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What are its uses/limitations?

• Can interact directly with stock (no need for kiosks).

• Stock itself can become adiscovery tool.

• “Near Field” means exactly that – practically touching. (Think Oyster card, Apple Pay)

• This may limit functionality.

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Bluetooth + RFID

• New devices extend conventional RFID to smartphones using bluetooth.

(Image courtesy of Solus Ltd. and University of West London.)

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More integrated solutions?

• Access control, issue, return, discovery are all going mobile.

• Better integration will require better, more open ways of working.

• The Library Communication Framework is an important step toward better integration.

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The LCF

• Replacement for SIP• Faster, secure, more functional• Supported by industry - and the

profession.

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A Changing Landscape2. The Players

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Who are the “suppliers” now?

• Traditional (Current Market Share%)– Bibliotheca & 3M (78%)– D Tech (9%)– 2CQR (8%)– Others (5%)

• “New” players– Solus, Boopsie, LMS companies– ICT staff (and students?)– Enthusiasts/Hackers– You?

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sNew Services - Staff-less

Libraries(1)“open+ is a complete solution that works with your existing library infrastructure, providing the ability to automatically maintain and control self-service kiosks, public access computers, lighting, security; in fact most library equipment. Providing the flexibility to open and close the library, without the need for any staff to be on site, open+ allows you to maintain or extend your library opening hours as you choose.” (my emphasis)

http://www.bibliotheca.com/3/index.php/en-uk/our-solutions/24-hour-library-open

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sNew Services - Staff-less

Libraries(2)• “accessIT™ is an advanced library building management solution,

enhancing the existing library infrastructure. accessIT™ allows you to automatically control the length of time that users can experience in a library.

• The solution is capable of managing all services enabling extended unstaffed access on days and times of your choice. accessIT™ will allow your library service to evolve and extend into the community, providing an opportunity for new libraries to open and remain open longer.” (my emphasis)

http://d-techinternational.com/products/advanced-library-control-management-solutions/

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Other New Products & Services– Lockers/laptop loans– E books (incl. book selection)– Discovery systems– Online services integration– Delivery hubs for non library services– Smartphone apps for,

• Loan management, Inventory, Discovery …and more to come

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In conclusion..

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sRFID – not just for identification

anymore• Smartphones and tablets may subvert

“traditional” systems by taking the library, and its services, mobile.

• RFID, NFC and mobile apps can now unite the physical and virtual resources of the library.

• Smartphone RFID/NFC access control may replace borrower cards – enabling staff-less libraries.

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Considerations• How will LMS suppliers react to incursions

from the RFID market?• How will procurement procedures change

to reflect new ways of buying solutions?• Will librarians decide the future shape of

the systems landscape – or suppliers?

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Interesting times?

e: mick@mickfortune.comb: http://mickfortune.com/Wordpress

w: http://www.libraryrfid.co.ukt: +44 7786 625544

@mickfortune