Smart tracking technology is yet the most powerful aspect for moving goods all over the world, whether it is moving assets from warehouses or shipping them. Tracking and fetching data started with just long black-and-white stripes—yes, barcodes, it is. This technology has now evolved more into smart sensors and chips introduced by IoT and RFID.
These technologies now work together worldwide, providing real-time tracking of every product from factories to the field. A report by Fortune Business Insights states that the global IoT market size is expected to reach around $4062 billion by 2032, highlighting the growing importance of these AI tools.
Further in this blog, we will learn how technology has come up so far in smart real-time tracking with IoT and RFID, other than barcoding how new technologies can do good in asset tracking for different industries.
How Smart Tracking Technologies Evolved with Time?
From Barcode, and RFID to IoT, trace and track has evolved over the past decades. Smart tracking is the new normal where smart labels are used instead of traditional labeling and packaging that don’t offer real-time visibility, either on the inventory floor, shop floor, or through logistics.
1.Barcodes: The Foundation of Smart Tracking
Years ago, a smart tracking system came into the eyes of retailers via barcoding. They chose the technology for checking out at the lobby to manage inventories in huge warehouses.
Back in the 1970s, businesses believed in simply scanning the product and checking details such as pricing and stock levels, which saved time and reduced human error. Due to their low cost and easy implementation, this technology became a celebrity in industries like retail, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.
But in today’s world, firms need more than just scanning to know the basic details of a product; they seek real-time enhancement, transforming insights, and upgraded automation and use of QR Code has overcome many of limitations of 1D barcode labels.
2. RFID: A Contactless Technology
Ever thought radio waves can help in reading several meters, packing, and all above that- tracking items? RFID technology brought a major shift in assets and real-time tracking. As in barcodes, RFID tags don’t need directions for scanning- it allows faster than other, less human interaction inventory checks and tracking.
RFID tags are aggressively talked about because they serve more features like storing huge data, and real-time investigation, more efficiently and visibly. Unlike barcodes, RFID systems can scan hundreds of items in one count, resulting in reduced labor costs.
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3. Internet of Things: 2025 Companion
RFID is known for tracking items via smart tags, but the Internet of Things(IoT) is moving way too fast than other technologies by creating a network of devices that enables communication, analyzing temperature and humidity of location, and responding in real-time tracking of assets- IoT provides an all overview of operations from warehouses to delivery location.
IoT is not in terms of replacing RFID- in fact, both technologies complement each other. For better understanding, IoT sensors in shipping containers can send alert signals to managers to survive delays or unsafe storage. Likewise, retailers adopt IoT sensors to keep themselves updated about stock levels and trigger reorders.
Why are Companies Choosing IoT and RFID Over Barcodes?
Businesses often face huge challenges, shifting from barcodes to IoT and RFID technology can ease their challenges and help in transforming new changes.
Let's have a look at the points why companies are making the switch:
a.Speed and Efficiency- Real-time tracking with IoT and RFID means less human effort and faster processes. No more line-by-line scanning of barcodes, as whole pallets and shelves can be scanned in seconds without any human effort.
b. Real-Time Visibility- With IoT, teams can have access to immediate updates on location, conditions, and status, helping them to effectively and proactively manage delays.
c. Accuracy and Transparency- IoT and RFID provide fewer opportunities for human error. Additionally, stakeholders can have end-to-end visibility from imported raw material movement to end delivery.
d. Scalability- As the technology grows, your IoT and RFID systems easily scale up too, without the high labor costs.
e. Data Driven Decisions- Anytime IoTs are introduced into an activity to track it, the IoT service platform automates all the data that is collected to look for patterns, anticipate maintenance, or the best routes, making the ease of the tracking systems a competitive advantage.
Future of Smart Tracking: AI, IoT, and RFID all together
IoT and RFID are already enhancing real-time tracking systems, and more advancements are being made with AI. Altogether, they are creating faster, smarter, predictive, and separate tracking systems that help advance tracking practices far from basic location monitoring.
Artificial intelligence can speed up the flow of data created by IoT and RFID sensors, which identify outliers, and demand forecasts, automate inventory decisions, and predict maintenance if needed.
In retail, AI paired with RFID can allow for real-time tracking of customer behavior and dynamic shelf management. In manufacturing, intelligent tracking can facilitate workflow optimization, improved downtime, and predictive quality control.
Finally, the obvious shift from barcodes to IoT and RFID, and now to AI, is more than an upgraded technology; it is a movement towards faster and smarter operation as a result of being more intelligent, and serving proactive services. Companies that adopt smart tracking can effectively manage complexity, restock faster, and operate with data that results in capital growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions on Smart Tracking with RFID, Barcoding, and IoT
Q1. Why are barcodes not in use now?
Many retailers and manufacturers now opt for IoT and RFID because these technologies are more in demand, as they work with fewer human interactions, ease the time, and avoid mistakes when operating on a large amount of systems.
Q2. What is IoT and RFID?
IoT refers to an interconnected network of devices and systems for data reading and data exchange, which includes RFID as a key technology. Meanwhile, RFID is a technology used by firms to identify and track objects using radio waves.
Q3. What industries are using IoT and RFID for real-time tracking?
Industries like healthcare, education, retail, manufacturing, and laboratories are using these technologies on a large scale for asset tracking, inventory management, and automation.
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