Abstract :
Automatic identification technologies are helping industry and commerce around the world to reduce labour costs and stocks, shorten production times, improve customer service and ultimately increase productivity and profits. All this is possible because of the unique ability of these technologies to allow computers to capture data rapidly, accurately and automatically on virtually everything from moving parts to people. A brief summary is given of some of the pros and cons of each of the principal technologies including: bar codes, RF coded tags, OCR magnetic stripe and vision systems. A table lists about 60 manufacturers and the automatic identification technology and products they offer. All the companies are AIM members
