Disadvantages of RFID
Dead areas and orientation problems RFID works similar to the way a cell phone or wireless network does. Just like these technologies, there may be certain areas that have weaker signals or interference. In addition, poor read rates are sometimes a problem when the tag is rotated into an orientation that does not align well with the reader. These issues can usually be minimized by properly implementing multiple readers and using tags with multiple axis antennas.
Security concerns Because RFID is not a line of sight technology like barcoding, new security problems could develop. For example, a competitor could set up a high gain directional antenna to scan tags in trucks going to a warehouse. From the data received, this competitor could determine flow rates of various products. Additionally, when RFID is used for high security operations such as payment methods, fraud is always a possibility.
Ghost tags In rare cases, if multiple tags are read at the same time the reader will sometimes read a tag that does not exist. Therefore, some type of read verification, such as a CRC, should be implemented in either the tag, the reader or the data read from the tag.
Proximity issues Tags cannot be read well when placed on metal or liquid objects or when these objects are between the reader and the tag. Nearly any object that is between the reader and the tag reduces the distance the tag can be read from.
High cost Because this technology is new, the components and tags are expensive compared to barcodes. In addition, software and support personnel that are needed to install and operate the RFID reading systems (in a warehouse for example) may be more costly to employ.
Unread tags When reading multiple tags at the same time, it is possible that some tags will not be read and there is no sure method of determining this when the objects are not in sight. This problem does not occur with barcodes, because when the barcode is scanned, it is instantly verified when read by a beep from the scanner and the data can then be entered manually if it does not scan.
Vulnerable to damage Water, static discharge or high power magnetic surges (such as from a close lightning strike) may damage the tags.
Re: Disadvantages of RFID
Hi
I would like to add few more disadvantagew
Disadvantages of RFID:
Security concerns Because RFID is not a line-of-sight technology like barcoding, new security issues could develop. For example, a competitor could set up a high-gain directional antenna to scan tags in trucks going to a warehouse. From the data received, this competitor could determine flow rates of various products. Additionally, when RFID is used for high-security operations such as payment methods, fraud is always a possibility.
Ghost tags In rare cases, if multiple tags are read at the same time the reader will sometimes read a tag that does not exist. Therefore, some type of read verification, such as a CRC, should be implemented in either the tag, the reader or the data read from the tag.
Proximity issues RFID tags cannot be read well when placed on metal or liquid objects or when these objects are between the reader and the tag. Nearly any object that is between the reader and the tag reduces the distance the tag can be read from.
High cost Because this technology is still new, the components and tags are expensive compared to barcodes. In addition, software and support personnel needed to install and operate the RFID reading systems (in a warehouse for example) may be more costly to employ.
Unread tags When reading multiple tags at the same time, it is possible that some tags will not be read and there is no sure method of determining this when the objects are not in sight. This problem does not occur with barcodes, because when the barcode is scanned, it is instantly verified when read by a beep from the scanner and the data can then be entered manually if it does not scan.
Vulnerable to damage Water, static discharge or high-powered magnetic surges (such as lightning strike) may damage the tags.
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