Water Jug Distribution gets RFID-ed

Filed in archive Companies on July 18, 2007

This is something which will enable the masses to get to know RFID even better since it's the lack of genuine knowledge which is causing more trouble rather than the technology itself. Northern Apex and S2C Global Systems have partnered to add this technology to Aquaduct water jug dispensing and that's not the end as it will be made available to thousands of customers across North America. It is expected to make the lives of retailers and customers quite easy since retailers can place them outside their stores which would result in space saving and customers will be able to refill jugs without the aid of an attendant. What it brings together is cost effectiveness and convenience for customers and retailers alike.

Let's see how RFID comes into play. Aquaduct has two openings - one is at the top and other at the bottom and the new jug is retrieved from the opening at the bottom and the empty jug is placed at the opening on the top where there is a molding in which the jug is placed in a particular position. Here the moldings are equipped with RFID reader antennas and the jugs are affixed with a tag and when the empty jug is placed within the molding the antenna starts reading the tag and the system takes note of the fact that the jug has been returned. As a result customer can get his deposit back or carry it forward. Even while making the transaction RFID is involved and every Aquaduct comes with a credit card payment panel using which purchases are made. While the jug is being dispensed the tag is read and the information is matched with the consumer and informs the consumer that the empty jug has been returned.

The tags have been designed in such a manner so that they can survive in the toughest of conditions and it is being regarded as a complete automated and foolproof system. Hope Aquaduct brings out the true picture of RFID!!