Glossary

Two-dimensional barcodes (2D code) allow the information density per area to be significantly increased compared to a one-dimensional barcode (1D code). In a data matrix code, for example, the information is coded very compactly on a square or rectangular area as a pattern of dots. When a data matrix code is read, two different bar widths are no longer defined clearly in their order, as in a one-dimensional barcode, but rather the arrangement of the equal-sized dots within the frame and in the matrix grid. The dots are white or black dots connected to each other or round dots with gaps in between. Further 2D codes: QR code, semacode, bee tag, vericode and VS code.

Classification of all items in a range by specific criteria, e.g. sales quantity or access frequency. A items have high sales quantities or access frequency, C items low ones. The thresholds between ABC groups are defined for each individual case.

Additional area of use for RFID technology

An artificial silk for textile labelling, such as on mattresses.

Very transparent adhesive with good resistance against UV radiation and high temperatures. Acrylic adhesives usually have lower initial adhesion than rubber adhesives.

RFID transponders with their own battery-operated power supply are called active transponders. There are transponders with replaceable batteries and ones whose batteries are in a sealed unit. The latter are called modular active transponders.

Name for how two different materials stick together or for the interaction of the adhesive with the substrate to be adhered to.

The connection between the three basic elements – upper material, adhesive layer and covering material or substrate – forms the self-adhesive label, also called an adhesive bond by manufacturers.

This film adheres to absolutely smooth surfaces (e.g. glass, painted metal) without adhesive

Adhesive which remains on a substrate when the label is removed.

A system used to map complex logistical structures in a supply chain or a company network in real time.

Name for reading devices which can work on multiple frequencies. See also 'Reader'

Automatic Identification Manufacturers. Industry association for manufacturers of RFID systems.

The ALOHA protocol is used to read information from RFID transponders. The reading device requests that all transponders in its range respond after a random time. If this results in collisions, the process is repeated until the information from all transponders has been read. The ALOHA protocol makes it possible to read off a lot of RFID labels reliably within a small space.

Either a thin aluminium foil laminated onto paper or a pure aluminium foil. Both are used as an upper material for self-adhesive products.

Temperature and humidity conditions in the ambient air

An antenna generally consists of a conductor which operates as a sending and receiving unit. It ensures that radio signals are transmitted between the sender or receiver and the medium (air).

If multiple transponders are addressed by a reading device at the same time, they answer at the same time, which can result in a data collision upon receipt. An anti-collision process is used to prevent this. In this, the transponders are addressed individually through a special process.

See Advanced planning and scheduling system.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)