Industrial traceability has its own vocabulary, which is often reduced to acronyms. Here are some brief definitions, free of unnecessary jargon, as explained by our engineers in the field. A reliable guide, whether you’re preparing a project or simply want to understand what an acronym means.

Identification and Location Technologies

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

Technology that identifies an object remotely, using radio waves, without physical contact or a line of sight. A tag responds to a reader, which retrieves its identifier. It allows multiple objects to be read in a single operation.

UHF, HF, and LF RFID

Three frequency bands. LF (low frequency) reads at very short ranges; HF (high frequency, including NFC) at a few centimeters; and UHF (ultra-high frequency, 865 to 868 MHz in Europe) at ranges of up to several meters and for bulk reading. UHF dominates logistics and inventory management.

RTLS (Real-Time Location System)

Real-time location system. Unlike RFID, which identifies objects as they pass by, RTLS provides a continuous location for an asset or a person using an anchor infrastructure.

UWB (Ultra Wide Band)

Highly accurate RTLS location technology, with an accuracy of 10 to 30 centimeters, suitable for precise tracking of assets or people indoors.

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)

Metric-level precision RTLS location technology, featuring low infrastructure costs and standalone beacons. Useful for covering large areas.

On-metal tag

An RFID tag designed to be attached to metal without losing its read range—where a conventional tag would become unreadable.

Marking and Physical Identification

DPM (Direct Part Marking)

Markings engraved directly into the material of a part (using a laser, for example), in Datamatrix or text format. Indelible, they last for decades where a label would peel off.

Data Matrix

A two-dimensional code capable of storing a large amount of information in a small space; widely used for part marking and individual item traceability.

EPC (Electronic Product Code)

A standard for a unique identifier encoded in an RFID chip, which allows each object to be identified individually on a global scale.

Software and Integration

Middleware

A software layer that receives raw data from the readers, filters and aggregates it, and then transmits clean data to the information system. Without it, the ERP would be overwhelmed by redundant data.

ERP, WMS, MES, CMMS

Enterprise management systems: ERP for overall management, WMS for the warehouse, MES for production, and CMMS for maintenance. Traceability becomes valuable when it feeds data into these systems.

Methods and Standards

FEFO (First Expired, First Out)

An inventory management rule that ensures the batch with the earliest expiration date is used first. Essential in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

FOD (Foreign Object Debris)

Foreign object (tool, debris) that could damage an aircraft. Prevention measures include, in particular, RFID tracking of tools.

UDI (Unique Device Identification)

A unique regulatory identifier for medical devices, based on reliable and verified labeling.

DPP (Digital Product Passport)

Digital product passport, which is set to be mandated by European regulations to provide information on a product’s origin, composition, and end-of-life.

ISO 15415 and 15416

Code quality standards. Standard 15416 rates linear barcodes, and Standard 15415 rates 2D codes, on a grading scale from A to F.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between RFID and barcodes?

Barcodes must be scanned optically, one at a time, with a direct line of sight. RFID reads objects remotely, without direct line of sight, and can read multiple objects at once.

What is the difference between RFID and RTLS?

RFID identifies an object as it passes by a reader. RTLS continuously tracks its location in real time.

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Moving from Vocabulary to the Project

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For more information: the guide to RFID and RTLS technology, and our traceability solutions.