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Active RFID systems are distinguished by the use of small, battery-powered asset tags, which beacon their unique ID numbers every few seconds. A networked reader receives these transmissions and relays consolidated asset data to enterprise information systems for reporting and change control. Active RFID tags can have motion sensors, tamper switches, and other sensory triggers that combine conditional and contextual data alongside their periodic ID beacons. Unlike barcode systems or passive (unpowered) RFID systems, which require an operator to manually collect asset detail using free network inventory scanner or interrogator, an active RFID solution generates a continuous inventory as often as 100 times/hour hour, unassisted.
That automation of inventory collection is key because IT managers are burdened with numerous requests for accurate counts of the equipment under their watch. Automated asset tracking can reclaim stolen resources, especially those required for an annual audit. In a large datacenter, new equipment is provisioned frequently and continuously. Existing gear is being maintained on an ongoing basis. Outdated servers are pulled from service and prepared for disposition. New networking hardware and storage devices are integrated week after week.
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