Clustag has announced the launch of Tag Inspector, the first open application specifically designed for smartphones with integrated RFID readers that are targeted at technical validation and R&D.
This new tool from a global leader in RFID solutions and data capture marks a qualitative leap in the way RFID data is read, managed and interpreted in a fast, intuitive and efficient way, directly from the mobile device, according to Clustag officials.
With this launch, Clustag expands its RAIN solutions ecosystem with an application for R&D, IT and test lab departments, as well as professionals who need to conduct rapid validations, comparative tag analyses or technical demonstrations in different environments.
Tag Inspector Impact
Clint Tennill, Vice President of Product Innovation at Clustag NA, highlighted the impact the application will have on the sector, noting that the adoption of this technology is accelerating in North America.
“Driven by initiatives such as the RAIN Alliance, which is standardizing its integration into mobile devices, Tag Inspector offers retailers an agile tool to validate tags, compare suppliers and make decisions based on real data, directly from a smartphone,” said Tennill. “This reduces friction and speeds up RFID integration in stores and logistics centers.”
Partnering with Zebra Technologies
Tag Inspector is touted as overcoming the usual limitations of native applications for these devices thanks to a modern, clear and process-oriented interface, which makes reading, validation and identification tasks simple and accessible.
The launch is part of a global trend of RAIN RFID reader integration into smartphones. Clustag maintains ongoing contact with Zebra Technologies and the Tag Inspector is available for their EM45-RFID and TC53e-RFID models, with plans to expand to other additional models. Although these devices do not yet achieve all the capabilities of a traditional RFID PDA, their design and ongoing advances in mobile reading are accelerating their adoption in technical environments.
Representatives of both companies said the goal of this collaboration is to continue exploring new applications, understand the evolution of these devices and progressively optimize Tag Inspector according to real market needs. In this context, there is consideration for the application to also work on other industrial Zebra devices without an integrated RFID reader, increasing its versatility and enabling flexible technology adoption without replacing current equipment.
Compatible With Different Manufacturers
Tag Inspector is an open application compatible with a variety of RFID tags from multiple manufacturers. Its ability to scan heterogeneous tags allows retailers to identify which models each use, analyze their behaviors and determine what improvements they may need— especially useful in evaluation, benchmarking and supplier selection processes, according to Clustag officials.
These features allow tags to be tested in different environments and reading points, observe variations in frequency, power and sensitivity, or compare performance between old and new models. As such, suppliers can be objectively assessed, and their RAIN RFID ecosystem optimized in telecommunications, R&D or technical validation contexts.
“Our goal with Tag Inspector was to put the user experience at the center and develop a tool that is intuitive but highly specialized, aimed at technical and innovation teams that require precision, speed and constant evolution in their RFID tests and deployments,” says Toni Tortosa, project lead in the Clustag IT team.