This paper explores what the best possible options are based on standard products available today, and how they are applied to get reliable data for the highest chance of success the first time. It also explains the basic principles of operation and how they will influence the performance of each type of system. The three most widely available RFID systems will be discussed:

• LF - Low Frequency: (70 - 500 kHz)
  Short to medium read ranges, slowest read/write speeds, inexpensive, limited memory capacity, metal alloy resilient
• HF – High Frequency: (13.56 MHz)
  Short to medium read/write ranges, fast read/ write speeds, inexpensive to expensive, mid to high memory capacities
• UHF – Ultra High Frequency: (865 – 960 MHz)
  Long read/write ranges, fast read/write speeds, inexpensive to expensive, limited to lower memory capacities