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Overview

Automatic identification and data collection (AIDC) is the generic terms for a number of technologies that bypass manual methods of data collection and data entry, thereby eliminating human error and significantly reducing time and labor.

Some additional technologies that share the ability to bypass human intervention or that provide improved system operation are also often included when talking about AIDC.

AIDC is known by many terms including: Keyless Data Entry, Automatic Identification, Auto. ID, Machine Readable Codes (MRC), and other names.

We prefer the term "Intelligent Data Acquisition" because all the technologies operate under microprocessor control (machine intelligence) and because they're the smart way to collect and enter data (human intelligence).

Benefits

There are as many benefits to AIDC as there are types of AIDC.

The short version is that AIDC technologies eliminate manual entry of data, thereby eliminating the associated errors, time, and costs (of both manual entry and errors). These benefits can be seen in different ways in different companies and applications. In general, however, a well-designed AIDC system offers both direct and indirect benefits including:

increased accuracy,

increased speed,

reduced cost,

reduced inventories,

reduced (or eliminated) cycle counting,

improved quality,

increase productivity,

increased data collection,

improved responsiveness, and

simplified ISO 9000 documentation.

More about benefits.

Types of AIDC Technology

AIDC is a family of technologies. Typically, the technologies don't compete with each other, they complement each other by offering different approaches and solutions to different data collection needs.

Despite their differences, all of the AIDC technologies help eliminate manual data collection and entry, save time and money, increase accuracy, and send data directly to a computer or microprocessor-controlled system.

Note: this section provides overview of the technologies, along with general strengths and limitations. Additional information may be found under the Articles index.