Automatic Identification Technology (AIT): The Development of Functional Capability and Card Application Matrices

Automatic identification technology AIT, also known as automated data collection ADC technology, has been in use in various industry and government applications. The present AIT resources are magnetic ink character recognition, optical character recognition, bar code, magnetic stripe, radio frequency, optical laser memory, integrated circuit IC, biometric and voice data collection, and machine vision. Smart card, super smart card, and magnetic memory card technology e.g., PCMCIA are integrated circuit technology. Personnel selecting, acquiring, implementing and using these technologies should possess a knowledge of the capabilities and applications of the AIT resources to obtain the best AIT system to meet their mission requirements. In order to facilitate an understanding of the AIT resources and their applications, two matrices were developed. An AIT Functional Capability Matrix was developed to identify and assess the capabilities of the AIT resources. An AIT Application Matrix was developed to identify the automation of various applications with these technologies. The matrices can assist system designers, system integrators, information systems management personnel, users, and consumers of AIT resources understand the functional capabilities and the applications of these technologies in a concise format. The matrices can be used for selection and acquisition of AIT systems and to track and address migration of the AIT systems throughout their life cycles.