| 1. |
What is
EID? . . . RFID? |
|
EID stands for Electronic Identification Device.
RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification.
|
| 2. |
What type of chips/tags can be used with the
CattleTrax® Program? |
|
ISO-compliant, full or half-duplex, chips or
tags will work with any Trax® System. However, the Trax® Systems
are designed to only work with read-only transponders.
|
| 3. |
How much information is held on the chip/tag? |
|
The EID device contains a 16-21 digit number
which is unique worldwide.
|
| 4. |
How close do I have to be with the handheld
unit to read the chip/tag? |
|
Within 12 inches.
|
| 5. |
Will these devices work outdoors and in any
weather conditions? |
|
Yes.
|
| 6. |
What is the expected life span of the
chips/tags themselves? |
|
Because the chips/tags do not have their own
power source, they can be expected to last well beyond the
lifespan of any animal, provided that they are not broken upon
installation.
|
| 7. |
Can the chips/tags be reused? |
|
Physically, yes, but the Trax®
Systems do NOT allow reuse of EIDs.
|
| 8. |
What is the difference between the external and
internal chips/tags? |
|
Internal chips are small glass-capsules which
contain the EID transponder. They are approximately the size of a
grain of rice. External tags are usually plastic buttons which
have EID transponders embedded in them, and vary in diameter and
thickness.
|
| 8. |
If I use these chips/tags will I still need to
have ear tags in my cattle? |
|
You should, because the Trax®
Systems are designed to work with BOTH EID and conventional ear tags. The
system will be most beneficial if both types of identification are
used.
|
| 10. |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
the internal implants? |
|
The advantage of the internal implant is that it
is not visible externally -- potential thieves do not know the EID
is there. The disadvantage is that the producer does not know
exactly where the EID is, or if it is there at all, either.
|
| 11. |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
the external chips/tags? |
|
The advantage of the external tag is that the
producer knows if the tag is still in place, or if it has been
removed. The disadvantage is that the tag can be removed much more
easily.
|
| 12. |
How do I read the information of the chip/tag
after it is implanted? |
|
The chip/tag can be read using any
Trax®
handheld unit.
|
| 13. |
Does the handheld come with an operators manual
or online tutorial? |
|
An operator's manual comes with the handheld. An
online tutorial is also available.
|
| 14. |
How does my data on the handheld unit get to
the Trax® database? |
|
The Trax® handheld units are
synchronized with the centralized database when the handheld is
put in the synch cradle and the PC is connected to the Internet. A conventional phone line
and modem interface can also be used if a PC is not available.
|
| 15. |
Does the government approve of implanting
chips? |
|
Yes.
|
| 16. |
Where on the animal is it recommended that you
implant the chip? |
|
Either in the base of the ear behind the
scudaform cartilage or under the dewclaw on a back leg.
|
| 17. |
Will the implant stay where I put it? |
|
Yes, it should.
|
| 18. |
Can an external tag be taken off of one animal
and put on to another with or with out fraudulent intent? |
|
It may be possible to do this but
the tags are designed to be tamper-proof to minimize fraud.
|
| 19. |
How do I access my information once it is in
the Trax® database? |
|
Through any of the Trax® System websites via a secure
username and password.
|
| 20. |
Will this system help eliminate paperwork or
will I still need to keep hard copy records? |
|
It is always a good idea to keep a hard copy
record, but this doesn't mean that HANDWRITTEN records are
necessary -- the hard copy could be as simple as printing the data
out of the Trax® database.
|
| 21. |
What keeps others from viewing my information
in the database? |
|
Your information is only accessible to you
through the use of a secure username and password.
|
| 22. |
If I need something specific to my operation,
like a report, can the system be customized? |
|
Absolutely.
|
| 23. |
What happens to the information if I sell the
animal? |
|
The seller has the opportunity to transfer
access to the information to the new owner. The seller can do this
process online. The buyer doesn't need to be a customer nor have a
user ID and Password at the time of transfer. The system will
create an account for the buyer if needed along with an ID and
Password. The buyer must then pay an account setup fee to activate
his account and gain access to the information.
|
| 24. |
What type of customer service accompanies the
database service? |
|
Online customer service is available via email.
|
| 25. |
Are there a minimum or maximum number of
animals a user is allowed on the system? |
|
No -- the system can store an unlimited number
of records, but the Trax® System utilizes a per-head fee
for record storage.
|
