U.S. car wash company Deptford ShammyShine uses RFID technology for vehicle cleaning
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Deptford ShammyShine, a car washing company located in New Jersey, USA, has enabled customers to receive fast and customized prepaid car wash services through the application of the RFID system provided by InnovativeControlSystems (ICS). The company’s owner, Steve Bulboff, said that since the installation of the ICS AutoSentry system in January this year, the cleaning revenue of each car has increased by an average of 18%-about 7.28 US dollars. Customers are also very satisfied with the service because they get faster, More automated services.
According to Tom Tuohy, manager of the company’s RFID project and credit card design department, ICS used RFID technology in car washing service stations one and a half years ago. They can now provide an outdoor self-service system installed at the entrance of the car wash. This system can bring more convenient and fast services to customers, and can improve the cash flow for operators, so as to better manage the prepaid system. In this way, customers only need to pay the standard monthly fee no matter how many times they use the service.
AutoSentry self-service kiosk launched by ICS
Bulboff said that in a full-service car wash, if the RFID system is not applied, it may cause customers to wait in long queues for service, which is very inefficient. The adoption of this system will automate the entire service process, thereby greatly improving service efficiency.
When customers use this RFID system, they need to show their credit card and set up a monthly payment system—generally, they have to pay a monthly fee of 15 to 60 US dollars. Sometimes, the first monthly payment system can also be set up at the self-service kiosk. The customer will then receive a paper label that can be attached to the windshield. Tuohy said that marking the location has always been the biggest problem with the application of this system. Car washes often remind customers to put stickers on the windshield, which is also the best location.
This tag contains a UHFGen2 passive RFID inlay, which contains an ID number that records data such as the customer’s name, required services, and payment information. Data related to customer service agreements are stored on the car wash operator’s servers, while payment information such as credit card numbers are stored on remote third-party servers.
The Auto Sentry self-service kiosk established by ICS is equipped with an RFID interrogator that can obtain the tag ID number, a touch screen monitor that helps customers pay, and an RFID reader. The ICS software running on the car wash server can control the automated cleaning system and provide tire polishing or car waxing services.
This software system can also transmit the ID number to the computer in the car wash through a cable connection, and then connect to the server through the Ethernet, where the correctness of the payment information can be verified.
ICS is also constantly adjusting the reading range to ensure that there is no confusion in the information reading. At the same time, the design of the label can prevent it from being moved to another car by mistake.
Currently, Deptford ShammyShine has installed AutoSentry systems in two car washes in New Jersey.
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