AIDC

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) is the term applied to a range of technologies such as bar codes, radio frequency identification, smart cards, biometrics, and vision systems to name just some of the areas covered. The adoption of such technologies can greatly enhance the accuracy, speed of acquisition, and timeliness of data, which is essential for the provision of information in decision making. In many cases the introduction of AIDC is a trigger for Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR), which can greatly enhance processes and methods of working. The application of such technologies can be found in almost all economic sectors from manufacturing though supply chains, retail, service industry, and healthcare.

The National AIDC Centre for Wales is a part of the Faculty of Advanced Technology within the University of Glamorgan. The centre is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government as a Knowledge Transfer Centre under the Academic Expertise for Business Scheme (A4B). The A4B programme is established to help Welsh business make use of the expertise that can be found in the Welsh Higher Education sector, primarily the universities.

Whilst he centre is based and managed from the University of Glamorgan, it also has knowledge transfer translators based in Swansea. The centre is managed by Hywel Williams, an IT professional with many years experience of designing and implementing systems.