RFID Helps Customers Clean Up With Automated Car Wash

— Cost-effective system leverages all-weather CS203 integrated RFID fixed reader to boost revenue, speed return on investment, build customer loyalty —
 
  
Customer service and convenience can be the difference between life and death for many retail businesses. The ability to stand out among competitors and offer a superior service is vital, particularly in a saturated market or a commodity business. To enable their retail clients to offer a value-added and convenient service, XpresSystems developed an innovative system that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in a fully automated, self-service car wash.

A tamper-resistant RFID tag carrying a unique identifier is sold to regular car wash customers, to be mounted on their windshield. As a customer pulls up to the XpresWash automated car wash, an integrated RFID reader scans the vehicle identification, account billing information, and selected wash package stored on the RFID tag. The customer is then automatically billed for the wash using a prepaid plan, club plan, fleet account or pay per use option.

Car wash vendors and gas stations can install the system quickly and easily in an existing car wash using the ruggedized CS203ETHER Ethernet-connected UHF integrated RFID reader from Convergence Systems Limited (CSL). With a fully integrated reader/antenna form factor and single cable Power over Ethernet (POE) connectivity, the CS203 enables simple installation in varying configurations.

Because RFID technology doesn’t require line of sight to make a connection, it offers a quick and convenient tracking method that is ideally suited to this type of self-serve application. And with the ability to store a great deal of data on a rugged RFID tag with consistent readability, the XpresWash system delivers a secure and reliable link to the car wash vendor’s billing system.

Fluid Revenue Stream

The XpresWash system was designed for simple customer enrollment, online or at an in-store kiosk. Once enrolled, a user can drive through an RFID-equipped car wash at their convenience, without having to stop and pay for the service. This allows car wash vendors to realize cost savings by reducing wait times and demand on attendants, while increasing revenue and customer loyalty.

Solution provider TransTech worked closely with XpresSystems to design a complete RFID system that meets all their customers’ needs. “The XpresWash system makes it easy for vendors to manage multiple sites remotely, receiving usage alerts and system messages in real-time,” said Adam Cartner, customer service representative at TransTech Systems. “With the ability to pay for itself in no time through increased usage and customer loyalty, this innovative RFID system delivers a clear and superior return on investment.”

XpresWash vendors have reported an increase in per customer revenue since installing the system. The complete solution includes an online administrative website with built-in recurring billing system, allowing car wash vendors to manage revenue, monitor sites from anywhere, and maintain an updated customer database.

“The CS203 is one of the only IP68 rated RFID readers on the market, making it ideal for installation outdoors or inside the car wash where it is exposed to water on a regular basis,” said Jerry Garrett, managing director, Convergence Systems Limited. “The long read range and high read rate of the CS203 contributes to best-in-class reliability, bringing all the benefits of RFID to XpresSystems’ customers in a complete system designed for fast time to market.”

The CS203 integrated RFID reader is extremely versatile and can be used in all environments, indoor or outdoor, and for numerous applications. Built on CSL’s unified application programming interface (API), the high-performance CS203 enables shorter application development time and faster time to deployment.

About Convergence Systems Limited
Founded in 2000, Convergence Systems Limited is a leading design engineering company and global provider of radio frequency ID (RFID) tags, readers, antennas, modules and custom RFID hardware. CSL is unique in providing both passive Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) Gen 2 RFID products, as well as a full line of active RTLS RFID products. CSL delivers a broad portfolio of RFID hardware for logistics management, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, access control,  transportation and retail industries around the world. A member of standards organization EPCglobal, CSL is headquartered in Hong Kong with a global distribution channel.

For more information, visit www.CSL-RFID.com.

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