CompTIA - RFID+ Certification

A Firebrand Training
4
Day Course

CompTIA RFID+ Certification - Overview

The goal of this four (4) day accelerated course is to teach students a base-line technical knowledge of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification technology) for different career roles. Successful students will have mastered the fundamental knowledge and skills required to work in a RFID using environment. These foundational skills include basic knowledge of interrogation zone basics, testing, troubleshooting and design selection.

Those holding CompTIA RFID+ certification can demonstrate knowledge and competency to perform installation, configuration and maintenance of RFID hardware and device software, site surveys/site analysis or tag selection, placement and testing.

Our CompTIA RFID+ Certification Program

Allows you to achieve your certifications in a fraction of the time of 'traditional training' while delivering industry-leading exam passing percentages
Helps students grasp complex technical concepts more easily by identifying and catering to individual student learning styles through a mixed visual, auditory and kinaesthetic-tactual delivery system
Enhances retention by employing accelerated learning techniques focused on committing information to long-term memory

CompTIA RFID+ Certification - Benefits

Having proof of your skills and knowledge gives you the edge over other candidates when applying for a job. Here are some additional benefits of earning CompTIA RFID+:

Independent validation of achievement of a level of competency accepted and valued by the industry
Proven understanding of fundamental RFID-related practices
Increased knowledge, leading to increased job satisfaction
Well-defined career path, leading to higher level certifications
Proof of transferable skills and a solid credential, which make you more marketable
Vendor neutral certification

What CompTIA RFID+ Can do for Your Company

Certification provides companies with skilled employees, leading to:

Maximized efficiencies in recruiting, hiring, training and promoting employees
Operational improvements and greater efficiencies organization-wide
Creation of best practices and uniform RFID processes across all industries
Increased productivity as certified professionals are able to perform at accepted industry standards

Who Should Earn a RFID+ Certification?

RFID job-role certification is important for all types of IT professionals, from career changers and business professionals to experienced and certified IT professionals who want to be involved in the latest technology for the shipping industry.

Career changers

RFID+ certification is an excellent way to enter the IT industry because vendor-neutral skill certifications address the roles and responsibilities of a specific position. RFID+ focuses on industry standards, and leading hardware and software technologies.

Business professionals

A RFID certification demonstrates knowledge of industry standards, best practices, and leading hardware and software technology. Taking the time to learn new IT concepts shows a commitment to keep pace with today's technology-driven economy, to better understand a customer's business, and to become more self-sufficient by better understanding the technology on which almost every professional relies.

Experienced and certified IT professionals

If an experienced IT professional does not already have a widely recognized certification, he or she should earn a certification to show current or potential employers a measurement of their skills and expertise. Those who hold certifications other than RFID+ can benefit from RFID+ certification by demonstrating an understanding of multiple and vendor-neutral skills, and knowledge of industry standards and best practices.

Other accelerated training providers rely heavily on lecture and independent self-testing and study.

Effective technical instruction must be highly varied and interactive to keep attention levels high, promote camaraderie and teamwork between the students and instructor, and solidify knowledge through hands-on learning.

Firebrand Training provides instruction to meet every learning need, including

Intensive group instruction
One-on-one instruction attention
Hands-on labs
Lab partner and group exercises
Question and answer drills
Independent study

This information has been provided as a helpful tool for candidates considering certification. Benefits of certification determined through studies do not guarantee any particular personal successes. Firebrand Training provides a guarantee of obtaining certification at the camp, but does not make any guarantees about personal successes or benefits of obtaining certification.

CompTIA RFID+ Certification - Curriculum

Course Materials

Students attending this blended-learning program will receive a robust set of course materials that caters to each of the three primary individual learning-intake styles (auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic-tactual) - critical for a successful accelerated learning experience.

Daily lectures, labs, and review sessions are supplemented by a combination of:

Proprietary Lab Manual & Program Courseware - developed to address the unique demands of accelerated learners
Self Test Testing Software

Firebrand Training has an aggressive educational schedule that thoroughly covers all essential elements necessary to attain the CompTIA RFID+ Certification during the program.

Module Descriptions

RFID basics, Tags and Readers
Testing & Troubleshooting of RFID Systems, RF in RFID
RFID Systems Installation, Regulations, Standards and Mandates, Practice
RFID+ Certification Exam

Course program in detail

Interrogation zone basics

Describe interrogator functionality
I/O capability
Hand-held interrogators
Vehicle mount interrogator
LAN/Serial communications
Firmware upgrades
Software operation (GUIs)
Describe configuration of interrogation zones
Explain interrogator to interrogator interference
Optimization
System performance and tuning
Travel speed and direction
Bi-static / monostatic antennas
Define anti-collision protocols (e.g., number of tags in the field/response time)
Given a scenario, solve dense interrogator environment issues (domestic/international)
Understand how a dense interrogator installation is going to affect network traffic
Installation of multiple interrogators, (e.g., dock doors, synchronization of multiple interrogators, antenna footprints)

Testing and Troubleshooting

Given a scenario, troubleshoot RF interrogation zones (e.g., root-cause analysis)
Analyze less than required read rate
Identify improperly tagged items
Diagnose hardware
Recognize need for firmware upgrades
Equipment replacement procedures (e.g., antenna, cable, interrogator)
Identify reasons for tag failure
Failed tag management
ESD issues
Given a scenario, contrast actual tag data to expected tag data

Standards and Regulations

Given a scenario, map user requirements to standards
Regulations, standards that impact the design of a particular RFID solution
Identify the differences between air interface protocols and tag data formats
Recognize regulatory requirements globally and by region (keep at high level, not specific requirements -- may use scenarios)
Recognize safety regulations/issues regarding human exposure

Tag Knowledge

Classify tag types
Select the RFID tag best suited for a specific use case.
Pros and cons of tag types
Tag performance
Tag antenna to region/frequency
Identify inductively coupled tags vs. back-scatter
Identify the differences between active and passive
Given a scenario, select the optimal locations for an RFID tag to be placed on an item.
Evaluate media and adhesive selection for tags
Tag orientation and location
Tag stacking (shadowing)
Package contents
Packaging
Items
Tags
Labels
Inserts
Liquids
Metal
Polarization

Design Selection

Given a scenario, predict the performance of a given frequency and power (active/passive) as it relates to: read distance, write distance, tag response time, storage capacity
Summarize how hardware selection affects performance (may use scenarios)
Antenna type
Equipment mounting and protection
Cable length/loss
Interference considerations
Tag type (e.g., active, passive, frequency)

Installation

Given a scenario, describe hardware installation using industry standard practices
Identify grounding considerations (e.g., lightning, ground loops, ESD)
Test installed equipment and connections (pre-install and post-install)
Given a scenario, interpret a site diagram created by a RFID architect describing interrogation zone locations, cable drops, device mounting locations

Site Analysis (i.e., before, during and after installation)

Given a scenario, demonstrate how to read blueprints (e.g., whole infrastructure)
Determine sources of interference
Use analysis equipment such as a spectrum analyzer, determine if there is any ambient noise in the frequency range that may conflict with the RFID system to be installed
Given a scenario, analyze environmental conditions end-to-end

RF Physics

Identify RF propagation/communication techniques
Describe antenna field performance/characteristics as it relates to reflective and absorptive materials (may use scenarios)
Given a scenario, calculate radiated power output from antenna based on antenna gains, cable type, cable length, interrogator transmit power (include formulas in scenario)

RFID Peripherals

Describe installation and configuration of RFID printer (may use scenarios)
Describe ancillary devices/concepts
RFID printer encoder
Automated label applicator
Feedback systems (e.g., lights, horns)
RTLS

CompTIA RFID+ Certification - Exam Track

Interrogation Zone Basics 13% of examination
Testing and Troubleshooting 13% of examination
Standards and Regulations 12% of examination
Tag Knowledge 11% of examination
Design Selection 11% of examination
Installation 11% of examination
Site Analysis (ie. Before, during and after installation) 11% of examination
RF Physics 11% of examination
RFID Peripherals 7% of examination

CompTIA RFID+ Certification - What's Included

Firebrand Training offers top-quality technical education and certification training in an all-inclusive course package specifically designed for the needs and ease of our students. We attend to every detail so our students can focus solely on their studies and certification goals.

Our Certification Programs includes

Intensive Hands-on Training Utilising our (Lecture | Lab | Review)^TM Delivery
Comprehensive Study Materials, Program Courseware and Self-Testing Software
Fully instructor-led program with 24 hour lab access
Examination vouchers *
On site testing **
Accommodation, All Meals, Beverages, and Snacks
Transportation to/from designated local railway stations
Examination Passing Policy

Please note

* Exam vouchers for our (ISC)2 certifications need to be purchased directly from (ISC)2
** On site testing is not included in our ISACA, or ITIL Managers and Revision Certifications

Our instructors teach to accommodate every student's learning needs through individualised instruction, hands-on labs, lab partner and group exercises, independent study, self-testing, and question/answer drills.

Firebrand Training has dedicated, well-equipped educational facilities where you will attend instruction and labs and have access to comfortable study and lounging rooms. Our students consistently say our facilities are second-to-none.

Examination Passing Policy

Should a student complete a Firebrand Training Program without having successfully passed all vendor examinations, the student may re-attend that program for a period of one year. Students will only be responsible for accommodations and vendor exam fees.

CompTIA RFID+ Certification - Prerequisites

Students who are successful in the the CompTIA RFID+ Certification Firebrand Training should possess:

6-24 months of experience in the RFID industry
Foundational RFID knowledge

Firebrand Training staff interview all potential students regarding their technical background, degrees and certifications held, and personal fortitude. This screening process ensures a successful match between the customer and Firebrand Training toward accelerated training and certification.

Firebrand Training is an aggressive training environment. You must have an attitude aimed for success. The above prerequisites are guidelines, but many students with less experience have other background or traits that have enabled their success in accelerated training through Firebrand Training.

RFID+ Certification Testimonials

"Undoubtebly the best centre to attend for anyone wishing to get certified, or just for IT knowledge."
Steve Houghton, none.

"Really excellent instructor."
PR, Freelance.

"Exam focused training, well prepared and presented, by knowledgeable fully qualified instructors in an environment that encourages learning and self development."
AS, Dealogic.

"One if not the best training courses I have attended."
Debbie Richards, BT.

"Quality of the delivery of the material in the classroom was excellent. "
A.D, DWP.

"A unique environment dedicated to achieving the goal of learning with focus and high volumes of material - then passing the exam(s)!"
Owen Haynes, Magnox North Limited.

"The course was very hard going but very good. The centre, all the staff and the food were all excellent. The only thing that I would advise is that you have a very good understanding of computers and IT before you come. This was a complete career change for me and I had very little computing knowledge when I started, unlike everyone else on the course, but I worked hard and manged to get my first IT qualification. So it can be done. Would definitley recommend Firebrand Training. "
MP, un-employed.

"An excellent week! I achieved all I set out to achieve at the beginning of the week."
Adrian Shaw, Vigence.

"From the day I arrive until today, Firebrand Training has provided me with a casual, friendly and learning focused environment. I have found the course tough, which I knew it would be, but also very rewarding. I would not hesitate in coming back in the future for more learning of the highest quality."
Damon Smith, Self Employed.

"I came on this course expecting to work hard but, I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks to my instructor and other attendees this was a well woth while experience for me and one I am likely to repeat in the future."
Shona Gunn, Stirling University.

"The course is long, hard but worth it. Im now fully qualified MCTS Web, Windows and Distributed Apps."
Luke McGrane, ICS Group UK.

"Superb learning environment. I would not consider using any other training company. The staff were incredibly friendly and the food exceptional. What more can I say ?"
Sajid Mahboob, Armacell UK Limited.

"An enjoyable course at a hospitable and effective location. A good experience. "
Madeleine Forsyth, WPP 2005 Ltd.

"This was without doubt the best training experience I have ever had. The instructor was quite simply the most knowledgeable IT Pro I have ever met. He deserves a medal. The course was very hard work indeed and requires a massive effort so should not be undertaken lightly. I learned a great deal and will certainly be coming back for more training. The food is excellent, all staff are friendly and courteous. "
Anthony Mason, Abstractis Ltd.

"Firebrand Training is intensive, but the rewards are overwhelming when you consider how much is covered in the space of time, and the knowledge you gain."
Robert Macnair, Mourant Limited.

"The training at Firebrand is excellent. They get the most important thing right. Choice of instructor."
PE, Logicalis.

"Great food!"
Sebastian Page, NHS.

"Without a doubt, this is the place to learn. The staff are focused on getting you through the exams, and help you all the way. Thoroughly recommended."
TA, n/a.

"Second time back just reiterated how much I had learned during my first time. Consolidated my learning brilliantly and I passed my exams!"
DJ, Loughborough Primary School.

"The course is long, hard but worth it. Im now fully qualified MCTS Web, Windows and Distributed Apps."
Luke McGrane, ICS Group UK.

"Accelerated learning is not for everyone but the teaching methods are unmatched. The food is great, the rooms are functional and all staff are very helpful and friendly."
Stephen Brown, CGI UK Ltd.

"Concise, exactly as it says on the tin - highly recommended. "
David Olden, Self.

"FIREBRAND... Training with them is like being Branded: Over quickly but leaves a lasting impression. The best way to learn, in the best place, with the best food and staff. If you are thinking of attending Sign up now. I had a great time and am now Qualified. Woo Hoo!!! "
Ross Martel-Welsh, Alternative Solutions Ltd.

"Very beneficial, the instructor was clearly very experienced and knowledgeable on the product and delivered the course excellently. The training structure, while intense was much more effective than self study or office based training where there would no doubt be constant interruptions. Would definately use Firebrand Training again."
S.C, Blue Rock Systems.

"Fantastic training! My instructor was brilliant. "
PD, FCO.

"A great week, very tiring and very intense. Good group morale, with enthusiastic discusion during revision times. A very positive environment."
Michael Harding, n/a.

"A professional and well designed course that adapted to the students requirements whilst keeping on the required track. I would not study any other way or with any other training company."
Kim Peck, SGP Property Services Ltd.

"Attended with a rudementary understanding of Sharepoint and left feeling confident that I could implement a suitable business solution for my organisation."
Craig Law, MOD.

"Firebrand Training is one of the most excellent institute, as it takes you to different world where you can find comfortable environment for useful studying and preparing for exams. Moreover, everyone in Firebrand is working for you (i.e instructor, bus driver, staff, chef)."
Naif Al-Dossary, SABIC.

"The training course with Firebrand was excellent, I do not believe I could have acheived my results in another setting or with another style of teaching."
Nathan Lee Cartwright, Contoso.com, its all I can think of! Seriously though, its SafeCom.

RFID+ Certification Course Dates

Start	End	Availability	Register
15/12/2008	18/12/2008	Finished

Does your business run legacy IT systems?	Yes	no
Have legacy system upgrades caused issues with new business critical applications?	Yes	no
Would server virtualisation enable you to prolong the life of defunct business applications and directly improve productivity?	Yes	no
How old are your legacy IT systems?