RAIN (an acronym derived from RAdio IdentificatioN), is the term chosen by the industry to describe a wireless communication technology operating in the UHF range (between 860 and 930 MHz) with a typical range of many meters, which complies with the ISO18000-63 global standard.

As the fastest-growing segment of the RFID market, with hundreds of billions of tag ICs sold to date, RAIN is used in many markets and industries worldwide to identify, locate, authenticate, and engage items–providing numerous benefits to end users. While other IoT technologies bring other capabilities and values, none can match RAIN for cost, simplicity, and availability.

The RAIN name and logos allow a business, its products, solutions, and capabilities to be associated with this rapidly growing market. The RAIN name provides a clear identifier that helps people clarify and differentiate from other IoT technologies. It reduces confusion and provides a mechanism for creating industry awareness of and education about the core capabilities and value of the technology so businesses can focus on selling.

About this Usage Guide

The purpose of this document is to detail the proper industry use of the technology product identifier “RAIN” in content and imagery.  This includes establishing its correct usage in documents and online.  The guide also includes standard RAIN definitions, descriptors, and logos that can be used by anyone.

RAIN should be used and/or replace all relevant references to RFID, UHF RFID, passive RFID, passive UHF RFID, and EPC RFID in an organization’s technical, sales, and marketing materials.  The proper use of RAIN in this way will improve market clarity and end-user understanding of the technology and its benefits.  Much like the term “Wi-Fi” has simplified the way we talk about the technology used for unplugged internet access, and the term “Bluetooth” has simplified the way we talk about exchanging data with a mobile device, the term RAIN simplifies the way we talk about enabling visibility into the trillions of unpowered things in our world.

RAIN Terminology Usage

WHY USE RAIN: RAIN is the term chosen by the industry to describe a wireless communication technology which is compliant with the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard.  Using consistent terminology – RAIN – eliminates confusion and clarifies for the end-user the technology’s capabilities and applications. It acts as a “short cut” for people to understand what is being discussed.

WHEN TO USE RAIN:  Use RAIN in place of other phrases like RFID, UHF RFID, passive RFID, passive UHF RFID, EPC RFID. The RAIN name can be used by itself.

Examples

  • INCORRECT USE: The Acme product is fully compliant with the GS1 EPC/RFID Gen2v2 standard and supports RAIN.

  • CORRECT USE: The Acme product is fully compliant with the RAIN air protocol standards (ISO/IEC 18000-63).

  • INCORRECT USE: Our products are RAIN-approved and meet global industry standards and regulations.

  • CORRECT USE: Our RAIN products meet global industry standards and regulations.

  • INCORRECT USE: RAIN is a global alliance promoting the universal adoption of RAIN technology.

  • CORRECT USE: The RAIN Alliance is a global alliance promoting the universal adoption of RAIN (passive UHF RFID in compliance with ISO/IEC 18000-63).

WHERE:  Use RAIN in content such as advertisements, blogs, case studies, data sheets, ebooks, emails, infographics, podcasts, presentations, press releases, reports, social media, solution briefs, videos, white papers, etc. Standard language describing RAIN technology is below and available for your use.  The term “RAIN” can be used to identify a variety of things, including:

  • RAIN tags
  • RAIN readers
  • RAIN solutions
  • RAIN applications
  • RAIN technology

HOW:  The language we use is important. To be effective it must be straightforward and truthful. Use of RAIN must be consistent throughout a document.  In short, RAIN language and content should be:

  • Clear: Message and copy are concise and coherent using simple words and short sentences.
  • Appropriate: RAIN must be used in the content. Content must address appropriate topics and audiences.
  • Useful: Content has a clear goal and targets specific audience(s).
  • Truthful: Claims are validated with data and research.

Voice: “Voice” is the tone delivered by written or online content.  For RAIN the voice should be:

  • Upbeat: The tone is positive and cordial, inspiring truth, innovation, and efficiency.
  • Innovative: RAIN is an innovative, exciting technology. RAIN content should convey this fact.
  • Credible: The truth about RAIN and what it can do – and will do – should be communicated simply and plainly to build and enhance credibility.

In sum, the language and tone of voice used for RAIN material should be positive, straightforward, and truthful.

RAIN Definition

For use when describing RAIN. This definition can be used in its entirety.  Simply copy and paste the following into whatever document you are working on.

RAIN is a name or identifier for passive UHF radio-frequency identification products (RFID) and technology that comply with the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard.

RAIN Descriptor

For use when a longer definition or more background about RAIN is needed. This descriptor can be used in its entirety. Simply copy and paste the descriptor into whatever document you are working on.

RAIN is one of the most pervasive technologies in the world and is used in many markets for efficient identification, localization, and authentication of products. While other IoT technologies bring other values, none can match RAIN for cost, simplicity, and availability. So, it’s no surprise that the RAIN market is the fastest-growing segment with tens of billions of tags sold. The RAIN name represents passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) technology based on the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard. The RAIN name provides a clear and simple identifier for the wide variety of products and services that comply with the standard. 

“About” RAIN Paragraph

For use when an “About” paragraph or background information on the RAIN brand is needed. This “About” paragraph can be used in its entirety. Simply copy and paste the paragraph into whatever document you are working on.

RAIN is the industry brand name for passive UHF radio-frequency identification products and technology that complies with the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard, the fastest growing type of RFID available today. The RAIN name was established in 2014 by the global membership of the RAIN Alliance and is now in use around the world.

RAIN Alliance Definition

For use when a description of the RAIN Alliance is required. This definition can be used in its entirety. Simply copy and paste into whatever document you are working on.

The RAIN Alliance is the industry organization supporting the universal adoption of RAIN, a wireless technology that connects billions of everyday items to the Internet of Things, enabling businesses and consumers to identify, locate, authenticate, and engage assets. For more information or to join the non-profit organization, visit:therainalliance.org

RAIN and RAIN Alliance Official Logos

The RAIN Alliance established the RAIN logos to help companies and end-users, as well as commercial and consumer, identify products that are compliant with the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard. The RAIN Alliance logo was established to identify this organization, which supports RAIN technology. RAIN is not a registered trademark or brand.

The RAIN logo can be placed on products to indicate the presence of the technology.  ISO/IEC 29160 proposes several RAIN emblems, including the RAIN logo, as a means of informing the public about the use of RAIN in consumer and workplace environments. The RAIN Alliance encourages the use of the RAIN logo in these instances to help end users and consumers become more familiar with the technology.  However, the use of the RAIN logo must meet members’ own contractual and legal requirements for use.

RAIN Logos

These logos are available in different formats.

Vertical logos

Horizontal logos

Cloud logo

The RAIN Terminology and Brand/Logo Guide is provided to help understand the proper use of the RAIN logos to ensure global consistency.
Anyone can download and use the RAIN logos on marketing materials and websites. The only limitation regarding how the RAIN logos can be used is regarding RAIN technology products. Only RAIN Alliance members can use the RAIN logo on products, upon approval of an application request. To request permission to use the RAIN logo on products, contact the RAIN Alliance.
You should always use the vertical or horizontal logo if there is space available.
RAIN Alliance Logos

Download Horizontal RAIN Alliance Logo

Download Vertical RAIN Alliance Logo

Download RAIN Logo (without the Alliance)

Download the Cloud graphic

Logo Size Guidelines

The RAIN Alliance logos should be sized appropriately for the material on which it appears. An appropriate logo size maintains the logo’s ratio and provides an appropriate amount of white space around the logo, as represented by “x” in the images below.

Logo Ratios

The ratio should be maintained in all sizes of the logo. Do not stretch or distort the logo in any way.

White Space Around the Logo

The logo should include white space around the logo. The logo should never “touch” another logo or text element.

Horizontal alignment

When horizontally aligning either the RAIN or the cloud logo with other corporate logos (as in a sponsorship block), make sure the base of the RAIN logo or cloud logo aligns with the base of the other logos.

Vertical alignment

When vertically aligning the RAIN logo or cloud logo with other corporate logos (as in a list of sponsors), either center the logos or align the RAIN logo’s cloud with the left edge of the other logos. Do not float the cloud in the RAIN logo outside of the margin.

Contact the RAIN Alliance if you have any questions – [email protected].

RAIN Terminology and Brand FAQs

ISO/IEC 29160 was developed to provide guidance on how to indicate the presence of RAIN  to help end users and consumers understand which type of RFID is in use.  In the guidance, only the generic emblem is referenced.   However, in documents like ISO/IEC 17360 compliance require the use of an internationally accepted RFID emblem but does not prescribe that it must be the ISO emblem, which leaves open the possibility of using the RAIN logo (an internationally accepted RFID emblem) instead.

The RAIN logo can be placed on products to indicate the presence of the technology.  ISO/IEC 29160 proposes several RFID emblems, including the RAIN logo, as a means of informing the public about the use of RAIN in consumer and workplace environments. The RAIN Alliance encourages the use of the RAIN logo in these instances to help end users and consumers become more familiar with the technology.  However, the use of the RAIN logo must meet members’ own contractual and legal requirements for use.

RAIN is a name or identifier for passive UHF radio-frequency identification (RFID) products and technology that comply with the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard. Giving a technology a name provides a common and recognizable identity, establishes consumer and business awareness as well as fosters brand loyalty to support a sales process. Much like the term “Wi-Fi” has simplified the way we talk about technology used for unplugged internet access, and the term “Bluetooth” has simplified the way we talk about exchanging data with a mobile device, the term RAIN simplifies the way we talk about enabling visibility into the billions of unpowered assets that make up the bulk of our world.

There are many different types of RFID technology. The differences include frequencies (UHF, HF, LF), standards, and intended uses. The RAIN name distinguishes the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard, which uses a specific passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID technology from other forms of RFID. It provides a clear and simple identifier for the wide variety of products and services that comply with the standard. The RAIN name simplifies the terminology and makes it easier for the end-user to understand the uses and value of the technology. Similarly, the NFC brand provides differentiation for the Ecma-340, ISO/IEC 18092 standard which uses a specific version of passive HF RFID.

As the fastest-growing segment of the RFID market with hundreds of billions of tag ICs sold to date, RAIN is used in many markets and industries worldwide to identify, locate, authenticate, and engage items–providing numerous benefits to end users. While other IoT technologies bring other values, none can match RAIN for cost, simplicity, and availability. The RAIN name and logos associate your business and products to this rapidly growing market. The RAIN name provides a clear identifier that helps people both clarify and differentiate passive UHF technology, for use on any value chain, from other IoT and RFID technologies. It reduces confusion and provides a mechanism for creating industry awareness of, and education about, the core capabilities and value of the technology so businesses can focus on differentiating products and services from competitors.  Some of the uses of RAIN include traceability in healthcare, smart manufacturing, and supply chain efficiency, to name just a few.

The RAIN name and logo may be used by anyone (RAIN Alliance members and nonmembers) on marketing materials. The only limitation regarding how the RAIN logos can be used is when used on products. Only RAIN Alliance members, who have submitted an application and received approval, can use the RAIN logo on RAIN products. RAIN is not a registered trademark or brand.

The word RAIN—an acronym derived from RAdio IdentificatioN—is intended as a nod to the link between UHF RFID and the cloud, where RFID-based data can be stored, managed, and shared via the Internet.

The RAIN name was adopted in 2014 when several companies working with passive UHF RFID technology began to see that the term “RFID” was being used very broadly – to represent multiple types of sensor technologies – many of which did not have the same cost-effective, transformational capabilities of passive UHF RFID. This created a concern that the expanding use and meaning of the term “RFID” might confuse the market. At the same time, these companies saw the growing importance of the technology in enabling the Internet of Things.

The RAIN Alliance is the industry organization supporting the universal adoption of RAIN , a wireless technology that connects billions of everyday items to the Internet of Things, enabling businesses and consumers to identify, locate, authenticate, and engage assets.

The RAIN Alliance website includes industry news, ebooks, whitepapers, customer stories and more: www.rainrfid.org.

When speaking to partners, customers, coworkers, media, investors, and more, using the RAIN term at least once in conversation will help eliminate confusion and share the value of the technology. We recommend you use the term RAIN instead of RFID or passive UHF RFID. The more you use it, the more awareness it will create, improving communications between you and the customer. It can also simplify marketing and sales efforts.

We also recommend the use of the RAIN logo on products to increase awareness of the benefits and use cases associated with the technology. The RAIN logo can be placed on products to indicate the presence of the technology.  ISO/IEC 29160 proposes several RFID emblems, including the RAIN logo, as a means of informing the public about the use of  RAIN in consumer and workplace environments. The RAIN Alliance encourages the use of the RAIN logo in these instances to help end users and consumers become more familiar with the technology.  However, the use of the RAIN logo must meet members’ own contractual and legal requirements for use. Please note: RAIN is not a registered trademark or brand.

RAIN identifies, locates, authenticates and engages items using passive Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology that complies with the ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard. RAIN tags cost pennies, don’t require batteries to communicate, can be read, or interrogated, at short or long range (up to 10 meters), without line-of-sight (through most materials such as cartons, boxes, wood, etc.), at high speeds and volumes (more than 1,000 tags per second). These unique capabilities make it ideally suited for use on trillions of items from apparel to pharmaceuticals to food, all along the supply chain.

In comparison, Low-Frequency (LF) RFID only provides short range (centimeters) and reads one tag at a time. High frequency (HF) RFID is commonly used for access control mobile payment or inside your passport, public transport ticket. The NFC brand refers to a particular type of HF RFID.  Active RFID uses batteries to communicate, increasing the read distance to several tens of meters.  For more information:

The RAIN Alliance Terminology and Brand/Logo Usage Guide includes sample copy that can be used by anyone. And the RAIN Alliance website includes industry news, ebooks, whitepapers, customer stories and more: therainalliance.org.

You can create RAIN marketing materials, share both internally and externally, and update your website. If a customer is unfamiliar with RAIN, share information and evangelize. These educational materials provide you with a great reason to contact a customer.  RAIN Alliance resources can be found here.

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