RFID Logistics: Electronic Cargo Seals: Context, Technologies, and Marketplace ...

From FHWA Freight Management and Operations ...

... "Contact Seals: Contact and near-contact technologies include contact memory buttons, PDA and electronic key plug-ins, low frequency RFID, and short range IR. Proponents of contact and near-contact solutions argue that it is important to have a human being visually observe the seal, and their solutions provide that added benefit. Proponents of longer-range solutions criticize the missed opportunity for labor and process timesaving. Contact memory buttons are proven devices in harsh environments. There are strong supporters in DoD and the Navy reportedly uses 500,000 of them. CGM offers a solution that combines memory buttons on the container and the locking bar. PDAs and electronic keys can provide battery power to passive seals and locks. Loran and Porter use them to eliminate on-board batteries and solve the power problem on ocean containers. Supra uses the approach to control an electronic padlock and have it function as a seal. " ...