Overmolded RFID Rugged Environments

TI introduces overmolded transponder that will perform in rugged environmental conditions. These rugged encapsulated tags (Type RF-HDT-DVBB-N0 with 2kbit R/W memory) are particularly well suited for laundry operations. ...

... "The OM tags are designed to withstand extreme environments where temperature, high pressure and harsh chemicals inhibit the performance of line-of-sight automatic identification technologies such as bar codes and other less robust RFID tags. With their durability and small, 22 mm circular dimension, TI's 13.56 MHz OM tags provide increased read performance compared with competitive offerings for applications ranging from industrial laundry and textile rental to process industries such as perishable foods. " ...

Via Texas Instruments: Texas Instruments Introduces Rugged Encapsulated Tag for Harsh Process Environments

China RFID SupplyChain: Exponential Growth Opportunity

Research report explores future market for RFID technology in China and discusses the government policies towards development of RFID in the country. ...

... "China is aware of the role RFID tags can play in improving the competence of manufacturing and supply chain management and data collection. Considering the vast variety of potential applications and the power it has to cut the supply chain costs significantly, the RFID market is anticipated to record an exponential growth in China in the coming years. " ...

China Banking on RFID

RFID Readiness Assessments: Tagging Objects

Avnet Technology Solutions and Stratum Global create partnership to focus on enterprise mobility solutions incorporating the RFID capabilities of TagNet. TagNet enables tracking of RFID-tagged objects (products, assets, or individuals). ...

... "The Avnet Enterprise Mobility team leverages its technical expertise and market experience to help partners develop and implement complete, custom enterprise mobility solutions encompassing hardware, software and services. The new relationship with Stratum Global complements Avnet's Enterprise Mobility initiative by providing RFID solutions for access control, asset management, compliance, high-volume conveyor tagging and closed-loop inventory location management. Stratum Global's TagNet RFID solution suite supports a variety of vertical industries, including defense, education, healthcare, hospitality and manufacturing. TagNet seamlessly integrates with most enterprise resource planning and business intelligence applications for complete end-to-end RFID event management.

As part of the new relationship between Avnet and Stratum Global, participating Avnet partners will be trained and certified to perform comprehensive RFID readiness assessments. The readiness assessments include an in-depth business analysis for end customers and the creation of a roadmap for developing and implementing RFID solutions. By working with Avnet and Stratum Global, channel partners can design and implement custom, integrated RFID hardware and software solutions for their customers, as well as establish plans for long-term scaleable end solutions. " ...

Via Avnet Inc.: Enterprise Mobility RFID Solutions

RFID World March 2007

RFID World is coming up in May 2007. ...

... "Now in its 5th year, RFID World 2007 spotlights successes in all aspects of the market - from the core applications and business process improvements driving RFID demand, to the latest innovations in hardware, software and infrastructure needed for deployment. Produced by CMP Technology, the show expects to attract a record attendance of enterprise users, manufacturers and systems integrators to the world's largest RFID trade event from March 26-28, 2007 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas (near Dallas). " ...

Everything RFID at 5th Annual RFID World 2007

RFID Growth Accelerating

RFID is seen growing across multiple industries and end-uses. ...

... "This is a global phenomenon, not least in government applications. " ...

Via Enterprise Networks and Servers: RFID Growth

RFID Reader Module: Small Form Factor

WJ Communications introduces a low cost, small form factor Gen2 UHF RFID module, the WJM3000, which is based on its WJC200 reader chipset. The WJM3000 is the size of a compact flash card and uses almost 60% fewer discreet components, compared to currently available modules on the market. This RFID module will exceed industry benchmarks for fast inventory time and longer read and write range with worldwide Generation-2 RFID tags. ...

... "Utilizing WJ's RF expertise and leadership in wireless infrastructure and radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, WJ has developed the WJM family of UHF RFID Reader Module products to enable OEMs to offer RFID functionality in mobile devices while maintaining key parameters such as low cost, light weight and extended battery life. The data connectors provide an easy snap on PCB or a cable connection allowing for easy integration.

The main applications for WJM3000 include: RFID enabled Mobile Devices, RFID Enabled Handheld Readers, RFID Enabled Fork Lift Readers, and RFID Portal Reader. " ...

Via WJ Communications: WJ Communications Revolutionize the UHF Gen2 RFID Reader Module Market ...

RFID Shipment Tracking and Detection

Pliant implements IBM-designed RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) platform pilot program, that tracks shipments between technical centers and customer sites. The RFID system detects tampering in shipped products and enables workforce mobility using handheld devices to track products. Potential tampering can be identified and addressed in real-time. ...

... "IBM Global Business Services consultants collaborated with Pliant to develop a comprehensive RFID technology roadmap, helping Pliant prepare and validate the RFID equipment in its labs. Pliant's IBM software and solution, which has been in place since December 2005, leverages IBM's Data Collection Server software and WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure. The software installed on Pliant's network helped to create RFID labels which were printed and deployed on pallets and the pallets were tracked as they moved between the two Pliant technical centers in Newport News, Virginia and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. IBM consultants worked with Pliant to create Web pages on a network database to track the content and movement history of each pallet so that its location was always known.



A wireless handheld RFID reader loaded with the WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure used to scan the pallets within the plants to immediately look up pallet content information. With the support provided by the IBM Global Business Services team, Pliant now has a proven product concept to access to real-time tracking information for shipments between its two facilities. This setup allowed Pliant to download and monitor critical information which helped protect business-critical applications. " ...

Via Pliant Corporation: IBM Helps Pliant Design and Implement RFID System to Track Shipments and Detect Tampering ...

Secure RFID through Partnership

SkyeTek and Atmel will partner to create secure HF reader and tag platforms for the RFID market. ...

... "The partnership between Atmel and SkyeTek will provide customers with an ultra-secure option for embedded RFID applications. Resulting solutions leverage CryptoRF's security features and the enterprise-class reliability and price-performance of the SkyeTek ReaderDNA and ReaderWare technology. This combination will provide customers with the ability to adapt RFID technology into existing applications and is well positioned to provide valuable solutions addressing ePedigree, patient safety, consumables authentication, item-level inventory management, and ticketing. SkyeTek's ReaderWare also provides the capability to upgrade the reader to support future tags, protocols, and cryptography via a firmware upgrade. " ...

Via SkyeTek: SkyeTek and Atmel Partner to Offer Industry Leading Secure RFID Technology ...

RFID Warehouse Forklift System

Intermec introduces forklift RFID system that integrates automated data collection to drive efficiency in warehouse business processes. ...

... "This ground-breaking RFID (radio frequency identification) forklift installation system allows forklift drivers to use RFID and other data collection technologies to gather complete real-time inventory data efficiently and safely without leaving their vehicle. Intermec partnered with Cascade Corporation, the world leader in the design and manufacture of lift truck attachments, to create an RFID-enabled forklift system that integrates durable, rugged inventory and data collection technology with existing forklift equipment. The system improves performance and safety while significantly reducing the cost of RFID forklift deployments in warehouse applications. The Intermec Adaptable Load Backrest and Antenna Cell system can be made to accommodate almost all forklifts on the market, providing customers a factory-certified product designed specifically for their lift trucks that meets OSHA and industry safety requirements. Flexible and configurable, the Adaptable Load Backrest switches easily from one application to another, allowing the driver to accomplish pallet-, case- and even shelf-level readings without the costly and intensive labor associated with retrofit systems. " ...

Via Intermec: Intermec and Cascade Introduce Mobile RFID Forklift Adaptable Load Backrest for Rugged, Industrial Warehouse Use

RFID Metal Packaging Works as Antenna

QinetiQ and Crown collaborate to develop adaptation of QinetiQ's Omni-ID Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for use on metal packaging. The improvements will enable RFID tags at the unit-level on metal items. Technology advancement is expected to integrate the metal substrate as part of the RFID tag's antenna. ...

... "This will enable brand owners to integrate ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tags into metal packaging for a wide variety of applications at the single item level. Designed to mitigate issues such as signal reflection, detuning and grounding which reduce or negate RFID's effectiveness on metal packaging or with aqueous-based products, the unique technology leverages several of metal's inherent properties and shifts the format into an advantageous position.

QinetiQ's standalone Omni-ID tags and integrated Omni-ID packaging technology allows a UHF tag to be mounted directly onto the metal substrate. Measuring substantially less than 1mm in thickness, the unique Omni-ID structure collects and focuses RF energy and enables highly efficient coupling to the chip. Another advantage of the system is that RFID chips require only a short coupling antenna rather than the large dipole usually incorporated in UHF tags, significantly reducing manufacturing costs. Crown and QinetiQ are continuing development of the technology for metal packaging to further optimize design. In the near future, it is expected that the metal substrate itself will have an integral role in the way the technology functions. Using a beverage or food can as an example, the can itself would serve as the antenna, simplifying production of the RFID tag and further reducing costs. " ...

Via Qinetiq: Crown teams up with QinetiQ to resolve challenges of RFID on metal packaging ...

RFID Sensors: NFC Tech Reads

Gentag receives patent number 7,148,803 for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Based Sensor Networks ...

... "This broad patent covers the uses of personal wireless devices such as cell phones, PDAs, and laptops as low-cost wireless readers for RFID sensors and the creation of RFID-sensor networks for consumer, industrial, and government applications. " ...

Via Yahoo! Finance: Gentag NFC Technology Reads RFID Sensors

RFID Nano-Battery Technology

mPhase Technologies plans to reinvent the design of batteries, that power portable electronic devices, freeing us from the fire-hazards of lithium ion batteries, ie. the ones that catch fire in laptop computers. mPhase is creating the Smart Nanobattery, which is a radical approach to energy storage using nanograss.

... "The company is developing a battery for potential use in consumer commerce and security applications like active RFID Radio Frequency ID tags; " ...

Via mPhase Tech: mPhase Technologies To Continue Its Development Of A Radical Improvement In Battery Technology Superior To Current Designs ...

RFID Context Aware Location Services

Sybase enhances its RFID Anywhere solution to support advanced services that enable context-aware locating capabilities. Location information is given a business context in applications that support asset management, access control, resource management in industries, such as logistics, healthcare, and other supply chain environments. Location information will integrate sensor technology data associated with assets. Assets will be identified and associated with fixed locations and temporal information to provide location and timing insights. Conditions can be monitored and alerts will be provided based on events. ...

... "RFID Anywhere 3.0 breaks new ground with the delivery of a context-aware Location Information System. Using RFID Anywhere, businesses can not only track assets from a range of data collection points [such as passive RFID, active RFID, real-time location systems (RTLS), barcode, global positioning systems (GPS) and environmental sensors], but can dramatically enhance the value of this data by associating environmental inputs (e.g., temperature) along with the location data. In addition, the RFID Anywhere 3.0 Location Information System exposes its complete feature set via a rich service oriented architecture (SOA) web services layer allowing organizations to easily transform static business information into business-aware intelligence. " ...

Via Sybase: Sybase iAnywhere Pioneers Context-Aware Location Information System with RFID Anywhere 3.0 ...

RFID Anywhere simplifies the development, deployment, configuration and management tasks for highly distributed, multi-site, intelligent sensor networks, and abstracts the interaction with the physical network of devices. With support for over forty devices, this powerful infrastructure enables the creation of intelligent sensor networks out-of-the-box. By using RFID Anywhere, sensors are able to work together as an intelligent network by combining, organizing and coordinating these technologies through a common management structure, advanced feature set and event-driven development framework.

RFID Starter Kit

Kanda offers RFID starter kit. The kit has a combined reader and programmer. It supports ISO15693 RFID Tags and will also read ISO14443A RFID tags. ...

... "Apart from a programmer and reader unit, the Kanda RFID kit includes an RF detector that gives an indication of the RF field strength near a reader, which helps both in development and in the siting of units. However, the most important part of the starter kit is the software package. The protocol used is very flexible to allow engineers to design their own systems to suit their needs, rather than being constrained by the limitations of the software. As well as the standard read, write and lock functions, the protocol allows for continuous read, and includes anticollision algorithms that deals with multiple tags in the reader field. " ...

Via Kanda: RFID Made Easy; New Starter Kit Simplifies Process of Creating Applications Using RFID Systems

RFID Asset Management Course

Course on RFID technology for asset management to be offered in the first quarter of 2007 at Univ of Kansas. Registration. ...

... "RFID for Intelligent Asset Management: Wednesday-Friday, February 28-March 2, 2007, Hampton Inn and Suites Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Mo. This intensive three-day course will focus on radio frequency identification closed-loop applications for managing assets and controlling processes. Participants will learn to apply RFID to drive more flexible, lean manufacturing operations and to manage their assets more efficiently. Professionals from a wide variety of businesses-from heavy industry to healthcare-will benefit from attending this seminar. " ...

Via University of Kansas Continuing Education: RFID for Intelligent Asset Management Course

RFID Supports Nissan Continuous Improvement Initiative

Nissan implements a continuous improvement initiative to target vehicle labor cost reduction, increase logistics throughput accelerating customer service, and enhance vehicle quality through defect elimination early in the product lifecycle. The initiative will be enabled by a wireless architecture and active RFID technology in the Nissan Canton MS manufacturing facility, supplied by WhereNet. ...

... "As part of a continuous improvement initiative at its four-million square foot assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi, Nissan will leverage a single wireless architecture to run multiple WhereNet applications, including the WhereSoft Yard Management System (YMS) and Vehicle Tracking and Management System (VTMS), to improve production velocity and throughput, labor productivity, and vehicle quality. Nissan's Canton assembly plant has the capacity to produce 400,000 vehicles per year, including the Altima sedan, Armada full-size sport utility vehicle, Infiniti QX56 full-size sport utility vehicle, Quest minivan, and Titan full-size pickup truck.

Deploying the WhereNet single wireless infrastructure over the entire Canton complex will take less than 90 days. The hardware consists of 1500 active RFID WhereTag transmitters, which are temporarily attached to new vehicles as they roll off the assembly line as part of the WhereNet VTMS system; 700 WhereTag transmitters that are permanently fixed to trailers belonging to Nissan's dedicated suppliers or temporarily attached to others as part of the WhereSoft YMS application; 120 WherePort magnetic exciters positioned between gates and at key choke points across the complex; and a local infrastructure of 80 wireless WhereLAN locating access points.

Nissan also plans to deploy the WhereNet automated gate check-in/out solution known as Fast Gate that supports 24x7 sequenced parts deliveries from Nissan suppliers. Fast Gate senses when a truck is approaching the gate; cross-references detailed information about the truck in a database; and, if authorized, automatically opens the gate to grant entry. Then, based on business rules loaded into the WhereSoft yard management application, the system instructs drivers and yard personnel to deliver the inbound load to the appropriate dock door for just-in-time sequencing of parts based on the assembly line build plan for that work shift.



When new vehicles roll off the Nissan assembly line, each vehicle is assigned an active RFID WhereTag transmitter that is married to the vehicle identification number (VIN). The WhereTag remains on the vehicle until it has been processed and is ready to ship to its final destination. Nissan uses the WhereNet VTMS in off-line areas to manage post-assembly verification and test processes, as well as quality repair, containment and shipping zones. The system includes a logical hierarchy of rules that manages the processing of every vehicle in accordance with its assigned status so that critical orders are processed before lower-priority units. " ...

Via Wherenet: NISSAN SELECTS WHERENET'S LOCATABLE, ACTIVE RFID SYSTEM TO AUTOMATE INBOUND SUPPLY CHAIN AND OUTBOUND DELIVERY CHAIN ...

RFID Pioneer: CTO Role at Sirit

Bruce Roesner has been appointed to the position of Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Engineering at Sirit, where he will manage RFID product and solutions development across all application focus areas. ...

... "After starting his career with industry leaders like Hughes Aircraft Company, Burroughs Corporation and Applied Micro Circuits, Bruce has been an entrepreneur and technologist in the domains of IC design and RFID. He was the founder of a number of technology companies including Instant Circuit Holdings, SCS Corporation and ClarIDy Solutions. He was instrumental in the development of low-cost RFID tags used in inventory tracking and control applications which won him Most Innovative Product and Entrepreneurial Team of the Year awards. Mr. Roesner is the author of numerous publications and presentations on the subject of high technology electronics including RFID. He is also the holder of over 25 patents and earned a M.S.E.E. and Ph.D. in Solid State Electronics from Purdue University. " ...

Via Sirit: Sirit Appoints Pioneering RFID Engineer to Lead Development Team ...

Solar RFID: RPI Pilot

RPI pilots solar-powered RFID readers to collect traffic data and monitor flow. The portable RFID reader has the potential to decrease traffic congestion and enable travel time estimation in real-time, using intelligence dynamically about work zones, events, etc. When fully networked, the RFID-enable database can recommend the best driving routes and avoid construction zones and accidents. ...

... "In the coming months, the units will be deployed to collect traffic data during the morning commute on busy Capital Region roads. The portable units, which are based on the same technology as E-ZPass tag readers, could eventually be used to provide valuable data for a variety of applications, from decreasing congestion in work zones to assisting emergency evacuations. A portable, solar-powered tag reader that collects data to monitor traffic flow. The research is funded through a $3.9 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to the Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Studies (CITS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. " ...

Via Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Portable, Solar-Powered Tag Readers Could Improve Traffic Management

RFID Switch Infrastructure Convergence ...

Symbol integrates radio frequency switch to enable convergence of multiple technologies under centralized management solution, including RFID. This supports the consistent management of the radio frequency infrastructure for an enterprise, as most companies strive to implement RF devices for supply chain, wireless zones for mobility and flexible office work. ...

... "The RFS7000 RF Switch leverages Symbol's Wireless Next Generation (Wi-NG) architecture, and is designed to support and consolidate Wi-Fi and emerging RF technologies such as RFID, 802.11n, mesh, Voice over Wireless LAN (VoWLAN) and WiMAX. Businesses will now be able to efficiently and cost-effectively deploy and centrally manage wireless voice, data and infrastructure devices throughout the RF spectrum.

The RFS7000 RF Switch provides robust, highly scalable support for enterprise mobility, and is ideal for manufacturing facilities, hospitals, warehouse and supply chain industries, educational and government institutions, and service providers with high-bandwidth requirements and mission-critical applications.

The RFS7000 RF Switch is 802.11n-ready, capable of supporting up to 256 802.11a/b/g access ports, and enables a new switch clustering concept, providing redundancy and high-performance scalability for more than 2,000 access points. Symbol's new RF Switch is designed to support value-add, optional add-on modules such as fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) to provide seamless persistent connectivity for dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi handheld devices. The RFS7000 Switch also enables Layer 3 roaming, without additional external applications and third-party servers, to handle multi-floor or large-scale campus-wide deployments, allowing mobile users to maintain a persistent connection to high-bandwidth applications as they roam throughout the enterprise. " ...

Via Symbol Technologies: Symbol Technologies Unveils the Industry's First RF Switch to Drive the Next Generation of Enterprise Mobility

RFID Smart Dust Research: Miniaturization

UC Berkeley focuses its RFID research to miniaturize circuits to create smart dust particles, that can serve a variety of applications. ...

... "The science/engineering goal of the Smart Dust project is to demonstrate that a complete sensor/communication system can be integrated into a cubic millimeter package. " ...

Via UC Berkeley: SMART DUST

Active RFID Evolution Accelerates

Active RFID technology is seeing increased extension of its capabilities. A number of sensor and sensing functions are being introduced. As well as communications features raning from WiFi to satellite communications. ...

... "These are typical examples of how active RFID technology is evolving much faster than passive RFID technology and creating many exciting new applications and profit opportunities for companies of all sizes. " ...

Via Sys-Con: Link

Upcoming conference will focus on Active RFID technology.

RFID Packaging Machinery Applications ...

Applications of RFID technology to packaging machines will be demonstrated at the Pack Expo upcoming. ...

... "RFID PAVILION: The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Pavilion will again highlight solutions that meet the requirements of the entire supply chain. Included in the exhibits will be technologies to upgrade conventional lines into RFID-enabled packaging lines capable of applying multi-pack, case and pallet tags online. Also view the latest advances designed to verify the presence of tags, write to the tags and validate data on the tags.

WHEN: October 29 - November 2, 2006 9 am to 5 pm Sunday through Wednesday 9 am to 2 pm Thursday

WHERE: PACK EXPO International 2006 McCormick Place Convention Center Chicago, Illinois " ...

Via PRNewsWire: Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI): Leveraging the Power of Packaging to Grow Brand Sales ...

RFID Future: Syscan Invests ...

Syscan announces full-year financial results which are disappointing. Yet, the company is optimistic about its future as it invests in RFID agricultural applications. ...

... "Research and Development expenses grew to $765,415 from $308,797, an increase of 148% as RFID based application development was accelerated in preparation for commercialization. At the end of the year, working capital stood at $906,578 and there was no bank debt. Mr. Axel Striefler, President and CEO of Syscan said: Fiscal 2006 was a difficult year for the Company as demand for our rugged mobile printers declined significantly due to competition from smaller, less expensive thermal printers. Nevertheless we have made tremendous strides with our RFID applications which represent the future of the Company. We are looking forward to strong growth in 2007 as we commercialize our solutions in the food, pharmaceutical and military sectors. We are particularly excited about the forthcoming implementation of our RFID based solutions in conjunction with Quebec's mandated agricultural traceability programs across the province. " ...

Via MarketWire: Syscan Releases 2006 Results

RFID Track Trace System ...

Infosys has successfully implemented SAP RFID solution to enable CHEP's Global Track and Trace System. CHEP will use this system to provide real-time visibility to its customers for their products and to track the shipping assets. CHEP is the global leader in pallet and container pooling services and serves many of the world's largest companies. The company has more than 7,700 employees and operates in 44 countries. CHEP manages over 280 million pallets and containers through a global network of service centers. It identified product and asset visibility as a significant opportunity to leverage RFID technology. The Global Track and Trace System at CHEP enables vendor managed inventory (VMI), yields increased asset control, and optimizes inventory management. ...

... "This project is a significant step forward for global RFID adoption, combining SAP's RFID platform and applications with Infosys' strong thought leadership and robust implementation model for the RFID-enabled enterprise. By delivering innovative, value-added solutions with a low total cost of ownership (TCO), Infosys and SAP aim to help organizations adopt RFID technology to both enhance their existing business models and pursue new ones. " ...

Via Infosys: Infosys Deploys SAP Solutions for RFID for CHEP's Global Track and Trace System

Construction RFID: Materials Tracking ...

BT Auto-ID uses RFID technology to increase the efficiency of the construction job site, through on-site material tracking and in-bound supply chain management. ...

... "Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), existing bar-code technology or a combination of both, BT Constructnet provides real-time information on the status and location of materials and assets as they flow through the supply chain and as they move around vast construction sites. This data can be accessed at all points in the supply chain and used to ensure delivery of the right materials, to the right place at the right time, cutting the amount of items lost in-transit or on-site and reducing payment disputes. The solution works by enabling manufacturers to identify each unique batch of materials, taking an RFID tag or bar-code reading before goods are dispatched. Items such as bags of cement or tools are scanned again as they are loaded onto the delivery vehicle, generating an automated confirmation of receipt for the driver. They are then read as they pass through each point of the supply chain until the point of delivery at the construction site. Once on the site, remote readers can pinpoint where specific items or materials are being stored. Data is accessed via the internet using BT Auto-ID's collaborative data exchange platform. " ...

Via BT Auto-ID Services: BT Constructnet lays firm foundation for construction site efficiency ...

FIATECH Project Deliverables: "Field Tests of RFID Technology for Construction Tool Management: The purpose of these tests was to investigate the technical feasibility of using RFID technology to automate tool management processes. RFID technology offers the possibility that tools and valuable supplies tagged with RFID devices could be issued and received from central storage and the issue/receipt documented without intervention or help from a tool storage attendant. "

RFID Battery-Assist Passive Tag: Supports Logistics and Manufacturing ...

Intelleflex RFID tags can be used by logistics companies and in manufacturing in long-range, battery-assisted mode for real-time inventory tracking of assemblies in the warehouses. The RFID system can automatically generate a proof of shipment when assemblies are shipped. When used in maintenance operations in passive mode, companies can realize significant benefits from having actionable manufacturing and repair history data in the 64Kb user memory of the RFID tag at the point of use. ...

... "Intelleflex's InfoSure tags and the I-Beam reader are multi-protocol, ensuring global interoperability using EPC standards. InfoSure tags can be used as passive C1G2 tags with any other C1G2 reader or used in the battery-assisted passive mode at long ranges with the I-Beam reader. InfoSure tags offer up to 100-meter read/write range in free space, which translates to 100 percent read/write reliability at standard working ranges in industrial environments. They also offer 64 kb user memory, which is segmented into 1 kb blocks so they can be independently protected for read/write access through passwords. The I-Beam reader can read any EPC C1G2 tag as well as the Class 3 InfoSure tag. Initial product shipments of both the tags and readers are targeted for asset management, yard management, manufacturing and zonal access control applications. " ...

Via Intelleflex Corporation: Intelleflex Announces Availability of its RFID Battery-Assisted Passive Tag and Reader Products ...

RFID Enterprise Service Upgrade ...

BEA WebLogic RFID product family is a component of the BEA's service oriented architecture. RFID Enterprise Server 2.0 is available for download. The RFID system's event repository is interoperable with the Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) standards. ...

... "A core component of the BEA WebLogic RFID product family, BEA WebLogic RFID Enterprise Server is designed to help enable central management of RFID data collected at the edge of an enterprise, i.e. inside a retail store, warehouse or data center. With enhanced support for industry standards and Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), the 2.0 release of BEA WebLogic RFID Enterprise Server provides a suite of six services that can help manage and coordinate RFID data and edge operations globally. BEA WebLogic RFID Enterprise Server 2.0 complements the BEA WebLogic Edge Server and BEA WebLogic Compliance Express products, and is designed to make it easier to bridge the gaps between people, processes, applications and systems across enterprise and trading partners. BEA WebLogic RFID Enterprise Server 2.0 can provide customers unprecedented visibility into product movement data, and is designed to help enable them to derive business value more quickly from RFID data collected at the edge. " ...

Via BEA Systems: BEA Strengthens RFID Infrastructure Software for Enterprise-Grade Deployments ...

RFID Smart Labels Event

... "Sixth annual RFID Smart Labels USA 2007 conference and exhibition will be held in Boston, MA, Feb 21-22, 2007. Covering all the RFID applications and technologies, the event focuses on the business case for RFID, item level tagging, RFID progress around the world and state-of-the-art technologies. " ...

Via IDTechEx: Sixth Annual RFID Smart Labels USA Event Launched ...

RFID Reader Korean Market ...

WJ Communications certifies its RFID reader module for the Korean market. The reader supports a number of mobile form factors. ...

... "WJ Communications, Inc., a leading designer and supplier of RF products and solutions for the wireless infrastructure and RFID reader markets, announced that it has successfully achieved certification from the South Korean government Ministry of Information Communication (MIC), for its RFID UHF WJR7090 reader module and is now approved for sale in Korea. The recently developed WJR7090, is a highly scalable, high-performance, and easy to integrate Gen2 UHF RFID reader module ideally suited for the Korean handheld and mobile market. Packaged in a PCMCIA Type II PC card format, the WJR7090 is compact in size and is ISO18000-6B, ISO18000-6C (Gen2) and Class 1 compliant. The WJR7090, is designed to offer maximum RFID read-range in applications such as handhelds, printers, forklift readers, portal readers, and other mobile devices enabled for RFID functionality. " ...

Via WJ Communications: South Korea Certifies WJ Communications RFID UHF Reader Module ...

RFID Baggage Management ...

Management of airline baggage using RFID technology is slow to achieve broad adoption. ...

... "The research company believes Asian and European airlines will be the first to start tracking bags, with their hard-up US counterparts hanging back from adopting RFID. " ...

Via Silicon.com: What happened to RFID's baggage-tracking boom? ...

RFID InkJet Printable Tags

FujiFilm Dimatix work to advance its capabilities in printable RFID tags using ink-jet printers. It has demonstrated capabilities in various sizes and materials on multiple substrates. ...

... "FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc., a leading provider of commercial and industrial ink jet products, announced that it has repeatedly used its revolutionary ink jet technology to print silver fluid with features of less than 20 microns. With the proven capability to precision print 1 picoliter-sized drops of organic and inorganic materials on a large variety of substrates, the company is continuing to pave the way for an entirely new way of developing and manufacturing electronic books, printed polymer backplanes, printed sensors, complete RFID tags and other flexible electronics.

The Dimatix Materials Printer (DMP) is the world's first complete, low-cost system for high-precision jetting of all kinds of functional fluids on any type of surface, including plastic, glass, metal sheets, silicon, membranes, gels, thin films and paper. By directly printing on their own substrates, customers can rapidly develop prototypes and keep process technology in-house. The printer's small size and low price make it convenient, easy to use and cost-effective to own. Featuring single-use cartridges that customers can fill with their own fluid materials, the system minimizes waste of expensive materials. " ...

Via Dimatix: FUJIFILM Dimatix Enables Direct Printing of Silver Fluid with Features of Less than 20 Microns ...

FUJIFILM Dimatix Materials Deposition Division is evolving ink jetting technology into a production process that lowers the cost, time and environmental impact of producing electronic circuits and functions for RFID tags, flat panel displays, circuit boards and other electronic and bioscience applications.

RFID Security: NSF Funds Smart Tag Research ...

National Science Foundation, NSF, provides funding to increase the privacy and security of RFID smart tags, through better cryptographics.

... "Strengthened security for smart tags - the wireless devices that allow drivers to zip through automatic tollbooths or pass a security desk with the flash of a card - is the aim of a new initiative that has received $1.1 million from the National Science Foundation. Led by Kevin Fu of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the researchers are developing much-needed cryptographic protocols, hardware and applications for the increasingly common devices. Millions of consumers already use smart tags—wireless devices that use radio waves to identify and authenticate people and things - and they will become more numerous, says Fu.



Smart tags - which include Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags—are already used to track items from library books to merchandise to cattle. Increasingly, they are replacing the magnetic stripe cards used in security badges and mass transit cards, sometimes also serving as electronic cash. The tags will soon be incorporated into documents such as passports; their use is being explored for tracking medical records and prison inmates. But the tags, which also include contactless smart cards and low-resource sensors, are a technology that has crept in from the edge of the Internet and they present new challenges in terms of security and privacy issues, says Fu.

The unique environment presented by smart tags - they can operate without human intervention and without a physically connected power source - presents unique security concerns, says Fu. Smart tags automatically respond to the device that reads them, so human users don't have the traditional means of giving or denying consent to the reader. This infrastructure of untrusted readers and tags requires an approach that preserves privacy while maintaining the flexibility and convenience that the tags offer.

The new consortium, dubbed the RFID ConsortiUm for Security and Privacy (RFID-CUSP), takes these operating conditions into account and is designing new cryptographic definitions, algorithms and models that will lay the solid foundation on which secure applications can be built. As part of their project, the researchers are working with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The project will result in the first completely open, publicly available software for experimenting with RFID security and privacy. " ...

UMass Amherst: UMass Amherst-Led Research Will Protect Consumers by Ramping Up Security for Smart Tags

Kevin Fu: "Open cryptanalysis of existing RFID protocols will give assurance in the soundness of reliable RFID technology. At UMass, we are investigating how to build secure RFID-based systems. "

The Sensor Revolution: Industry & Commerce: "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stands among the fastest-proliferating sensor technologies. RFID systems combine electromagnetic sensing with radio communications. RFID tags and interrogators can be used to track inventory in a warehouse or collect tolls from moving cars. "

Understanding Contactless Smart Card Technologies and Some of the Leading Reader/Card Product Providers (PDF): "That transmission could then be replayed to a reader to gain access illicitly at some time in the future. In contrast, today’s secure contactless cards and readers (such as XceedID ISO-X and HID iCLASS) employ a myriad of cryptographic techniques. These techniques encrypt data in ways that render it useless to an illicit user. Thus, traditional proximity cards and readers provide inferior communication security when compared to secure contactless smart cards and readers. "

RFID Supply Chain Company Acquired ...

Illinois Tool Works acquires Click Commerce, a growing supply chain software company that leverages RFID technology to create real-time visibility. ...

... "Illinois Tool Works reaches an agreement to make a cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Click Commerce, Inc., a leading provider of on-demand supply chain management solutions. As part of the agreement, ITW would purchase all of Click Commerce's outstanding shares for $22.75 per share. The total value of the transaction, including outstanding stock options, is approximately $292 million. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction.



With trailing 12 month revenues of $74 million, Click Commerce's supply chain software solutions enable millions of users around the globe to collaborate, in real time, with partners across their extended enterprises. The company's range of software products includes B2B e-commerce solutions for demand chain management, real time RFID-enabled supply chain management, service supply chain management providing visibility at all levels of the service network and master data management allowing harmonization of master data across an extended enterprise.

ITW is a $12.8 billion in revenues diversified manufacturer of highly engineered components and industrial systems and consumables. The company consists of approximately 700 business units in 48 countries and employs some 50,000 people. " ...

Via Illinois Tool Works: Illinois Tool Works Inc. to Acquire Click Commerce, Inc. ...

RFID Plastic Pallet Real-Time Tracking ...

Plastic pallet with RFID enables real-time tracking in the supply chain. ...

... "Under the agreement, Xterprise will use both its RFID Asset Management application—which is built on it's TraX Application Server (TAS)—and it's AnalytiX RFID business intelligence application for iGPS' plastic pallet pool. Xterprise will be responsible for RFID-centric software applications, RFID best practices and RFID infrastructure integration. Xterprise will supply iGPS with Electronic Product Code (EPC) passive RFID tags, using the recently released EPC Reusable Transport Item (RTI) standard tag data format. As part of this long-term relationship, Xterprise will work closely with iGPS' other industry-leading partners such as Ryder System, Inc.

The agreement will enable iGPS to respond to demand from industries such as beverages, consumer electronics, grocery/consumer packaged goods, home improvement/do-it-yourself, pharmaceutical, produce/meat and raw ingredients. The powerful advantages of iGPS' edge-rackable plastic pallets include their greater durability, consistent size, shape and quality, superior hygiene and traceability. iGPS is the only large-scale pallet supply service to provide RFID in every pallet to track shipments in real time, which reduces the logistical cost of shipping and allows companies to verify food and drug safety, as well as to address security issues. iGPS offers the ability to rent plastic pallets and avoid the ongoing expense of owning and maintaining wood pallets." ...

RFID Plastic Pallet Real-Time Tracking: Via Xterprise: iGPS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH XTERPRISE INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE BUILT-IN RFID-TRACKING CAPABILITY FOR ALL-PLASTIC PALLET POOL ...

RFID Organic Process Technology Purchased by Weyerhauser ...

Weyerhauser purchases proprietary process for organic printable RFID in its acquisition of OrganicID. ...

... "Weyerhaeuser Company on August 30 announced that it has acquired OrganicID, a developer of printed radio frequency identification devices. OrganicID holds proprietary technology to design and develop low cost, item-level RFID tags for inventory control and supply-chain applications. " ...

Via Reliable Plant: Weyerhaeuser purchases maker of RFID devices

Omron RFID Inlay: Single Tag Design ...

Omron develops single RFID tag design to support international markets, perform under challenging configurations, and with varying materials and radio frequencies. ...

... "Omron RFID announced availability of the Gen2 Global Loop inlay which can be used under North American, European and Japanese radio frequency bands in a single tag design. The Gen2 Loop is optimized to ensure robust read performance when the tag is applied to items containing materials unfriendly to RFID, including electronics equipment and products with high moisture content. The Loop tag also delivers reliable read ranges when the orientation on the product is not fixed or could change after application. As a direct result, the Loop inlay can improve pallet tag read rates. Because it has dimensions of 68m x 70 mm, the Loop inlay will fit 3-in. x 3-in., 4-in. x 3-in. and 4-in. x 6-in. spaces. Omron's Gen2 Loop inlays can be used with all international UHF RFID frequencies from 860 to 960MHz with little or no performance degradation. The addition of the inlay to the already announced Wave tag expands Omron's ability to meet a wide range of applications for today's international supply chain needs. " ...

Omron RFID Inlay: Single Tag Design: Via Omron: OMRON Introduces EPC Gen2 Global Loop Inlay ...

RFID Integrated Infant Protection ...

Verichip implements integrated protection system for infants that leverage RFID technology. ...

... "These VeriChip radio frequency (RF) locating technologies will be installed in the new, state-of-the-art Brampton Civic Hospital, in Brampton, Ontario, scheduled to open in the Fall of 2007. The project is being managed by Electro-Systems Alliance, a dealer for VeriChip's distribution partner Austco Communication Systems. Brampton Civic Hospital is owned and operated by William Osler Health Centre. The VeriChip systems will reside on the new VeriChip platform, which is designed to support multiple applications for facilities of any scale. Inter-connection to the Austco nurse call system will enable staff to receive notification remotely of all events--whether from the VeriChip systems or the nurse call system--via any text-enabled device, including PDAs and wireless phones. " ...

RFID Integrated Infant Protection: Via VeriChip: VeriChip makes first sale of integrated system for infant protection, wander prevention, staff duress and asset protection ...

RFID Retail: Growth Plans: AbsoluteSKY ...

RFID solutions provider expects solid growth prospects for retail RFID applications. ...

... "AbsoluteSKY, Inc., developer of RFID-based inventory tracking systems for specialty retail, provides additional details on its business targets for the next 18 months. Buoyed by strong reaction to its intelliTRACKER product suite, positive channel feedback and continued overall market growth, the Company is projecting initial installations of its product suite with four national retailers within the next few months. Revenues of $25M, with a booking backlog of $60M, are in the Company's forecast for 2007. Professional research firms are projecting continued double-digit growth for retail RFID, with global spending rising to $3 billion by 2010 - a six-fold increase from 2005.



Other researchers post even more aggressive figures, estimating the size of the RFID market in North America alone to be $2.7 billion, and $6.1 billion worldwide! AbsoluteSKY's intelliTRACKER product suite ties together multiple technologies to provide retailers with real-time item-level inventory tracking. Its extensive benefits include the ability to increase inventory turns, virtually eliminate missed sales and gain extensive real-time control over loss prevention." ...

RFID Retail: Growth Plans: AbsoluteSKY Anticipates Fast Growth for its Retail RFID Business ...

RFID Retail: Apparel Payback ...

Laudis demo planned for RFID conference will show payback in the retail apparel industry ...

... "The RFID Journal and AAFA Summit, held at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York Aug. 15-16, is the first event of its kind designed to address RFID-related opportunities and issues in the apparel and footwear industry. Laudis and NCR will demonstrate their collaborative end-to-end RFID solution that allows manufacturers to tag apparel at the source, enabling retailers to verify the location or the receipt of garments anywhere within the supply chain. The demonstration (Laudis AAFA Summit booth #3) will feature the Laudis apparel applications and item-level tracking solutions for clothing and footwear. NCR will provide hardware, such as hang tags, flap tags and RFID-reader technology. NCR is also providing Laudis with consulting services and installation support for its end-to-end clothing solution. " ...

Via NCR: NCR and Laudis Systems Demonstrate End-to-End RFID Solution for Apparel Industry ...

Retail RFID applications are discussed ...

Via CIO Magazine: The RFID Imperative - Retail - prepare systems for RFID technology: "Like most CIOs in the retail industry, he believes that widespread RFID adoption is a sure thing and that the technology—which some day will enable him to track every single product, from manufacture to checkout ... "

ABI has researched the market for retail RFID use ...

The RFID Retail Market Market Research Report from ABI Research: "The retail market is possibly the most talked about in the RFID industry. Although Wal-Mart is not the only retailer that has issued an RFID mandate for its suppliers, it is still the most popular subject. This market is expected to be one of the fastest growing RFID verticals. "

T3CI offers RFID-enabled business intelligence capabilities for the retail industry ...

Via T3CI: RFID Analytics and Application Leadership; Experience Delivering Business Value to Major Retail Suppliers Drive Investment Decision: "T3Ci's software and subscription services are designed for leaders of RFID initiatives at major retail suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to deliver business value from their RFID investments. The company's enterprise-class solutions provide RFID data analysis (only for retailers who allow 3rd party analysis of their EPC data), deductions management and authentication/anti-counterfeiting/e-pedigree – the most comprehensive RFID applications vision. "

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data ...

Unilever collaborates with IBM and T3Ci to test interoperability of the emerging EPCIS RFID data standard. The standard focuses on the efficient use of real-time data among partners in the supply chain. ...

... "The standard is designed to help better enable retailers, manufacturers and organizations throughout the supply chain to overcome information overload and share information to improve business processes. This milestone marks the first step toward delivering interoperability based on the Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) for exchange and query of RFID data. IBM and T3CI are the co-chairs of the EPCglobal EPCIS Working Group. The objective of the Working Group is to create common interfaces among RFID software, allowing organizations to exchange and leverage RFID data independent of the applications in which data is created or stored. For organizations throughout the supply chain, this will deliver greater value by allowing them to inexpensively capture large volumes of detailed data at each stage of the supply chain and share that data among trading partners. While retailers today can provide manufacturers with large amounts of data about RFIDtagged products, until now there has been no simple and standardized way for manufacturers to sort through the volumes of raw data and perform queries to use it to improve product introductions, promotions and distribution of new products.



The new EPCIS standards-based ability to query RFID data will provide organizations with near real-time RFID data from their trading partners, for the first time giving manufacturers access to the precise information they need. Unilever North America, a global manufacturer of foods, home care and personal care products, also announced today its plans to pioneer use of the EPCIS standard to query RFID data provided by retailers. Unilever will conduct a trial using IBM's EPCIS implementation to collect and access information from within the company's manufacturing environment and from trading partners. By leveraging IBM and T3Ci reports and analysis, Unilever is looking to create additional business value in the areas of promotion management, supply chain visibility and metrics, as well as RFID readability. " ...

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data: Via T3Ci: IBM and T3Ci Successfully Pilot Open Standard to Enable Manufacturers to Leverage RFID Data and Improve Supply Chain Processes: Unilever Among First Manufacturers to Pioneer New Interface to Connect Data Among Trading Partners ...

EPCIS standard ...

Software Action Group: "EPC Information Services (EPCIS) Phase 2: Create one or more normative technical specifications that will facilitate the development of interoperable EPCIS systems. "

Background on Unilever ...

Unilever awards HR outsourcing contract to Accenture: "Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands including twelve EUR1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as: Knorr, Hellmann's, Flora, Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Sunsilk, Persil, Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 206 000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated annual sales of EUR40 billion in 2005. "

Info on T3Ci ...

T3Ci: The RFID Analytics and Applications Company: "T3Ci, the leading RFID analytics and applications company, offers a broad range of RFID software and services, representing the most comprehensive RFID vision in the industry. T3Ci develops software and provides enterprise-class solutions for managers of RFID initiatives who are responsible for delivering business value from their company's RFID investment. T3Ci's enterprise-class solutions include RFID analytics as well as a suite of high-value applications for retail suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and major retailers. Applications include Out-of-Stock Management, Promotions Execution Management, Deductions Management, and Product Authentication. "

Intelleflex RFID Equity Funding ...

Intelleflex Corp secures another round of venture capital funding to enable the scale-up of production volumes. ...

... "Intelleflex Corporation, The Intelligent RFID Platform Company, announced the closing of a $15.5 million round of equity funding. This Series B round was led by Morgenthaler Ventures, and was over-subscribed, with continuing participation by Series A investors Woodside Fund, Alloy Ventures and Selby Venture Partners. Proceeds from this round will be used to ramp production, extend the company's line of high performance RFID tags and readers and expand the company's go-to-market capabilities. Intelleflex products enable critical applications including asset management, yard operations, manufacturing WIP, supply chain and security / access control.



The $11.3 million Intelleflex had raised in its A round was used to develop the industry's first fully integrated multi-protocol EPC-compliant RFID single chip IC. In their battery-assisted passive mode of operation, the tags built around this chip offer operating ranges in excess of 100 meters, robust performance in difficult RF conditions and an extended feature set including 64k bits of user read / write memory. " ...

Intelleflex RFID Equity Funding: Intelleflex Corporation Secures $15.5 Million in Series B Funding ...

RFID Medical Record Army System ...

3M will implement RFID-enabled medical record system for the US Army that support their operational efficiency objectives and increase the quality of services through reduced errors. ...

... "3M has been awarded a $3.76 million contract to develop and install a system that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track medical files at the U.S. Army's massive Fort Hood Installation in Texas. The system is expected to make a positive impact on operational efficiencies in health care delivery, the troop deployment process and the management of medical data collection. The active medical records of more than 150,000 servicemen and women and their dependents are housed at five sites at Fort Hood, and as many as 70,000 files may be in use at the base's six clinics during the course of a month.



The RFID system is intended to substantially reduce errors and inefficiencies associated with manual tracking, retrieval, filing and file merging methods. The tracking of Army medical records through RFID technology is an innovation led by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), a unit of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC). Fort Hood, situated about 60 miles north of Austin, the state capital, is the nation's largest active duty domestic military installation, occupying some 340 square miles. The Army becomes the third federal entity to employ RFID systems from 3M, following similar decisions recently by the Tax Division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Tax Court. Unlike the other applications, however, the system in development for the Army requires higher-performance capability and a greater degree of continuous and automatic tracking of the files. " ...

Via 3M: United States Army Awards Contract to 3M for Pilot RFID Program To Track and Manage Medical Records at Fort Hood ...

RFID Medical Device Management: Human Error Reduction ...

Wren Medical collaborates to deliver RFID-based management of medical devices. ...

... "Wren Medical and ETCOM have developed the best RFID solution for Wren Medical's applications, and is now employing the use of Active RFID technology to enhance its current software offering that guarantees accurate data collection and establishes a clearly defined process for cycling of a medical device - from location to utilization to biomedical service history. RFID technology has proven that by automating data collection the potential for human errors and inconsistencies is eliminated. Wren Medical has been providing unique software solutions to their customers for several years, and is currently managing tens of thousands of medical devices for health care providers all over North America. Their system offers a complete solution for asset management by addressing all of the following areas: location, utilization, preventative maintenance schedule, repair history, warranty information, depreciation, valuation, and more. " ...

RFID Medical Device Management: Human Error Reduction: Via Wren Medical: Wren Medical Systems, Inc. Initiates the Use of Active RFID with their State-of-the-Art Asset Management Network ...

RFID Item Level Tag Growth ...

RFID-enabled item level tagging sees higher growth rates as applications increase in multiple industries ...

... "IDTechEx has recently upped its forecasts of item level tagging based on faster than anticipated progress, where the benefits are greater and the income is more equitably spread through the RFID and consumer goods value chains. " ...

2000 RFID Case Studies Reveal Surprises: Via IDTechEx ...

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology ...

Zebra licenses Magellan's PJM Phase Jitter Modulation technology to support its RFID produtct development. ...

... "Under the license agreement, Zebra has the right to develop and commercialize RFID reader modules and tags that incorporate Magellan's patented PJM technology. In 2006, Zebra plans on embedding the reader modules in its printer/encoder products to enable more efficient programming of smart labels and tags. Ratified in 2004, PJM is an HF RFID system specified in an existing global standard: ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 2, RFID for Item Management. Because the technology is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are packed tightly or need to be read reliably in dynamic situations, it is an ideal solution for pharmaceutical e-Pedigree, document control, gaming and other applications." ...

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES NEW RFID LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH MAGELLAN TECHNOLOGY ...

Magellan Technology Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia, is a technology developer, manufacturer and licensor of advanced read and write 13.56MHz RFID systems. Magellan designs and offers RFID chips, inlets and a complete reader portfolio (multi channel, multi antenna, tunnel, and tray readers) and all operating software. Magellan’s Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM) technology complies with the International Standard ISO/IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2. PJM is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are stacked tightly or need to be identified reliably in dynamic situations including pharmaceutical authentication, document control, jewelry tracking and gaming management. The technology is also optimized for conveyor fed applications where tags are presented in all orientations. Typical applications are in the airline baggage, postal and courier markets. Magellan develops and licenses its PJM technology world wide to interested parties including other manufacturers and system integrators.

RFID Secure Personal Transactions ...

Broadcom creates secure processor that integrates RFID technology for use in contactless payments. ...

... "Broadcom Corporation introduced the world's first secure processor with integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, as part of the company's Trusted Authentication Initiative. The new device is designed to secure personal authentication transactions associated with physical access, logical access (into a PC or network) and contactless payment applications. The secure processor also enhances the use of currently deployed authentication technologies, such as biometrics and contactless technologies, by eliminating some of their inherent security vulnerabilities. The BCM5890 secure processor features an ARM-based processor that is FIPS Level 3-compliant and can run both secure and non-secure applications. The embedded contactless RFID tag capability enables usage in systems that utilize either the 13.56 MHz (ISO14443 and ISO15693) or 125 kHz frequencies. " ...

RFID Secure Personal Transactions: Via Broadcom: Broadcom Launches World's First Secure Processor with Integrated RFID to Secure Personal Authentication Applications ...

RFID Reader: ROHS Compliant ...

Omron introduces 13.56MHz ISO15693 RFID readers, that comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) Directive. ...

... "The suite of new products includes 4W and 1W output fixed type readers (V720S-BC5D4, V720S-CD1D), and an embedded OEM reader (V720S-HMC73). Omron RFID began producing V720 HF series readers in 2000 and since then has shipped more than 300,000 units worldwide. They are used today in a wide variety of RFID reader applications including manufacturing and distribution logistics, consumer goods packaging, libraries and the apparel industry. Omron's long track record for superior quality RFID products and our established expertise in HF RFID technology today provides immediate solutions to those whose needs involve item-level tagging, particularly pharmaceutical, asset management and library applications ... " ...

RFID Reader: ROHS Compliant: Via Omron: Suite Of RoHS Compliant HF (13.56MHz) RFID Products ...

RFID Oracle EdgeServer Success ...

Noel SA, South American CPG company, successfully uses Oracle RFID edge services to understand the application of RFID to logistics business processes. ...

... "Noel SA used RFID-enabled Oracle Warehouse Management (WMS), part of the Oracle E-Business Suite, as the logistics platform for the pilot, which included tagging 2,000 pallets of Ducales cookies that were sent to the distribution center in Medell? Colombia. Noel SA used Oracle Sensor Edge Server, a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware, to connect and manage all the devices on the RFID system, including tag printers and readers. Data captured from the system was processed by Oracle WMS and synchronized with the Oracle enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications. Each pallet received a passive RFID tag, which included important order information such as the lot number and product expiration date.



The RFID-tagged pallets were read throughout the supply chain from the production floor to the final distribution center to ensure proper delivery of orders. Once the pallet arrived at the distribution center of Medell? it was read again to reconcile the sales order and fulfillment information held in the Oracle order management system. At the conclusion of the pilot, Noel SA uncovered that the bar code process prior to the RFID pilot was being executed incorrectly, rendering inventory and shipment data inaccurate. Noel SA gained valuable visibility into its operations such as inventory management and order fulfillment using RFID. The company plans to begin the roll out of a full-scale RFID system in the future. " ...

Via Oracle: Noel SA Successfully Completes RFID Pilot Based on Oracle Solutions

RFID Wireless Sensor Networks: System on Chip ...

New system-on-chip design support RFID sensor networks and other monitoring applications. ...

... "Coronis announces the launch of a single-chip solution for OEMs and integrators that provides ultra-low power consumption and long-range features for wireless sensor networks (WSN). The Wavenis SoC will be ready for production in late 2006 to ship in 2007. The new Wavenis wireless System-on-Chip (SoC) transceiver design delivers an optimal price-performance ratio for various types of battery-powered sensor devices, such as RFID tags, utility meter monitors, industrial temperature monitoring systems, and more. Coronis currently has over 650,000 Wavenis-enabled devices deployed, with orders for another 400,000 to ship before the end of 2006. For the past several years, Coronis has concentrated its efforts on perfecting its unique ultralow-power (ULP), long-range Wavenis wireless transceiver. Consistent with its long-term growth strategy, the company is now moving forward with an even more sophisticated and costeffective solution for OEMs. The new SoC incorporates an enhanced Wavenis wireless transceiver and a unique, ultra-low-power microcontroller. Combining Wavenis, which consumes miniscule amounts of energy, with a power-optimized microcontroller not only significantly reduces consumption in every device, but throughout the entire WSN. " ...

RFID Wireless Sensor Networks: System on Chip: Coronis launches ultra-low-power system-on-chip design: Provides both ultra low power consumption with long range wireless features for sensor networks and RFID systems ...

RFID Library Applications: Shenzhen and NOLA ...

TAGSYS delivers library RFID applications in New Orleans and Shenzhen, China with local development / deployment partners. ...

... "TAGSYS and Integrated Technology Group (ITG), an established developer and provider of cutting-edge library RFID systems, have combined forces to donate a fully-automated, item-level RFID infrastructure to the Alvar branch of the New Orleans Public Library located in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. The branch, which was completely destroyed in the Katrina disaster, will officially reopen its doors on Sunday, June 25, 2006 in conjunction with the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference.

Traditionally, libraries have relied on employees manually scanning each item as it went through the book handling process. As a result, valuable staff resources were directed to time-consuming checkout and inventory management procedures, while patrons faced long lines and moderate customer service due to the demands placed on library staff. RFID-based library material handling systems provide library staff with the ability to computerize the entire material handling process. With the RFID system in place, staff can be relieved of checkout duties, and can spend more time providing other services to library patrons. " ...

RFID Library Applications: Shenzhen and NOLA: Via TAGSYS RFID: TAGSYS and ITG Donate Fully Automated, Item-Level RFID Infrastrusture To New Orleans Public Library ...

... "TAGSYS, announces that it has been awarded the largest library RFID project in China at the Shenzhen Library. By the end of June, nearly two million TAGSYS RFID tags will be integrated and installed on books, CDs, VHS tapes, patron cards, and other library materials by TAGSYS' local integration partner, Shenzhen Seaever Enterprise Co. Ltd. The complete and fully automated RFID system is the second largest in the world – second only to the system developed by TAGSYS for the Seattle Public Library in Seattle, WA. It includes security gates, automatic self check out and return stations, as well as programming and circulation stations.

The Shenzhen Library has been recognized worldwide for its technological and architectural innovations. The 50,000 square meter library features an open space, partition-free design and has the capabilities to store over four million books, service 8,000 patrons and circulate 50,000 volumes per day. Scheduled to open to the public in July 2006, it will serve as the documentation and information service center and regional library network center for Shenzhen. " ...

RFID Library Applications: Shenzhen and NOLA: Via TAGSYS: TAGSYS Equips China’s Shenzhen Library With Fully Automated RFID Infrastructure ...

RFID Network Device Services ...

AT&T and Sterling Commerce collaborate with partners to create new capabilities for RFID network devices. ...

... "AT&T Inc. and its subsidiary, Sterling Commerce, announced that they are partnering with industry leaders, Intel, BEA Systems and Symbol Technologies to design and deploy radio frequency identification (RFID) device services and networks for business customers. The goal of this initiative is to provide business customers with a best-of-breed managed RFID service and standardization of RFID technology by accelerating the mass adoption of RFID through the evolution to universal sensor networks (USN). Currently conducting customer trials, scheduled for completion by mid-2006, the companies are working on network solutions that incorporate end-to-end services for RFID networks across diverse hardware platforms, operating systems, applications and databases — one of today's major challenges confronting RFID technology. Through this initiative, AT&T is seeking to make RFID devices as simple to manage and as secure as any other network element in response to growing customer demand for an integrated affordable service.

As an extension of its previously announced collaboration, the Intel worldwide professional services organization, Intel Solution Services, is co-developing with AT&T Laboratories reference architectures that will establish basic building blocks for RFID devices to improve the management and administration of RFID readers and sensors in a networked environment. The development work capitalizes on Intel's leading-edge network processor technology, Intel Solution Services' technical and execution expertise, and AT&T's experience building and managing complex enterprise networks on a large scale.

RFID market leader Symbol Technologies is providing the RFID hardware to round out the overall offering, including mobile and fixed RFID readers. The collaboration allows Symbol readers to read UHF RFID tags and pass the information securely to the AT&T network and have the readers managed remotely. " ...

RFID Network Device Services: Via Sterling Commerce: AT&T Accelerates Adoption of RFID Networks Through Collaboration With Technology Industry Leaders ...

RFID 3Gen Reader Chipset ...

Anadigm introduces 3rd generation RFID reader chipset, that can be leveraged in high and ultra-high frequency applications and RFID tag types. ...

.... "Anadigm announced the immediate availability of RangeMaster5, the company's third-generation RFID reader 3.3 volt chip set solution that allows system vendors to design and maintain a single combination HF and UHF reader. The Rangemaster5-based system can be customized to read different radio frequency identification (RFID) tag types, with different modulation types and frequencies. RangeMaster5 also fully supports current HF standards as well as the newer standards under study by EPC (Electronic Product Code) Global, Inc. Like previous RangeMaster devices, RangeMaster5 will support UHF protocols- EPC Global Gen 1 and Gen 2 (class 0, 1, 2) as well as ISO18000-6 standards. RangeMaster5 is the third in a family of RFID reader solutions that Anadigm is developing for the rapidly expanding RFID markets. RFID technology is revolutionizing markets as diverse as retail sales - by managing inventory and electronic payments via mobile phones - to medical applications by ensuring that hospital patients receive the correct treatments and medications.

RangeMaster5 is a three-chip set comprised of two dynamically programmable analog signal processors (dpASP) in conjunction with an RFID State Machine. This enables system designers to develop universal RFID readers that can support both HF and UHF, changing between HF and UHF baseband frequencies dynamically, in a few microseconds. RangeMaster5 also features the ability to dynamically change between protocols and frequencies allowing for optimized RFID tag reading. By allowing standardization around a single printed circuit board to support multiple end products and markets, RangeMaster5 simplifies and improves product development. This next generation of RangeMaster not only reduces development time and ownership costs of fixed systems, but also enables portable designs by reducing supply voltage requirements and power consumption. " ...

RFID 3Gen Reader Chipset: Via Anadigm: Anadigm Reveals Third Generation Chipset for Combination HF and UHF RFID Readers ...

Hospital RFID Applications Discussed ...

MIT Forum will discuss RFID applications in the hospital. ...

... "RFID in the Hospital
Monday June 12, 2006
6:30 - 6:45 Networking & Light Snack
6:45 - 7:45 Panel Presentation
7:45 - 8:30 p.m. Q & A
Location:
Stata Center (Bldg. 32)
Room 124, 1st floor
32 Vassar Street
Cambridge, MA 02139 MAP

In addition to manufacturing and retail marketing, healthcare is considered the next home for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Although in its early stages, RFID technology has great potential in the hospitals to significantly reduce cost, improve patient safety and deliver medical services. Imagine the hospital of the future where unnecessary expenses will be cut and more patient lives will be saved. " ...

Via MIT EF: RFID SIG ...

RFID Memory Chips: 2048Bits ...

STMicroelectronics introduces RFID memory chips that support 2048 bits of information. ...

... "STMicroelectronics, a worldwide leader in serial non-volatile memories, announced the availability of two new 2048-bit long range RFID memory products that are fully compliant with the ISO/IEC 15693 and ISO/IEC 18000-3 Mode 1 RFID standards for tracking applications. The use of 2048-bit memories in the LRI2K and LRIS2K has been driven by the demand for increased memory in cost-sensitive general-purpose RFID applications requiring both data storage and security. The new devices are particularly suited for market segments such as access control, library automation, and supply-chain management, as well as for anti-counterfeiting of sensitive products, such as pharmaceuticals and high-value items.

Both the LRI2K and LRIS2K provide 2 Kbits of electrically erasable user memory (EEPROM), with an on-chip RF interface operating at the standard HF (high-frequency) 13.56MHz carrier frequency. Offering high-speed data-rate capability, an application reading range of up to 1.5m, and the advantages offered by 13.56MHz-based RFID technology, such as high reliability and low RFID reader cost, the two devices are highly suited for item-level tagging, whenever security, inventory speed, and tag size are relevant requirements. " ...

RFID Memory Chips: 2048Bits: Via STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics Unveils New 2-Kbit Long-Range RFID Chips for Multi-Purpose Asset-Tracking Applications ...

RFID Position Determination ...

AXCESS International introduces an enhanced method for providing positioning and directional capabilities for RFID applications. Their product is called the Dual Activator, built on their ActiveTag platform. ...

... "The Dual Activator product is based on the Company's ActiveTag platform that enables automatic tracking of personnel, assets and vehicles in multiple industries that use this capability for security, logistics and operations effectiveness. The patent pending solution is available now for purchase. The Dual Activator provides a high precision method for determining the position of people, vehicles and assets. Many other RFID systems don't have the ability to provide dependable positioning and rely on guestimation techniques or added switches to determine the location and direction of objects. AXCESS' enhanced product offers a more precise method which is cost and installation friendly. The ability to determine location and direction of the RFID tag is required to provide effective and secure perimeter control. The dual activator, connects directly to two transmit antennas to offer a radio frequency signal that awakens the tags as they pass through each antenna field. It writes its own ID to the tag, which is then retransmitted, along with the tag's unique ID, to provide the tag's location and direction at time of activation. " ...

RFID Position Determination: Via Axcess: AXCESS International Enhances Unique RFID Method for Precision Position Determination of Enterprise Assets and Personnel ...

RFID Human Identification: Appropriate Uses ...

Broad use of RFID technology for human identification is not supported at this time by the DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee, due to the increase in privacy and abuse risks. ...

... "There appear to be specific, narrowly defined situations in which RFID is appropriate for human identification. Miners or firefighters might be appropriately identified using RFID because speed of identification is at a premium in dangerous situations and the need to verify the connection between a card and bearer is low. But for other applications related to human beings, RFID appears to offer little benefit when compared to the consequences it brings for privacy and data integrity. Instead, it increases risks to personal privacy and security, with no commensurate benefit for performance or national security. Most difficult and troubling is the situation in which RFID is ostensibly used for tracking objects (medicine containers, for example), but can be in fact used for monitoring human behavior. These types of uses are still being explored and remain difficult to predict. " ...

Via The DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee: The Use of RFID for Human Identification: A DRAFT REPORT (PDF) ...

RFID Lab Retail Analytics ...

Teradata creates RFID laboratory to focus on analytics in retail applications. ...

... "Teradata, a division of NCR Corporation, has established an advanced analytics lab specifically for retailers and consumer goods companies where information on the most important facets of their operations can be discovered. The lab also analyzes data captured by radio frequency identification (RFID) applications across the supply chain. The new Retail Advanced Business Analytics & RFID Lab is housed at the Teradata Benchmark Center in Rancho Bernardo, Calif. The lab demonstrates to retailers and consumer goods companies how their data can be used in innovative ways to derive incremental business value. Focal points at the lab include deep analytics, predictive modeling, data mining, and RFID data analysis. Analytical results are presented using data visualization technologies. " ...

RFID Lab Retail Analytics: Via Teradata: New Teradata Retail Advanced Business Analytics & RFID Lab Delivers Insight from Enterprise or RFID Data

Java RFID Sensor Community ...

Sun launches community for RFID sensor development using Java as the software foundation. ...

... "RFID (radio frequency identification) and sensor-based applications are being used increasingly in a variety of industries, including manufacturing retail health care, pharmaceuticals, transportation, logistics, aerospace and government. They can dramatically reduce costs for companies, increase operational efficiencies, improve security and accountability of assets, and help ensure the authenticity and integrity of products. However, the complexity of developing and integrating RFID and sensor solutions can slow adoption while developers come up to speed.

The Sun RFID Community has grown out of the experiences of technical collaboration among internal Sun experts and the more than 350 members of Sun's RFID Partner Advantage program. Any developer can access the Sun RFID and Sensor Community by joining Java.Net. Members of the Sun RFID Community can participate in e-mail lists, code-building projects, and community activities. The Sun Java System RFID Software, toolkits and documentation are freely available for download. " ...

Java RFID Sensor Community: Via Sun Microsystems: Sun Launches New RFID and Sensor Community for Java Developers ...

RFID Software Platform: Asset Location Services ...

PanGo Networks introduces enhancement to its software platform that acquires location information from active and passive RFID sources. The RFID platform provides a services-based interface for higher level systems to consume asset location information. ...

... "Now, for the first time, applications used by hospitals, manufacturers and third-party solution providers can tap standards-based active and passive RFID technologies from a single platform, thereby dramatically increasing the number of assets that can be tracked and eliminating the need for proprietary choke point or portal solutions that add complexity and cost to corporate networks. This aggregation and refinement of location from multiple standards-based sources gives users unprecedented flexibility to apply the appropriate mix of RFID-tracking technologies to best match their unique and varying needs. Through presence detection, real-time location and high-resolution choke-point visibility, the PanOS Platform allows customers and application vendors to benefit from the most timely and accurate tracking of assets and inventory possible, while capitalizing on the pervasive adoption of WLAN and RFID technology. Wi-Fi-based RTLS and RFID sensory networks are transformational technologies that are delivering business benefits and driving change within IT organizations across many markets. " ...

RFID Software Platform: Asset Location Services: Via PanGo Networks: PanGo Integrates Active and Passive RFID to Deliver Industry’s Most Advanced Location Management Platform ...

Rugged RFID Tag: Reuse ...

Intermec launches RFID tag that is reusable and performs well in extreme, rugged environments. ...

... "Because the Intermec RFID LR Tag is reusable, each use of the tag costs only fractions of a cent. The tag can be rewritten thousands of times, providing lower cost per use on reusable assets than even disposable labels. And because of its ability to function in demanding industrial environments and to provide reliable performance on multiple materials, enterprises can use a single tag to identify and track items such as subassemblies, work-in-process components, finished goods, material handling equipment and logistics containers through production, supply chain and asset management operations. The Intermec RFID LR Tag measures 3.2 cm x 14.27 cm (1.26 in x 6.1 in). Its rugged impact-resistant plastic packaging survives hazardous chemical exposure and withstands temperatures from -40 to 250F, -40 to 121C. The tag is compatible and interoperable with RFID readers that support EPC Gen 2 or ISO 18000-6B standards. Organizations that already have EPC- or ISO 18000-6B-based standard systems in place can conveniently and cost effectively introduce the Intermec LR tag for a variety of industrial, material handling and asset management applications. " ...

Rugged RFID Tag: Reuse: Via Intermec: New Rugged, Reusable Intermec RFID Tag Withstands Temperature Extremes and Hazardous Exposures for True Global Industrial and Logistics Tracking ...

RFID Technology Healthcare Purchasing Partnership ...

Healthcare purchasing organization partners with Zebra Tech for RFID technology needs. ...

... "According to The Institute of Medicine, medical errors cause up to 98,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. Bar coding applications have been shown to substantially reduce costly and dangerous medical errors, and the recent 17th Annual HIMSS Leadership Survey found that medical error reduction and patient safety will remain top business objectives for hospital IT executives in 2006. Zebra's bar coded wristbands, unit-dose pharmacy labeling and employee badge solutions help enable patient safety improvements at the bedside and throughout the hospital with patient registration/identification, medication labeling, lab specimen collection, radiology film labeling and surgical instrument tracking applications. Bar coding and RFID are at the heart of many patient safety initiatives, says David Crist, vice president of sales at Zebra Technologies. Zebra is committed to working with Amerinet and its members to deliver these solutions in a way that minimizes medical errors and enhances safety. Zebra is a leading manufacturer of specialty thermal printing solutions including wireless, mobile and high-performance label and wristband printers designed to meet the needs of the healthcare market. Zebra also offers printing supplies, including highly durable, ready-to-print ZBand Direct wristbands, which were awarded the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership of the Year Award in the field of medical informatics. Use of these wristbands ensures accurate patient identification and enables healthcare providers to meet patient safety and privacy standards, such as those set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In addition, Zebra's newly introduced antimicrobial wristband coating further improves the safety and quality of care by reducing the spread of dangerous and costly hospital infections. " ...

RFID Technology Healthcare Purchasing Partnership: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND AMERINET ANNOUNCE NEW TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT: Zebra to provide Amerinet members with its full line of bar code, card and RFID printers, supplies and services ...

Oracle RFID Middleware Upgrade ...

Oracle upgrades its RFID middleware suite of solutions. ...

... "The latest version of Oracle Sensor Edge Server provides several new features for customers investing in RFID technology including: out-of-the-box integration with a variety of market leading RFID devices; device management for the industry's leading RFID tag readers, antenna, tag printers and response systems, which helps customers reduce deployment time and costs; significantly enhanced user management capabilities, including a task-oriented user interface; enhanced RFID compliance workspace; and the ability to provide valuable insight into the status of items in the RFID and sensor network through a larger number of out-of-the-box reports. Customers benefit from scalability and ease of administration via consolidated views and management of devices on the network.

Oracle Sensor Edge Server is also integrated with Oracle Fusion Middleware to provide customers with enhanced features such as: RFID-driven business process management and workflows through integration with Oracle Enterprise Service Bus and Oracle BPEL Process Manager; Oracle RFID Event Monitoring and Oracle Business Activity Monitoring to help optimize supply chain management with RFID; and pre-packaged business analytics on RFID events. The Oracle Sensor Edge Server and Oracle Fusion Middleware are also integrated with Oracle's business applications to provide customers with an end-to-end RFID-enabled offering for supply chain management, order management and industry-specific solutions. " ...

Oracle RFID Middleware Upgrade: Via Oracle: Oracle Delivers Enhanced RFID Technology in Oracle Fusion Middleware ...

RFID Reader: Item-Level Retail POS ...

TagSys demonstrates new dual frequency, universal (UHF and HF) item-level RFID reader designed for the point-of-sale (POS) retail market. ...

... "The universal reader integrates HF and UHF reader modules and antennas into a single package. The slim-line, bench top device is optimized for POS applications and measures 460mm x 460mm x 25mm. The reader can read up to five HF and/or UHF tagged items at a time as they are passed directly over the reader. Building on TAGSYS' long standing expertise in delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (R.A.S.) systems, the unique approach contains the UHF field to eliminate any external interference, thereby reading only the items being purchased. The demonstration at RFID Journal Live will include multiple HF and UHF tagged products. As the items are read, the information is captured on a screen that notes the item, displays a graphic of the item along with its price and the radio frequency of the tag. " ...

RFID Reader: Item-Level Retail POS: Via TAGSYS RFID: TAGSYS demonstrates dual frequency UHF/HF item-level RFID point of sale reader at RFID Journal LIVE 2006 ...

RFID: Internet of Things Workshop ...

Interesting RFID workshop looks to expand the potential of RFID application through consideration of future possibilities when things are connected to the internet. ...

... "RFID will play a pivotal role in fusing the physical world with the digital. RFID allows for the unique identification of objects, and any kind of online data can be linked to these unique ID's. Here is where the real world and the internet become two faces of the same reality. Things go online.

The participants of this workshop will develop scenarios for an internet of things. Ideas can range from scripts for small new rituals to outlines of societal changes of epic scale. The critical, utopian or nightmarish scenarios will be informed by lectures with concrete knowledge about currently available technology; by handy workshop tools that give hands-on experience in developing RFID applications, and by insightful presentations by cutting-edge makers and thinkers.

The workshop takes 3 days. The morning sessions are dedicated to lectures and presentations on technology, theory and interesting implementations of RFID. The afternoons are dedicated to development of participants projects. The workshop will take place in the seminar room of Mediamatic, at the 5th floor of the PostCS building. " ...

RFID: Internet of Things Workshop: Via Mediamatic.net: RFID & the Internet of Things ...

RFID Garment HangTags Manage Inventory ...

Checkpoint implements RFID garment hangtags for Lemmi to management apparel inventory in the supply chain. ...

... "Checkpoint Systems, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of RF and RFID based solutions for security, identification, tracking and merchandising applications in the world, announced they were chosen by Lemmi Fashion, a Fritzlar, Germany-based producer of children's apparel, to supply the company and its strategic partners with RFID (radio frequency identification) hangtags. The RFID consumables will be used as part of a strategic initiative to help improve Lemmi's speed to market, inventory management, and order accuracy. Checkpoint Systems is supplying Lemmi's manufacturing partners in Asia and Europe with Performa(R) 13.56 MHz RFID-enabled hangtags. The hangtags, which include a visible version of the RFID tag and a traditional bar code, contain data such as article number, size, and color. The tagging process begins when Lemmi's partners apply Performa RFID-enabled garment tags to items at their production sites. The goods are recorded when they are shipped from the manufacturer to Lemmi's distribution center (DC), and upon receipt at the DC. Movements within the DC are also recorded, and Lemmi reads the RFID tags a final time at the shipping area to confirm that all items required for the shipment have been packed." ...

RFID Garment HangTags Manage Inventory: Via Checkpoint Systems, Inc.: Lemmi Fashion Selects Checkpoint Systems RFID Hangtags to Improve Customer Service and Delivery Reliability; Apparel Manufacturer Partners with Checkpoint to Ensure RFID Tag Performance, Production and Fulfillment Requirements ...

Walmart RFID: Vehicle Mounted Reader ...

Vehicle-mounted RFID reader will be presented at Walmart Supplier Forum. ...

... "LXE Inc., a leading manufacturer of rugged wireless computers that improve the performance of supply-chain execution applications, announced that it will be unveiling its ultra-rugged RX2 lift truck mounted RFID reader at WalMart Supplier On-Boarding Forum and EPCglobal US Tech Expo, April 25 and 26 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The RX2 is the second lift truck mounted RFID reader being developed by LXE, the first one being the RX1 announced last September. The RX2 addresses a need for a simple, easy-to-install, vehicle mounted RFID reader that can be used for standard RFID based forklift pallet move applications such as shipping, receiving, picking and put-aways where EPC RFID based identification of pallet loads and locations are used. The RX2's mounting solution requires no permanent lift modifications or lift truck downtime for installation. The unit is ultra-rugged and has been designed to operate in the extreme environment found on the business end of a lift truck. " ...

Walmart RFID: Vehicle Mounted Reader: Via LXE: LXE Inc. To Unveil RX2 Vehicle Mounted RFID Reader At Wal-Mart Supplier On-Boarding Forum And EPCglobal US Tech Expo ...

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree ...

Unisys and ODIN Tech collaborate on RFID frequency research for pharmaceutical industry ePedigree applications ...

... "Sponsored by Unisys, who collaborated with ODIN in the design of testing protocols and use cases, the benchmark addresses the industry's heated debate over which frequency, high (HF) or ultra-high (UHF) works best for item-level pharmaceutical tracking and authentication. The testing focused on scientific evaluation of various tags and then pinpointed several popular applications or use-case testing scenarios. Significant collaboration with pharmaceutical clients and partners, including manufacturers and distributors, made the tests particularly salient to a broad audience in the pharmaceutical world. All of the testing was conducted with hardware and tags that are available in production quantities to end-users today. No prototype or hand-built artifacts were allowed in the research as they are untested in production environments and prototype demonstrations are often misleading.

After completing scientific tag testing, ODIN technologies and Unisys extended this study to include RFID use cases typical in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The team used standard pill bottles, liquid filled bottles and blister packs for the testing. These use cases uncover the core requirements of RFID as an e-Pedigree and product authentication tool in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This step goes beyond mere demonstration or theoretical analysis to provide direct evidence of HF and UHF RFID performance in a real world setting. Since there is a wide variety in RFID tag and reader performance, multiple UHF and HF tags and readers were utilized throughout the process. The final performance analysis was based on the best performing reader and tag combinations in each frequency. " ...

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree: Via Unisys: Unisys & ODIN technologies' Research Reveals RFID High- vs. Ultra-high Frequency Leader for Pharmaceutical Industry

ODIN technologies is the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, deployment and software. ODIN technologies leverages its team of RF engineers, physicists and software developers combined with its laboratory facilities to provide RFID consulting services to major retailers, pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods manufacturers, United States government agencies and other RFID adopters. In addition to client deployment services, ODIN technologies is also the publisher of the RFID Benchmark Series, the industry's first and most referenced head to head performance analysis of leading RFID components. ODIN's President and CEO, Patrick J. Sweeney II is also author of RFID for Dummies published by John Wiley & Sons. ODIN technologies is privately held and has labs and offices in Dulles, VA.

RFID Bird Flu Thailand ...

AdvancedID implements RFID for bird flu application in Thailand. ...

... "Dr. Kummalue Pongsak, Director of 4P Technology Ltd and advisor to the Dept of Agriculture in Thailand, confirmed that the Advanced ID DataTRAC UHF / RFID system has been certified as the best proposal for the containment of bird flu in Thailand. The three year program includes readers and tags totaling an investment of $26,000,000.00 from the Thailand Government. Advanced ID will provide the data base management to include chicken coops, processing plants, check points, as well as slaughter house integration. There are over 700,000,000 poultry per year processed and approximately 11,000 farms that are all included in the total requirements for this program." ...

RFID Bird Flu Thailand: Via Advanced ID: Advanced ID Corporation Confirms Avian Flu Application In Thailand ...

Advanced ID Corporation is a complete solutions provider in the radio frequency identification (RFID) market. RFID provides a means for positive identification and trace-back of objects that have been identified with a Low Frequency (LF) microchip or RFID tag. The Company's subsidiaries are Advanced PET ID, The Pet Microchip Company, the largest provider of companion animal identification in Canada, and Advanced ID Asia Engineering Co. Ltd., our R&D and technical support company. Since 1994 Advanced ID Corporation has been offering a Low Frequency (LF) product line of over 100 items comprised of RFID microchips, identification scanners, and a proprietary pet recovery database to the companion animal and biological sciences markets. Advanced ID is also a leader in UHF/RFID technology with its line of DataTRAC livestock tracking and traceability products, and UHF/RFID automotive tire tag applications.

RFID Asset Tracking Product Line ...

RFID asset tracking products support 433 MHz frequency in multiple countries. ...

... "The 433 MHz frequency is widely allocated for use throughout the world, allowing RF Code's new asset tags and readers to be used in a broader number of countries. Enhanced signaling capabilities substantially improve the ability of Mantis to be used in Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) applications. The Mantis 433 MHz line now offers the lowest cost active tag at prices far below comparable systems, as well as the only 10+ year tag battery life for 433 MHz RFID products in the market. In addition to these features, RF Code's 433 MHz product line combines industry leading anti-collision performance in a small form factor. Incorporating worldwide availability with enhanced RTLS capabilities, RF Code's new line is accelerating international container tracking, supply chain and healthcare asset tracking markets for the company’s solutions. " ...

RFID Asset Tracking Product Line: Via RF Code: RF CODE ADDS 433 MHZ TAGS AND READERS TO ITS MANTIS II ASSET TRACKING PRODUCT LINE ...

RFID Market Overview ...

ABI publishes annual overview of the RFID market. ...

... "New ABI Research study, RFID Annual Market Overview: Vertical Market and Application Market Overviews for Tags, Readers, Software and Services provides a high-level, but still detailed, examination of RFID technologies, applications, and addressable vertical markets by region, and is intended to give readers a general outline of the broad RFID market. The research also highlights the differences between low-growth RFID applications such as access control, animal tracking and vehicle immobilization, and high-growth applications such as personal identification documents, contactless point-of-sale and item-level RFID tracking. " ...

RFID Market Overview: Via ABI Research: RFID's Big Picture ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: Acquire Technology and Expertise ...

Consolidation in the RFID industry continues, as Sirit acquires technology and expertise. ...

... "Through the acquisition, Sirit launched its line of flexible plug and play RFID readers ideally suited to a number of closed loop applications including contactless/cashless payments, asset management, retail and high value product authentication, and inventory management. Sirit also strengthens its technological capabilities through the addition of a highly skilled engineering team and a broad based intellectual property portfolio. " ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: Acquire Technology and Expertise: Via Sirit: Sirit Inc. Completes Acquisition of TradeWind Technologies LLC ...

RFID Tests Pharma Item Tracking ...

Unisys and ODIN Technologies collaborate to develop facts on the performance of RFID tag frequencies for item tracking in the pharmaceutical supply chain. ...

... "Sponsored by Unisys, who collaborated with Odin in the design of testing protocols and use cases, the benchmark addresses the industry's heated debate over which frequency, high (HF) or ultra-high (UHF) works best for item-level pharmaceutical tracking and authentication. The testing focused on scientific evaluation of various tags and then pinpointed several popular applications or use-case testing scenarios. Significant collaboration with pharmaceutical clients and partners, including manufacturers and distributors, made the tests particularly salient to a broad audience in the pharmaceutical world. All of the testing was conducted with hardware and tags that are available in production quantities to end-users today. No prototype or hand-built artifacts were allowed in the research as they are untested in production environments and prototype demonstrations are often misleading. " ...

RFID Tests Pharma Item Tracking: Via ODIN Tech: ODIN technologies and Unisys Research Reveals RFID HF vs. UHF item-level performance leader for Pharma: The item-level pharmaceutical RFID debate is answered in the scientific Benchmark Report, Pharmaceutical Item Level RFID: Battle of the Frequencies ...

WIFI RFID System on Chip ...

G2 Microsystems introduces RFID system on a chip that supports WIFI networking standards. ...

... "G2 Microsystems Inc., a developer of integrated circuits for the Mobile Resource Management (MRM) market, announced an ultra low-power, active radio frequency identification (RFID) System-on-a-Chip (SoC) that leverages the widely-deployed Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) network infrastructure. By using this existing infrastructure, G2 Microsystems SoC enables businesses to install asset tracking systems at a fraction of the cost of today's solutions resulting in at least a 75% reduction in total cost of ownership. Additionally, the chip's integrated support for multiple location technologies and environmental sensing coupled with ultra low-power consumption enables a new class of tags that will open the door for global MRM services in many enterprise applications.

Mobile resource management is a fast-growing market that uses RTLS to track and monitor assets both inside and outside of facilities. The Yankee Group forecasts the global RTLS market will grow to $1.6B by 2010, fueled by deployments in healthcare, manufacturing and logistics. Targeted at the RTLS market, G2 Microsystems' G2C501 Wi-Fi Active RFID SoC is a very flexible solution that enables a broad range of customer types to tailor systems to their specific application at a very low total cost of ownership. The chip is currently being incorporated into leading RTLS solutions including those from Ekahau and PanGo Networks. " ...

WIFI RFID System on Chip: Via G2 Microsystems: G2 Microsystems Significantly Reduces Cost of Asset Tracking Systems with Industry's First Wi-Fi RFID System-on-a-Chip: Leading Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Providers, Ekahau and PanGo Networks, Plan to use G2 Microsystems' Chip ...

Walmart RFID Payback ...

Walmart discusses the payback of RFID technology ...

... "Retailer WalMart Stores continues to build momentum around its radio frequency identification (RFID) tag initiatives, adding new uses for the supply chain technology and getting more suppliers and partners to comply with its RFID mandates. " ...

Walmart RFID Payback: Via Techworld: RFID pays for itself, says Wal-Mart

RFID UHF Gen2 Chips Used in Labels ...

Impinj wins contract to supply their RFID UHF Gen2 chips for use in label products from RF IDentics. ...

... "Impinj, Inc., the fabless semiconductor company whose patented Self-Adaptive Silicon technology enables its high performance radio frequency identification (RFID) products, announced an agreement under which RF IDentics will purchase Impinj's Monza UHF Gen 2 chips for inclusion in its RFID inlay and label products. Responding to increased demand from leading consumer goods manufacturers in the global retail supply chain for high-performance RFID solutions, RF IDentics selected Impinj's Monza chips to power their RFID inlay products. In addition to Impinj's chips, RF IDentics will use its proprietary RFID antenna technology as well as antennas licensed from Impinj to manufacture the RFID inlays and labels used to gather and track retail supply chain data. " ...

RFID UHF Gen2 Chips Used in Labels: Via Impinj: Impinj and RF Identics Announce 25 Million UHF Gen 2 Supply Agreement ...

Impinj, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company whose patented Self-Adaptive Silicon technology enables its two synergistic business lines: high performance RFID products and innovative semiconductor intellectual property (IP). A leading contributor to the RFID standards for high volume supply-chain applications worldwide, Impinj leverages its technical expertise and industry partnerships to deliver the GrandPrix solution, comprising tags, readers, software and systems integration to offer RFID that just works. Impinj's innovative IP products, core to the company's RFID tags, are licensed to leading semiconductor companies worldwide, allowing them to seamlessly integrate crucial nonvolatile memory (NVM) alongside analog and digital functionality on a single chip. Impinj's IP products include the popular AEON family of embedded cores, which provides rewriteable NVM technology in logic CMOS manufacturing.

RFID Real-Time Demand Insight

Blue Agave partners to provide RFID-enabled real-time insight into product demand. ...

... "Blue Agave Software, Inc., a provider of software solutions for improving replenishment, demand management and fulfillment execution, and VeriSign, the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks announced a strategic relationship to promote the benefits of integrating real-time RFID product movement data and Point-of-Sale (POS) data from VeriSign's Intelligent Supply Chain Services platform into Blue Agave's Retail Channel Execution applications. The combined solution can provide consumer goods manufacturers with real-time insight into actual consumer demand down to the most granular levels of store and product (SKU) sales, along with the predictive execution capabilities necessary to respond effectively to variability in consumer demand. In the $800 billion retail marketplace, consumer goods manufacturers are continuously seeking to improve visibility and collaboration around critical sales and operational processes. Advancements in technology are driving new levels of information availability to both consumer goods companies and their retail partners, including product movement data from RFID and POS data. Retail Channel Execution applications make this data actionable, enabling decision-makers to respond rapidly to changes in consumer demand in order to preempt revenue-impacting issues like out of stock, excess inventories, forecast variances, promotion variances, and store-level anomalies. " ...

Via Blue Agave Software: Blue Agave Software and Retail Solutions Team Up ...

RFID Gen2 Strap-on-Box Case Tracking ...

TI and Smurfit-Stone collaborate to deliver case tracking capability through Gen2 strap-on-box RFID tags. ...

... "Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, the industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging, is demonstrating the first Electronic Product Code (EPC) Generation 2 (Gen 2) radio frequency identification (RFID) strap-on-box prototypes at RFID World 2006, in Dallas, at the Texas Instruments booth #701. Using TI's Tag-it™ EPC Gen 2 Strap, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation has developed an innovative process for attaching Gen 2 straps to printed antennas directly on a corrugated box. The company is introducing its technology to consumer products goods (CPGs) manufacturers applying Gen 2 technology to cases for supply chain tracking applications. " ...

RFID Gen2 Strap-on-Box Case Tracking: Via Texas Instruments: Texas Instruments and Smurfit-Stone Demonstrate EPC Gen 2 Strap-on-Box Application at RFID World 2006 ...

RFID European Union Public Hearings ...

EU starts public hearings on RFID technology, hoping to spark debate abd understand issues. ...

... "The European Commission last year established an RFID inter-service group to co-ordinate the gathering, analysis and internal dissemination of information concerning RFID technology and its uses. Building on this, the Commission has started today to launch a wide public debate on the opportunities and challenges associated with RFID. To exploit the economic potential of RFID, privacy and consumer concerns associated with the use of RFID tags need to be handled constructively, with the assent of all stakeholders. Furthermore, to enable RFID to deliver on its potential for growth and jobs, Europe needs to agree on common technical standards, to ensure RFID interoperability across borders, and also on a common radio spectrum band for RFIDs to use. The public debate on RFID launched by the Commission today will rely on a series of workshops to build consensus on key issues associated with the use of RFID. These workshops will address RFID applications, end-user issues, interoperability and standards, and frequency spectrum requirements. They will take place in Brussels between March and June 2006 and their conclusions will assist the European Commission in drafting a working document on RFID. This document will be published in September in an online consultation. Additional feedback obtained will then be analysed and integrated in a Commission Communication on RFID, to be adopted before the end of the year. This feedback could lead to amendments of the e-privacy-Directive which is up for review this year. The Communication will also address the need for other legislative measures for RFID, such as decisions on allocation of spectrum. " ...

RFID European Union Public Hearings: Via EUROPA: Commission launches public consultation on radio frequency ID tags ...

RFID Reader Tag Interoperability: Class 3 Tags ...

WJ Communucation establishes reader interoperability with Class 3 RFID tags. ...

... "WJ Communications, Inc., a leading designer and supplier of RF solutions for the wireless infrastructure and RFID reader markets, announced that it has successfully completed interoperability testing of its multi-protocol UHF Reader Platform with Class 3 RFID tags from Intelleflex Corporation. This expands the capability of WJ's high performance reader platform to include Class 3 RFID tags in addition to EPCglobal Gen1, and C1G2 tags. " ...

RFID Reader Tag Interoperability: Class 3 Tags: Via WJ Communications: WJ Communications' UHF C1Gen2 RFID Reader Platform Stakes Lead With Semi-Active Support: Successful Interoperability Testing With Class 3 Tags From Intelleflex Demonstrated ...

Intelleflex Corporation: Intelleflex Corporation Announces Class 3 RFID Developers' Training: "Intelleflex's semi-active, battery-assisted RFID products offer long range (up to 100 meters in free space) and high read/write reliability ( > 99% in real-world environment), together with a large user memory. These features open up a whole new set of applications that bring tremendous business value, beyond mere identification through unique serialization of good and assets. "

Intelleflex is a Silicon Valley company focused on the next-generation of RFID systems. Intelleflex will bring to market high-performance, high-reliability, EPC-compliant transponders and readers. Intelleflex tags will have the capability of interoperating with all EPC-compliant readers, and are targeted to provide the longest read range and the highest read/write reliability available in the industry. In addition, Intelleflex offers value-added features such as application-specific security, long battery life, and the capability to add sensors.

RFID for Commercial Vehicle Fleets ...

Partners collaborate on RFID technology solutions for commercial vehicle applications, such as data collection devices. ...

... "AXCESS International Inc. and STEMCO LP announced a recently-signed business agreement between their companies to work together in the development of RFID based solutions for heavy-duty commercial vehicle fleets. These solutions will utilize semi-active tag technology and hardware from AXCESS that will be seamlessly integrated with STEMCO's BAT RF active RFID mileage and tire pressure data collection sensors. Future products utilizing these combined capabilities are in development and planned for release in 2007. AXCESS' patented ActiveTag RFID systems use small, battery powered tags (generically called semi-active tags) that when automatically activated, transmit a wireless message typically 30 to 100 feet to hidden palm size receivers. The receivers are connected via standard network simultaneously to the enterprise system software, the existing security alarm equipment, and standalone management software. Optionally, the tag system can be used to trigger security video recording and live remote video transmission. The tags are used for a variety of enterprise productivity applications including automatic personnel access control and tracking, automatic vehicle access control and payload management, automatic asset management and protection, as well as special purpose sensing. " ...

RFID for Commercial Vehicle Fleets: Via Axcess: STEMCO LP and AXCESS Sign Business Agreement ...

RFID Marks and Spencer Trial ...

Marks and Spencer continues its progress in trial of RFID technology. ...

... "Marks and Spencer is extending its trial of item-level passive RFID tags, called the Intelligent Label Project. " ...

Via CIE: Components in Electronics: M&S extends RFID trial ...

Marks and Spencer goes to market with a disposable RFID intelligent label. ...

... "Marks & Spencer is trialling RFID within the supply chain as the next generation of barcode. In that application, RFID uses tags (a tag is a microchip combined with an antenna) to wirelessly transmit product item numbers. These item numbers are unique to each product (unlike barcodes, which only unique to the product type). The tags developed for the garment trial are contained within throwaway paper labels called Intelligent Labels. The RFID tags can be read over a short distance by a remote scanner. Traditional optical scanners, used with barcodes, require each barcode to be held a few centimetres from the scanner: with RFID Marks & Spencer is trialling scanners that can operate at a distance of up to approximately half a metre. The scanner can read the tags simultaneously, and at speed, allowing regular updating of stock information. " ...

RFID Marks and Spencer Trial: Via Marks & Spencer: BACKGROUND TO MARKS & SPENCER'S BUSINESS TRIAL OF RFID IN ITS CLOTHING SUPPLY CHAIN ...

M&S meets with success and extends the trial to more stores and increases functional capability to leverage RFID technology in prevention of stock-outs. ...

Marks & Spencer: Marks & Spencer's business trial of RFID in its clothing supply chain: "Marks & Spencer is trialling Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) within its supply chain as the next generation barcode. We are using technology responsibly to give a better service to our customers through improved product availability. During 2004 an item level RFID trial on men's suits was conducted across nine stores. From Spring 2006, the number of stores participating in the trial will extend from nine to 53. Product availability is a key issue for customers, the extension of this trial will help us to investigate the potential of RFID further. "

Marks & Spencer: MARKS & SPENCER DEVELOPS INTELLIGENT CLOTHING: "Marks & Spencer is the largest retailer of clothing in the U.K and has pioneered many innovations in technology, such as Lycra and the machine Washable Suit. RFID tagging of garments will be one of the earliest applications of this technology in the world. Marks & Spencer has won a funding package from the Department of Trade & Industry to help develop this project. The DTI chose Marks & Spencer to develop RFID in retailing because it sells only own brand products and has an integrated supply chain, which will allow broad and deep research. RFID tags in clothing labels will hold information on a microchip, which will give each garment a unique serial number. This will enable Marks & Spencer to manage its stock more effectively in stores and throughout its distribution chain. When the RFID tag is scanned the information is stored in a database giving Marks & Spencer a complete overview of stock management. "

RFID: Sun SAP Collaborate ...

Sun and SAP collaborate to enable seamless RFID solutions ...

... "Sun Microsystems, Inc. expanded its relationship with SAP AG to integrate and standardize RFID technology based on the SAP(R) Auto-ID Infrastructure component of SAP NetWeaver(R) and the Sun Java System RFID Software. This collaboration will enable RFID data network communication between Sun and SAP RFID technology (part of the mySAP Business Suite solutions), allowing for seamless data flow from any RFID-enabled device to the mySAP Business Suite. The technology integration has been tested and certified by SAP. Customers in a broad range of industries, including retail and manufacturing, are looking to RFID technology to help them gain insight into multiple facets of the logistics process, including maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, improving customer service and tracking orders. The collaboration between SAP and Sun will help speed time to deployment for customers looking to integrate RFID data into their back-end systems. The Sun Java System RFID Software provides centralized monitoring and management capabilities for large numbers of distributed RFID devices and delivers Jini technology-based dynamic networking capabilities, which help ensure that RFID data can continue to be transmitted to the SAP applications under demanding production environments. " ...

RFID: Sun SAP Collaborate: Via Sun: Sun and SAP Collaborate to Simplify Deployment of RFID Solutions on SAP NetWeaver ...

Additional references on SAP and RFID ...

Via SAP - Components & Tools of SAP NetWeaver: SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure: "SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, the key component of SAP NetWeaver that provides RFID capabilities, provides SAP applications with a gateway into RFID data. "

Via SAP: SAP RFID Rollout Signals Major Savings for Midsize Flag-Maker: "SAP NetWeaver provides companies with a powerful platform to manage, integrate and leverage RFID data within their SAP and non-SAP business applications. By integrating a combination of SAP NetWeaver components with core business applications, such as enterprise resource planning or supply chain management, customers can RFID-enable their business processes. The implementation of SAP RFID technology was facilitated by Annin's implementation partner CIBER Novasoft. The integration of SAP RFID technology and the pre-existing SAP IT infrastructure means information captured from the RFID tags for the more than 500,000 master cartons shipped annually can be accessed directly in the enterprise SAP system. Retailers can track and report on the movement of Annin's inventory tagged with RFID through warehouses and stores. By creating this real-world aware network, Annin has laid the groundwork for shipping items using RFID and developing an integrated and scalable approach to the technology, providing benefits beyond merely meeting the Wal-Mart requirement. "

Via SAP: SAP Forges Next Generation of RFID-Enabled Business Solutions with Kimberly-Clark: "SAP and Kimberly-Clark will continue to leverage EPCglobal efforts to promote standards based solutions to the marketplace. SAP is bringing to bear the state-of-the-art Auto-ID, analytical and event-driven technologies provided by the SAP NetWeaver platform to collect, analyze and act on EPC (electronic product code) data shared among Kimberly-Clark and its trading partners. Kimberly-Clark has already deployed SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure as the system of record of enterprise-wide EPC information and as the interface that controls all EPC information flowing into mySAP ERP. "

Via SAP: SAP Enables Fraport AG to Reduce Maintenance Costs and Increase Safety at Frankfurt Airport with Mobile Asset Management: "Before the mobile deployment, service engineers had to fill out lengthy forms during equipment checks, then enter the data manually into the central ERP software. Service technicians now use PDAs to access daily maintenance plans and carry out work orders. The PDAs read maintenance-relevant information from the RFID tags installed on ventilation shutters and act as clients to the ERP software for reporting and archiving. Because the PDAs can read tags only at a distance of three centimeters or less, the mobile scenario confirms that service technicians duly checked each vent on their work orders. In addition to safeguarding maintenance processes and generating reports in compliance with federal regulations, the solution helps the company maintain a complete view across the entire asset life cycle and more quickly locate reoccurring faults. "

RFID University Webcasts ...

Webcasts through RFID University ...

... "iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc., unveiled RFID University, a series of free technical webcasts targeted at RFID developers. The goal of the program is to educate developers on various aspects of RFID development to enable them to jumpstart their RFID projects. The webcast series is offered as part of the Sybase iAnywhere RFID Developer Community in which hundreds of RFID developers have enrolled in order to benefit from free development software, RFID whitepapers, tech-tips, discussion forums and sample applications.

Thursday March 9 - RFID 101
Thursday March 16 - The Intelligent RFID Network
Thursday March 23 - Turning RFID Data into Information
Thursday March 30 - RFID Management & Security
Thursday April 6 - Growing the RFID Network I: Distributed Architectures for Logic and Data
Thursday April 13 - Growing the RFID Network II: Adding New Applications " ...

RFID University Webcasts: Via iAnywhere: Sybase iAnywhere Delivers RFID University Webcasts: Higher Education to Simplify Your RFID Development! sponsored by AWID, Printronix, Symbol, ThingMagic and Zebra ...

RFID Integrator Program ...

Printronix provide RFID service and support through its RFID integrator program, which creates total solutions for customers ...

... "Printronix's extensive RFID certified partner and integrator community will demonstrate RFID solutions using Printronix's SmartLine printer family, including the SL5000r MP2 RFID printer and SLPA7000r MP2 print, encode and apply printer. These printers are the industry's first designed specifically to EPCglobal(TM) Gen 2 encoding specifications. Both printer families feature EPCglobal Gen 2-certified hardware and RFID smart encoding technology, and address a wide range of applications and global frequency requirements. Printronix has taken the lead in RFID service and support by developing a Certified RFID Integrator Program. The company has established robust, dynamic partnerships with leading integrators to offer customers a total solution: Printronix's market-leading RFID solutions with top-quality integration service and support. In addition, Printronix RFID Technology Partners deliver best-of-breed RFID technology to the global marketplace. Printronix has developed strategic alliances with leaders in bar-code quality and RFID tags to give customers the most reliable and lowest-cost RFID solution for the supply chain. " ...

RFID Integrator Program: Via Printronix: Printronix Strengthens RFID Leadership Position with Dominant Presence at RFID World: Printronix RFID Printers Will Be Featured in 17 RFID Solution Demonstrations ...