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 ...

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 Antenna Plater: Europe

European semicon manufacturer reports significant RFID order ...

... "BE Semiconductor, a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, announced that the Company's Meco unit received an initial multi-million euro order for its newly developed Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) Flexible Antenna Plater. The specific value of the order was not disclosed. List prices for such systems typically range between EUR1.5 million and EUR4.0 million depending upon the configuration. The order was placed by a major European industrial company for which delivery is anticipated in the first quarter of 2007. " ...

Via BE Semicon: BE Semiconductor Industries Receives Initial Order for RFID Flexible Antenna Plater ...

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 ...

Zebra RFID Gen2 Printer Firmware Upgrade ...

Zebra upgrades its RFID printer firmware to support Gen2 capability. ...

... "Zebra customers can download and install the firmware to conveniently expand RFID support to include Gen 2 smart label printing/encoding. No hardware replacement or service call is required. Zebra is the first company to provide publicly downloadable firmware to support Gen 2 RFID, while still supporting previous protocols. The free firmware upgrade is available for Zebra’s RXi series printer/encoders, RPAX4 series print engines and European R4Mplus printer/encoders. These models are configured to update RFID protocols via firmware, not hardware, so there is no need to replace the reader module to add support for new protocols. Because Gen 2 functionality can be added to Zebra printer/encoders without sacrificing the use of other UHF technologies, including EPC Class 1 and Class 0, companies who utilize Zebra RFID printer/encoders can be assured that the product will support their current and future business needs. " ...

Zebra RFID Gen2 Printer Firmware Upgrade: ZEBRA DELIVERS EPC GEN 2 RFID PRINTING/ENCODING WITH INDUSTRY’S FIRST FREE, DOWNLOADABLE FIRMWARE UPGRADE: Companies can add Gen 2 support on existing Zebra RFID printer/encoders while continuing to use Gen 1 and other protocols: no new hardware required ...

RFID Business Opportunity Asia ...

U.S. Commercial Service Hong Kong

... "Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) is in demand in Hong Kong. Post has received a number of inquiries from local IT contacts requesting suppliers of RFID products. One of the requests is from members of RTIA (Hong Kong Retail Technology Industry Association), who is looking for vendors for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) products, particularly those of EPC (Electronic product Code) standard. Please contact Commercial Specialist Fanny Chau at email: Fanny.Chau@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov, Tel: (852) 2521-3721, Fax: (852) 2845-9800 if you are interested in this business opportunity. " ...

RFID Solution Enables Demand Fulfillment ...

RFID Solution Enables Demand Fulfillment: Click Commerce Acquires Optum, Inc.

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Optum's RFID-ready demand fulfillment solution will complement Click's existing portfolio of channel management and collaborative commerce solutions. ...

... Click Commerce, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKCM), a leading provider of collaborative extranet solutions, today announced it has acquired Optum, Inc. The acquisition expands Click Commerce's solutions portfolio to include Optum's on-demand, open-standards supply chain execution solutions. Optum has more than 600 global deployments of its supply chain and warehouse management systems. ...

Optum provides on-demand, open-standards supply chain execution solutions that enable, coordinate and optimize business processes both within the four walls of an enterprise and across a multi-tier supply chain network. By leveraging Optum's ECO eXecution Solutions and proven deployment methodology, companies can transform their supply chains into responsive and adaptive value-generating networks. Optum has more than 600 global deployments. Customers include market leaders such as Avnet, Bausch & Lomb, Dillen, Eagle Global Logistics, Home Shopping Network, InterState Battery, Invacare, LearJet, Lucent, NCR, Pier 1 Imports, Rheem, Ryder, StorageTek, TNT, Tyco Electronics, UniSource, VeriFone and Zales. Optum's more than 20 years of supply chain experience, advanced leading technologies and customer support allow companies to improve working capital control, speed order-to-cash cycles, and lower cost of deployment and ownership.

Additional resources on RFID-enabled demand fulfillment solutions ...

Turning signals into profits in the RFID-enabled supply chain: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Intelligent demand fulfillment & logistics ... value networks to be successful in leveraging RFID, the value ... the members need a cost-effective solution to conduct ...

Going the EXTRA Mile: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... One face to the customer for all demand- fulfillment issues ensures rapid ... RFID solutions can also improve manufacturing quality and streamline the supply chain ...

Five Points to Consider in Your RFID Project Plan: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... the value of their solution, and this ... need to be evaluated for RFID readiness include ... as warehouse, distribution, transportation, and demand fulfillment systems ...

RFID Warehouse Management Systems Expect Some Growth ...

RFID Warehouse Management Systems: Robocom Systems International Inc. Reports Financial Results for ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... With the development of our latest version of RIMS, Version 5.0, which is compatible with Electronic Product Code (ePC) identifiers and RFID technology, we ...

... Robocom Systems International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: RIMS) announced its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2005. For the second quarter of fiscal 2005, Robocom reported net income of $125,398 ($0.027 per fully diluted share), as compared to $18,948 ($0.004 per fully diluted share) in the year-ago quarter. For the six-month period, net income increased by $222,774 to $246,980 ($0.054 per fully diluted share) as compared to $24,206 ($0.005 per fully diluted share) in the year ago period. This was Robocom's ninth consecutive profitable quarter. ...

Robocom Systems International Inc. (http://www.robocom.com) develops, markets and supports advanced Warehouse Management Systems software that enables customers to expand productivity, reduce costs and increase profits.

Additional resources on RFID warehouse management and systems ...

Will RFID Save the Warehouse Management Systems Market?: Will RFID Technology Save or Improve the Warehouse Management Systems Market? ... The worldwide market for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) experienced a rough year. ...

Supply Chain Execution Software & Warehouse Management Systems: HighJump’s RFID technology-enabled product suite ... tightly integrated solutions for warehouse management, yard management ... Download the 2005 WMS RFP Template Now ...

RFID: inventory software, warehouse software, Performance: Part 2 - You Can't Manage What You ... examine briefly the history of RFID technology, discuss ... seek to implement a new warehouse management system (WMS) or upgrade ...

RFID Middleware Download: ThingsNetTM Platform Evaluation Kit

From epcSolutions, Inc. ... ThingsNet Platform is an EPC Global, Inc. compliant EPC / RFID Networking platform. The platform includes a Reader Simulator as well as a Reader Connector for the Matrics RDR 001 RFID Reader ...

" ... Additional Reader Connectors will be added in the coming months. Check back periodically for the Reader Connector Developer Kit which will allow you to integrate your own reader into the ThingsNet Platform. Evaluation Information: Use this page to download the FREE evaluation version of the ThingsNet Platform. Test drive the only evaluation EPC-compliant RFID Networking solution available today. ThingsNet System Requirements: Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP; Java JDK 1.4.1 or higher; System memory: 512MB (minimum); 1GB (recommended); Processor: Pentium III (minimum); Pentium 4 (recommended); 200MB of free disk space; A network of things. That is the vision now taking giant steps forward with the recent pushes from US powerhouses. There is little doubt that we are on the verge of a global phenomenon. The question no longer begs “f, but when. The potential advantages of RFID to global trade are too great to ignore. In the coming years we will observe the deployment of tens of billions of autonomous devices: manufactured goods, products and distributed assets linked to, or sensed by, the network. Meanwhile, companies are beginning to consider the effects of attempting to conduct business via these devices; for example, the reduction in supply chain costs and the future efficiencies associated with RFID-tagged goods. Do not stop there. There's much more. ... "

The overall foundation of epcSolutions, Inc. is built on strong industry domain knowledge and business fundamentals uniquely contributed by each of the respective individuals - coupled with the synergy in working as a team and working together with our strategic partners for the benefits of our customers and shareholders... The solution provider for EPC-enabled RFID middleware applications. epcSolutions has taken a strong leadership role in developing the standards that guide EPC-enabled RFID technology currently, and in ensuring the effectiveness of those standards in the future. epcSolutions, Inc. have joined forces with EPCglobal, which, through a joint venture between the Uniform Code Council (UCC) and EAN International, is charged with establishing and supporting the EPC Network as the global standard. Prior to the formation of EPCglobal, epcSolutions had worked closely with its predecessor, the Auto-ID Center, which developed the initial EPC and related technologies.

Flexible RFID Reader: Texas Instruments’ Multi-Function Reader Answers Industry Need for True 13.56 MHz RFID Interoperability Across Multiple Standards

Reader Infrastructure Investments Today Not Obsolete with Future Standards

DALLAS, TX (April 21, 2004) – With the development of radio frequency identification (RFID) 13.56 MHz standards, end users for smart label, payment, transit, access control, logical access and other proximity communication applications expect that their RFID infrastructure be fully interoperable, allowing them to use tags or transponders from a range of providers. Texas Instruments, a leading integrated manufacturer of RFID technology, has responded to this end-user need with its S4100 Multi-Function Reader (MFR) Module. TI’s MFR module is a highly flexible device that accepts all ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 15693 standards-compliant 13.56 MHz RFID transponders, while providing an easy migration path to support current tags not fully compliant to these standards.

The MFR’s unique software architecture enables users to download firmware upgrades down to the ISO standard protocol level when specifications are adjusted or new standards are added, without changing the hardware residing in the finished reader. This capability allows end-users to make RFID reader infrastructure investments today without worrying about reader hardware obsolescence when new applications are introduced or ISO standards are modified or developed. With its flexible architecture and scalability to a variety of form factors, from circuit boards to embeddable modules, TI’s Multi-Function Reader provides systems integrators, reader manufacturers, distributors, and design engineers an adaptable reader technology for open RFID infrastructure implementations. Competing readers would have to be dismantled and reconfigured at the board level in order to make these adjustments...

...TI’s Multi-Function Reader Module is easy to integrate into existing infrastructures and supports multi-applications such as payment, loyalty and many smart label applications. The new reader features an open software platform so that a range of application and security architectures can be designed in depending on the specific needs of the application. The design is also highly scalable to support custom requirements from plug-in to fully packaged solutions.

For more information on TI’s RFID technology solutions, please visit the company’s Web site at www.ti-rfid.com or call 1-888-937-6536 (North America) or 1-972-575-4364 (International).

About Texas Instruments RFid Systems

Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid™) Systems is an industry leader in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and the world’s largest integrated manufacturer of RFID tags, smart labels and reader systems. With more than 300 million tags manufactured, TI-RFid technology is used in a broad range of applications worldwide including access control, automotive, document tracking, livestock, product authentication, retail, sports timing, supply chain, ticketing and wireless payment. TI is an active member of many standards bodies, including EPCglobal, ISO, and IEC, working to drive the adoption of global standards for RFID. For more information, contact TI-RFid Systems at 1-888-937-6536 (North America) or +1 214-567-4364 (International), or visit the company’s Web site at www.ti-rfid.com.

AIAG RFID Standard: RFID Tire Traceability

In a demonstration of industry responsiveness and cooperation, the Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) Automatic Identification Data Collection Work Group has released its revised Tire and Wheel Label and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) standard. Developed by the group in just under a year, the standard will provide benefits such as helping error-proof the tire assembly process and automating the collection of tire information and traceability.

Based on the AIAG B-4 Parts Identification and Tracking standard, the revision provides suppliers with guidelines for printing and placement of two-dimensional (2D) bar code labels and passive read/write RFID tags on tires and wheels for product identification.

"The 2D bar codes and RFID tags will help support the assembly process and provide item-level traceability throughout the vehicle's lifecycle," said William J. Hoffman, chairman of AIAG's RFID Tire and Wheel Identification Work Group and manager of Auto Supply Chain for Intermec Technologies Corp. "With a 2D label or RFID tag, a portable database can reside on tires, increasing accurate data capture and reducing the dependency of looking up tire information on a computer."

Placed on the inside of vehicle tires, the RFID tags would identify tires that are associated with a specific vehicle. Data - including a 12-character coding structure or Department of Transportation (DOT) number - could be written to each tag. The DOT number designates where the tire was manufactured, its size, unique components of the tire and the week and year it was manufactured.

The RFID tag provides an electronic means of automatically transferring data from the tire to a database, so that full DOT information is available. The AIAG standard - which focuses on tires and uses specific language concerning tires - could actually be applied to any individual vehicle component for tracking purposes.

The 2D label - also developed by the AIAG's RFID Tire and Wheel Identification Work Group - functions similar to the RFID tag, however, the RFID tag can hold more information.

To obtain a copy of the Tire and Wheel Label and Radio Frequency Identification standard document (B-11), contact AIAG's Customer Service Department at (248) 358-3003. The cost of the document is $10 for members and $50 for non-members. AIAG members can download an electronic copy of this document at no charge from the members-only portion of the organization's web site at mows.aiag.org.

Founded in 1982, the AIAG is a not-for-profit trade association of approximately 1,500 automotive and truck manufacturers and their suppliers. AIAG’s purpose is to provide an open forum where members cooperate in developing and promoting solutions that enhance the prosperity of the automotive industry. Its focus is to continuously improve business processes and practices involving trading partners throughout the supply chain.

RFID Network Software from ProdexNet

Wal-Mart has done the industry a huge favor by mandating the use of RFID for some applications at the case and pallet level . This mandate alone is responsible for getting many companies off the fence and into RFID playing field. While the Wal-Mart mandate has immediate implications in the retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) markets and their associated supply chains, the mandate is also producing a cascade effect that is propelling RFID into many other diverse industry segments such as Defense, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare. Case in point - we've already seen the US DoD issue a mandate to its suppliers that is along the same lines of the Wal-Mart mandate. It is only a matter of time before we see mandates from players in other industries.

In its quest to provide end-to-end visibility of the RFID infrastructure and the business processes it enables, ProdexNet delivers NetGather for RFID, a solution that simplifies and automates the operations of an RFID network, end-to-end.

Whether you have a small RFID pilot, or a full-scale, geographically dispersed RFID infrastructure spanning several locations, the need to minimize the cost-of-ownership of the infrastructure, arises. To be able to accomplish this, you will not only need to get end-to-end visibility of your infrastructure, but also be able to effect changes and upgrades in an effective manner.

ProdexNet addresses all these issues with NetGather for RFID:

Initial and ongoing provisioning of the hardware and software components of the RFID infrastructure

Detection and Notification of malfunctioning or defective components in the infrastructure

Getting visibility into the performance parameters of the various components to be able to optimize their use and hence, the business processes they support

Understanding how the underlying hardware and software components impact the business processes they support

Ability to administer this network from a remote location as effectively as one would be able to administer it locally

Our web based solution gives you the same secure access and control to your RFID infrastructure whether you are local or remote. If you are responsible for a geographically dispersed infrastructure spanning multiple locations and regions, NetGather for RFID is the solution for you. Further, this solution also allows you to administer and monitor your network in terms of your business, thereby helping you understand which components to optimize and how they might impact your business.

NetGather for RFID can also be integrated into the industry leading Enterprise Management applications like HP OpenView, BMC Patrol, Tivoli etc.

Manageable under Enterprise Management Applications

Your organization may already have invested hundreds of thousands on enterprise management applications like HP OpenView, CA Unicenter, BMC Patrol, Tivoli etc. Now that you are adding a new RFID infrastructure, you would like to incorporate its management under the same umbrella as the rest of your infrastructure. ProdexNet will make that easy for you.

NetGather for RFID can be integrated into any of the above platforms. Further, the integration will allow the RFID components to be autodiscovered by the management application and the events will be configured to be received by the Event Console of the management application...

Download Data Sheet : NetGather for RFID

RFID Wireless to help the wounded

From InfoWorld, CA ... The dog tag will also have a wireless component, most likely RFID, so that a medic in the field can download relevant medical data like allergies or blood type ...

Wireless Alliance Touts 'Magic Touch' RFID Tech

From Slashdot ... Based on RFID, they say it will enable electronic devices to interact -- for m-commerce, file-swapping or to download info from the Web -- when touched together ...

C-Chip Technologies Announces the Launching of its e-store

March 2, 2004--C-Chip Technologies Corporation (OTCBB: CCHI - News) is pleased to announce the launching of its e-store, www.cchipstore.com, a virtual gateway for its agents, resellers and distributors offering credit management, tracking and anti-theft solutions.

By visiting www.cchipstore.com, C-Chip distributors will have the accessibility to download product brochures, price lists, instruction manuals and place orders directly online. "This new intranet will allow our distribution network to offer efficient service to their clients" states Stephane Solis, President & CEO of C-Chip, "With an expanding distribution network, this e-store gives us a definite competitive advantage".

The C-Chip store will be accessible 24/7 for all to visit. Agents and distributors will have access to a restricted area for online volume buying and the public area will allow consumers to order products directly. The e-store is a fully secure transactional website developed to give us added value and to reinforce our presence on the web. "People rely on the Internet to find information about products" says Lynda Brault, Vice-President Marketing, "It is important to be available at all times. This is what our e-store enables us to do".

C-Chip's line of products includes a variety of security devices and services for the automotive and sports vehicle industries. The Hawk, an anti-theft device using RFID technology, and the Shadow, a series of GPS tracking solutions, are amongst a few of the ever-growing selection of credit management, tracking and anti-theft solutions offered by the company.

In addition to its existing distribution network, the e-store will expand the company's distribution network with online resellers, a network of web affiliates offering some of C-Chip's products on their own webstores.

About the C-Chip(TM) Technology

The C-Chip(TM) is a wireless, web-based set of communication tools that offers business users remote access, control, and monitoring of a wide range of assets, including vehicles, office equipment and industrial machinery. It allows selective enabling, disabling and any other commands at will, from anywhere in the World to practically anywhere in North America using the Internet. Applications for the C-Chip(TM) technology offer significant opportunities within the markets for credit, security and asset management solutions. Detailed information on the technology and its applications is available on our web-site at www.c-chip.com.

About C-Chip Technologies Corporation

C-Chip Technologies Corporation is positioned in an emerging and rapidly growing industry which is about interconnecting machines with IT infrastructures and mobile assets. We integrate wireless communications, on-line transactions, software applications, RFID technology, the Internet and, when location is required, GPS technology to enable business users to efficiently access, control and manage remote assets at low costs. The Company's goal is to be recognized as a leading provider of credit management solutions for financial institutions, of security solutions for insurance companies and asset management solutions for car rental companies and urban fleets.