Printronix RFID Printer Compatible With Microsoft Biztalk RFID Solution

Printronix collaborates with Microsoft to create turnkey radio frequency identification (RFID) printing solution that is compatible with Microsoft's BizTalk RFID infrastructure. ...

... "Ready to meet global supply chain operators' RFID compliance needs, Printronix's SL4M is the industry's most economical, industrial-grade metal printer/encoder designed for global Class 1 Gen 2 as well as ISO compliant ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID applications. Synchronized with Microsoft's BizTalk RFID technology, it encodes and prints RFID chips and labels to meet retail, government and other supply-chain compliance mandates. It also is ideal for closed-loop UHF applications. Announced in June 2006, BizTalk RFID will incorporate Microsoft's vast technology expertise and developer network to provide an innovative platform solution that is enabling businesses to optimize RFID technology and create greater supply-chain efficiencies. Printronix worked with Microsoft as the company first announced its BizTalk RFID solution to improve greatly the customer's ability to experience all of the benefits of RFID. First to market with a UHF EPC printer, Printronix leveraged its RFID installation experiences with top suppliers to Wal-Mart, the U.S. Department of Defense, Target, Albertsons and Best Buy to create its RFID product and solutions portfolio. Printronix then shared its patented MP2 RFID Smart printing knowledge with the Microsoft development team and contributed SmartLine RFID printers to Microsoft's technology centers in Redmond, Wash.; Paris; Beijing; and Bangalore, India, among other locations. " ...

Via Printronix: Printronix Utilizes Microsoft BizTalk RFID Technology to Deliver Turnkey RFID Printing Solution to Supply Chain Operators Worldwide ...

DLA RFID: Zebra Printers Label DOD Supply Chain

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will deploy Zebra Technologies' radio frequency identification (RFID) printers for smart labeling applications throughout the Defense Distribution Center's (DDC) global supply chain. ...

... "ODIN technologies selected Zebra to provide its reliable RFID printer/encoders for the initiative. DLA is a U.S. Department of Defense agency providing supply support as well as technical and logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., DLA is the one source for supplying nearly every consumable item to the military, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations. Announced in May 2006, the prime contract calls for ODIN to provide DLA's global distribution centers with a UHF RFID technology solution and supporting equipment by the end of 2007. ODIN recently outfitted 71 facilities at 17 DDC sites to accept RFID-tagged cases and pallets from suppliers. In addition to receiving RFID-tagged material, the DDC has developed UHF EPC Gen 2 tagging capabilities, which are now being further enhanced throughout DLA distribution centers. To date, more than 100 Zebra-brand R110Xi high performance RFID printer/encoders have been ordered. " ...

Via Zebra Technologies: Defense Logistics Agency Runs With Zebra Technologies for Global RFID Initiative

RFID Sales Growth: Nashua

Nashua announces quarterly results, bolstered by sales growth in RFID product line. ...

... "The sales growth was fueled by strong sales in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) product line, which increased from $581,000 in 2005 to $1.5 million in 2006. Sales growth in the industrial barcode, retail shelf and ticket product lines for the year offset declines in the supermarket and Inform product lines. Margins for the year were negatively impacted by severance and plant consolidation costs due to the closure of the label converting plant in St. Louis, Missouri and consolidation of manufacturing into plants located in Omaha, Nebraska; Jefferson City, Tennessee and a new facility located in Jacksonville, Florida. Pre-tax income for the quarter and year for the Label business was impacted by a one-time $0.6 million impairment expense related to intangible assets. The Company also incurred losses of $0.4 million related to its investment in Tec Print LLC. " ...

PRESS RELEASE Nashua Reports Fourth Quarter and 2006 Year End Results

RFID Pilot: Cardinal Health Completes

Cardinal Health completes its RFID pilot, which tested RFID tags for end-to-end pharma packaging and distribution business processes. The pilot tested the application of tags and the utilization of item level tracking techniques. Alien Technology, IBM, and Verisign provided hardware, software and implementation services. The application and encoding of the RFID tags approached 100 percent success rates. Reliable read rates were best achieved at the individual case level. The pilot was a fruitful learning experience for the pharma industry. ...

... "The pilot program tested whether ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags could be applied, encoded and read at normal production speeds during packaging and distribution of pharmaceuticals. Verifying the authenticity of medications along each step of the distribution process adds an additional layer of security to lessen the chance of counterfeit pharmaceuticals entering the supply chain. It is also hoped that RFID data could improve efficiencies in the supply chain. Pilot Program Background: In conducting the industry's first end-to-end pilot program, Cardinal Health used new technology to place RFID tags on the labels of brand-name solid-dose prescription drugs, then encoded the electronic product code (EPC) standard data at the unit, case and pallet levels during the packaging process. The products were shipped to a Cardinal Health distribution center in Findlay, Ohio, where the data was read and authenticated as products were handled under typical operating conditions. Normal procedures were enhanced with RFID hardware and software from Alien Technology Corporation and IBM along with project management support from VeriSign.

RFID Labeling and Online Encoding: Data collected from the pilot suggest that it is feasible for RFID tags to be inlaid into existing FDA-approved pharmaceutical label stock, and the tags can be applied and encoded on packaging lines at normal operational speeds. Online encoding yields were 95 percent to 97 percent, and fine tuning of the process is expected to produce yields that approach 100 percent. The RFID tag application and encoding requires minimal adjustments to current labeling and packaging lines.

RFID Read Rates: Unit-level read rate data varied widely depending on the locations and type of reading stations throughout the supply chain. Highly reliable unit-level read rates in excess of 96 percent were found when reading individual cases one at a time and when reading units mixed with other products in tote containers prepared for delivery to a pharmacy. However, as expected, unit-level read rates were not found to be reliable when attempting to read units within a full pallet of product. " ...

Via Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health Releases RFID Pilot Results ...

RFID Out-of-Box Solution: SMB Market

Intermec partners to create an out-of-box RFID compliance experience for suppliers to the retail industry and the Department of Defense. This is especially critical for small and medium sized businesses (SMB market) as this RFID kit enabled them to accelerate their RFID compliance efforts. The kits include everything required to meet RFID compliance mandates, generate and apply Generation-2 RFID tags, and verify tag information. This is a time-saver as it enables an SMB customer to accelerate to the integration testing phase. ...

... "To generate a label, customer order information and the customer-stipulated label format is transmitted by the Intermec portable terminal to the PM4i printer's on-board encoder, which translates the information and prints it into an RFID-readable tag, barcode or human readable label. The printer's embedded reader then scans and verifies the tag's information before it is placed on a carton or pallet. The Intermec 751, operating with an attached IP4 portable reader, or the IF5 fixed RFID reader then re-verifies the order information and confirms shipment. The Informs kit comes with stand-alone PC-based compliance software that includes all standard retail and DOD-compliant label formats, so users have easy and immediate access to compliant label formats. The software can act as a stand-alone shipping application and interoperates with all ERP software for complete system integration. A key component of the system, EPC Solutions' Tag Manager software contains GTIN and SSCC smart labels information and allows users to immediately begin shipping cases and pallets with standards-compliant, up-to-date labeling. " ...

Via Intermec: Intermec and Informs Deliver Affordable, Streamlined RFID Compliance Kit

RFID Manufacturing Shipping Implementation ...

Peg Perego wil imeplement Northern Apex RFID in the manufacturing process for tracking WIP work-in-process materials and finished goods. ...

... "Peg Perego USA Inc., a subsidiary of Peg Perego SpA, Italy, manufacturer of high quality children's riding vehicles and the exclusive U.S. distributor of Italian infant products manufactured by Peg Perego SpA, Italy, which include baby strollers, car seats and high chairs, has awarded Fort Wayne-based Northern Apex Corporation a contract to integrate Apex's RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) equipment in Peg Perego's Indiana manufacturing and shipping facilities. Northern Apex will install a solution that incorporates automated RFID label applicators, RFID readers, antennas and software into Peg Perego's manufacturing and distribution center for WIP (work in process) and finished goods tracking. UHF 900 MHz Gen 2 RFID tags will be automatically applied to each box, at the end of the production line, to initiate the tracking system. " ...

RFID Manufacturing Shipping Implementation: Northern Apex To Provide RFID Technology to Peg PeregNorthern Apex To Provide RFID Technology to Peg Perego ...

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 ...

RFID Printer SAP AutoID Certified ...

Printronix RFID print solution achieves AutoID certification with SAP infrastructure. ...

... "Printronix Inc., the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, announced that its radio frequency identification (RFID) label printing solution has achieved SAP certified integration. SAP has certified the Printronix XML Forms Module 1.0 for integration with the Device Controller Interface of SAP(R) Auto-ID Infrastructure Release 2.1 and the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform in Printronix's 5r Multi-Technology Thermal Printing Platform. With this certified solution, Printronix customers can expect low-cost, rapid integration of RFID label printing into SAP solution-based environments. The pre-designed label templates, XML test files and label-design software yield the dual benefits of lower maintenance and increased reliability. This scalable solution grows with users' information-processing needs, eliminating need for costly middleware. SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure 2.1 enables RFID-based supply chain management (SCM) and supply chain execution processes across the enterprise. Printronix worked with SAP to enable smart label creation within SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure 2.1 on the industry's best-selling RFID printers and encoders. " ...

RFID Printer SAP AutoID Certified: Via Printronix Printers: Printronix RFID Label Printing Solution Achieves SAP Certified Integration ...

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.

Low-Cost RFID Gen2 Labels ...

SATO making progress on reducing the cost of Generation 2 RFID labels. ...

... "Part of the international SATO Corporation, SATO UK now offers 4 x 6 (100x150 mm) EPC Class 1 RFID labels, in both Gen1 and Gen2 specifications at the extremely competitive price of 19 eurocent each on orders of a million or more, further reducing the cost of implementing and running RFID systems. New production line equipment, commissioned in December 2005, automatically inserts RFID inlays into self adhesive labels. An in-line process tests each individual label to verify that the labels are fully functional. It means that every part of the print and production process for RFID tags is now in-house. " ...

Low-Cost RFID Gen2 Labels: Via SATO America: GEN2 RFID Labels Price Cut to 19 Eurocent by SATO ...

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 IBM AS400 Solution ...

Partners collaborate to deliver RFID solution for the IBM AS400 architecture ...

... "Enterprise Information Systems, Inc. (EIS), a national RFID systems integrator, and T.L. Ashford, the leader in bar code labeling software for IBM midrange systems, announce a partnership to provide a complete RFID compliant solution for the AS/400 and iSeries community. EIS's Compliance 1st is a RFID compliance package that bundles hardware, service and software together to take advantage of T.L./Ashford's RFID printing and encoding capabilities to help AS/400 and iSeries users achieve fast, easy-to-use and cost-efficient RFID systems. T.L. Ashford's Barcode400 RFID option prints and encodes the RFID Smart Labels with data directly from the iSeries system. T.L. Ashford also provides Smart Label templates for companies such as Wal-Mart, Target Stores, Department of Defense and others. After label printing and encoding is complete, Enterprise Information Systems then provides the components that enable point of action verification of the RFID data and interfacing back to the AS/400. " ...

RFID IBM AS400 Solution: Via EIS: EIS Partners with TL Ashford

RFID Label for Anti-Counterfeiting ...

Sokymat offers RFID label for anti-counterfeiting applications in printing ...

... "Sokymat SA, the world's leading supplier of RFID transponders, has developed a 13.56 MHz RFID label specially designed as an anti-counterfeiting tool for printer ribbons. The label attaches directly to the core of the printer ribbon, making it impossible to tamper with. A printer with integrated reader module can now easily distinguish between an original ribbon and unauthorized counterfeits. ... The transponder is available both as a standard label, which comes in a special material with the same printing characteristics as paper, or as a customized product, such as a very robust PET laminated ring label. Sokymat provides this high frequency label with an I-Code1 IC chip. In any case, Sokymat is able to produce any variety of customized label based on ISO 15693 compliant ICs for example.

Sokymat has developed a very small specific flip-chip module package for this application – the SK1 – which makes it possible to produce a very thin and narrow ring transponder, about 10mm wide and less than 1.2mm thick. This very narrow HF label cannot be produced with traditional label manufacturing techniques (printed or etched antenna), which require a larger pitch resolution between the turns of the coil. The antenna is designed to achieve optimum performance despite the interference that may be present. " ...

RFID Label for Anti-Counterfeiting: Via Sokymat: Sokymat launches anti-counterfeiting RFID label designed for printer ribbon identification ...

RFID Smart Label Print Server ...

Loftware plans RFID product launch at upcoming RFID World ...

... "A proven brand leader for its ability to integrate from a centralized software platform both RFID Smart Labels as well as traditional bar code labeling, this latest release of the Loftware Print Server further extends these capabilities by adding software support for fixed mount RFID reader technology from companies like Alien, Symbol, AWID and ThingMagic. As a result, companies implementing pilot programs can use multiple hardware devices with a single software solution from Loftware. Loftware's highly integrated, multi-device platform encodes and now reads both Smart Labels and RF Tags to perform real time use cases, including building, receiving, and verifying pallets. The Loftware Print Server is a server-based software solution for managing and processing barcode label and RFID Smart Label requests from corporate applications. An enterprise-class solution, LPS 8.4 is a highly-scalable and fault tolerant system designed to handle thousands of requests targeted to hundreds (or thousands) of printers, whether local or remote, with all of the appropriate queuing, status, and recovery features expected in advanced enterprise systems. Key to its leading market status is the product's seamless integration of Department of Defense (DOD) and EPC specifications via universal interfaces for HF, UHF, and GEN 2 RFID whether printing smart labels or encoding RFID tags. " ...

RFID Smart Label Print Server: Via Loftware: New Product to Make First Public Debut at RFID World, Booth 310 on Feb. 27th: INNOVATIVE LPS 8.4 SOLUTION FROM LOFTWARE, THE ONLY USER-CONFIGURABLE PRODUCT IN ITS CLASS TO SUPPORT BOTH LEGACY BAR CODES AND RFID SMART TAGS, NOW INCLUDES RFID TAG READER SUPPORT ...

RFID Retail Data Synchronization ...

... "RTTM-XC gives middle-market and enterprise level companies fully integrated solutions that comply with standards for EDI, GDS and radio frequency identification (RFID). Catania Spagna, an industry leader in supplying retail, foodservice, and industrial customers with high-quality branded and private label oils and vinegars, had been meeting its EDI needs by outsourcing them to RedTail. It recently adopted the new RTTM-XC platform to help satisfy retail trading partner requirements for synchronizing item data. " ...

RFID Retail Data Synchronization: Via RedTail: Catania Spagna Using RedTail Solution's RTTM-XC™ SaaS Platform to Satisfy Global Data Sync Requirements with Retailers ...

RFID Tracks Produce ...

ScoringAg addresses trackback needs in produce industry through RFID integration ...

... "ScoringAg's Point-to-Point Traceback system keeps the produce ID and/or RFID number from the field through the processing stage or storage, to the transporter's log through every processing stage, from the grower to the table, all for just pennies per record. Each produce label can carry an SSI-EID number and/or barcode that corresponds to that one item's total history of food handlers and its quality. " ...

Produce Handlers Using ScoringAg are Ready for FDA Traceback Regulations: Those nut, fruit, and vegetable operations that receive, hold, and ship raw agricultural commodities, such as sweet corn, green beans, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, peppers, apples and other crops, are mandated by the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 to register all their facilities, and keep proper records wherever food commodities and produce are received, cleaned, stored, blended, and processed, and then shipped again ...

RFID Savings Program: Discounted Rates ...

... "The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announced a new program designed to help member companies implement Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) and save money at the same time. AAFA has signed an agreement with Avery Dennison – Retail Information Services, a leading supplier of labels, tickets, and tags to the Apparel & Footwear industry, to provide sharply discounted rates for RFID labels to AAFA member companies. These rates are available exclusively to AAFA members who are producers and providers of apparel and footwear products. Under the agreement, Avery Dennison will provide Gen 1 RFID labels as well as the new Gen 2 AD-220 label. AAFA members that need to meet RFID requirements can use these labels for shipments to customers such as WalMart, Target, and the Department of Defense. Minimum orders can be as low as 5,000 labels. " ...

RFID Savings Program: Discounted Rates: Via American Apparel and Footwear Association: AAFA and Avery Dennison Launch New RFID Savings Program (RSP) for AAFA Members ...

Avery Dennison - Retail Information Services provides a global offering of information management, brand identification and solution-enabling products. Brand identification products include woven and printed fabric labels, heat transfers, graphic tags, integrated bar code tags, leather patches, sock bands, size stickers . . . and more. Among the company's Information management products are RFID and bar code price tickets, and carton and pallet labels; webenabled order entry systems; and the InfoChain Express supply chain management solution. Solution enabling products include RFID printers and print/apply systems, bar-code printers, heat-transfer bonders, molded plastic fastening and application devices, anti-counterfeiting and diversion tools. The organization operates ticketing centers and service bureaus in 35 countries and maintains mature, highly reliable global distribution processes throughout Asia, North and South America, Europe and Africa. Avery Dennison Corporation is a Fortune 500 company and member of EPCglobal.

TI RFID Ships Walmart Tagged Cases ...

TI ships WalMart RFID tagged cases ...

... "The Educational & Productivity Solutions (E&PS) business of Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) announced it is the first consumer goods supplier to ship RFID tagged cases and pallets based on the Generation 2 (Gen 2) Electronic Product Code (EPC) specification to WalMart. Starting with a dozen Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) shipped to five distribution centers, TI E&PS, a WalMart next 200 supplier, is tagging cases and pallets of its market-leading graphing, scientific and financial calculators using Gen 2 smart label solutions from Texas Instruments RFid Systems, NCR Corporation and Zebra Technologies. The dozen SKUs represent 100 percent of the calculator products E&PS ships to WalMart. " ...

TI RFID Ships Walmart Tagged Cases: Via TI: Texas Instruments Educational & Productivity Solutions First to Ship EPC Gen 2 Tagged Cases and Pallets to Wal-Mart