RFID Barriers to Pharma Adoption: Cost Benefits Standards

Health Industry Insights shares survey findings that identify the top barriers to pharma industry's adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID). 143 life sciences industry leaders point to technology cost, lack of ROI and standards as the barriers. ...

... "The report goes on to spotlight the slower-than-expected RFID adoption with additional survey findings. Results reveal less than one in five (16%) pharmaceutical companies are currently evaluating the benefits of RFID technology, and even fewer (15%) companies adopting RFID in some capacity. Overall, the report indicates average life science company spend on RFID technology is approximately $25,000, although this level is expected to triple to $75,000 over the next 12 months. Additionally, the report discusses read rate results from commercial RFID pilots in the pharmaceutical industry. The report reveals that initiatives utilizing high-frequency (HF) technology for item-level tagging are achieving better read rates than those using ultra-high frequency (UHF). Findings show initiatives using HF are experiencing read rates in the Four to Six Sigma (a well-know management practice used to help companies achieve exceptional performance levels) range, and exceeding Six Sigma in some cases, whereas those using UHF are typically between Three and Four Sigma. " ...

Via Health Industry Insights: Pharmaceutical Industry's Top Roadblocks to RFID Adoption ...

DOD RFID Final Rule Adopted

DOD adopts final RFID rule and will require the use of Gen-2 RFID tags. ...

... "DoD has adopted as final, with changes, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to include additional commodities and locations that require package marking with passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The rule requires contractors to affix passive RFID tags at the case and palletized unit load levels when shipping packaged petroleum, lubricants, oils, preservatives, chemicals, additives, construction and barrier materials, and medical materials to specified DoD locations.

RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (FEB 2007)

(a) Passive RFID tag means a tag that reflects energy from the reader / interrogator or that receives and temporarily stores a small amount of energy from the reader/interrogator signal in order to generate the tag response.
(1) Until February 28, 2007, the acceptable tags are --

(i) EPC Class 0 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 0 specification; and (ii) EPC Class 1 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 1 specification. This includes both the Generation 1 and Generation 2 Class 1 specifications.

(2) Beginning March 1, 2007, the only acceptable tags are EPC Class 1 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 specification. Class 0 and Class 1 Generation 1 tags will no longer be accepted after February 28, 2007. " ...

Via Federal Register: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Radio Frequency Identification (DFARS Case 2006-D002)

Low Price RFID Reader: Research Driving

RFID tag prices are dropping. Reader pricing is expected to follow. Kelly Mills explores recent research on cost trends in RFID technology, such as tags and readers.

Low Price RFID Reader: Research Driving: Via Australian IT: Research to lower price of RFID tag ...

... "Over the next three to five years prices for UHF tags and readers are likely to come down 60-70 per cent, with the price of an RFID reader at less then 100 euro, the 2005 LogicaCMG RFID Hardware Survey says. " ...

Competitive market for RFID readers is showing lower price trends:

... "Applied Wireless Identifications (AWID) is dropping reader prices by about 70% to transform the market landscape. For the first time, a Generation 2 RFID reader, including four antennas, has fallen under the $1,000 price barrier. RFID technology depends on tags being read automatically by receptors known as readers, which are typically sold separately from the antennas they need in order to function. AWID is revolutionizing the marketplace by offering the MPR-3014 reader as production units for $1,000 each, and including four circular polarized antennas at no extra cost. MPR-3014 reader development kits go for $1,600; and the MPR-1510 reader module production units sell for under $400 each, with development kits at $700. " ...

... "Via Internet Week: RFID Readers: Read Right: Most UHF readers cost from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the features in the device. Companies may also have to buy each antenna separately, along with cables. Antennas are about $250 and up. The price of readers is expected to fall as companies purchase them in large volumes. " ...

... "Via ZDNet: Static over RFID: We're seeing a downward trend in prices, and that's one of things driving adoption, said Jeff Richards, president and chief executive of R4 Global Solutions ... " ...

RFID Savi Smart Seal: Technology to Enhance Freight Transportation Security and Productivity - A-2. Event-Driven Tools

From DOT, FHWA Freight Management and Operations ...

... "SmartSeal electronics are being married with both bolt and cable barrier seals and the electronics are available to license by others. The seal combines random codes with a unique tag ID giving high protection against counterfeits, swaps, and hacks. Data storage is variable, 32 to 128 KB. The battery is rated for five years. Range is tunable up to 300 feet. The tags have multi-frequency options, making them more amenable to use across major trading areas. They are also compatible with DoD's 433 MHz RFID reader infrastructure, including those in commercial sea- and airports. An added capability is immediate seal location and status reporting in terminals equipped with a configuration of readers and beacons known in the industry as Real Time Locations Systems (RTLS). Savi reports SmartSeal can be tuned to slot-level accuracy.
Pricing of the seals is about $50 in small numbers; large production runs may reduce the price by over two-thirds. The bolt seals would require a new bolt for each application, but the cable seal should be fully reusable. SmartSeal was announced in November 2001 and initial sales are reported to Futaba, a Taiwanese electronics firm." ...

RFID in Transportation ...

From U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TSA | Transportation Security Administration ...

... "Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field Airport is testing a system that combines fingerprint biometric and RFID technology.
Miami International Airport is testing a new perimeter defense system that will incorporate fiber optic fence netting, passive infra-red zone control, and intelligent video analysis. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is testing a barrier free intrusion detection system using Intelligent Video Analysis and Microwave Zone Control. Newark International Airport is testing a system using fingerprint biometric technology. Savannah International Airport is focusing on utilizing Intelligent Video Surveillance technology. Southwest Florida International Airport is evaluating new RFID and wireless fingerprint biometric technology intended to enhance the level of security at a vehicle gate. T.F. Green State Airport is focusing on controlling access to a secure area via an iris biometric recognition system. In addition, the entrance is employing anti-piggy backing detection using RFID technology. Tampa International Airport project is testing the viability of portable proximity card readers and fingerprint recognition technology. " ...

SMARTCODE™ CORP. teams up with Microsoft corp.

SMARTCODE™ CORP. Joins Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner Program – Company to Offer world leading EPC RFID solutions supporting Microsoft's platform

Membership highlights the quality and innovation of SmartCode Corp.'s Low Cost, standard based Electronic Product Code (EPC) RFID solutions supporting Microsoft's platform for Wal Mart, DoD, Tesco, METRO, Target and Albertson’s

New York, NY, August 26, 2004 – SmartCode Corp. the world’s leading provider of low cost EPC RFID tags and readers, today announced that it has joined the Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner Program. SmartCode Corp. becomes one of a select group of companies worldwide in this exclusive program; proof to the expertise and solutions SmartCode Corp. brings to the market for Windows-based embedded technologies.

SmartCode Corp. will also join Microsoft’s RFID Council for the acceleration and development of standards-based RFID solutions for the global market. The primary purpose of the Microsoft RFID Council is to research the RFID requirements and advantages of today's RFID technology to make it easier for retailers and manufacturers to track and trace merchandise.

SmartCode Corp.’s relationship with Microsoft will enable new and innovative RFID solutions to the global RFID marketplace. The relationship will enable world-leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, the Department of Defense (DoD), Tesco in the UK and METRO AG in Germany with a standards-based EPC RFID solutions, fully integrated with the Microsoft platform.

"We are very happy to work together with Microsoft,” said Avi Ofer, SmartCode Corp. President "For SmartCode Corp., this worldwide collaboration translates into new revenue streams and product development opportunities, expanded sales channels and broadened reach into new industry sectors," added Ofer.

"SmartCode’s low-cost EPC RFID solutions provide a true added value in implementing large-scale EPC RFID supply chains,” said Javed Sikander, program manager for RFID strategy at Microsoft. “When EPC RFID is implemented throughout the supply chain, the price of these disposable RFID tags plays a major role. SmartCode’s unique low-cost EPC RFID tags and readers enable our mutual customers to enjoy a high-performance RFID solution at a cost-effective price.”

“When building Windows Powered solutions, our customers need to be able to quickly identify third-party offerings that work with our platform,” said Jane Gilson, group product manager of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. “SmartCode’s high-quality RFID solutions and services can now be easily identified by our mutual customers.”

SmartCode Corp. is a world leader in providing low cost, high performance RFID solutions. Until today, the prices of RFID tags with an average price of 50 cents each have created a cost barrier for companies worldwide to adopt the RFID solution as the replacement of the inefficient barcode technology. With SmartCode™ Corp.’s exclusive patented manufacturing technology, SmartCode™ Corp. can manufacture these RFID tags at a price level of 5-10 cents, in large volumes.

About SMARTCODE CORP.

SmartCode™ Corp. is a leading RFID developer that has developed a revolutionary, patented, and cost effective RFID manufacturing technology. Our Patented technologies enable us to intelligently replace the current inefficient Barcode technology. Our patented technologies enables us to manufacture a very large number of RFID tags at a fraction of the cost of today's traditional RFID. SmartCode™ Corp. introduces a cost-effective approach to dramatically reducing our clients Total Cost of Operation (TCO) and increasing their Return On Investment (ROI).

SmartCode™ Corp. enables companies to receive 100% real time visibility of their products across their entire supply chain. SmartCode™ Corp. is headquartered in New York, NY with offices in London, Silicon Valley, London, Hong Kong and a R&D Center in Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Learn more about SmartCode Corp. at www.smartcodecorp.com

SmartCode™ is a Trademark of SmartCode Corp. Other marks used are trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Contact information:

Mrs. Ruth Cohen,
Director, Media Relations
SmartCode Corporation
ruth.cohen@smartcodecorp.com
Tel: + 1-801-999-7632
Fax: +1-801-906-6885

CRM Daily: RFID Tags That Break the Cost Barrier

From CRM Daily, Apr 8, 2004 ... The technology for wirelessly tracking the location and status of goods is about to gain a great deal of marketplace traction. Beginning next year major retailers such as Target and Albertsons are expecting their major suppliers to include radio frequency identification RFID tags on all their cases and pallets. The U.S. ...

RFID Cost: Alien Technology Corporation Breaks the Twenty Cent Barrier...

From Business Wire (press release) ... MORGAN HILL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2004--Alien Technology Corporation announced today the industry's first sub-twenty-cent RFID label. ...