RFID Inventory Management

American Apparel realizes tangible benefits from its implementation of an RFID inventory management system from Xterprise. ...

... "By deploying the Clarity ARS solution from Xterprise, American Apparel now has the visibility and control of inventory at the item and store network levels, delivering a rapid return on investment. The solution automates many previously manual, time-consuming processes, including merchandise receiving and matching, restocking and cycle counts. It also features integrated loss prevention using RFID, providing a low cost alternative to traditional stand-alone electronic article surveillance (EAS) hardware solutions. The retailer is now able to improve the speed and precision of cycle counts, to gain a comprehensive view of in-store inventory, reduce shrinkage and out-of-stocks. " ...

Via Xterprise: American Apparel RFID Benefits

Alien Tech RFID Solution Center Accredited

EPCGlobal has awarded its accreditation to the Alien RFID Solution Center for completing the reassessment audit. This audit validates that Alien uses standard test profiles to create real-world conditions for RFID readability testing for EPC tags. ...

... "GS1 EPCglobal Inc. has awarded its Accredited Test Center Program (v.2.0) Mark to the Alien RFID Solution Center (Alien RSC). Located in the Dayton, Ohio region, the Alien RSC is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to bringing the benefits of RFID technology to applications ... " ...

Via Alien Technology: Test Center Accreditation Certificate

RFID Reduces Shipment Errors for ABB

ABB Oy is achieving benefits from its RFID application in the management of outbound goods processing, where movements are automatically reflected in the inventory management system supporting the elimination of loading errors of consignment material. ...

... "ABB’s system uses UPM Raflatac’s RFID tags that were implemented by Vilant Systems. All transport units belonging to a consignment are marked with adhesive RFID tags at parcel level. The trailer loading docks are equipped with RFID readers, which scan all loaded parcels. Vilant's RFID software has been integrated with ABB's own SAP system.

The registration number of the vehicle arriving for loading is recorded in the SAP-system and the progress of the delivery is automatically controlled. The system knows what the consignment should include and the gate issues an error warning if there is an attempt to load the wrong goods onto a vehicle. Furthermore, the gate will not close until all goods belonging to a consignment have been loaded onto a vehicle. All this makes it virtually impossible to make incorrect deliveries. " ...

Via UPM Raflatac: ABB RFID technology application

RFID Benefits with IT Integration

Walmart's high profile RFID program has not returned the original business value estimated. However, a disciplined, organized RFID project can deliver tangible benefits. ...

... "recent research has found that accurate, well-thought-out and highly targeted RFID deployments, coupled with IT-driven data integration plans, can deliver substantial benefits. " ...

Via Computerworld: RFID ROI

RFID in Food Industry

RFID Conference is planned for Wednesday, May 14th. ...

... "Penn State Behrend's RFID Center of Excellence: This year's conference features five sessions presented by companies experiencing the benefits of RFID, as well as organizations that are providing RFID solutions throughout the food industry. " ...

Via Behrend RFID Center: RFID Conference 2008

RFID Baggage Handling Savings Potential Significant

Baggage handling report confirms opportunity size and positions RFID technology as a means of reaping cost savings benefits. ...

... "According to this year's Baggage Report published today at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Amsterdam, the air transport industry lost $3.8 billion in 2007 because of growing pressures on baggage management linked to passenger volumes, tight aircraft turnaround times, and heightened security measures. Figures from WorldTracer, SITA's fully-automated system for tracing lost and mishandled passenger baggage used by 400 airlines and ground handling companies, show that 42.4 million bags were mishandled or delayed in 2007. The air transport industry handles around 2.25 billion pieces of checked baggage every year. In 2007, the single largest cause of baggage delay was in transfer baggage mishandling, 49%, but this number has been falling steadily since 2005 when it was at 61%. This was followed by ticketing error/ passenger bag switch/ security/ other, 14%; failure to load, 16%; space-weight restriction, 5%; loading/offloading error, 5%; tagging errors, 3%; and arrival station mishandling, 8%. " ...

Via SITA: RFID used for Bag-Handling Crisis

RFID Shrink Management Platform

Checkpoint introduces next-generation of shrink management based on RFID technology. The radio frequency solution is derived from military applications and rotates the RF signal 360 degrees, which increases the detection capability. Alarm management is accomplished through different exit and entrance signal strategies. ...

... "Evolve provides retailers with a feature-rich, highly-scaleable EAS system to help reduce shrink, improve profitability, and enhance the consumer shopping experience while reducing unintended customer hassle created by false alarms. When combined with the benefits of RFID, Evolve will also increase inventory visibility, ensuring that retailers keep products on the shelves and available for purchase by their customers. The new solution features 25% increased detection, differentiated alarm response through two EAS frequencies, integrated customer counting, Smart Alarm Management, Industry standard Ethernet connectivity and easy remote system upgrades. " ...

Via Checkpoint Systems: Shrink Management System

UnitedStates RFID Awareness Initiative Planned to Influence Perceptions of Benefits

AIM Global will aggressively promote RFID awareness initiative in the United States, with emphasis on educating the public and influencing policy makers about the benefits of RFID technology, creating a positive market perception. ...

... "AIM Global intends to showcase the viability and versatility of RFID technologies in familiar environments, and illustrate how RFID is already improving consumer quality of life through such innovations as the automated payment of toll road fees and public transit fares, the authentication of prescription medications, food safety and homeland security enhancements, the quick check-out of library materials, and the tracking of the locations and progress of participants in marathons and other races. " ...

Via Aim Global: Aggressive RFID Consumer Awareness Campaign

WalMart RFID Acceleration to Realize Benefits

Walmart will accelerate its use of RFID technology throughout its stores at the item-level to drive beneifts. ...

... "The world's largest retailer, with US$345 billion in sales last year, is gearing up to roll out the RFID gear to make that prediction a reality in its 4,068 North American stores. " ...

Via Yahoo! News: WalMart RFID

Suppliers Benefits Walmart RFID Program Compliance

Walmart supplier, Pacific Coast, sees benefits from compliance with Walmart RFID program, leading to efficiencies across the value chain. ...

... "Pacific Coast is benefiting from WalMart's in-store RFID effort. Data generated shows which stores aren't doing a good job keeping its products on shelves. WalMart and Pacific Coast are using that data ... " ...

Via InformationWeek: Walmart RFID Benefits Suppliers

RFID Business Case Development

Upcoming hour-long seminar on creating a business case for RFID will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 12:00 PM Eastern. ...

... "Before you can realize the benefits of RFID, you have to make the case for implementing it in your organization. But finding the return on investment (ROI) can be elusive unless you know where to look and understand how it fundamentally affects your business processes. " ...

Web Seminar: Registration

WalMart RFID Technology Expansion Continues Per CIO

Executive Vice President and CIO Rollin Ford describes WalMart's plan to continue implementation of RFID technology in a keynote speech at the RFID Journal Live conference in Orlando, Florida. ...

... "WalMart Stores continues to expand its RFID capability to additional facilities, enabling an additional 400 WalMart stores by the end of this fiscal year, WalMart Executive Vice President and CIO Rollin Ford said in a speech Monday. Ford also discussed the technology's current and future benefits to both business and consumers including broad benefits for improving sustainability. He said current benefits include a 30 percent reduction of out-of-stocks, reduction of excess inventory in the supply chain, and sustainability impacts. Ford also outlined advancements including pallet locators now being used at Sam's Club locations. On a daily basis, more than 24 million people shop our stores. If 100,000 extra trips are avoided by having items in stock, we will save customers $22.8 million a year in gas savings and reduce greenhouse gases by 80,209 metric tons. " ...

Via WalMart: WalMart Continues RFID Technology Expansion

RFID Benefits Realized: No Cat Virus

AIM Global will collaborate with RFID leaders to proactively communicate case studies, benefits, and industry thought leadership. ...

... "Consider these instead: RFID secures US ports, RFID saves elderly patient who's wandered off, RFID to protect coal miners, RFID ensures emergency evacuation, RFID tire pressure monitors help prevent roll-overs. Given the chance, the real news about RFID can also provide compelling human interest headlines - they're just not such great tabloid fodder. There is a real lack of understanding among the public and media of the facts about RFID (radio frequency identification) technology and applications. " ...

Via Aim Global: Mission to Highlight Real Benefits and Debunk Myths ...

European Perspective on RFID Technology

European Union provides results of regional survey on RFID technology. ...

... "RFID – smart radio tags - are the keystone of the emerging Internet of Things that will connect objects and places. " ...

Via European Union: Radio Frequency IDentification RFID - The Internet of things - European Perspective



Survey reveals key findings, such as mixed views on the benefits of RFID, belief in a higher risk to privacy due to RFID, and a general lack of adequate information on RFID to support education of citizens. Europeans want to continue the dialogue on the privacy risks of RFID. ...

... "Overall, 60% of respondents feel that there is insufficient information available to make an informed analysis of RFID technologies. There is therefore considerable support for awareness and information campaigns. Views on whether RFID can improve the lives of Europeans are evenly split. The benefits mentioned include food safety (identification of allergens, more comprehensive information, easier product recalls), healthcare (prevention of drug misuse, authentication) or supply chain management (fewer stocks-out, better after sales service). Privacy, health and environmental risks are among the RFID concerns given." ...

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 ...

Walmart RFID WSJ Incomplete Picture of Benefits

Dean Frew, President and CEO of Xterprise, responds to negative article in WSJ that criticized WalMart's RFID program alleging that WalMart is not realizing the benefits originally proposed. ...

... "It is always interesting to me that journalists like Mr. McWilliams write about the same three companies when covering RFID. Beaver Creek, Blyth and Thomasville. These companies together account for about 100,000 cases of RFID enabled product shipped per year out of >100 million cases shipped to Wal-Mart in 2006. Why did Mr. McWilliams not talk with Proctor & Gamble they have publicly talked about their RFID successes and ship millions of RFID-enabled cases of product annually? A number of our clients are each shipping over 1 Million tags a year to Wal-Mart alone and we have seen multiple of our clients that are seeing significant value in managing of promotions. Just because they are not talking about it, does not mean they are gaining value. It is unfortunate when the largest most respected global business publication leads the Market section with such a negative one-sided story with so much wrong information and without any commentary from the subject company. " ...

Via Xterprise: Letter to the Editor (PDF) ...

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 Pharma Supply Chain: Track and Trace EPCIS Pilot

AmerisourceBergen announces innovative Track and Trace Program that will benefit the pharmaceutical supply channel. Its pilot program connects AmerisourceBergen's EPCIS directly to other business partner EPCIS systems and to specific pharmaceutical manufacturer systems. In Q1-2007, VeriSign will provide authentication services and enable visibility across multiple EPCIS systems. ...

... "AmerisourceBergen has been a leader in protecting the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply channel, first by pledging over one year ago to purchase 100 percent of its pharmaceutical and other products directly from the product manufacturer, and now by launching a unique Track and Trace initiative which will utilize RFID and Electronic Product Code Information System (EPCIS) technology to track and trace products throughout the entire distribution process. AmerisourceBergen plans to formally launch the Track and Trace pilot program at its largest distribution center in California by the end of 2006. In the pilot, AmerisourceBergen will use IBM's RFID middleware and embedded software on readers to read RFID tags currently used by certain pharmaceutical manufacturers as those products enter the distribution center. The unique product ID from each RFID tag will be electronically stored in IBM's EPCIS, which will be the platform for secure electronic communications back to the product's manufacturer. This secure information exchange will allow AmerisourceBergen and its trading partners to work collaboratively to share transaction information and further secure the supply channel. As new orders come into the AmerisourceBergen distribution center, the RFID system can monitor product placed in shipping totes as they move through the picking, packing, and shipping processes. As each tote leaves the distribution center the EPCIS software will record the time and location of each unit leaving the premises as well as its intended destination so that AmerisourceBergen has a complete record of the history of all RFID tagged drugs. " ...

Via AmerisourceBergen: AmerisourceBergen Announces Innovative Track and Trace Program for the Pharmaceutical Supply Channel

Logistics RFID: Inbound Process ...

TNT NV, a global provider of mail, express and logistics services, pilots RFID in inbound logistics processes for manufacturing firm. ...

... "Supply chain processes covered by the projects ranged from inbound logistics and warehousing to multi-country distribution. In the US, TNT worked closely with an automotive manufacturer to improve the inbound process to one of its main manufacturing facilities. The use of RFID led to quicker and more accurate scanning of cargo and therefore resulted in shorter delivery times, simplified processes and a significant decrease in identification errors. Especially in a time-sensitive environment of assembly line manufacturing, RFID has proven to make a critical difference by reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes. TNT is already discussing with its client how RFID can help further achieve cost reductions and apply the solution to other manufacturing facilities. Based on the successful outcome of the six projects, TNT is further implementing RFID technology throughout its divisions. The experience gained from the projects, both on the technology itself and in how to apply it in order to gain maximum benefit, will be used to further roll out the technology within suitable customer operations. For this reason and following the early successes, TNT has already started the second phase of the RFID programme in which the company aims to turn the projects into successful industry sector solutions in very close collaboration with its clients. " ...

Via TNT: TNT successfully finishes phase one of RFID programme ...

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 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 ...

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 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-Enabled Smart Card ...

QI Sys is developing RFID smart cards for contactless payment applications ...

... "QI Systems Inc., a leading developer and integrator of smart card payment, access control and tracking solutions, announced that QI product engineers are now developing hardware and software components that support RFID-enabled contactless payment systems. RFID-enabled payment systems are rapidly gaining in popularity with merchants and consumers in the U.S. Small-value transactions can now be quickly completed using a payment card with a built-in microchip and wire-loop antenna utilizing very-short-range (several inches) radio waves to securely transmit account information from the card to the merchant point-of-sale terminal. There is no need for the merchant to swipe the card through a reader, so the cardholder always remains in control of the card and transaction time is optimized. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are actively promoting contactless-payment versions of their cards. The International Standards Organization has established an implementation specification enabling these credit-card leaders to share a common transmission protocol. That in turn facilitates the programming of a single merchant point-of-sale terminal to accept and process transactions from all three companies’ payment cards/devices. Merchants and cardholders alike should benefit significantly from the enhanced convenience and security offered by a broader selection of contactless payment solutions. " ...

RFID-Enabled Smart Card: Via QI Systems Inc.: QI Systems Inc. Developing Products for RFID-Enabled Smart Card ...

FDA RFID Anti-Counterfeit Drug Workshop ...

Upcoming FDA workshop on RFID anti-counterfeiting for drugs ...

... "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public workshop and vendor display on the use of electronic track and trace technology to combat counterfeit drugs. The purpose of the meeting is as follows: To identify incentives for widespread adoption of radio-frequency identification (RFID), as well as obstacles to the adoption of RFID across the U.S. drug supply chain and possible solutions to those obstacles; to solicit comment on the implementation of the pedigree requirements of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) and the use of an electronic pedigree (e-pedigree); and to learn the state of technology development related to electronic track and trace and e-pedigree technology solutions. To address these issues, we are inviting interested individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders to present information to FDA's Counterfeit Drug Task Force. We are also inviting vendors of track and trace technologies and e-pedigree solutions relevant to the drug distribution system to display their products for the educational benefit of FDA and attendees. (For this meeting, we are only interested in displays from vendors of track and trace technology and e-pedigree solutions for the PDMA requirement, as opposed to covert or overt counterfeiting technologies, such as holograms or colorshifting inks.)

2 DATES AND TIMES: The public workshop and vendor display will be held on February 8 and 9, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See section V of this document for information on how to register to attend, present at the workshop, or participate in the vendor display. If you would like to present at the workshop or participate in the vendor display, you must register by January 27, 2006. " ...

Via FDA: Anti-Counterfeit Drug Initiative Workshop and Vendor Display ...

VeriChip RFID Medical Facility Adoption Grows ...

VeriChip continues to grow its RFID adoption in medical facilities. ...

... "VeriChip Corporation, a subsidiary of Applied Digital (NASDAQ: ADSX - News), a leading provider of identification and security technology, announced that 68 medical facilities, including 65 hospitals, have now agreed to implement the VeriMed System for Patient Identification. During the month of November, three additional hospitals agreed to adopt the System. Three additional healthcare organizations have recently agreed to adopt the System: one research center, one specialized care center, and one nursing home. " ...

VeriChip RFID Medical Facility Adoption Grows: Via VeriChip: VeriChip Corporation Expands Adoption of VeriMed System for Patient Identification: New Signings in November Increase Medical Facilities to 68 ...

VeriChip is a subsidiary of Applied Digital and the only company to provide both implantable and wearable RFID identification and security solutions for people, their assets, and their environments. From the world's first and only FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip to the only patented active RFID tag with skin-sensing capabilities, VeriChip leads the way in next-generation RFID technologies. Today, over 4,000 installations worldwide in healthcare, security, industrial, and government markets benefit from both the protection and efficiencies provided by VeriChip systems.

RFID Cost Analysis ...

Cost analysis for an animal RFID application. ...

... "In one example, a 62-animal herd equipped with RFID and all the herd recordkeeping equipment could cost $24.10 per animal per year, while a 1,250-animal herd would have a $3.43 per animal per year cost. In the latter example, the ear tag itself is the most expensive part because all cattle share expense of the recordkeeping equipment. " ...

RFID Cost Analysis : Via Capital Press: Ranchers sort through choices of ID programs

"Animal RFID Electronic Identification": "Study the implementation constraints of the electronic identification system from the technical and organizational levels. Cost-benefit analysis of an electronic identification system. "

Farnam Livestock Tracking Systems: "Fixed costs are those associated with the various components (e.g., hardware, software, management, etc.) that are constant, regardless of the number of animals. These costs will vary tremendously across operations due to variability in herd size. Economies of size exist with regard to the fixed cost components of an RFID system such that the per-unit costs will be lower for larger operations."

Automatic Identification: When to Use RFID | Fall 2004 Perspectives | ICF Consulting: "RFID, which allows passive data collection technology, would have minimal impact on operations. While the cost for RFID tags and infrastructure are higher than barcode, its impact is less severe since only nine million containers and pallets are in circulation, and tags will be reused many times before replacement."

RFID Intransit Supply Chain Visibility ...

RFID Intransit Supply Chain Visibility: Via The Record: Follow the box: Radio Frequency Indentification system helps to track product ...

... "Although RFID can lead to labor savings, its true benefit is knowing where your stuff is and moving supplies faster, said Alan Estevez, undersecretary of defense for logistics management. " ...

Healthcare RFID: Zebra ProductLine Agreement ...

Zebra inks product-line agreement to serve the healthcare supply chain with RFID printing and other identification technology. Zebra's partner, MedAssets, leverages technology into the healthcare supply chain through best-of-breed solutions. ...

Healthcare RFID: Zebra ProductLine Agreement: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND MEDASSETS ANNOUNCE NEW 3-YEAR AGREEMENT: Zebra to provide MedAssets customers with full line of bar code, card and RFID printers, supplies and services ...

... "Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand specialty printing solutions for business and process improvement, has signed a new three-year full product line agreement with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems, a leading healthcare group purchasing organization (GPO) and supply chain services company. The full line agreement makes Zebra’s bar code, card and RFID printers as well as its supplies and service agreements available to MedAssets' customers for a wide range of identification, tracking and access control applications. " ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, “smart” label, receipt and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

MedAssets, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, improves healthcare providers’ margins and cash flow through revenue cycle and supply chain initiatives. As a strategic business partner, MedAssets can replace multiple vendors and decrease supply costs by 3% to 10% and increase net patient revenue by 1% to 3%. Proprietary information technology is used to work with and improve existing IT assets and work processes. MedAssets, through its revenue cycle subsidiary MedAssets Net Revenue Systems, provides best-of-breed revenue solutions, including strategic pricing, pre-bill charge capturing and ongoing chargemaster management tools, all of which have been peer reviewed by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. In addition, MedAssets offers the only technology enabled systems that manage claim denials and link supply cost data with charge data to ensure accurate charges and defendable markups for all patient identifiable supplies, including costly medical devices. MedAssets, through its supply chain subsidiary MedAssets Supply Chain Systems, operates the fastest growing group purchasing organization and supply chain services company in the U.S. and builds customized solutions encompassing procurement of common medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, physician preference supplies, food and nutrition items, and capital equipment.

FDA RFID: Drug Supply Safety ...

While no silver bullet exits, the FDA believes in a balanced technology-enabled approach to ensuring the safety of the nation's drug supply. RFID technology is one of multiple technical methods recommended for further consideration by the FDA. ...

FDA RFID: Drug Supply Safety: Via FDA: Ensuring the Safety of America's Drug Supply Speech by Dr. Scott Gottlieb on September 20, 2005

... "Many people believe that FDA interprets our counterfeit drug report that we issued to address this growing threat as saying that we want RFID implemented by 2007. We said that an electronic pedigree should be feasible by 2007, and right now, RFID is the most promising technology to help deliver on that need. We believe that we can accelerate the development, the testing, the feasibility testing and the cost-effectiveness testing, of many of these technologies that are in development today. And as we are trying to do in other areas of FDA activities where there are new technologies that can be valuable, we want to bring them to benefit patients as soon as possible. " ...

RFID China Partnership: Printing Solutions

Zebra partners to deliver RFID and printing solutions to the Chinese market. ...

RFID China Partnership: Printing Solutions: Via Zebra Tech: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGITAL CHINA JOIN FORCES TO BRING BEST-OF-BREED PRINTING SOLUTIONS TO CHINESE ENTERPRISES: Largest and most recognized brand in the bar code and RFID industry partners with China's pioneer IT distributor to bring industry-leading solutions to Chinese customers ...

... "A signing ceremony, held earlier today in Beijing with Digital China, marks a milestone for Zebra's PartnersFirst channel development program in China. Launched in March 2003, Zebra's PartnersFirst program was designed to help deliver value-driven bar code, wireless and RFID-based solutions to a wide range of end customers in industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, government, transportation, logistics and more. Globally, the program has been successful earning a five-star rating (out of five) from VARBusiness Magazine. A redesigned program for the China market was launched last year. Today's alliance with Digital China is significant to Zebra's development, and testament to its increasing growth and commitment to this dynamic market. Under the terms of the agreement, Digital China will become Zebra's value added distributor (VAD) in China's auto-ID field. The alliance will enable Digital China to expand its presence in this lucrative market. Currently, Digital China’s distribution network and wide-reach is unparalleled, with access to over 6000 agents throughout Greater China. " ...

Digital China Holdings Limited was spun off from Legend Holdings Limited and separately listed on the mainboard of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited on 1 June 2001 (HK:0861) . Digital China is the number one IT products distributor and systems integrator as well as a leading networking product developer in China. The company provides hardware and software solutions to its clients, with a strong focus to add value to them. Digital China engages in three groups of businesses: Distribution, Systems, and Services.

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, smart label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold nearly five million printers, including wireless/mobile solutions and RFID printer/encoders, and also offers software, connectivity solutions, and printing supplies.

Toyota RFID Project: Accelerated Processes ...

Toyota project will implement Alien RFID technology to drive accelerated supply chain processes. Anticipated benefits exceed the RFID project's capex investment. ...

Toyota RFID Project: Accelerated Processes: Via Alien Technology: Toyota South Africa Motors Ltd. Selects Alien Technology® RFID Solution for Vehicle Identification: Automated vehicle tracking will accelerate throughput of produced assets in the supply chain, resulting in reduction of time to invoice dealers and thus time-to-cash ...

... "Traditionally, RFID-based vehicle tracking applications have been hampered by the use of costly microwave systems and proprietary RFID protocols. Toyota's application will benefit from the use of open, global-standard EPC RFID technology that combines consistent reads, even in a heavy metallic environment, with the ability to leverage extremely low-cost RFID tags. In Toyota's implementation, an Alien RFID tag will be applied to each vehicle during production. The tags will then be accurately read by field-proven Alien ALR-9780 readers at ranges exceeding six meters as the vehicle is tracked from within the Assembly Plant, through the Plant Exit, into, through and out of the Vehicle Distribution Yard. The resulting precision tracking will enable Toyota to both streamline and accelerate its vehicle shipping and invoicing processes, and thus its time-to-cash. According to Stoop, the anticipated savings on interest for the targeted reduction of Stock (vehicles-on rubber) of one day is expected to more than off-set the CAPEX for this RFID Project. " ...

Toyota South Africa, established in 1961, has been the overall market leader in terms of domestic vehicle sales for more than 25 consecutive years. The company has now been integrated into the global supplier network of Toyota Motor Corporation after TMC took a 75% majority shareholding in the company in 2002. The current production capacity of Toyota SA’s plant in Durban is in excess of 100 000 vehicles annually. This is set to expand to 220 000 units per annum by 2008. The South African operation now exports built up units to both Australia and Europe.

Alien Technology Corporation is a leading provider of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products for global customers in government, retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and other industries. Using its patented manufacturing process, Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA®), Alien manufactures EPC tags in very high-volumes and at low cost. The company provides a family of RFID readers for a variety of applications including supply chain management, logistics, and anti-counterfeiting, to improve inventory management and reduce operating costs. Alien is an active member of EPCglobal.

RFID Verichip Hospital Growth Explodes ...

RFID Verichip Hospital Growth Explodes: Via VeriChip: VeriChip Corporation Adds 49 Additional Hospitals During Month of September That Have Agreed to Implement the VeriMed(TM) Patient Identification System; Total of 58 Hospitals Exceeds Company's Full-Year Guidance of 20 to 25 Hospitals ...

... "Overall, since the FDA clearance of VeriChip for medical applications, 58 hospitals have agreed to adopt the VeriMed System in their emergency departments. The Company had previously announced that it expected to have 20 to 25 hospitals agree to adopt the VeriMed System by the end of 2005. Most of the hospitals entering into agreements to implement VeriMed in September did so as a result of the Company's demonstration of the system at the American College of Emergency Physicians' (ACEP) Scientific Assembly that took place September 26-29, 2005 in Washington, D.C. " ...

VeriChip: The First RFID Company for People: VeriChip is a subsidiary of Applied Digital and the only company to provide both implantable and wearable RFID identification and security solutions for people, their assets, and their environments. From the world's first and only FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip to the only patented active RFID tag with skin-sensing capabilities, VeriChip leads the way in next-generation RFID technologies. Today, over 4,000 installations worldwide in healthcare, security, industrial, and government markets benefit from both the protection and efficiencies provided by VeriChip systems.

EndtoEnd RFID Implementation: Collaborative Partnership ...

EndtoEnd RFID Implementation: Collaborative Partnership: Via Acsis: Acsis and Fibergrations Form Strategic Alliance and Reseller Partnership for End-to-End RFID Implementations: Food and Beverage and CPG Industries First to Benefit from Collaboration ...

Collaborative partnership enables end-to-end RFID implementations ...

... "Acsis, Inc., a leader in delivering enterprise data collection solutions announced that Fibergrations, a leading RFID integrator and installation provider, has joined Acsis’ partner program. The companies will leverage joint domain experience, providing customers with world-class RFID software and implementation expertise. Under the partnership, Fibergrations will utilize and market Acsis’ Data-Link™ Enterprise platform solution as part of its RFID solution portfolio. Additionally, Fibergrations will provide applications built on Data-Link™ for managing processes in the Food and Beverage industry using RFID technologies. " ...

Zebra RFID Smart Labels Supply Alien Tech ...

Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDS RFID SMART LABEL BUSINESS: Zebra adds smart label converting equipment to its supplies plant and qualifies as a supplier of Alien Technology EPC Class 1 RFID labels ...

Zebra supplies RFID Smart Labels with Alien Technology ...

... "A smart label is created by embedding a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and antenna within the label material. Zebra is working closely with chip providers, such as Alien Technology, to ensure the quality and performance of each tag. With its expanded RFID label converting capabilities, Zebra can offer a wide range of high- and ultra-high frequency inlays to meet a variety of application needs as well as customized label facestocks, adhesives, sizes and formats. " ...

Alien Technology Corporation is a leading provider of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products for global customers in government, retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and other industries. Using its patented manufacturing process, Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA®), Alien manufactures EPC tags in very high-volumes and at low cost. The company also provides RFID readers for a variety of applications including supply chain management, logistics, and anti-counterfeiting, to improve inventory management and reduce operating costs. Alien is an active member of EPCglobal.

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

VeriMed RFID Hospital Infrastructure: Healthcare Adoption Grows ...

VeriMed RFID Hospital Infrastructure: Healthcare Adoption Grows: Via VeriChip: VeriChip Expands Hospital Infrastructure: Trinitas Hospital Adopts the VeriMed(TM) System ...

The VeriMed RFID instructure for hospitals continues to be adopted in the healthcare industry ...

... "VeriChip Corporation, a subsidiary of Applied Digital (NASDAQ: ADSX - News) announced that Trinitas Hospital, a leading healthcare facility based in Elizabeth, New Jersey has agreed to implement the VeriMed(TM) microchip system and will initiate a clinical evaluation program of the System in its two Emergency Departments for rapid patient identification purposes. Upon implementation, each facility will be able to scan patients to obtain their VeriChip ID Number and utilize the associated database information. Trinitas becomes the sixth hospital that has agreed to adopt the VeriMed System in their emergency department in the last five months and the third hospital in the State of New Jersey to employ the VeriMed System. " ...

Established in January, 2000, following the consolidation of St. Elizabeth Hospital and Elizabeth General Medical Center, Trinitas Hospital is a full-service healthcare facility serving those who live and work in Eastern and Central Union County. Operating on two major campuses, Trinitas Hospital has 531 beds, including a 120-bed long-term care center. Trinitas Hospital is proud to offer state-of-the-art medicine backed by compassion and competence.

VeriChip is a subsidiary of Applied Digital and the only company to provide both implantable and wearable RFID identification and security solutions for people, their assets, and their environments. From the world's first and only FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip to the only patented active RFID tag with skin-sensing capabilities, VeriChip leads the way in next-generation RFID technologies. Today, over 3,000 installations worldwide in healthcare, security, industrial, and government markets benefit from both the protection and efficiencies provided by VeriChip systems.

RFID Investment Manufacturing Study ...

Via Manufacturing Insights: RFID Investment: Cost of Compliance or Strategic Business Benefit?

... "This Manufacturing Insights study focuses on the current state of radio frequency identification (RFID) as a supply chain solution, including the issues and ongoing frustrations for manufacturers in meeting the expectations of customer mandates and their lessons learned from deploying an RFID solution. Manufacturing Insights further provides a look at the RFID opportunities that exist for manufacturing companies in the supply chain. " ...

Zebra TI RFID Gen2 Demonstrated

Zebra TI RFID Gen2 Demonstrated: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES FIRST COMPANY TO SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS’ GEN 2 TECHNOLOGY: Zebra, Texas Instruments and ThingMagic demonstrate Gen 2 technology, proving Zebra’s flexibility to handle RFID tags from multiple sources, to help accelerate the adoption of Gen 2 ...

RFID leaders collaborate to demonstrate RFID Gen2 performance ...

... "Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business and process improvement, recently collaborated with Texas Instruments and ThingMagic to demonstrate EPC Gen 2 tags from Texas Instruments in a Zebra printer/encoder during the EPCglobal Fast Moving Consumer Goods Business Action Group meeting in Houston, Texas. Zebra is the only company to successfully demonstrate printer/encoder communication with Gen 2 inlays from several leading suppliers. Highlighting the meeting’s Gen 2 Live theme, the demonstration featured Zebra’s R110Xi printer/encoder, embedded with ThingMagic’s RFID reader module and Texas Instruments’ EPC Gen 2 inlays incorporated into label rolls. " ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers’ real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company’s businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is the world’s largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications.

Founded in 2000 and based in Cambridge, MA, ThingMagic is a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID), sensing and embedding computing technologies. Mercury4, ThingMagic’s fourth generation agile RFID reader, builds on and substantially enhances the company’s original platform created for early field tests of the Electronic Product Code (EPC). Designed to meet the business needs of a future where networked objects are pervasive, the Mercury4 line of RFID readers also includes an embedded reader, Mercury4e, and a handheld reader, Mercury4h. Mercury4 RFID readers are the only intelligent, network-ready RFID readers, and the only devices that can read any RFID tag.

Hospital RFID Technology Grows: Patient Identification Infrastructure ...

Hospital RFID Technology Grows: Patient Identification Infrastructure: VeriChip Corporation Announces Three Additional Hospitals Adopt the VeriChip(TM) System for Patient Identification During the Month of July: Total of Five Hospitals in the Targeted Boston to Washington Corridor Have Now Agreed to Adopt VeriChip System ...

Hospital RFID use grows as patient identification infrastructure is implemented ...

... "VeriChip Corporation Chief Executive Officer Kevin McLaughlin noted, There are currently 70 hospitals in the Boston to Washington corridor that are using VeriChip Corporation's Hugs(TM) and Halo(TM) external RFID technology in their maternity wards. The emergency departments of those hospitals are among those being targeted by our VeriChip sales force as we continue the initial rollout of VeriChip patient identification infrastructure. " ...

VeriChip is a subsidiary of Applied Digital and the only company to provide both implantable and wearable RFID identification and security solutions for people, their assets, and their environments. From the world's first and only FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip to the only patented active RFID tag with skin-sensing capabilities, VeriChip leads the way in next-generation RFID technologies. Today, over 3,000 installations worldwide in healthcare, security, industrial, and government markets benefit from both the protection and efficiencies provided by VeriChip systems.

LockheedMartin Zebra DOD RFID Compliance Partners

LockheedMartin Zebra DOD RFID Compliance Partners: LOCKHEED MARTIN CHOOSES ZEBRA FOR RFID LABEL PRINTING: Largest U.S. defense contractor to meet DoD compliance tagging requirements with Zebra printers, software and supplies ...

... "Lockheed Martin, the largest U.S. defense contractor, will use Zebra equipment and supplies to create smart labels for items it ships to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), to satisfy the DoD’s RFID requirements. Zebra is the first printer manufacturer to earn a contract to supply Lockheed Martin with RFID products. " ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Halamka RFID Experience: Human Implant

Halamka RFID Experience: Human Implant: VeriChip: New England Journal of Medicine Features Article on VeriChip Technology ...

Dr Halamka discusses his experience and intentions for RFID implantation in the New England Journal of Medicine ...

... "In the article, entitled Straight from the Shoulder, Dr. Halamka discusses his experience of being implanted with the VeriChip, the only FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip, and his reasons for doing so. " ...

VeriChip, The First RFID Company for People, is a subsidiary of Applied Digital and the only company to provide both implantable and wearable RFID identification and security solutions for people, their assets, and their environments. From the world's first and only FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip to the only patented active RFID tag with skin-sensing capabilities, VeriChip leads the way in next-generation RFID technologies. Today, over 3,000 installations worldwide in healthcare, security, industrial, and government markets benefit from both the protection and efficiencies provided by VeriChip systems.

RFID Integrated Value Network

RFID Integrated Value Network: RFID Business Process Enablement: The most flexible approach to RFID-enabled supply chain business processes ...

... "Select and tune the processes that will benefit from RFID. Rather than starting your foray into RFID with a slap and ship program or tag and reader testing, you will start by creating RFID-ready processes. ... Share the cost, risks and benefits of an RFID pilot project with your supply network partners. The low initial cost, speed of deployment and shared risk make the hosted approach to RFID services appealing. " ...

One Network enables unified management of orders, inventory, shipments and forecasts in collaborative demand-driven supply network.

RFID Pilots Evaluations Implementations Increasing ...

RFID Pilots Evaluations Implementations Increasing: AMR Research: AMR Research Survey Finds 69% of Respondents Plan to Evaluate, Pilot, or Implement RFID in 2005

AMR Research takes pulse of the RFID market through report on pilots, evaluations, and implementations ...

... "In the wake of retail and government mandates, AMR Research released a report today assessing the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) market from 2005 - 2007. 69% of respondents surveyed are planning to evaluate, pilot, or implement RFID in 2005 with the average budget for RFID at more than $548K increasing to $771K by 2007. " ...

AMR Research provides world class research and actionable advice for executives tasked with delivering enhanced business process performance and cost savings with the aid of technology. Five thousand leaders in the Global 1000 put their trust in AMR Research’s integrity, depth of industry expertise, and passion for customer service to support their most critical business initiatives, including supply chain transformation, new product introduction, customer profitability, compliance and governance, and IT benefit realization.

RFID Innovation IP Licensing ...

RFID Innovation IP Licensing: Zebra Technologies Joins Intermec RFID Rapid Start Licensing Program: Agreement promises continued RFID innovation ...

... "In a move to drive continued development and deployment of state-of-the-art RFID systems and to accelerate adoption of RFID, Intermec Technologies Corp. and Zebra Technologies Corp. today announced that Zebra has joined Intermec's Rapid Start RFID intellectual property licensing program. The Rapid Start Licensing Program provides Zebra access to a number of Intermec portfolios of patented RFID technology, including RFID tags, fixed and portable readers, and fixed and portable printers. In addition, Zebra (NASDAQ:ZBRA) has exercised the cross-licensing provision of the Rapid Start program, providing Intermec access to Zebra's RFID innovations. " ...

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include Intellitag® RFID, mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations.

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs and better customer service. The company has sold more than 4 million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

Network Centric RFID Solutions: AON

Network Centric RFID Solutions: Cisco Unveils Application-Oriented Networking: The Next Phase of the Intelligent Information Network Provides Network-Embedded Intelligence for Secure Application Communication

Cisco partners to deliver network-centric solutions leveragin RFID technology ...

... "By collaborating with Cisco Systems, ConnecTerra, a leading supplier of radio frequency identification (RFID) infrastructure software, will deliver next-generation, network-centric RFID solutions to enterprise customers. Taking advantage of the existing infrastructure at sites enabled with Cisco AON will allow ConnecTerra's customers to fully utilize more secure and accurate information gathered from RFID devices and delivered by Cisco AON. Additionally, customers will benefit from advanced device monitoring and management capabilities, enabling better business visibility quickly at lower cost. " ...

RFID Infant Protection Company Acquired ...

RFID Infant Protection Company Acquired: Applied Digital's VeriChip Corporation Acquires Instantel, Inc., Including Its Health Security Division Xmark, Expanding Company's Position in Healthcare Security ...

Verichip acquires RFID solutions company with track record in healthcare security through infant protection and patient tracking ...

... "Instantel Inc.'s Xmark division specializes in smart tag technology for protecting people and assets in healthcare environments. Its Hugs product line is a popular RFID system for preventing the abduction of newborn infants in hospital, while the WatchMate system is used in long-term care facilities to protect wander-prone residents. Instantel recorded revenue of $12.8 million for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 with EBITDA of approximately $3.6 million. During the past five years, Instantel's reported revenue reflects a compound annual growth rate of approximately 14%, with strong gross margins and EBITDA margins. " ...

VeriChip is a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Digital and the only company to provide both implanted and external RFID security solutions for people, their assets, and their environments. From the world's first and only FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip to the only patented active RFID tag with skin-sensing capabilities, VeriChip leads the way in next-generation RFID technologies. Today, over 3,000 installations worldwide in healthcare, security, industrial, and government markets benefit from both the protection and cost savings VeriChip's innovation delivers.

Smart Labels RFID Conference ...

Smart Labels USA 2005 Conference ...

... "Smart Labels USA 2005 at a glance: THE WORLDS DEFINITIVE RFID SMART LABELS EVENT! From pallet to item level: How to manufacture, implement and benefit from RFID Smart Labels. Emerging technologies & systems - from tags to middleware, understand all the RFID building blocks and what is coming next - now with World first announcements! Speakers include Hitachi, Deloitte, Impinj, AWID, Samsys, PolyIC, MIT, Alien, TYCO ADT, ..." ...

June 27-30 2005
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
The conference will be held at the Wyndham Baltimore - Inner Harbor Hotel.

RFID Reader Mobile Workforce Solutions ...

RFID Reader Mobile Workforce Solutions: Everypath and Socket Communications Partner to Deliver Integrated Solutions for the Mobile Workforce ...

Everypath's software supports RFID reader integration for mobile workforce field solutions ...

... "With the combined Everypath MTA and Socket barcode scanning solution, customers benefit from real-time product, inventory and pricing information and the ability to capture accurate data while in the field. Everypath’s MTA applications streamline and deliver data from existing databases within the network directly to handheld devices operated by employees in the field. Socket offers a variety of plug-in and cordless barcode scanning products, providing efficient alternatives to manual data entry via keyboard. Socket’s barcode scanners have been shown to be up to 50 times faster than the manual method and to dramatically improve data accuracy. Everypath MTA software supports Socket’s CF Scan Card – 5 Series, its Cordless Hand Scanner, 2D Scan Card and RFID Reader. " ...

... RFID readers and field force software solutions enable powerful mobile workforce applications.

Everypath is a leading provider of Mobile Task Automation (MTA) solutions to global 1000 companies. Customers and partners worldwide use the Everypath MTA™ to enable field representatives to capture orders, track inventory and serve customers with greater efficiency. By unleashing Everypath’s innovative technology, companies can fuse, miniaturize and adapt their enterprise information assets to help increase revenue, reduce costs and improve responsiveness. Everypath's customers include leaders such as Bayer, Biogen, E*TRADE, NTT, Smith & Nephew, Sumitomo Trust Bank, Toshiba, Wright Medical and Yamaha. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company serves customers in North America, Japan and Europe.

Socket Communications, Inc., the Mobile Connection™ Company, provides a broad range of connectivity and data collection products for mobile devices using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, CE, XP, and Palm, RIM, and Symbian-based operating systems. These mobile devices include PDAs, Smartphones, Tablet PCs and notebooks that support standard expansion mechanisms. Socket’s Mobility Friendly™ products are feature-rich while promoting ease of use and lead the market with the smallest footprint and the most Battery Friendly® power consumption in their class. Socket’s Development Services team provides hardware developers with solutions using mobilityIC™ interface chips, KwikBlue™ modules with embedded Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, as well as other technologies implemented in Socket’s wide range of products. Socket is headquartered in Newark, California.

Gen2 RFID Printer Encoder ...

Gen2 RFID Printer Encoder: ZEBRA FIRST TO DEMONSTRATE EPC GENERATION 2 TECHNOLOGY IN AN RFID PRINTER/ENCODER ...

... "Zebra Technologies, a global leader in on-demand specialty
printing solutions for business improvement, today announced it is demonstrating the use of EPCglobal’s UHF Electronic Product Code (EPC) Class 1 Generation 2 (Gen 2) RFID protocol in its booth (#2221) at the Retail Systems 2005 Conference & Exposition through Thursday, May 26, in Chicago. Zebra is the first thermal printer company to demonstrate the technology using existing and readily available printer/encoders. Throughout the Retail Systems 2005 event, Zebra will showcase the use of EPC Gen 2 RFID tags with its industry-leading line of multi-protocol RFID printer/encoders. Zebra has been working closely with several of the industry’s foremost technology companies in the advancement and development of RFID solutions that support the new Gen 2 standard. " ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than 4 million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

Partnership Drives RFID Data Integrity ...

RFID Data Integrity: Inovis and Kewill Partner to Deliver Global Data Synchronization Across Europe

... "With large retailers driving advanced initiatives like RFID and Vendor Managed Inventory, which rely on data integrity to deliver the business benefit, the issue of data accuracy and accessibility has become paramount. Furthermore, the retail industry is becoming more global, which has led to the formation of a variety of data standards, means of communication and synchronization requirements, making it increasingly complex to ensure data accuracy. " ...

Inovis is a leading provider of business-to-business solutions for global trading relationships. With more than 20 years of experience, Inovis enables collaborative business processes and solves the complete B2B integration challenge for more than 20,000 customers and their trading partners. The company’s comprehensive line of B2B software and managed services help companies speed transaction flows, synchronize product information ...

RFID Remote Sensor Control: Detection and Intervention ...

AQUAONE H2ORB REDUCES WATER WASTE AND PREVENTS DAMAGE WITH TI'S ULTRA-LOW POWER MSP430 MCU AND RFID TECHNOLOGY ...

... "Providing leading technology for innovative water leakage and overflow monitoring systems, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (TXN) announced that AquaOne Technologies Incorporated will begin shipping their latest H2ORB system using TI's MSP430 platform of microcontrollers (MCU) and radio frequency identification (RFID) devices. Ultra-low power MCUs from TI allow the H2ORB control unit to operate for over five years from just one standard coin cell battery while TI-RFid technology allows continuous communication between the control unit and wireless, remote sensors enabling the system to remotely monitor for water leakage or overflow in water appliances such as toilets. Detecting a problem, the H2ORB system automatically sends an alert or shuts off the water supply before significant water loss or overflow occurs, helping reduce or prevent costly property damage, cleanup, water waste and higher utility bills, and other problems associated with water overflow. " ...

Aqua One Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Westminster, California and designs, manufactures, and markets an exclusive, patented line, of high technology products that benefit people and the environment. Aqua One's systems detect and stop water malfunctions occurring to plumbing fixtures and appliances within homes, workplaces, and institutions and currently holds thirteen awarded and pending patents for its technology.

Texas Instruments is the world's largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications.

RFID Field Strength ...

Federal Communications Commission: RFID ...

... "we are increasing the maximum permitted field strength and transmission duration for 433 MHz RFID systems used to identify the contents of commercial shipping containers in commercial and industrial areas to allow more rapid and reliable data transmission. Such improved RFID systems could benefit commercial shippers and have significant homeland security benefits by enabling the entire contents of shipping containers to be easily and immediately identified, and by allowing a determination of whether tampering with their contents has occurred during shipping. " ...

Event-Driven RFID Technology ...

COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES REITERATES POSITIVE FORECAST ...

... "Competitive Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: CTT) announced today that it expects double-digit growth in fiscal 2005 revenue and net income over 2004 results. The CTT fiscal year ends July 31, 2005. ... CTT's patented RFID event-driven information technology allows movement of individuals or assets to be tracked, coordinated and managed in applications including medical patient information, homeland security, military and general business. " ...

Competitive Technologies, established in 1968, is a full service technology transfer and licensing provider focused on the technology needs of its customers and transforming those requirements into commercially viable solutions. CTT is a global leader in identifying, developing and commercializing innovative technologies in life, digital, nano, and physical sciences developed by universities, companies and inventors. The global market for technology transfer services is estimated at $150 billion annually. CTT maximizes the value of intellectual assets for the benefit of its customers, clients and shareholders.

RFID SmartCard For eTicketing ...

RFID SmartCard For eTicketing: T-Systems presents smartcard for e-ticket valid throughout Germany ...

T-Systems leverage RFID smartcard technology to deliver electronic ticketing solutions to the German mass transit market ...

... T-Systems has developed an electronic chip card for mass transit companies in Germany. The card will replace various ticket systems currently in use. Thus, for the first time ever, bus and commuter train passengers across Germany can travel without cash. Riders will receive an overall monthly invoice for all the trips they take on public transportation. Besides the great flexibility the solution enables, Germany’s mass transit operators also benefit from the fact that the card is counterfeit-proof. Up to now, the manipulation of paper tickets has resulted in revenue losses. Instead of using the familiar ticket-canceling machine, soon mass transit passengers will simply wave a smartcard equipped with a wireless antenna in front of a card reader when they board the bus or train. ...

T-Systems is one of a group of German technology firms involved in a government-sponsored research project to develop a core application for Germany’s associated mass transit companies, known collectively by its German acronym VDV. The common goal behind the "VDV Core Application" project is the creation of a national standard for electronic tickets and related technical components.

Responsible RFID: Is Item Level Necessary?

Implementing RFID Responsibly, Calling for a Technology Assessment: Testimony submitted to the Federal Trade Commission RFID Workshop, Washington, D.C. by Beth Givens, Director Privacy Rights Clearinghouse ...

... "Can many of the benefits of RFID be accomplished without resorting to the placement of a unique identifier, called the Electronic Product Code (EPC), on each and every consumer product that is released into the marketplace? For example, one benefit of RFID that has been touted is to label toxic materials contained inside computer products, such as components containing lead or nickel-cadmium. This application of RFID could make it much easier to separate out such materials when they are headed for the landfill. Yet, such materials do not need the fully unique identifier, only a generic tag that emits the code for lead or for nickel-cadmium. There may be many other ways to benefit from the RFID technology without embedding unique identifiers on each and every product, right down to each individual can of Coke, for example." ...

P+G EPC Electronic Product Code Enabled by RFID Technology ...

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology: What the Future Holds for Commerce, Security, and the Consumer: Why P&G is investing in EPC ...

... "Procter & Gamble is pursuing the use of Electronic Product Code (EPC) to create efficiencies in the supply chain. As you have heard from Dr. Sarma, EPC is a way to uniquely identify a pallet, case or individual product using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. It's similar to today's bar code, but with many more potential uses and benefits. P&G is a founding sponsor of MIT's Auto-ID Center because we realized the enormous potential to improve processes in the entire supply chain from our plants to retail distribution centers to store shelves. The real time, automated, accurate information that EPC generates will benefit manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and most importantly, consumers. Today's supply chain systems are outdated and not meeting the needs of our consumers. EPC offers potential solutions for problems like out-of-stocks, theft and counterfeiting, as well as reducing inventory levels. We know that out of stock levels are higher than we, our retail partners and our consumers want. It is frustrating when you go to your local supermarket to buy your favorite flavor of Pringles and the shelf is bare. It can result in a lost sale for P&G and for the retailer. To guard against out of stocks, we keep an average of 65 days worth of product inventory, which costs us $3 billion a year. Theft and counterfeiting are growing problems as well. Worldwide theft costs retailers $50 billion a year and counterfeiting is a $500 billion problem. " ...

Zebra RFID: Channel Strategy Working ...

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES’ PARTNERSFIRST PROGRAM EARNS FIVE-STAR RATING ...

... "Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in on-demand printing solutions for business improvement, today announced that its PartnersFirst program has been awarded a Five-Star rating from VARBusiness magazine—the leading magazine covering strategy and technology trends for solution providers and technology integrators. The prestigious rating places Zebra’s PartnersFirst program among North America’s top information technology (IT) channel programs and further validates Zebra’s strong commitment to its channel partners. ... Launched in May 2003, Zebra’s PartnersFirst program was designed to help its channel partners deliver value-driven bar code, wireless and RFID-based solutions to a wide range of end-customers in industries such as retail, manufacturing, life sciences, hospitality, and more." ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 90 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than 4 million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

RFID Benefit Potential Estimates ...

Commentary - Radio Frequency Identification (RFID Technologies: Potential for the Department of Defense)

CW4 Pablo A. Brown writes ...

... "Business practices in the private sector demonstrate the impact of using RFID. A study by Accenture, a global consulting firm, concluded that RFID could lower inventories by at least 5 percent or as much as 30 percent. In one practical application, Procter & Gamble Company plans to use RFID technology to monitor its tagged cases. Procter & Gamble hopes this will reduce its inventory by 40 percent. Using Accenture's lower 5 percent estimate, the DLA can reasonably assume a savings of $4 billion to its $80.5 billion wholesale inventory. The DLA might save as much as $24 billion if it can reduce the inventory it carries by 30 percent. If the DLA could achieve Procter & Gamble's 40 percent reduction, this would save the DLA an estimated $32 billion. Clearly, the DOD stands to benefit tremendously from the use of RFID." ...

CW4 Pablo A. Brown wrote his article on the potential of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies for the Department of Defense while working in the Army’s Training With Industry program at the Logistics Management Institute in McLean, VA.

433 MHz RFID Systems ...

FR Doc 04-11537

... "This document allows for operation of improved radio frequency identification (RFID) systems in the 433.5-434.5 MHz (433 MHz) band. Specifically, we are increasing the maximum permitted field strength and transmission duration for 433 MHz RFID systems used to identify the contents of commercial shipping containers in commercial and industrial areas to allow more rapid and reliable data transmission. Such improved RFID systems could benefit commercial shippers and have significant homeland security benefits by enabling the entire contents of shipping containers to be easily and immediately identified, and by allowing a determination of whether tampering with their contents has occurred during shipping." ...

Zebra Aligns With Walmart RFID Program in Web Cast ...

Zebra Aligns With Walmart in Web Cast: Zebra Technologies' RFID Strategy Aligns With Wal-Mart Vision of ...

Zebra and Walmart collaborate on RFID strategy web seminar ...

From PR Newswire (press release) Zebra Advances RFID Adoption With Dynamic On-Demand Printing Solutions and Strategic Partnerships VERNON HILLS, Ill., Zebra ...

... Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in on-demand printing solutions for business improvement, continues to reinforce its leadership position in the rapid progression towards radio frequency identification (RFID) implementation in manufacturing and distribution supply chains. As a featured co-sponsor of the recent Xtalks Webcast, "Making a Difference," with keynote speaker Simon Langford, Wal-Mart's manager of RFID strategy, Zebra once again joined with other industry leaders to advance RFID adoption for retailer compliance mandates and leverage RFID implementation to foster internal process improvements that lead to greater efficiency, productivity, and customer service, while reducing operating costs and enhancing return on investment. ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 90 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

RFID Asset Tracking Is Innovation Winner ...

RFID Asset Tracking Is Innovation Winner: AMR Research Announces Winners of 2005 Innovation Awards AMR Research is acknowledging innovation in the application of technology to solve business problems. Trenstar has been recognized for their innovative use of RFID technology in tracking of mobile assets. ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Midsize company ($10M-$100M) -- TrenStar brings a unique business model that combines asset acquisition, tracking technology (including RFID) and a variety of ...

... AMR Research presented four awards for innovation in business technology at its annual Strategy 21 Conference. The awards are designed to honor breakthrough ideas by small, midsize and large companies. Midsize company ($10M-$100M) -- TrenStar brings a unique business model that combines asset acquisition, tracking technology (including RFID) and a variety of management services. TrenStar is the first company to offer this combination of technology and services to support pooling of common, non-strategic containers and other mobile assets. ...

AMR Research provides world class research and actionable advice for executives tasked with delivering enhanced business process performance and cost savings with the aid of technology. More than 5,000 leaders in the Global 1000 put their trust in AMR Research's integrity, depth of industry expertise, and passion for customer service to support their most critical business initiatives, including supply chain transformation, new product introduction, customer profitability, compliance and governance, and IT benefit realization.