Rutgers University RFID Research Center

The Rutgers Center for Innovative Ventures of Emerging Technologies and RFID TagSource collaborate to create the Rutgers University RFID Research Center on the Rutgers Busch Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey. ...

... "The newly established Research Center combines laboratory facilities with real world insight into how RFID is being utilized across the globe to provide real business value. This provides the Rutgers community and industry sponsors with the tools required to support research activities that have near term commercial value. The center will also be used to host industry seminars and executive forums, continuing education classes, and independent research projects to support industry, government, and department of defense RFID initiatives. " ...

Via RFID Tag Source: Rutgers RFID Research Center

RFID ROI Payback Period Is Extended

ABI Research confirms what we already know about technology investments --- when you build a holistic business case that nets benefits with one-time and realistic on-going operating costs, the payback period is usually longer. Not many technology investments will deliver greater than 50% rate of return. ...

... "According to ABI, nearly 37 percent of the respondents said they did not expect a positive ROI within 12 months, compared to 25 percent who expected one within 12 to 18 months ... " ...

Via IT Jungle: RFID Payback

RFID Project ROI Guarantee

Intellident positions itself in the marketplace with a key differentiator - guaranteed success. ...

... "Having installed their 600th live RFID installation during December 2007, Intellident have now built up an unprecedented knowledge-base on how customers can calculate and realise a business case for RFID. " ...

Via Intellident: Guaranteed ROI

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

RFID Warehouse Forklift System

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

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

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

RFID Pilot: Cardinal Health Completes

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

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

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

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

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

RFID Smart Labels Event

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

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

RFID Case Tracking: BestBuy Compliance ...

NetGear complies with BestBuy RFID mandate through services of APL Logistics. ...

... "Global supply chain management leader APL Logistics has won the RFID tagging solution business of Silicon Valley-based NETGEAR, a leading provider of wireless networking equipment. Under terms of the agreement, APL Logistics will affix Radio Frequency Identification tags to cases of NETGEAR product sent to selected Best Buy stores in the U.S. The deal highlights a growing trend among major retailers who mandate that their suppliers use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on shipments. It also confirms APL Logistics' role as an innovative provider of the technology for supply chain management. " ...

Via APL Logistics: NETGEAR Turns to APL Logistics for RFID Mandate

RFID: Volvo Asset Tracking ...

Volvo continues to embrace RFID technology and drive its adoption in various opportunity areas. ...

... "Truck and bus manufacturer Volvo is considering using radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging to track equipment in its warehouses. " ...

RFID: Volvo Asset Tracking: Via IT Week: Volvo studies RFID for tracking assets ...

Additional references on Volvo and RFID ...

Via Volvo: Mats Boll to speak at the RFID Europe conference: "Mats Boll, Business Develop Project Manager at Volvo Logistics, will speak at the RFID Europe conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 21. Mats Boll will discuss some of Volvo's case studies involving containers and packaging, security, distribution of finished vehicles and distribution of hazardous material. He will also review a solution introduced within manufacturing facilities of Commercial Vehicles. "

Via RFID Journal LIVE! Europe: Agenda 11 October: "Volvo has been using RFID in production and logistics for a long time and continues to launch new pilot tests on a regular basis. This session will communicate how RFID has improved Volvo's visibility, traceability and lead-time reduction. Besides demonstrating where Volvo is today, the leaders of the company's RFID projects also will look into Volvo's future, where RFID seems destined to enhance its entire supply chain. Speaker: Stina Apel, RFID Project Manager, Volvo; Annika Johansson, RFID Project Manager, Volvo "

Via IT-universitetet i Goteborg | Nyheter: Students in successful pilot project for Volvo logistics: "They carried out an RFID - Radio Frequency Identification pilot project at the cross-docking terminal at Arendal. Volvo Logistics were very pleased with the result of the project and all three of these students are today employed at Volvo Logistics. "

RFID Program: P&G EPC

P&G electronic product code (EPC) and radio frequency identification (RFID) program is focused on the opportunities in the supply chain and is sensitive to privacy concerns that consumers may have. ...

... "The Procter & Gamble Company is pursuing the use of EPC (Electronic Product Coding) to create efficiencies in the supply chain, to manage inventory, prevent theft and counterfeiting, and reduce out-of-stock levels, via case and pallet-level EPC. Down the road as we learn more about the technology, there may be opportunities to save costs and generate additional benefits for the supply chain and consumers via item-level EPC. " ...

References on P&G's RFID program ...

RFID Program: P&G EPC: Via P&G: P&G Position on Electronic Product Coding (EPC) ...

Via SAP: SAP Launches First RFID Solution to Help Customers Automate RFID-Enabled Business Processes: "Drawing upon experience from customer projects with leading companies like Procter & Gamble and the METRO Group, as well as six years of RFID research and involvement in RFID standards organizations, SAP has developed technology that will dramatically change supply chain management in the retail and consumer product industries. "

Via RFID Journal: P&G Teams With T3Ci for RFID Apps: "Procter & Gamble has signed a five-year agreement with T3Ci, a Mountain View, Calif.-based startup that has created software for analyzing Electronic Product Code (EPC) data from radio frequency identification systems. "

Via Computerworld: Early Adopters Send Mixed Messages About RFID: "Flannery said the justification is more apparent in P&G's pharmaceutical business, where RFID is viewed as a technology that can help curb counterfeit drugs and bolster consumer safety. "

RFID Journal LIVE! 2006 Announced ...

... "RFID Journal LIVE! 2006, its 4th annual conference and exhibition will be held May 1-3, 2006, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. RFID Journal LIVE! 2006 will feature many of the leading early adopters in five key industry segments: Retail/Consumer Goods; Defense/Aerospace; Transportation/Logistics; Health Care/Pharmaceutical, and Manufacturing industries. Business leaders from the leading companies in these industries will be presenting case studies and applied examples of profitable and efficient ways to utilize RFID. " ...

Via RFID Journal: RFID JOURNAL Announces Unparalleled Speaker Lineup for RFID Journal LIVE! 2006

Walmart RFID: Next Wave 200 Suppliers in Jan 2006 ...

WalMart brings next wave of RFID-enabled suppliers on-line in January 2006. Anita French explores the highs and lows for WalMart in 2005. ...

... "WalMart proved one set of critics wrong when 100 of its suppliers met the company's January mandate for having radio frequency identification, or RFID, tags pallet- and case-ready. Some detractors said the suppliers wouldn't be able to meet the company's deadline. As of April, WalMart had RFID in use at 104 of its stores, 36 Sam's Clubs and three distribution centers, it said. The next 200 suppliers are to come on board by January 2006. " ...

Walmart RFID: Next Wave 200 Suppliers in Jan 2006: Via The Morning News: Wal-Mart Year A Mixed Bag ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: AIDC Services ...

There is consolidation occuring in the RFID industry. In this case, an RFID and automated identification data collection AIDC services company was acquired. ...

... "Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) announced that it had completed the acquisition of Acsis, Inc., of Marlton, NJ, for approximately $26 million in cash. Acsis provides enterprise data collection solutions to global manufacturers. Its software enables manufacturers to automate plant floor/warehouse operations and take advantage of emerging technologies, including radio frequency identification (RFID). Manufacturers leverage Acsis solutions to improve visibility of goods throughout their supply chains, ultimately resulting in increased revenues and reduced costs. Spending on enterprise data collection software and services has been growing significantly and Acsis believes it currently exceeds $700 million annually. Recent mandates from major national retailers as well as government agencies have prompted manufacturers to upgrade their existing data collection infrastructure with RFID technology. " ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: AIDC Services: Via Safeguard Scientifics: SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF ACSIS, INC., AN ENTERPRISE DATA COLLECTION SOFTWARE FIRM ...

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) advances the value of revenue‐stage information technology and life sciences companies. Safeguard provides growth capital as well as a range of strategic, operating and management resources to help its partner companies build value in their businesses. Safeguard participates in expansion financings, management buyouts, recapitalizations, industry consolidations and early‐stage financings.

Datalogic To Acquire PSC: The Next Wave of AIDC Industry Consolidation: "Furthermore, although consolidation continues to be a consistent theme in the AIDC market, bigger has not necessarily meant better - at least not recently. Overall performance among tier II AIDC vendors (PSC, Metrologic, Hand Held Products and Datalogic) has exceeded that of tier I vendors over the past two to three years in several technology segments. "

Logistics News: Logistics - Shipping - Packaging: Research and Markets: Major Consolidation Occurring in US Logistics Market: "The US Logistics market is characterized by a wide range of business models. Consolidation and M&A activity have contributed to a blurring of the lines that traditionally segment the industry. As a general rule, companies are increasingly searching out activities that provide customers with higher margin value-added services. "

RFID CEO Presents Europe Conference ...

RFID CEO Presents Europe Conference: Via TAGSYS RFID: TAGSYS CEO To Present To World IT and Business Leaders At The Exclusive European Technology Roundtable Exhibition (ETRE) 2005 ...

... " ... international audience of IT and business leaders will learn about how TAGSYS item-level RFID technology is helping customers to protect brand identity, automate-labor intensive processes, authenticate and safeguard goods, and enable real-time inventory and asset visibility. Using customer examples in the pharmaceutical and retail fashion sectors, Simon will emphasize the importance of establishing a clear business case and achieving measurable ROI.

WHO: Elie Simon, CEO of TAGSYS
WHEN: Monday, October 17, 2005 from 2:45 to 2:57 pm

WHERE: InterContinental, Athenaeum IC Athens, Greece " ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: BEA Acquisition

RFID middleware and service oriented architectures SOA are an enabling infrastructure for the RFID future. Consolidation in the RFID industry continues, as BEA Systems acquires ConnecTerra, a leading RFID middleware technology provider, to drive their SOA vision to the edge ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: BEA Acquisition: Via BEA Systems: BEA Acquires Pioneering Provider of RFID Infrastructure Software; Extends Infrastructure Offering to the Edge: ConnecTerra Adds World-Class RFID Expertise and Products to the BEA Infrastructure Portfolio; Can Help Companies Integrate Growing Volumes of Supply Chain Data Using SOA ...

... "BEA Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: BEAS), today announced the acquisition of ConnecTerra, a privately-held pioneer in RFID middleware technology based in Cambridge, Mass. The acquisition is designed to immediately extend the range of the BEA infrastructure portfolio to easily integrate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and other device data as liquid assets available across a company's business units, applications and processes. The acquisition can help customers address the growing amount of RFID data captured across supply chains. ... ConnecTerra's RFID infrastructure software is designed to provide the core communications, security, policy and device management services which can be used to integrate devices into a wide range of applications. This includes software at the edge for filtering and device management at the local store, manufacturing plant or distribution center level; enterprise level software for centralized RFID data management; and compliance software to address RFID retail and defense mandates. BEA can augment ConnecTerra’s RFID software with its industry-leading infrastructure components to help provide a complete solution for customers looking to build new RFID enabled business processes. ConnecTerra and BEA have already worked together successfully over the past year with key customers to create market-specific solution bundles for pallet and case tracking applications in retail as well as mobile asset tracking in transportation. " ...

RFID Business Data Webcast

RFID Business Data Webcast: Recorded Webcast: Turn RFID Data into Business Decisions by Leveraging ALE ...

Progress offers webcast and thought leadership on the event-based management of RFID business data ...

... "RFID WebCast: We teamed up with ConnecTerra and presented the webcast, Turn RFID Data into Business Decisions by Leveraging ALE. " ...

Progress® Event Engine™ is a sophisticated data management infrastructure for organization and management of event stream data. Event Engine delivers extraordinary performance in support of a wide range of event stream processing (ESP) applications that include "tick data" trading applications in financial services and RFID applications in supply chain, retail, and manufacturing environments.

In Progress® for RFID: An Architectural Overview and Use Case Review Whitepaper, John B. Trigg writes ...

... "we must look at how the continuous stream of RFID related EVENTS can provide meaningful insight, both real-time and historically, into performance, trends and exceptions. ... This paper proposes an evolution in the thinking and processing of business transactions to match this new challenge in the management of RFID data. Providing an ability to look at EVENTS both as discrete occurrences and as related bodies can trigger new means of managing the data generated from RFID readers. This is known as Complex Event Processing. " ...

Tag: RFID

RFID e-Biz Consortium ...

RFID e-Biz Consortium: Via UW Business News Wire: Taking Care of e-Business: How the e-Business Consortium at UW-Madison gives companies a competitive advantage ...

Bill Shepard writes about the value provided by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's e-biz consortium ...

... "The University of Wisconsin-Madison e-Business Consortium, Wisconsin's leading university-industry partnership that helps companies stay competitive through e-business and e-commerce. The consortium, in its seventh year, helps companies address a host of complex issues, including information security, customer relationship management, supply chain management, radio frequency identification (RFID), and in the case of Lands' End, Web strategy and marketing. " ...

RFID Session HP Technology Forum ...

RFID Session HP Technology Forum: Via hP: Preview of sessions at HP Technology Forum 2005 ...

... "Implementing RFID-based solutions in health care industry: Get an overview of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the health care industry—including the business case for adoption and the ROI that can be achieved. This session includes specific case studies for Patient and Asset tracking in health care environments using RFID technologies. It also describes the overall IT architecture needed to support such implementations. " ...

RFID Service Parts Management

RFID Service Parts Management: MCA Solutions and SeeControl Partner to Deliver World-Class Service Supply Chains: Alliance Links Strategy and Execution to Optimize Uptime and Reduce Costs ...

MCA and SeeControl collaborate to deliver RFID-enabled service parts management across the value chain ...

... "By combining MCA Solutions’ offering for optimizing service parts planning with SeeControl’s real-time visibility into field inventory levels, manufacturers can ensure that the right parts are in the right place at the right time to meet their customers’ needs, without incurring the risk of holding excess inventory, just in case. In addition, the combined solution can leverage emerging RFID technology to better control and plan service parts across the extended supply chain. " ...

SeeControl is the leading provider of B2B inventory visibility, control and asset management solutions. Global 3000 Automotive, Computer Systems, Industrial Automation, Medical Equipment, Semiconductor and Telecommunications leaders utilize SeeControl’s integrated solution to extend the enterprise to disparate business units, customer sites, and supply chain partners. With the world's first turnkey inventory tracking and management system, SeeControl clients enjoy differentiated cost structures and new revenue opportunities that put them ahead of the competition.

MCA Solutions, and its Service Planning and Optimization suite of solutions, helps companies in industries ranging from aerospace and defense and semiconductors to industrial and medical equipment, set new standards for asset utilization and customer support. SPO is a web-based suite of advanced inventory planning, forecasting and execution solutions that give companies the ability to manage and monitor inventory levels of mission-critical materials. It meets the demanding requirement of the service parts planning process, reduces operating costs and provides global, real-time visibility throughout the extended service supply chain. The first commercial software to optimize assets in a multi-echelon service supply chain network, it supports collaborative planning, forecasting and execution processes by linking with a company's enterprise and customer relationship management systems.

USMarines Mobile RFID Infrastructure ...

USMarines Mobile RFID Infrastructure: SAVI TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYS NEW MOBILE RFID INFRASTRUCTURE KIT FOR REAL-TIME VISIBILITY OF MILITARY SUPPLIES TO THE LAST MILE: NEW PORTABLE DEPLOYMENT KIT ORDERED BY U.S. MARINES HELPS GET RIGHT SUPPLIES TO THE WARFIGHTER AT THE RIGHT TIME ANYWHERE ...

USMarines will leverage Savi RFID technology to establish a mobile infrastructure in the area of military operations ...

... "Savi Technology, Inc., a leading provider of RFID supply chain solutions, today announced the release of a new compact, highly mobile RFID solution that directly supports the war fighter deployed in the Area of Operations, such as Iraq and Afghanistan . Called the Portable Deployment Kit (PDK), the full solution-in-a-case enables for the first time military logisticians to leverage RFID to track critical military supplies in near real-time into the last tactical mile of operations. The PDK is a self-contained carrying case that delivers a full mobile RFID solution that addresses the long-time military challenge of supply chain visibility directly into the Area of Operations, referred to as the last tactical mile, where there is no RFID fixed reader infrastructure. The United States Marine Corps Systems Command is the first customer and has placed an initial order for 100 units to be deployed in Southwest Asia . " ...

With over 15 years experience, Savi is a proven leader in RFID solutions for the management and security of supply chain assets, shipments and consignments. Savi's integrated RFID hardware and software solutions drive business value, such as reducing supply chain assets, inventory and operational costs. The company tailors its solutions to the defense, commercial supply chain asset management and global supply chain visibility and security markets. Savi's solutions meet the supply chain needs of defense and government organizations, global shippers, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers as well as service providers such as terminal operators, asset owners and third-party logistics providers. Founded in 1989, Savi Technology is privately held, with headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., and offices in Johannesburg, London, Melbourne, Singapore, and Washington D.C.

Tag: RFID

StateOfArt RFID Solution Center ...

StateOfArt RFID Solution Center: New RFID Center Shows Customers How Solutions Lead To Business Value ...

Xterprise opens a state-of-the-art RFID solutions center in their headquarters ...

... "Xterprise Incorporated, the leading solutions provider for the RFID Enabled Supply Chain announces its new, custom designed headquarters, where the company recently hosted a multiday open house for customers. More than an expanded headquarters, the facility is home to a 6,000 square foot state-of-the-art RFID Solution Center. The center gives Xterprise an operational warehouse/manufacturing environment to showcase its complete suite of solutions that it has deployed around the globe. The growing list of Xterprise solutions serve the needs of many markets: retail, supply chain visibility, food and pharmaceutical cold chain (temperature tracking) and asset management. " ...

Xterprise Incorporated develops RFID supply chain solutions and has been chosen by the many of the worlds most respected supply chains and fastest growing companies as an RFID solution provider. Xterprise blends best practices, supply chain processes, material handling, RFID system hardware and application software, enterprise systems integration, data analytics, demand signaling applications and remote solution support. This provides the industry benchmark for system ease of use and lowest cost per case solution in the markets they serve. Xterprise is headquartered in Carrollton, TX.

RFID Cost Reduction Project ...

RFID Cost Reduction Project: Navy FY04.2 SBIR Solicitation Topics: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology Cost Reduction ...

... "This system contains an extensive reader infrastructure that operates with a proprietary communications protocol. Naval Forces implementing RFID technology must purchase RFID tags compatible with that infrastructure protocol. This protocol limitation along with other industry-wide factors such as antenna design, battery design, infrastructure (tags, readers, software and communication links) design, international frequency approval, manufacturing processes and lack of or inadequate business case analyses have contribute to a prohibitive cost in purchasing and maintaining RFID technology for fleet forces. The objective of this SBIR is to perform innovate research in one or more of these areas for an overall reduction in the life cycle cost of using RFID technology. " ...

RFID Border Control Biometrics UK Conference

RFID Border Control Biometrics UK Conference: OMNIKEY sponsors the Global Border Control Technology Summit in London: OMNIKEY, one of the world´s leading manufacturers of innovative smart card readers, is sponsoring the Global Border Control Technology Summit, the premier meeting place for governments, technology vendors and system integrators to debate the ongoing concerns involving biometric passports ...

Omnikey sponsors UK conference to address the requirements of RFID-based border control with biometric technologies ...

... "OMNIKEY, one of the world´s leading manufacturers of innovative smart card readers, is sponsoring the Global Border Control Technology Summit, the premier meeting place for international governments, technology vendors and system integrators to debate the ongoing concerns involving biometric passports. The conference will take place on July 11th to 12th in London at the Selfridge Hotel in London. The decision of governments worldwide to introduce high-security electronic travel documents based on RFID and biometric technologies, as well as to roll-out a new globe-spanning border control infrastructure, presents an array of technological and logistical challenges. " ...

The Global Border Control Technology Summit will enable all those involved in the rollout of technology-led projects to discuss critical practical, technical and commercial issues; and to find appropriate solutions to common implementation problems. High-profile attendees, including government representatives, from all over the world guarantee a unique insight in how the early adopters of biometrics for border control have introduced and implemented the technology. First-hand information on how the different products and solutions are working in practice can be expected. This event has been specifically designed and timed to coincide with the rollout of biometric passports and is therefore essential for Passport Issuing Authorities and Border Control Authorities. It will also be invaluable for any government organisation responsible for making the business case, selecting technology partners, procuring services for or managing any project involving identification technologies, services and products.

OMNIKEY, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative smart card readers, offers the most diversified product portfolio available on the market today. Having established a tight collaboration with key decision makers in the card manufacturing and software industries, OMNIKEY sits at the table of innovation. OMNIKEY’s smart card readers for PCs can be utilized by any application including logical access control, digital signature, GSM authentication, secure banking and online transactions, loyalty programs, and healthcare solutions. OMNIKEY, headquartered in Walluf, near Wiesbaden (Germany), is part of the ASSA ABLOY Identification Technology Group (ITG). OMNIKEY´s North American headquarters reside in Irvine, California with technical support in Atlanta, Georgia. The Asia Pacific operation is located in Hong Kong. Design, production management, and quality control of OMNIKEY’s products are carried out in the company’s two R&D centers in Linz, Austria and Erfurt, Germany. OMNIKEY readers are distributed worldwide through a global network of partners, including value added resellers, system integrators, and OEMs.

ITG is the world’s leading supplier of RFID components, products, solutions and services. Comprised of a dynamic group of companies including HID, Sokymat, ACG Identification Technologies, Indala, OMNIKEY and Interlock, ITG innovation spans the value chain of smart card and RFID-based systems for identification and security. Applications include physical and logical access control, supply chain management, animal tagging, national ID and e-passport programs, transport and various industrial and manufacturing applications. ITG Research in Denver, Colorado, focused on advanced research projects at the cutting edge of RFID and smart card technologies, and its SmartWorldAcademy in Prague, uniquely position ITG at the forefront of the secure identification industry. ITG headquarter offices are located in Walluf, Germany and Irvine, California. ITG is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, an international group listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange with some 30,000 employees and annual sales of about EUR 3 billion. The ASSA ABLOY Group is the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of locking solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience.

Upcoming EPC RFID Conference

Upcoming EPC RFID Conference: EPCglobal US Conference 2005 ...

EPCGlobal announces their US conference in the Fall of 2005 ...

... "EPCglobal US is proud to announce that the EPCglobal US Conference 2005 will be held September 13-15, 2005, in Atlanta, Georgia. ... The EPCglobal US Conference offers more in-depth information regarding EPC technology, the business case for adopting it, best practices to ease your implementation and insights as to the future of EPCglobal standards, products and support services. EPCglobal US Conference is positioned to provide education at all levels of understanding and experience; from those looking to learn the basics to those looking to improve the efficiency of their implementations and achieve additional ROI. " ...

RFID Pavilion at PackExpo ...

U.S. Government Export Portal: Pack Expo Las Vegas 2005: RFID Pavilion

... "In response to recent changes in the industry, the Radio Frequency Identification Pavilion (RFID Pavilion) has been added to this year's event, highlighting solutions that meet the requirements of the entire supply chain. Included in the exhibits will be technologies to upgrade conventional lines into RFID-enabled packaging lines capable of applying multi-pack, case and pallet tags online; as well as advances designed to verify the presence of tags; write to the tags; and validate data on the tags. Emphasis is placed upon having machinery operational during the show, using materials supplied by the exhibitors. Qualified technical personnel are on hand to assit visitors in exhibitors' booths. Because of the size and scope of the show, Pack Expo Las Vegas has been the place for packaging professionals to network, compare products and technology, keep on top of industry trends, complete business transactions and gather information. " ...

RFID Conference in June: IDC Update ...

IDC to Unveil Alternative RFID Evaluation Model at RFID Conference in June ...

... "On June 14, the IDC RFID Update Conference will present the latest news and developments about the state of RFID, with a focus on business case studies that work, supplier mandate field reports, and the future of the technology. The conference, to be held at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, will feature market research and analysis from IDC, subject matter experts and best practice implementation examples from users across a variety of industries." ...

RFID Tagging of Materials: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags to Improve Supply Chain Management

Nested Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags to Improve Supply Chain Management

... "Bulk commodities such as sand, gravel, and liquids are not currently under consideration. Guidance from the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD AT&L) does not address, per se, business rules for RFID tagging of materials listed within federal supply classes. In a USD (AT&L) RFID Update memo on 20 Feb 2004, rules for passive RFID tagging of material at the case and pallet level were discussed. Additionally, RFID tagging was addressed for individual material packaging (not the item itself) of all items requiring a Unique Identification (UID). If requiring a UID, the individual material item would: (1) have an acquisition cost equal to or greater than $5000, or (2) have serial number or other controlled inventory management capability, or (3) be a component of a larger UID delivered item, or (4) have a UID or DoD-recognized UID equivalent available. " ...

RFID Electronic Product Code: The GCI EPC Roadmap

GCI EPC Roadmap - it

From GCI, Global Commerce Initiative ...

... "GLobal Commerce Initiative EPC Roadmap (Report and Executive Brief): Much has been written about how RFID is bringing wealth of new technologies and their resulting new business processes. GCI in collaboration with IBM, EPCglobal and companies from the food and consumer packaged goods industry have developed a roadmap for the standards-based implementation of RFID, termed the GCI EPC Roadmap. " ...

The GCI EPC Working Group focuses on creating awareness and encouraging the adoption and implementation of the EPC system in the global marketplace, based on EPCglobal standards. The group, with active support and participation of AIM, CIES, EAN International (future GS1), EPCglobal, FMI, GMA, and facilitated by IBM, is developing an Industry Business Case for EPC covering the full supply chain.

China International RFID Forum 2005 Coming This Summer ...

China (Guangzhou) International RFID Forum 2005, SCAN-GUANGZHOU is planned for 14th July, 2005 at the Guangzhou Chinese Export Commodities Fair Exhibition Hall ...

... China (Guangzhou) International RFID Forum 2005 will be held together with China (Guangzhou) International Auto-ID Technology Exhibition 2005. It will cover on the following topics----RFID market analysis, RFID technology and applications, RFID compliance requirements and impacts, vertical industrial case studies, etc. This forum will promote RFID’s research, development and implementation, and help the business community to achieve sustainable competitive advantage and substantial financial growth. ...

SAP Intel RFID Hardware Integration Standards ...

SAP Intel RFID Hardware Integration Standards: SAP and Intel to Standardize RFID Hardware Integration for ...

SAP and Intel join forces to simplify the business case for RFID technology through a direct integration or partner management model ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) and Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) today announced a joint effort that aims to make radio frequency identification (RFID) technology easier to use and ...

... SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) and Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) today announced a joint effort that aims to make radio frequency identification (RFID) technology easier to use and help companies overcome the common hurdles they face in creating viable business cases for RFID implementations. The joint effort will offer customers the choice of either integrating their RFID hardware directly into backend systems and business processes or using device management partners to manage their hardware environment. Direct integration provides a streamlined pproach to the customer's RFID implementation and is best utilized in less complex business environments. The device management partner approach enables the customer to manage a more complex environment comprising multiple device types from different vendors. ...

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software solutions. Today, more than 26,150 customers in over 120 countries run more than 88,700 installations of SAP(R) software-from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize businesses to enterprise-scale suite solutions for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver(TM) platform to drive innovation and enable business change, mySAP(TM) Business Suite solutions are helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP industry solutions support the unique business processes of more than 25 industry segments, including high tech, retail, public sector and financial services. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP."

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products.

RFIDJournal Live Coming Soon ...

RFIDJournal Live Comming Soon: RFID Journal LIVE! to Showcase Unique End-User Case Studies; 100 ...

Leading RFID event, RFIDJurnal Live, is coming up in April. Dont miss it. ...

From PR Web (press release), WA ... 2005 -- Business professionals will have a unique opportunity to get objective, first-hand information from end users and early adopters of RFID technology at ...

... Business professionals will have a unique opportunity to get objective, first-hand information from end users and early adopters of RFID technology at the RFID Journal LIVE! executive conference, April 10-12, 2005 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. They will hear about the lessons learned by Wal-Mart and Kimberly-Clark; get the inside scoop on Best Buy's RFID roll-out; and learn about the European RFID experience from Tesco, a leading European retailer and among the most active deploying RFID technology. In its third year, RFID Journal LIVE! features an unparalleled lineup of end-user case studies from those at the forefront of RFID deployment. ...

RFID Journal is the only independent media company devoted solely to radio frequency identification and its many business applications. Our mission is to be the ultimate resource for businesspeople that need to understand how RFID can help their companies boost supply chain efficiencies, reduce inventories, limit theft, improve product availability and add convenience for consumers. RFID Journal serves the needs of businesspeople looking to take advantage of RFID technologies with timely news, strategic analysis, networking opportunities at events and in-depth education.

KimberlyClark AutoID RFID Strategy at Conference ...

KimberlyClark AutoID RFID Strategy at Conference: Mike O'Shea from Kimberly-Clark Corporation to Keynote on Day 2 of ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Mike O'Shea, director of corporate Auto/ID and RFID strategies and technology at Kimberly-Clark Corporation, will be the featured keynote speaker on ...

... Mike O'Shea, director of corporate Auto/ID and RFID strategies and technology at Kimberly-Clark Corporation, will be the featured keynote speaker on day two of RFID World 2005, March 2-3 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas, adding to the show's list of top end-user speakers and case studies. Mike Meranda, president of EPCglobal US(TM), a regional Member Organization of EPCglobal Inc.(TM), the not-for-profit standards organization entrusted with driving the global adoption of Electronic Product Code(TM) (EPC) technology, will also address attendees in a morning keynote session. The second day keynote panel, "RFID Readiness and Interoperability," features Alien Technology, Intermec Technologies, Microsoft Corporation, Printronix, Inc. and Texas Instruments, who will discuss global standards issues surrounding frequency allocation, tag and reader functionality, and intellectual property. ...

Application of RFID in Libraries ...

Application of RFID in Libraries: Checkpoint Systems Offers Self-Checkout Innovations; Enhancements ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... (NYSE:CKP), the industry leader in library solutions, unveiled a range of new, ground-breaking capabilities for its RFID-driven Intelligent Library System (ILS ...

... Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CKP), the industry leader in library solutions, unveiled a range of new, ground-breaking capabilities for its RFID-driven Intelligent Library System (ILS) Patron Self-Checkout Station. Previewed for the first time at the American Library Association's 2005 Midwinter meeting at Boston's Hynes Convention Center, the additional solutions complement current self-checkout station features. They were engineered to improve efficiency for library patrons and reduce time-consuming administrative duties for staff members. DiscMate(TM) Solution: Checkpoint's new DiscMate Solution enables secure self-checkout of CDs and DVDs, which has not been possible until today. DiscMate includes Intelligent Unlocking Units for ILS self-checkout stations, a Standard Unlocking Unit for use at the circulation desk that is compatible with all library systems (including non-RFID systems), and the DiscMate case, a one-piece case for material security and display. ...

The Intelligent Library System (ILS) from Checkpoint Systems is a revolutionary technology designed to enhance the library experience for both patrons and staff. Driven by advanced RFID technology, the ILS boasts individual self-checkout, allowing patrons to check out materials on their own using self service kiosks located throughout the library. The system dramatically speeds up the library checkout and return process, protects items from unauthorized removal from the library and reduces materials handling time by as much as 75%.

Additional resources on RFID library applications ...

ALA | RFID Technology: Another application of RFID technology is automated materials handling. This includes conveyor and sorting systems that can move library materials and sort ...

RFID in Libraries: in Vendor News | Permalink | Comments (0). RFID Intelligent Shelf. An interesting library RFID application is being discussed on RFID_LIB. ...

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AG: Technical Description Bibliotheca has developed an RFID system specifically for library applications. The system is designed around the Bibliochip . ...

Using RFID Data To Improve Customer Sales ...

RFID Data To Improve Customer Sales: Teradata Survey Finds Data Is Driving Technology Investments

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Larger companies are also considering radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology as a means to improve inventory and stock levels as well as to improve ...

... Retail industry managers are dealing with an increasing amount of data by investing more in information technology, according to a survey by Teradata, a division of NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR). The survey, released at the National Retail Federation's annual conference, also revealed that this trend is expected to continue next year. Among the key areas where additional information technology (IT) spending is being deployed are supply chain, pricing and customer management as well as data warehouse solutions. Larger companies are also considering radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology as a means to improve inventory and stock levels as well as to improve customer and information sales. ...

The Teradata study was conducted by BuzzBack Market Research between Dec. 21, 2004, and Jan. 4, 2005, querying 100 retail executives. All respondents live in the United States and are employed by retail companies with worldwide revenue of $500 million or higher. All respondents hold the position of manager or higher and work in a corporate/general management, finance/strategic planning, operations or technology/IT department. Managers surveyed for represent a range of companies in the retail sector, including: Lowe's, Rite-Aid, Pathmark, Giant Food, Kohl's, Wal-Mart, Abercrombie & Fitch, K-mart, Blockbuster and many others. Teradata, a division of NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), is the global technology leader in enterprise data warehousing, analytic applications and data warehousing services. Organizations around the world rely on the power of Teradata's award-winning solutions (www.teradata.com) to get a single, integrated view of their business to enhance decision-making, customer relationships and profitability.

Additional resources on customer sales improvement using RFID data ...

RFID - Technologies - Wireless Mobile Computing: as much as they are to the customers who receive ... 1 percent to 2 percent sales improvement attributable to ... commerce systems in response to customer mandates for ...

Profiting from Process: using EPC/RFID to create: of Defense (DoD) or other customers, the program ... gained from efforts to improve sales through new ... Manufacturers who participate in customer-requested EPC/RFID ...

Radio Frequency Identification - RFID Tag: and number, but also track customers by individual ... a system that would ensure accurate customer delivery, analyze consumer sales data, and incorporate ...

Solving the Out-of-Stock Problem: making sure products are available when customers want to ... is out of stock when a customer wants to ... application because the application could improve sales by 2 ...

Enable Reseller Success with RFID Sales Through Channel Investments ...

Enabling Reseller Success with RFID Sales: ScanSource Continues to Enhance RFID Edge Program; ScanSource Adds ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Inc., {NASDAQ: SCSC}, a leading international value-added distributor of specialty technology products, has enhanced its recently announced RFID Edge(TM ...

... ScanSource, Inc., {NASDAQ: SCSC}, a leading international value-added distributor of specialty technology products, has enhanced its recently announced RFID Edge(TM) program, which is aimed at helping resellers be successful and profitable in selling RFID solutions through educational events, best-of-breed vendor partnerships, leading products, internal expertise and a comprehensive web portal. ...

ScanSource, Inc. is a leading international distributor of specialty technology products, including automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) and point-of-sale (POS) products through its ScanSource sales unit; Avaya communications products through its Catalyst Telecom sales unit; communications products from Intel and NEC through its Paracon sales unit; and electronic security products through its ScanSource Security Distribution unit. The Company serves the North America marketplace and has an international segment, which sells AIDC and POS products in Latin America and Europe. Founded in 1992, the Company markets products from more than 80 technology manufacturers to over 15,000 value-added technology resellers and is committed to empowering them with tools and services designed to help them grow.

Additional resources on enabling reseller success with RFID technology sales ...

Zebra And Escort Memory Systems Combine RFID Strengths: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... strength to our direct sales and reseller network. ... and Freecom, are showing signs of success in this ... Wireless LANs enable workers to move about freely, while ...

Intermec Technologies Corporation : Wireless: Brochure Your supply chain system is critical to your success. ... Type: Case Study AMH is a reseller of Radio ... and two-way communication capability enable them to ...

Building Blocks for the RFID Wireless Infrastructure ...

RFID Wireless Infrastructure: WJ Communications Commences Production Deliveries of Its ECM168 ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... on the design and manufacture of high-quality devices, chip sets and multi-chip modules (MCMs) for telecommunications, RF identification (RFID) and homeland ...

... WJ Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:WJCI), a leading designer and supplier of RF semiconductors and multi-chip modules, today announced it has begun volume production shipments of its new high efficiency power amp, the ECM168. The ECM168 is the first in a line-up of a series of power amplifiers primarily targeted towards the PAS/PHS wireless infrastructure markets. ...

WJ Communications Inc. is a leading RF semiconductor company focusing on the design and manufacture of high-quality devices, chip sets and multi-chip modules (MCMs) for telecommunications, RF identification (RFID) and homeland security systems worldwide. WJ's highly reliable amplifiers, mixers, RF integrated circuits (RFICs), RFID reader modules, chipsets and MCM products are used to transmit, receive and process signals that enable current and next generation wireless and wireline services.

Additional resources on RFID wireless infrastructure ...

RFID and Pervasive Wireless: ... wireless infrastructure is less complex than one that requires multiple technologies. By leveraging the LAN access network for VoIP, telemetry, and RFID, you ...

RFID: location system to combine real-time and passive location-tracking applications onto a single wireless infrastructure. IBM broadens suite of RFID services 09/14 ...

Business Case for RFID: to develop a business case for deploying RFID technologies. ... from the deployment of other wireless technologies, including wireless infrastructure, devices and ...

RFID World Conference Coming in March 2005, Register Soon ...

RFID World Conference Coming in March: RFID World 2005 Show Heralds RFID Shift From Trials to Deployments ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Industry pundits predict that 2005 will be the year for radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to move beyond pilots to broad-scale ...

... Industry pundits predict that 2005 will be the year for radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to move beyond pilots to broad-scale deployment in retail supply chain, pharmaceutical/healthcare, contactless payment, government ID as well as other markets. Thousands of attendees are expected to gather at RFID World 2005, March 2-3, 2005, at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas, Texas to hear insights on this trend from the industry's leading experts. The RFID World 2005 (www.rfid-world.com/rfid05) conference program covers the broadest range of RFID technologies and markets, and is designed to provide companies with practical, in-depth strategies for deploying RFID and EPC solutions. Attendees will also be able to visit with more than 100 exhibitors, while learning more about the technology and lessons learned through case studies in eight breakout tracks and more than 30 educational sessions. ...

Select resources on moving beyond RFID pilots ...

MARKEM Corporation: CoLOS RFID Software: For smart and fast pilots, industry leaders are using ... RFID SmartStart software even comes with a set of ... return on your investment when you move beyond a pilot ...

The Path Forward: I predicted that we would move beyond talk of theoretical ... to try to figure out what exactly RFID was and ... they are further along in their pilots or deployments ...

RFID: File Format: Microsoft Powerpoint 97 ... Practice: utilized existing OSD RFID 0-6 IPT; briefed RFID Policy/pilots status. Tasked by 3-Stars (DTTF) to Expand IPT Scope. Move beyond RFID to all AITs and ...

DOD RFID Summit for Industry ...

From Automatic Identification Technology Office ...

... "February 9-10, 2005 . Announcing the 2005 DOD RFID Summit for Industry to be held at Washington Hilton & Towers in Washington, DC. Make plans now to attend! Registration is now open and reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Date & Location:
February 9-10, 2005
Hilton Washington
Washington, DC, U.S.A.

The Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Supply Chain Integration) will host a third industry meeting on February 9-10, 2005 to continue to execute their DOD RFID Policy.
The DOD RFID Policy "establishes policy for the use of RFID within the DOD and initiates a strategy to take maximum advantage of the inherent life-cycle asset management efficiencies that can be realized with integration of RFID throughout DOD." The DOD RFID Summit for Industry Objective:
The Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Supply Chain Integration has taken the lead to facilitate the implementation of the RFID policy within the DOD and is hosting the DOD RFID Summit for Industry to provide information on:

The Implementation Plan - review of the roadmap that targets critical distribution functions
within the Defense Distribution Depots, depot maintenance facilities, and strategic aerial ports.
Scheduled implementation timeline and requirements for suppliers based on procurement
methods, classes/commodities, location and layers of packaging.
Technical details on RFID technology compliance.
DFAR Update.
Industry Implementations.
Showcase of RFID technology providers.

On July 30, 2004, the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics signed a memorandum outlining policy for the use of RFID within the Department of Defense (DoD). The strategy calls for taking maximum advantage of the inherent life-cycle asset management efficiencies that can be realized with integration of RFID throughout DoD. Leveraging this technology to improve our ability to get the customer the right materiel, at the right time, and in the right condition is a critical part of our End-to-End Warfighter Support initiative. The new policy addresses two general types of RFID tags: (1) active, which contains an internal power source, enabling the tag to hold more data and has a longer "read" range and (2) passive, which does not contain any power source, holds a minimum of data and has a shorter "read" range.

The policy directs the adoption of specific business rules for the active, high data capacity RFID currently used in the DoD operational environment to ensure continued support for ongoing Combatant Commander in-transit visibility requirements and operations. The policy states that DoD will be an early adopter of innovative, passive RFID technology that leverages the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and compatible RFID tags. The policy will require suppliers to put passive RFID tags on lowest possible piece part/case/pallet packaging by January 2005." ...

RFID Update

From Congressman Cliff Stearns, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee ...

... "The most common commercial application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves to transmit data from a transmitter called a tag to a scanning device called a reader, which can be networked with a computer database, explained Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee. These RFID tags can be attached by manufacturers and retailers to products and packaging for tracking large bulk containers and pallets along the supply chain. One possible application of this technology involves using readers at a store checkout - consumers place tagged items in their shopping cart, pass through the checkout where the items are read, and their accounts are automatically updated without waiting in line,' said Stearns. 'However, this point of sale application raises privacy issues and these questions. Will I be able to disable or remove the tag? What happens to the data harvested from my purchase? How secure is that data, and what prevents third parties from accessing and misusing that information? The subcommittee heard testimony from a distinguished panel of witnesses from academia, business, and consumer privacy organizations. Representing WalMart, the world's largest retailer, Linda Dillman, Executive Vice President & Chief information Officer, outlined the company's use of RFID. 'Currently, cases and pallets of 21 products from eight suppliers destined for one distribution center and seven Supercenters in North Texas are being tagged. The readers assist Wal-Mart in knowing when a product is received, where it is stored, when it goes on the sales floor, if it returns for any reason, and when the case is submitted for recycling." ...

RFID Logistics: Delfour Establishes RFID Lab with Third Party Logistics Focus ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... of third party and fourth party logistics (3PL/4PL) management software, has led the formation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) laboratories for ...

Many companies, such as Delfour, are creating working RFID laboratories to support development and testing of new business processes enabled by RFID technology. In this case, the focus is on RFID-enabled logistics processes ...

... Delfour Corporation, a leading innovator and provider of third party and fourth party logistics (3PL/4PL) management software, has led the formation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) laboratories for testing RFID technologies (hardware, software, labels) and integration with standard operating procedures in a real warehouse operating environment, it was announced today by President and CEO Joe E. Couto. Operating under an industry consortium framework in which various 3PL operators and vendor technology groups work together to drive 3PL/4PL-based RFID solutions, laboratories have been established in Richmond, Virginia, USA at the facilities of Richmond Cold Storage and in Brampton, Ontario, Canada at the facilities of Confederation Freezers. ...

Delfour Corporation, based in Markham, is a global provider of comprehensive, highly configurable, advanced supply chain execution solutions for the third and fourth party logistics (3PL, 4PL) industries. Delfour's SmartEnterprise solutions establish exceptionally smart supply chains that enable clients and their customers to experience seamless execution of warehouse management and related logistics functions, and to achieve enhanced profitability by collaborating throughout the supply chain. Innovative use of Oracle's Relational Database Management System and Java(TM) technology enables Delfour to maintain its leading role in the production and implementation of logistics systems that run in all operating system environments.

RFID Technology: RFID Lab Preview At University of Wisconsin E-Business Conference ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... The UW E-Business Institute will preview a new RFID Lab at the 7th annual E-Business Best Practices and Emerging Technologies Conference Wednesday ...

... The UW E-Business Institute will preview a new RFID Lab at the 7th annual E-Business Best Practices and Emerging Technologies Conference Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wis. Two things set the UW RFID Lab apart from those at other universities. First, diverse groups of companies actively collaborate on research and sponsored projects, such as Case New Holland America, Lands' End, Rockwell Automation, and SC Johnson. These companies and many others are part of the UW RFID Industry Workgroup (established September 2003). Second, the work goes beyond the issues and applications facing consumer product suppliers affected by the Wal-Mart mandate. ...

The UW E-Business Institute (UWEBI) serves as Wisconsin's leading center for multidisciplinary research collaboration, technology innovation and industry outreach on e-business. Through collaboration with other campuses, technical colleges, extension organizations and research institutions, UWEBI establishes a unique e-business competitive intelligence and knowledge transfer network. UWEBI helps enhance economic development by accelerating the understanding and successful adoption of e-business strategies, technologies and practices in Wisconsin's industry clusters.

IBM RFID Services: IBM Expands RFID Offerings with Services for Mid-Market and ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... 14, 2004--Today IBM announced a broad suite of services to speed the benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems to industrial companies and mid ...

... Today IBM announced a broad suite of services to speed the benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems to industrial companies and mid-market businesses. The announcement was made at the Frontline Conference and Expo here at Chicago's Navy Pier. Services for industrial companies include consulting, development of the RFID business case, technological proof of concept, internal pilot, trading partner pilot and full rollout of the systems. The new services are geared toward the automotive industry, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, chemicals and petroleum, forest and paper and electronics companies. IBM's RFID consultants assess the company's operating environment and test parts and products for RFID performance. Testing is done at the client's site and at IBM's RFID test centers, located at IBM's Yamato, Japan, LaGaude, France and Gaithersburg, Maryland facilities. ...

IBM is the world's leading e-business company offering a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that help businesses take full advantage of emerging innovation. IBM's pervasive computing and wireless strategy is to extend e-business applications to the new class of client devices. This involves building and implementing wireless applications, creating groundbreaking initiatives to set open industry standards; and deploying hundreds of wireless consultants. IBM has the ability to develop, integrate and deliver solutions to meet the requirements of Network Operators, Broadband Services Providers and municipal/regional government business and infrastructure requirements.

Retail RFID: METRO Group Selects Intermec to Provide RFID Systems for New RFID ...

From SourceWire (press release), United Kingdom ... UK, August 20, 2004 - METRO Group, one of the world’s largest retail groups, has selected Intermec Technologies to provide a range of RFID (radio frequency ...

... METRO Group, one of the world’s largest retail groups, has selected Intermec Technologies to provide a range of RFID (radio frequency identification) inventory tracking systems for its METRO Group Innovation Centre, which has opened in Neuss, Germany. The Innovation Centre is designed to give METRO Group’s suppliers access to live RFID demonstrations, systems and products. Intermec is supplying RFID forklift, conveyor and dock door readers for the centre, as well as RFID-enabled mobile computers and printers. The partnership builds on Intermec’ RFID participation in METRO Group’s Future Store in Rheinberg, Germany, which demonstrates how emerging technologies can benefit retailing operations from inventory to point of sale. Intermec provides RFID case and pallet-level tracking capabilities to the Future Store. ...

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.

The METRO Group is the world’s fourth-largest trading and retailing group. With its powerful brands, the METRO Group operates successfully in 28 different countries around the world - at almost 2,400 locations with more than 240,000 employees. The METRO Group’s six sales divisions operate independently on the market with their own specific sales concepts: Metro/Makro Cash & Carry - the world’s market leader in self-service wholesaling, Real hypermarkets, Extra supermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn - the leading consumer electronics centers in Europe, Praktiker home improvement and DIY centers, and the department stores of Galeria Kaufhof. The Future Store in Rheinberg is a project of the METRO Group Future Store Initiative. In the Future Store, METRO Group together with some 45 renowned partners from the IT, the consumer goods and the service industry tests the application and interaction of various new technologies for retailing under real conditions. The objective is the development of benefit-focused solutions which lead to advantages for the consumer and the retail and consumer goods industries alike. So far, the retailing sector has only implemented individual applications of innovative technologies or individual systems – in the Future Store, trailblazing technologies are linked for the first time in a complex form.

Walmart RFID Program: WalMart RFID Compliance Simplified with Revolutionary Function ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... that could save consumer products manufacturers millions of dollars in complying with new requirements for tracking goods through RFID technology, Schneider ...

... In a technical breakthrough that could save consumer products manufacturers millions of dollars in complying with new requirements for tracking goods through RFID technology, Schneider Electric has introduced TCP Open(TM), a function block code that enables a PLC to communicate easily with any third-party TCP device, including RF tag readers, printers, bar code readers and even other PLCs. The code was developed for the Modicon(R) Premium(TM) controller. The new RFID standards established by Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense require suppliers shipping goods to track them by case and pallet. The requirements have created severe challenges for most PLC suppliers, who often require consumer goods manufacturers to purchase thousands of dollars worth of intermediate hardware and software in order to allow RF tag readers to communicate with the PLCs that record product shipping information. ...

Headquartered in Palatine, Ill., the North American Operating Division of Schneider Electric had sales of $2.5 billion in 2003. The North American Operating Division is one of four geographic divisions of Schneider Electric, headquartered in Paris, France, and markets the Square D, Telemecanique and Merlin Gerin brand products to customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States, Schneider Electric is best known by its flagship Square D brand, with Telemecanique becoming increasingly known in the industrial control and automation markets and supported by many Square D distributors. For 100 years, Square D has been a market-leading brand of electrical distribution and industrial control products, systems and services. Schneider Electric is a global electrical industry leader with 2003 sales of approximately $9.9 billion.

RFID Standards: RFID Worth a closer look now

From Asia Computer Weekly, Singapore ... Singapore: RFID technologies and standards may still be evolving, but you can start looking at building a business case around RFID now. ...

" ... Although RFID tags and readers are already available, RFID standards have not yet matured and the technologies do not interoperate across geographical borders. Fortunately, things are progressing for EPCglobal, an industry-backed organisation developing RFID standards ... "

Food Industry RFID: Bruce Foods Leverages RedPrairie Functionality to Achieve ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Bruce Foods, a specialty US food manufacturer, will implement industry-leading RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Transportation and Warehouse Management ...

About RedPrairie Corporation: RedPrairie is a leader in supply chain technology solutions that help customers transform their businesses. These global, end-to-end logistics solutions optimize operations across customers' extended supply networks, driving out costs, improving customer service and creating competitive advantage. RedPrairie's RFID-enabled suite of supply chain technology solutions provide the industry's leading transportation, productivity, and distribution management capabilities, enhanced with process management and optimization components for real-time visibility, event management, sourcing, quality control, supplier collaboration and performance management. RedPrairie provides industry-tailored solutions for many markets, including consumer goods, direct to consumer and traditional retail, food and beverage, high tech / electronics, third party logistics, industrial / wholesale, automotive and service parts, and pharmaceuticals. Customers include Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Thames Water, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Panasonic, Georgia-Pacific, Eveready, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Unilever, Exel, GE, TNT Logistics, and many others.

" ... RedPrairie RFID strategy addresses the three issues companies are facing today as they plan for inevitable RFID adoption – how to comply with retail 2005 requirements, how to transition from current barcode environments, and how to move to the ultimate scan-free environments that will be possible as RFID technology matures. Compliance: The RFID Accelerator is designed to enable companies to meet the demands of the large retailers without replacing their existing infrastructure. The application provides agents to collect and verify RFID tag information, retrieve related inventory data and pass this combined information to the retailers in advanced shipping notices (ASNs). This will provide the pallet and case RFID-based information that Wal-Mart and Target will require. Transition: Because taking full advantage of RFID technology will entail a fundamental change to distribution operations, companies will need to transition to this stage over a period of time while continuing to leverage their existing investments in RF and barcode infrastructure. To facilitate this dual mode of operation, RedPrairie has integrated RFID functionality with traditional processing so that distribution operations are independent of the data capture source. This will enable customers to take early advantage of RFID benefits, such as increased inventory visibility and accuracy, reduced labor costs and faster cycle times, without disrupting existing operations. Scan-Free: As RFID technology matures, it will enable companies to fundamentally redefine distribution operations. Operations currently requiring manual scanning will be replaced by scan-free operations that query, collect, store and transmit inventory information without human intervention. RedPrairie is working with its customers and the RFID Center of Excellence to define these new operational requirements and build support for them into its application suite. This will have positive impact on warehouse efficiency, labor productivity, transportation turnaround times and retail in-stock levels ... "

Smart Card: Multi-Application Smart Card Developers Must Articulate Business ...

From Tekrati Industry Analyst Reporter (press release), CA Frost analysts say smart card manufacturers and open platform consortiums need to establish a viable business case for multi-application cards. ...

RFID Conference: Laying the foundation for RFID

From Wisconsin Technology Network, WI ... All of these steps came into being for RFID, or radio frequency identification technology, at Thursday’s Wisconsin RFID Conference, sponsored by the UW E ...


Audience: Corporate executives and senior managers responsible for the development and implementation of RFID strategy. Plus network with UW E-Business Consortium RFID Industry Workgroup companies and e!nnovate members!

RFID Market and User Landscape
Paul Schmidt, Senior Manager, Accenture
• Provide an understanding of why RFID is an important technology;
Comparison with other competing AIDC technologies
• Current state of RFID technology – EPC and other
• State of vendor market space
• State of the RFID adoption: Key examples of who is using RFID successfully and the scope of benefits achieved.

Building Blocks of an RFID system
Mike Burnham, President, Panatrack &
Ken Tinnell, Practice Leader, Rockwell Automation
• Key components of an RFID system
• Overview of tags and readers
• Technical challenges to anticipate with RFID
• Co-existence and integration with other AIDC technologies

RFID Opportunity Identification & Business Case Development
Scott Springer, Partner, Virchow Krause & Co, LLC &
Jack Kahler, President, Avocus Group
How to analyze your business to find and prioritize opportunities for RFID. Learn practical methods developed by the Business-Case Action Group of the UW RFID Industry Workgroup.

RFID System Architecture and Data Management: Design and Integration
Dave Douglas, Senior Vice President, Products & Strategy,
ConnecTerra & Greg Hubbert, Director of Logistics, Rockwell Automation
RFID architecture components and strategies for creating the right infrastructure, and issues pertaining to data management.

HHS RFID: HHS RFID Will Thwart Drug Counterfeiting

From eWeek ... While bar codes can make sure that the right drug gets to the right patient at the right dose, RFID technology is the next logical step. ...

HHS RFID Internal Business Process: Some of the strongest tools for personal property control and accountability are proper receiving, tagging/barcoding/radio frequency identification devices (RFID) scanning of property and proper assignment to use. Receiving operations will see more RFID devices on products as more military and civilian Agencies require suppliers to put passive or, in some cases active, RFID tags on the lowest possible part, case or pallet. Tracing of an item can occur through the supply chain from manufacturer to the precise customer location. Asset movement at the customer location can also be monitored. Agencies normally use passive RFID tags because of cost. Active RFID tags, which are more expensive, use batteries, stay on all the time and require a scanning device to determine the part or container's contents. Passive RFID tags, which are less expensive, stay dormant until scanned. Scanning can be via a hand held device or a pass-through scanning machine. Programmable RFIDs can hold maintenance records. RFID capability will be fully integrated into existing and future Property Management Information Systems/Asset Management Systems (PMIS/AMS) so that RFID recorded events become automatic transactions of record.

RFID Technology: CapTech Delivers TagsWare(TM) RFID Solution Version 1.1

From PR Newswire (press release) ... RICHMOND, Va., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- CapTech has made it easier for businesses to implement RFID technology by releasing its latest version of TagsWare(TM ...

TagsWare™ is a software solution designed to expedite the integration of RFID technology into enterprise systems. CapTech designed TagsWare™ to help companies speed compliance to Walmart and DoD initiatives, provide tag, reader, and platform independence, and protect companies from changing RFID standards. CapTech's professional consulting team is working on several pilots of the software and can assist companies looking to increase the business case value for deploying RFID. TagsWare™ easily integrates with RFID readers from many different manufacturers and supports divergent RFID tag types. TagsWare™ abstracts the interfaces and tags so that the enterprise application need not be aware of hardware details.

CapTech is a technology company that uses software engineering processes to solve complex business problems for a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies and regional market leaders to small businesses and startups. The mission critical solutions we develop are built on the partnerships we have established with industry leaders such as IBM®, Borland™, BEA™ Systems, Oracle®, Microsoft®, Sun Microsystems, and Open Source products. The driving force behind our success is the fact that we work closely with our clients, getting to know their businesses and the vision that guides them. CapTech sees RFID technology as a leading catalyst for innovation in information technology and supply chain management. RFID projects require the integration and engineering skills that CapTech has honed since its inception.

RFID Technology: Merit-Trax technology for fresh produce traceability

From Food Navigator, France ... Merit-Trax Technologies has selected Syscan International as its exclusive supplier of RFID technology for its Trax-IT Fructus software application. ...

Syscan specializes in delivering RFID based business efficiency solutions to a wide variety of industries that characteristically function in harsh and difficult operating environments. Its standardized supply chain solutions include asset tracking, temperature monitoring and quality control methodologies for meat processing, the food and health care sectors, transportation, mining and automobile production. The company also produces and distributes its proprietary rugged in-vehicle and portable printers to corporations and law enforcement agencies throughout the world.

Merit-Trax Technologies is an IBM-Business Partner(ISV) independent software vendor providing custom-designed software products and integrated traceability solutions for the Food Industry Supply Chain (non-consumer packaged goods) segment, with Trax-IT©, one of the food industry's leading software suites for enterprise. The software is of modular design to accommodate the requirements of various business models including trading, processing, distribution, warehousing and 3rd party logistics in the meat, poultry, seafood, fresh/frozen produce and ingredients sectors. Trax-IT© enterprise modules provide all the of the functionality necessary to effectively manage Accounting, Trading (Cost Card System), Processing, Food Service Distribution, Warehousing and 3PL for non-consumer packaged goods. The Processing, Food Service Distribution, Warehousing and 3PL modules provide for complete traceability to the case level.

Oracle RFID: Oracle Previews Next Release of Oracle E-Business Suite

From CPILive.net, United Arab Emirates ... One example of the Oracle E-Business Suite 11i.10 industry enhancements is the new capabilities for radio frequency identification (RFID), also announced today ...

With Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), companies can more accurately track assets and monitor key indicators, gain greater visibility into their operations, and make decisions based on real-time information. RFID is just one type of sensor-based technology; others include moisture, light, temperature, and vibration sensors. Increasingly, RFID tags are being combined with sensors and tracking technologies like GPS to give companies greater visibility into their supply chains for reduced risk and optimized business processes.

Oracle Sensor-Based Services are a comprehensive set of capabilities to capture, manage, analyze, access, and respond to data from sensors such as RFID, location, and temperature. Based on Oracle Database 10g, Oracle Application Server 10g, Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g, and Oracle E-Business Suite 11i, Oracle Sensor-Based Services enable companies to quickly and easily integrate sensor-based information into their enterprise systems. Oracle’s solution includes a Compliance package, an RFID pilot kit, and integrated support in Oracle E-Business Suite and Oracle Application Server.

As the retail industry gears up for RFID (radio frequency identification) mandates from major retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart, Oracle is in lock step with CPG industry initiatives. Oracle delivered on its promise that the next version of Oracle Warehouse Management would be RFID-ready. The Compliance module will include a prebuilt compliance application to allow companies to address the specific and unique reporting requirements coming down from the major retailers and the Department of Defense. The Pilot Kit
allows smaller companies to test RFID with a light-weight solution that includes drivers for the major RFID readers, plus reporting and analytic tools to process RFID data. The new version of Oracle Warehouse Management will enable pallet- and case-level tagging for automatic processing of inbound and outbound shipments. With Oracle's new capabilities, companies will be able to easily identify, track and manage pallets and cases as they move through the supply chain. The improved order visibility will enable organizations to make more informed decisions about production, inventory stock, delivery promise dates, and quickly adapt to fluctuating market demands. Additionally, the automated, real-time tracking capabilities will help improve security and cut costs associated with manual processes.

Oracle Warehouse Management uses both Oracle Database 10g and Oracle Application Server 10g to efficiently and securely move and manage RFID data. By taking advantage of Oracle's data management expertise, Oracle Warehouse Management customers will be able to track, store and manipulate RFID in real-time, without compromising security, high availability and performance. Additionally, companies using Oracle 10g products to manage RFID data are able to identify hidden trends and patterns in order fulfillment, uncover new cost reduction opportunities and reduce business risks.

RFID, technology that includes tags and reader devices that use radio waves to automatically identify items, continues to gain momentum with suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers for its ability to eliminate line-of-site processes - such as manual bar code scanning - and automate critical supply chain transactions. EPC, a new numbering scheme for identifying products in the supply chain, is gaining widespread acceptance as an emerging standard. In addition to Wal-Mart, the Department of Defense also issued a mandate to its top suppliers to incorporate RFID tags in all pallet shipments by 2005. These industry initiatives are expected to help grow the global RFID market to $3 billion by 2007, according to the Wireless Data Research Group.