Wednesday, March 05, 2008

SamsClub RFID Compliance Solution Enables Retailer Programs

Acsis introduces RFID tagging application for the consumer product value chain, called ProducTrak Compliance Edition. The solution jump-starts the compliance with retailer RFID requirements, such as Sams Club and Walmart. ...

... "With ProducTrak CE, manufacturers affected by the trading partner requirements for RFID tagged product cases and pallets are able to streamline and simplify the tagging of shipments through the use of RFID tag labeling. Several major retailers including WalMart, Target, Albertson's and most recently, Sam's Club, are calling for suppliers to provide RFID-tagged products to gain better inventory visibility and increase on-shelf product availability, as well as improve security and assure less shrinkage. In January, Sam's Club communicated several new RFID requirements and deadlines to suppliers. With over 580 stores and 47 million members in the US alone, its RFID tagging program will likely impact more locations, consumers, and products than any other initiative currently announced. " ...


Via Acsis: LOW-COST FULFILLMENT OF RETAILER RFID TAG REQUIREMENTS

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Sunday, January 27, 2008

SamsClub RFID Compliance

With Sams Club suppliers needing a compliance solutions, epcSolutions positions RFIDTagManager as the out of the box solution platform to meet the RFID requirement. ...

... "RFIDTagManager for Sam's Club, built on epcSolutions SensorOS, allows the ability for end users to meet current Sam's Club RFID pallet tagging requirements, as well as, meeting the future case tagging requirement, with a simple out of the box solution requiring no additional software. RFIDTagManager for Sam's Club includes a full SQL database, EPCIS and connectivity to all the RFID hardware. " ...


RFID Compliance Package Released





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Friday, November 30, 2007

RFID Pharma Item and Case Tag Reading

Impinj pharma RFID solution supports packaging operations, while it reads the item-level and case RFID tags. ...









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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

RFID Enabled Cartons Have Embedded Inlays

HIDE-Pack and Domino Integrated Solutions Group introduce RFID-enabled Smart Boxes that integrate the RFID inlay into the packaging medium - cartons, cases, etc. ...

RFID Integrated into Packaging

... "HIDE-Pack consists of embedding an RFID inlay within the structure of a package, corrugated case or folding carton, so that the inlay is not visible from the outside or the inside of the package. Effectively, the RFID inlay becomes an integral part of the packaging medium. The layers of packaging adhesive encapsulating the HIDE-compliant inlay preserve the inlay's performance under detrimental conditions such a condensation resulting from cold storage and immersion in water. " ...


Via Domino Integrated Solutions Group: RFID-Enabled Boxes

Related:

DHL Innovation Center SmartBox: "The Smart Box transports visitors to the future of logistics: the intelligent container is constantly linked and communicates its load, status and position. "

SafetyStream SmartBox: "ship your sensitive property anywhere with the Safetystream SmartBox, a secure shipping container with tamper-resistant electronic locking system. "

HP on Importance of Smart Packaging in Containing Costs (PDF): "The requirement to make our packaging smarter, more intelligent, and more functional is clearly understood among the engineering ranks within HP. "

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Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Alien RFID Squiggle Tags

Alien Technology expands its portfolio of Alien Squiggle EPC Gen 2 RFID tags by introducing two new form factors for case and item-level tracking that are smaller and higher performance. ...

Alien introduces Squiggle tags in new form factor for tracking at the case and item level.

... "Alien Squiggle: The Squiggle (ALN-9540), the most versatile member of Alien's family, delivers industry leading range, reliability and price for a broad range of traditional pallet and case uses as well as innovative new RFID applications. The Squiggle tag outperforms other tags in leading benchmark studies, including the recent EECC UHF Tag Performance Survey. " ...


Via Alien Technology: Two Additions to Its Squiggle(R) Portfolio of EPC Gen 2 Tags

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

RFID Tire Tags Order Could Be Significant

Advanced ID completes tire tracking pilot for companies in South America and will provide quote for the production of over 11 million RFID Tire Tags. ...

Advanced ID tire tags

... "The quantity of tags along with the traditional tire manufacturer operations could mean the incremental sale of several thousand RFID readers as well. It is anticipated that the order for monthly shipments will start shortly after the conclusion of a successful final product trial. " ...


Record-Breaking RFID Tire Tag Quote Totaling Over 11 Million Units

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Monday, March 05, 2007

RFID-Enabled Data Center: Tape Location

Imation teams with B&L Associates, Inc. to deliver an RFID-enabled tape tracking system. Imation's DataGuard system is integrated with B&L's VaultLedger or Vertices software to support data administrators work processes: storage, protection, tracking and instantly location of th audit trail of every data cartridge in their data center's tape libraries. ...

Imation automate data center tape management processes with RFID

... "With RFID-tagged labels affixed to each tape cartridge, administrators can easily check-in and check-out each cartridge via entry and exit workstations. The cartridges -- or case of cartridges -- are then tracked via the B&L VaultLedger or Vertices software. " ...


B&L Associates Partners with Imation to Deliver Next-Generation Tape Tracking System Software

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

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) ...

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Sunday, January 21, 2007

3M RFID Library Productivity

3M Library Systems introduces new features into its workstations that make them fast, reliable and easy-to-use RFID products in the library environment. ...

... "Like its 3M predecessor model, the 3M Model 946 - with its ergonomic design - performs checkout or return in one step, combining RFID item identification and Tattle-Tape Security Strip from 3M in the same operation. The system also can perform bar code-to-RFID conversions for new acquisitions and smaller scale collections. For visual and audio media, it enables staff to verify that the case and item within match, without opening the case, and can confirm the presence of a sensitized Tattle-Tape Security Strip by means of a verifier light. Also introduced today was the 3M Conversion Station Model 812, an improved self-contained portable system for rapidly scanning bar codes and converting the data for RFID. Compared to its predecessor model, it contains a larger touch-sensitive screen, an easier-to-load 3M RFID tag dispenser, and the capability of converting all 3M RFID tag formats. Similar to its predecessor, 3M Model 812's sophisticated laser scanner is effective for virtually any bar code location or orientation, and provides a visible scan line that helps the user place items correctly. Because it does not require connection to an automated circulation system, the workstation can be easily moved on its cart for use in the stacks. The station also can reprogram RFID tags as items change. " ...


Via 3M Library Systems: 3M Unveils Two Advanced RFID Workstations with Additional Enhancements for Productivity and Security ...

Libraries are increasingly using RFID technology to manage their processes. ...

3M: Wyoming's Largest Public Library Chooses 3M RFID for Expanded Facility:
... "With the 3M RFID system, everything in the library's collection is affixed with an RFID tag. The tag contains a tiny antenna and a memory chip that stores information about each item's identity and allows accurate identification and tracking. A cordless, handheld scanner reads the tags, enabling library staff to easily locate, inventory, check in and check out materials. Unlike barcode systems, RFID does not require line of sight between the tag and the scanner, resulting in easier, more efficient tracking. " ...

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Thursday, November 16, 2006

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. ...

Cardinal Health tests RFID in pharmaceutical supply chain management

... "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 ...

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Monday, October 09, 2006

RFID Case Tracking: BestBuy Compliance ...

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

RFID case tagging is required for shipments to BestBuy ...

... "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

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree ...

Unisys and ODIN Tech collaborate on RFID frequency research for pharmaceutical industry ePedigree applications ...

... "Sponsored by Unisys, who collaborated with ODIN in the design of testing protocols and use cases, the benchmark addresses the industry's heated debate over which frequency, high (HF) or ultra-high (UHF) works best for item-level pharmaceutical tracking and authentication. The testing focused on scientific evaluation of various tags and then pinpointed several popular applications or use-case testing scenarios. Significant collaboration with pharmaceutical clients and partners, including manufacturers and distributors, made the tests particularly salient to a broad audience in the pharmaceutical world. All of the testing was conducted with hardware and tags that are available in production quantities to end-users today. No prototype or hand-built artifacts were allowed in the research as they are untested in production environments and prototype demonstrations are often misleading.

After completing scientific tag testing, ODIN technologies and Unisys extended this study to include RFID use cases typical in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The team used standard pill bottles, liquid filled bottles and blister packs for the testing. These use cases uncover the core requirements of RFID as an e-Pedigree and product authentication tool in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This step goes beyond mere demonstration or theoretical analysis to provide direct evidence of HF and UHF RFID performance in a real world setting. Since there is a wide variety in RFID tag and reader performance, multiple UHF and HF tags and readers were utilized throughout the process. The final performance analysis was based on the best performing reader and tag combinations in each frequency. " ...

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree: Via Unisys: Unisys & ODIN technologies' Research Reveals RFID High- vs. Ultra-high Frequency Leader for Pharmaceutical Industry

ODIN technologies is the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, deployment and software. ODIN technologies leverages its team of RF engineers, physicists and software developers combined with its laboratory facilities to provide RFID consulting services to major retailers, pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods manufacturers, United States government agencies and other RFID adopters. In addition to client deployment services, ODIN technologies is also the publisher of the RFID Benchmark Series, the industry's first and most referenced head to head performance analysis of leading RFID components. ODIN's President and CEO, Patrick J. Sweeney II is also author of RFID for Dummies published by John Wiley & Sons. ODIN technologies is privately held and has labs and offices in Dulles, VA.

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Thursday, March 30, 2006

RFID Tests Pharma Item Tracking ...

Unisys and ODIN Technologies collaborate to develop facts on the performance of RFID tag frequencies for item tracking in the pharmaceutical supply chain. ...

... "Sponsored by Unisys, who collaborated with Odin in the design of testing protocols and use cases, the benchmark addresses the industry's heated debate over which frequency, high (HF) or ultra-high (UHF) works best for item-level pharmaceutical tracking and authentication. The testing focused on scientific evaluation of various tags and then pinpointed several popular applications or use-case testing scenarios. Significant collaboration with pharmaceutical clients and partners, including manufacturers and distributors, made the tests particularly salient to a broad audience in the pharmaceutical world. All of the testing was conducted with hardware and tags that are available in production quantities to end-users today. No prototype or hand-built artifacts were allowed in the research as they are untested in production environments and prototype demonstrations are often misleading. " ...

RFID Tests Pharma Item Tracking: Via ODIN Tech: ODIN technologies and Unisys Research Reveals RFID HF vs. UHF item-level performance leader for Pharma: The item-level pharmaceutical RFID debate is answered in the scientific Benchmark Report, Pharmaceutical Item Level RFID: Battle of the Frequencies ...

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

RFID Gen2 Strap-on-Box Case Tracking ...

TI and Smurfit-Stone collaborate to deliver case tracking capability through Gen2 strap-on-box RFID tags. ...

... "Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, the industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging, is demonstrating the first Electronic Product Code (EPC) Generation 2 (Gen 2) radio frequency identification (RFID) strap-on-box prototypes at RFID World 2006, in Dallas, at the Texas Instruments booth #701. Using TI's Tag-it™ EPC Gen 2 Strap, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation has developed an innovative process for attaching Gen 2 straps to printed antennas directly on a corrugated box. The company is introducing its technology to consumer products goods (CPGs) manufacturers applying Gen 2 technology to cases for supply chain tracking applications. " ...

RFID Gen2 Strap-on-Box Case Tracking: Via Texas Instruments: Texas Instruments and Smurfit-Stone Demonstrate EPC Gen 2 Strap-on-Box Application at RFID World 2006 ...

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Saturday, March 11, 2006

RFID Hospital Improves Patient Safety ...

Upcoming IQPC conference focuses on the use of RFID technology in hospitals to increase patient safety. ...

... "Recognizing the need for hospitals and health centers to implement RFID and barcoding processes to achieve greater efficiency, track moveable medical assets (including patients), and enhance patient safety, Healthcare IQ, the healthcare division of the International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC), announced it's 4th Annual RFID, Tracking and Barcoding for Hospitals, to take place March 20-23, 2006 at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ. This conference will feature over 20 brand new case studies in two separate tracks: Innovative Solutions in Barcoding and Innovative Solutions in RFID. " ...

Via IQPC: Leading Hospitals and Health Centers Discuss Innovative Solutions Utilizing RFID and Barcoding to Reduce Medical Errors and Increase Patient Safety

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Thursday, March 09, 2006

RFID Logistics Readiness PDK ...

Marines get trained in using the RFID-enabled portable deployment kit (PDK) to increase their logistics readiness. ...

... "The PDK assists with gear and shipment accountability by using radio frequency identification to continually keep track of electronic tags embedded with supplies. Unlike most RFID interrogators, which are static in design and cannot move, the PDK fits inside a case that can be carried by one person. ...

For the first two days of the training, the Marines attended lectures about the components that make up the PDK and how to use them properly. Marines then began practical application of their new skills by riding in a HMMWV and configuring their PDK to scan for specific RFID tags. " ...

RFID Logistics Readiness PDK: Via US Marine Corps: Marines increase logistics readiness with PDK training

Marine Corps: Logistics tracking equipment valuable to operations: "Tracking all this equipment can be an arduous task, but with the help of the portable deployment radio frequency identification tag kit made by Savi Technologies Incorporated and the Marines of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distribution Center, the of tracking these shipments is made a little easier. "

RFID portable deployment kit PDK supports logistics readiness for Marines ...

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Wednesday, January 25, 2006

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. "

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Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Read Any RFID Tag: ThingMagic Reader ...

ThingMagic and Fujitsu partner to deliver RFID reader solutions in the marketplace. ...

... "Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. and ThingMagic, Inc., a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID) sensing and embedded computing technologies, announced a reseller and support agreement for RFID technology. The Fujitsu and ThingMagic contract outlines Fujitsu's agreement to resell, deploy and support ThingMagic's Mercury4 RFID readers.

Fujitsu and ThingMagic will continue to evolve their offerings to include the most innovative and cost effective RFID solutions available. Today, many companies are piloting RFID technology on a case and pallet level to improve the efficiency of receiving cases and pallets of merchandise and tracking the flow of goods from the loading dock to sales floor. With RFID readers that automatically identify product movement in real-time, stores improve the accuracy of data and the speed-to-shelf. The improved efficiency and reduced labor cost help stores relentlessly reduce costs.

ThingMagic's Mercury4 RFID reader platform, the only reader available that can read any RFID tag, is designed with a unique Software Defined Radio architecture. Mercury4 is certified by EPCglobal and MET Labs for all three Generation 2 RFID modes, including the complex Dense Reader mode. As a result, Mercury4 readers are easily and remotely updated for any future Generation 2 variants and other new RFID standards, ensuring that customers will always have the latest RFID technology available. " ...

Via ThingMagic: Fujitsu / ThingMagic RFID Alliance

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Friday, January 06, 2006

Pfizer RFID Combats Counterfeit Drugs ...

Pfizer implements RFID tags to combat drug counterfeiting. ...

... "In its latest initiative to promote patient safety by combating pharmaceutical counterfeiting, Pfizer Inc has begun to ship its first product containing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to its customers in the United States. RFID technology is being added to all Viagra (sildenafil citrate) sold in the U.S. to enable pharmacies and wholesalers to verify the unique electronic product code, or EPC, on Viagra packaging. Pfizer is the first pharmaceutical company to put in place a comprehensive program of this type focused on EPC authentication as a means of deterring counterfeiting. Viagra was selected for the RFID project because it has been a major target for counterfeiters. Pfizer has invested several million dollars to date in the technology, which discourages counterfeiting because it is both difficult and expensive to duplicate. RFID tags incorporate the EPC into each package, case and pallet of Viagra. Pharmacists and wholesalers use specially-designed electronic scanners that communicate the code over the internet to a secure Pfizer website. The company's application of RFID is not yet capable of tracking and tracing medicines through the distribution system. Track and trace requires that all parts of the supply chain invest in compatible technology and agree to capture and share information about product movement. Pfizer will continue to explore the uses of this technology—including track and trace—during the coming year. " ...

Pfizer RFID Combats Counterfeit Drugs: Via Pfizer: Pfizer Introduces Radio Frequency Identification Technology to Combat Counterfeiting, Protect Patient Health ...

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Saturday, December 17, 2005

ItemLevel RFID: Manage StockOuts Shrinkage ...

Vue and Symbol collaborate to develop RFID solutions that minimize retail stock-outs and inventory shrinkage. ...

... "Vue Technology, a leading provider of item-level RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, and Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility Company, announced that they will jointly develop and deliver integrated item-level RFID solutions for retailers and manufacturers. The integrated item-level RFID solutions will offer visibility into inventory levels, location and authenticity, resulting in significant reductions in out-of-stocks, shrinkage and labor costs. The TrueVUE RFID Platform is an ROI-driven solution that supports end-to-end item level RFID, enabling manufacturers and retailers to streamline the tracking of individual items throughout the supply chain. Vue Technology will combine their patent-pending RF Networking technology and EPC management software with Symbol's RFID fixed and handheld readers, tags and peripheral devices to deliver a cost-effective platform, enabling customers to reap the benefits of item-level RFID. The joint item-level RFID solutions will expand the reach of RFID from traditional pallet and case-level distribution applications that focus on broad supply chain visibility to in-store applications which focus on achieving enhanced on-shelf availability and sales for specific product categories. " ...

ItemLevel RFID: Manage StockOuts Shrinkage: Via Vue Technology: VUE TECHNOLOGY AND SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES TO DELIVER ITEM-LEVEL RFID SOLUTIONS TO RETAIL AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: Integrated Solutions Will Reduce Out-of-Stocks, Shrinkage and Labor Costs ...

Vue Technology is the leading provider of item level RFID, delivering breakthrough technology that provides the most scalable, reliable, and ROI-driven solutions on the market. With patent-pending technologies, VUE allows standard RFID readers to network across thousands of antennas, exponentially increasing the number of zones a typical reader can support. Vue provides customers unprecedented visibility into inventory levels, location and authenticity while eliminating the prohibitive cost barriers previously associated with item-level RFID roll-outs. With its TrueVUE™ RFID Platform, Vue offers the most complete suite of integrated RF networking hardware and EPC management software for item-level RFID, maximizing the benefits to our customers while minimizing implementation risks – at the lowest TCO.

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Sunday, December 04, 2005

Library RFID: New Zealand Town Leads ...

Manukau city in New Zealand leads in the application of RFID in libraries and expects to increase adoption. ...

Library RFID: New Zealand Town Leads: Via Stuff.co.nz: Wider use of RFID likely in libraries ...

... "RFID pioneer Manukau City Council will consider extending its use of the much talked about technology so it can electronically track books in all its libraries. Libraries manager Chris Szekely says a study of Botany Downs Library, which became the first in New Zealand to introduce RFID (radio frequency identification technology) in October last year, supports the move. " ...

The use of RFID in library processes can have a positive impact on quality, throughput, and efficiency. ...

Via ALA: Richard W. Boss on RFID Technology for Libraries ...

... "RFID security and the tracking of materials throughout the library; or it is a hybrid system that uses EM for security and RFID for tracking, but handles both simultaneously with a single piece of equipment. [3M has developed readers that can do both concurrently except for videotapes and audiotapes. These have to be desensitized and sensitized in a separate operation]. In either case, there can be as much as a 50 percent increase in throughput. The time savings are less for charging than for discharging because the time required for charging usually is extended by social interaction with patrons. " ...

Vendors that focus on RFID library systems continue to innovate in the field. ...

Via Bibliotecha RFID Library System: New RFID Handheld Reader improves mobile inventory control ...

... "The data exchange via radio waves provides new possibilities for a mobile inventory control. Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems has now developed a specific RFID handheld reader – called BiblioWandTM – which can be used to maintain the complete inventory in the shelves. For the reader, there is no difference in the processing of books, VHS cassettes, CDs and DVDs. Only the attachment of all material with programmed BiblioChip® RFID labels is required. " ...

There will be challenges in the deployment of RFID in library applications, such as the facility, the age of the collection, and other environmental considerations. ...

Via Libramation: Libramation's RFID technology protects the valuable collection of the Zottegem Library ...

... "The introduction of RFID technology in the Castle a decade later posed unique challenges. Building elements like stone flooring made the physical installation problematic. Melding new technology into the interior design of the library was a high priority. Finally, the new system would need to be flexible, easy to use and adhere to international technology standards. The Libramation solution (installed by Kno-Tech, its sister company in Europe) exceeded all expectations. " ...

Here are a few vendors that specialize in RFID library applications. ...

Bibliotheca is specialized in designing, producing and marketing of RFID systems that is hard- and software for library automation and media security. In Europe the BiblioChip® System is the Number One RFID Library System. Bibliotheca was formed to exclusively focus on the needs of librarians. The BiblioChip® RFID Library System is the result of what librarians have requested.

Libramation is positioned as a leader in library automation equipment technology and ergonomic work environments. We take pride in knowing that our systems and service are continually evolving to meet the needs and expectations of our clients. With its new office in Utah Libramation continues to expand its sales and marketing efforts in the United States. Libramation headquarters is in Edmonton Alberta Canada and has a sister company, Kno-Tech, the Netherlands. The company's contemporary and functional automation products have progressed from front of the house Easy-Check units, to automated return and sorting systems, and our latest, the Lib-Chip RFID Library and Self Check solutions. Libramation systems are in use at libraries in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and throughout Canada.

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Tuesday, October 25, 2005

DOD RFID November14 Case Pallet Tracking

On Novermber 14, the next wave of DOD RFID compliance goes into effect for suppliers. John Johnson explores the success of RFID technology implementation in the DOD to track supplies, reduce inventory, and increase fill-rates. ...

DOD RFID November14 Case Pallet Tracking: Via John R. Johnson's RFID Watch Weekly: DOD: RFID reduces costs, gets supplies to troops in Iraq faster ...

... "On Nov. 14, new contracts going out to bid require that certain DOD suppliers, like those for WalMart, start shipping cases and pallets of selected products to the DOD with RFID tags. " ...

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005

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. " ...

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Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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. " ...

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Tuesday, August 23, 2005

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.

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Wednesday, August 10, 2005

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.

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Sunday, June 05, 2005

RFID Embedded Systems ...

Embedded Systems RFID: Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an automated data-capture technology that can be used to electronically identify, track, and store information contained on a tag that is attached to or embedded in an object, such as a product, case, or pallet ...

... "An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system that is used within a device. An embedded system has specific requirements and performs predefined tasks, unlike a general-purpose personal computer. To date, embedded RFID chips have been tested in smart test tubes that store data about the tube's contents, which has facilitated obtaining correct information for identifying specimens and time-stamping doctor's orders. Embedded chips in credit cards and mobile phones for contactless payments are also expected to become increasingly popular in Asia. Embedded RFID chips are being proposed for use in numerous applications, including electronic passports, tires to determine wear, drug containers for tracking and theft control, and aircraft for maintenance. " ...

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Thursday, January 06, 2005

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 ...

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Monday, November 29, 2004

RFID Technology for Tracking Fabricated Pipe Phase II

From FIATECH ...

FIATECH has published "Field Trials of RFID Technology for Tracking Fabricated Pipe - Phase 11," the fourth report published by the FIATECH Smart Chips project this year. The field trials described in this report tested the reliability of RFID technology in an application that would automate the critical task of documenting the delivery and receipt of uniquely tagged construction materials and equipment. The trials tested the ability of RFID systems to identify accurately unique spools of fabricated pipe passing through a portal gate. This portal application was deemed to be one of the most technically challenging uses of RFID in a realistic construction environment because of the dense metal environment, the large number of items to be read quickly and the need for long reading distances.

The results of the trials indicate that current active RFID technology can work reliably in such an application. In addition, the researchers interviewed industry practitioners and technologists in order to identify and describe some potential benefits of automating the tracking of unique materials at various points in the construction supply chain. The report describes typical generic steps in a construction supply chain, including fabrication, interim handling (e.g. third party painting of fabricated pipe), construction site receiving, issue to crafts, and installation progress. At each of these steps, we have identified some perceived inefficiencies and problems that might be addressed by RFID technology. The researchers concluded that RFID technology has the potential to both improve the efficiency and the accuracy of current manual tracking processes, and eventually could enable a more complete automation of these processes.

"I think the most interesting part of this report is the proposed use case scenarios for RFID technology tracking tagged items in the construction process, all the way from fabrication through installation and progress/QA monitoring," explains Charles Wood, FIATECH Project Manager. "These scenarios give us a much more complete assessment of the potential value of RFID technology than has ever been considered before."

The FIATECH Smart Chips project offers its sponsor companies the opportunity to conduct low-cost or no-cost pilot trials of cutting edge technologies, as well as monthly informational workshops to stay informed about technology developments affecting the construction and operation of plant sites. For more information about this field trial or the FIATECH Smart Chips Project, contact Charles Wood at (713) 523-5380 or cwood@fiatech.org. Or, visit the Web site at http://www.fiatech.org/projects/ijs/schips.htm.

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Monday, November 22, 2004

RFID Hype: RFID Overshadows Existing Technology Solutions to Product ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... The wholesale charge to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which is at least a decade away from full deployment, is overshadowing ...

... The wholesale charge to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which is at least a decade away from full deployment, is overshadowing existing technology solutions that offer suppliers many of the same benefits, including an electronic pedigree, according to Ronald Barenburg, President of Secure Symbology, Inc. (SSI) ...


Based in New York City, Secure Symbology, Inc. is a global corporation specializing in innovative serialized bar code solutions for companies seeking to increase profitability by identifying and tracking their products as they travel along the supply chain. Secure Symbology is the innovator of the Electronic Sequence Code(TM) (ESC(TM)) System, which provides an electronic pedigree to secure brand integrity at the container, pallet, case and unit item level.

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Sunday, November 21, 2004

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." ...

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Saturday, September 18, 2004

RFID Compliance: Accu-Sort Expands RFID Compliance Product Line

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its tradition of being a
pioneer in automatic identification, Accu-Sort Systems today announced
enhancements to its FAST Tag(TM) RFID compliance line.
The FAST Tag line is a fully integrated and scalable RFID tag applicator
solution to help retail suppliers quickly, reliably and cost-effectively meet
RFID compliance mandates. Through the use of an innovative tag reject
mechanism, customers can be assured that only valid tags enter their supply
chain. With integrated EPC tag serial number management and the ability to
interface with new or existing material handling equipment and IT systems,
FAST Tag makes it easy to meet compliance tagging requirements.
The Accu-Sort FAST Tag line has been expanded to include:
-- Support for new RFID capable thermal printers from Zebra, SATO and Datamax
-- Support of inkjet printers from Videojet for non-contact tag printing and
coding directly on boxes
-- RFID tag placement on the side, front, back or top of cases
-- The ability to operate in batch mode for consistent product mix
-- Additional RFID statistics including:
- tracking the number of non-responding tags per roll
- the number of tag encoding errors for low performing tags
- the correlation of RFID data to bar codes on the case

About Accu-Sort
Accu-Sort Systems, a Danaher company, is a pioneer in auto ID and high
speed/reliable compliance solutions with more than three decades of experience
deploying and supporting scanning and tracking solutions in distribution, warehousing, manufacturing and retailer environments. The company is also an
established provider of RFID and bar code technology convergent systems with
more than 40 RFID installations. 1-877-ASI-RFID or http://www.accusort.com .

SOURCE Accu-Sort Systems, Inc.
-0- 09/15/2004
/CONTACT: Steve Kowalke of Accu-Sort Systems, +1-215-996-8602 or
steve.kowalke@accusort.com, or Jeff Widmer of swb&r, +1-610-866-0611 or
jwidmer@swb.com, for Accu-Sort Systems/
/Web site: http://www.accusort.com/

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Friday, August 20, 2004

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.


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Tuesday, August 10, 2004

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.

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Thursday, June 17, 2004

Retail RFID: NRF Senior Vice President Mallory Duncan to Speak at FTC RFID ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... is being issued by the National Retail Federation: WHAT: A presentation unveiling consumers' attitudes toward Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) with a ...

RFID is an important technology that is rapidly developing into a critical resource. Companies globally are adopting RFID in a wide range of applications, including inventory tracking, supply chain management, and wireless payment. WalMart is meeting today in Bentonville with suppliers subject to its January 2005 RFID tagging mandate. On Wednesday, WalMart is meeting with the next tier of 200 suppliers expected to tag with RFID by January 2006. While WalMart Stores insists its focus for radio frequency identification technology remains squarely on pallet- and case-level tagging, that doesn't mean it's not dabbling in item-level testing.

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Thursday, June 10, 2004

Sato RFID Technology: NEW IDENTITY FOR SATO IN SINGAPORE TO REFLECT NEW STRATEGY

From Plastics In Packaging, UK ... The company offers RFID technology within its portfolio of human readable codes, barcodes and 2D codes. RFID is fast becoming the ...

SATO Corporation, Japan, was established in 1940 to manufacture and sell packaging machinery. In 1962, SATO invented the world's first hand-held labeler and operations as an international supplier of labeling machinery were begun. The US subsidiary was established in 1977 and eventually became SATO America, Inc. in 1987. During that period, SATO developed the world's first thermal transfer barcode printers and became the leader in applying the technology to the market.

The industrial CLe high-speed RFID printers are well suited for a range of applications, such as compliance labeling, warehouse management and logistics, access control, asset tracking, airline baggage tagging and tracking, retail labeling, and product authentication. The Sato RFID Printer supports 13.56 Mhz (Tag-it™, I-Code, ISO15693), UHF (EPC, ISO, EM Marin) RFID formats and supports worldwide frequencies. It has capability to be upgraded to support new standards and protocols as they emerge. Sato Smart Printers: In a one-step, process the CLe RFID printers can read, write and print smart labels and tags with embedded RFID transponders. Transponders include integrated circuitry with an antenna and are designed to be programmed and re-programmed using radio waves. RFID - Radio Frequency Identification: RFID tags are read, written and verified inside the printer prior to printing. In the case of a tag failure, the CLe RFID printers will mark the tag and advance to the next one, assuring top reliability in mission critical applications. Sato Printer Rugged Design: The CLe’s heavy-duty metal construction, proven reliability, and excellent media handling deliver optimum performance in the most demanding environments.

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Tuesday, June 01, 2004

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.

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Sunday, May 30, 2004

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.

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Monday, May 24, 2004

RFID Privacy: Remarks Of Senator Patrick Leahy... The Dawn of Micro Monitoring: It's Promise, And Its Challenges To Privacy And Security

From the Conference On “Video Surveillance: Legal And Technological Challenges” at Georgetown University Law Center... And one of the most dramatic and dazzling new challenges we all will be facing soon is the emergence of a relatively new, surveillance-related technology called radio frequency identification -- R–F–I–D for short. RFID tags are tiny computer chips that can be attached to physical items in order to provide identification and tracking by radio. Their potential invasiveness is obvious from their size, which, as shown in this picture, already is surprisingly small. And they will only get smaller.

In their basic function, RFID chips are like barcodes, which by now are ubiquitous in our stores and offices and crime labs and manufacturing plants. But RFID chips are like supercharged barcodes – barcodes on steroids, if you will. They are so small they can be tagged onto almost any object. They do not have to be in open view; RFID receivers just have to be within the vicinity – at a security checkpoint, in a doorway, inside a mailbox, atop a traffic light. And RFID chips can carry a lot more information than barcodes. Some versions are recordable so that they can carry along the object's entire history.

RFID chips are more powerful than today’s video surveillance technology. RFIDs are more reliable, they are 100 percent automatic, and they are likely to become more pervasive because they are significantly less expensive, and there are many business advantages to using them. RFIDs seem poised to become the catalyst that will launch the age of micro-monitoring...

Leading retailers like Wal-Mart and Target – as well as the Department of Defense -- are requiring its use by suppliers for inventory control. Fifty million pets around the world have embedded RFID chips. Of course, many of us already have experience with simpler versions of the technology in “smart tags” at toll booths and “speed passes” at gas stations. But this is just the beginning. RFID technology is on the brink of widespread applications in manufacturing, distribution, retail, healthcare, safety, security, law enforcement, intellectual property protection and many other areas, including mundane applications like keeping track of personal possessions. Some visionaries imagine, quote, “an internet of objects” – a world in which billions of objects will report their location, identity, and history over wireless connections.

... Other powerful new technologies are on the horizon, like sensor technology and nanotechnology. All the more reason to think about these issues broadly and to establish guiding principles serving the twin goals of fostering useful technologies while keeping them from overtaking our civil liberties. With RFID technology as with many other surveillance technologies, we need to consider how it will be used, and will it be effective. What information will it gather, and how long will that data be kept? Who will have access to those data banks, and under what checks-and-balances? Will the public have appropriate notice, opportunity to consent and due process in the case mistakes are made? How will the data be secured from theft, negligence and abuse, and how will accuracy be ensured? In what cases should law enforcement agencies be able to use this information, and what safeguards should apply? There should be a general presumption that Americans can know when their personal information is collected, and to see, check and correct any errors ...

Patrick Leahy of Burlington was elected to the United States Senate in 1974 and remains the only Democrat elected to this office from Vermont. He was also the youngest Senator (34) elected from the Green Mountain State and is now serving his fifth term. Contact Senator Leahy at senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

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Monday, May 03, 2004

RFID Company: Computers/Electronics News for SAMSys

PR Newswire (press release) ... FirstCall/ - SAMSys Technologies Inc., (SMY:TSX-VEN) ("SAMSys"), an international provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions, today ... ...announced the availability of readers supporting the Philips UCODE EPC 1.19 chip. Philips' latest addition to their industry- leading portfolio is the first RFID chip compliant to worldwide regulations supporting the EPCglobal standardization activity for UHF.

UCODE EPC 1.19 supports EPCglobal coding structure, compliant with all worldwide regulations... Philips has introdcued the industry's first RFID chip compliant to worldwide regulations supporting the EPCglobal standardization activity for UHF. With recent RFID mandates, such as those from Wal-Mart, Metro, Tesco, Target, and the Department of Defense that require logistics and supply chain systems to have RFID technology implementation by 2005, manufacturers are currently looking for ways to quickly and effectively employ RFID technology in their supply chain. The new Philips UCODE EPC 1.19 chip for pallet and case identification supports the 96-bit EPCglobal coding standardization and is ideally suited to assist vendors and suppliers in the move towards EPCglobal Class G2 compliance in the shortest possible timeframe.

Philips' latest UHF IC solution is further proof of its commitment to provide cost-effective, competitive solutions with easily upgradeable technology that will enhance Philips partners' ability to respond quickly to market demands. The hardware supporting the UCODE EPC 1.19 will also be able to support the G2 specification based on an easily implemented firmware upgrade. Users of the chip in the retail and supply chain environment can make full use of the 256 bits of read/write memory to store additional information onto the chip if required. With this level of functionality on a single chip, EPC infrastructure can be implemented in applications such as logistics and supply chain systems worldwide.

The UCODE HSL is the industry’s first read/write smart label IC to comply with ISO 18000-6 and ISO 18000-4 for tracking retail products. This is in line with the EAN·UCC GTAG program, an industry-wide initiative to provide global standards for RFID in logistics and supply chain management. The first member of the UCODE IC family, the UCODE HSL operates in both the UHF and 2.45 GHz ranges. This allows one tag to be used worldwide. Reading up to 50 labels per second, it is suited to long-range applications such as container and pallet tracking in supply chain management and logistics applications. UCODE provides the range needed for reading smart tags at up to 3.5 meters for a single antenna reader and 7 meters for gate readers, depending on regional regulations. Thus entire cases and pallets can be read, eliminating the need to scan each individual item.

SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SAMSys), founded in 1995, is a world leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions. In addition to producing RFID reader hardware, SAMSys offers a family of products to simplify the installation and integration of application solutions, and ensure the ongoing performance of the overall RFID hardware infrastructure.

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Sunday, April 25, 2004

RFID Solutions: Applied Intelligence at Markem

Applied Intelligence, a MARKEM group, has been established to provide fully integrated solutions for identifying products with Electronic Product Codes (EPCs), at production line speeds. The newly established organization offers equipment, supplies and services for the printing and reading of EPCs as well as providing the equipment supplies and services for programming and application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) labels used for "Smart Labels", "Smart Packaging" and for handling both redundant and unique readable EPC codes. Applied Intelligence's equipment can be integrated into high speed production packaging lines where electronic codes will be applied directly onto products at the case identification or pallet labeling stations. In the case of RFID tags, multiple tags can be read at a single time using non-line-of-sight auto identification, enabling better tracking and control of products throughout their entire life cycle.

We are developing strategic partnerships and alliances with targeted customers to develop and deploy customized solutions to meet identified customer needs. At this time, we are very interested in exploring candidate companies with whom we might work to further enhance our understanding and capabilities. Should you have an interest, please contact us at (+1-603-357-8014) to discuss your needs and requirements. We welcome the opportunity to share our thoughts and discuss further how Applied Intelligence's RFID solutions might meet your needs.

MARKEM provides intelligent product identification solutions including equipment, software, supplies and services to meet primary, case coding and pallet labeling applications for industries including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care and electronics.

Radio Frequency Identification, commonly referred to as RFID, uses radio waves to automatically identify individual items. The technology has been around since the mid 1930's. Work on radar technology led to development of the first RFID transponders for IFF Systems (Identification Friend or Foe) in aircraft.
The basis for the system was a ground-based transmitter, the interrogator, that broadcast a radio signal to the aircraft, and a transponder on the aircraft that could receive and reply to this signal. Interrogations within IFF used very specific types of signals, or modes.

In the late 1960's, the U.S. Government used RFID technology to track nuclear materials.
The technology was released to the public sector in the late 1970’s having initial commercialization in applications for access control and security.

Today the technology is used in many applications visible to consumers.
In application, electronic information is written to and read from RFID Tags. These RFID tags are in effect small microchips. They listen for a radio query and respond by transmitting their unique ID code. Most RFID tags have no batteries: They use the power from the initial radio signal to transmit their response. High frequency tags operate at 13.5 mHZ and are used in security and access applications. Ultra-high frequency tags operate at 900mHz and will be used in logistics applications.

An Electronic Product Codes (EPC), is an Auto-ID Center global standard and globally unique number that allows product tracking and tracing at the item level throughout the supply chain. It consists of three fields: manufacturer ID, product ID and serial number. EPCs can be programmed into an RFID tag and the tags embedded in packaging to allow for "smart packaging". These tags can be read by non-line-of-sight systems to enable real time inventory, increase distribution velocity, protect brands and track/trace out-of-date products.

Applied Intelligence - a group within MARKEM - provides fully integrated solutions for identifying products with EPCs at production line speeds. As RFID technology gains favor over conventional barcodes to identify and track cases and pallets throughout the supply chain, product identification can be achieved with this non line of sight technology. RFID tags programmed with an EPC (GTIN+Serial Number) act as product identifiers instead of (or in addition to) a barcode. Applied Intelligence focuses on providing solutions that help companies comply with RFID and EPC requirements.

MARKEM pallet labeling systems can label up to 3 sides (front, side, rear) of a pallet, using secure data direct from your host system meeting all national and international standards. Flexible system design means these systems will be able to keep pace with changes in logistical, marketing and customer demands.

Stand alone or integrated. Our pallet labeling systems can operate as stand-alone units or as part of an integrated production line. Store infromation and designs locally in the built-in memory, and run the machines from internal control signals while the operator selects products and data. Or link it into the control systems and host system, and select pallet labels automatically via incoming barcodes on products or from the host system.

International standards. Designed for international use and to comply with international standards: ANA/UCC/EAN-128/ European Labeling Standards, and Serial Shipping Container Codes.

Control via 3 methods of operation. Optical sensors across the line, directly from your host system, or linked to your programmable logic control (PLC) system. Timing diagrams available.

We incorporate user feedback and the extensive experience gained from our worldwide installed base to make these the most reliable and functional pallet labeling systems on the market. Their superior reliability helps reduce downtime on your production line, and their crisp sharp codes and text mean information that's always legible and scannable.

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Friday, April 23, 2004

RFID in the Supply Chain: SAP RFID Infrastructure...

SAP RFID Infrastructure senses and controls automated signals in real-time. It connects directly with business processes requiring signal data to drive faster and better business decisions. With SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, SAP has achieved an important milestone in realizing its vision of an adaptive supply chain network.

One of the first applications of SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure is the integration of RFID technology with supply chain processes. SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure provides out-of-the-box functionality to fulfill requirements for RFID compliance in the logistics applications of the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and large retailers such as Wal-Mart. With SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, you can meet current market needs and be ready for future automatic identification requirements.

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. Companies can leverage data captured through RFID tags in their business processes by integrating ERP and SCM functionalities with RFID-enabled applications. Examples include packing and unpacking, shipping and receiving and tracking and tracing across the supply chain.

The Java-based RFID solution packages the new SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, SAP® Event Management (SAP EM), a component of mySAP™ Supply Chain Management (mySAP SCM), and SAP® Enterprise Portal (SAP EP), a component of SAP NetWeaver™, the industry’s leading integration and application platform. Currently available to pilot customers, the SAP RFID packaged solution will be more widely available to customers in mid-2004.

The SAP RFID solution is built on SAP Web Application Server (SAP Web AS), part of the SAP NetWeaver technology platform, which ensures seamless extension and integration into SAP and non-SAP IT environments. The new packaged solution, developed to allow management and communication of RFID data and utilization of business content to automate RFID-enabled business processes, can be integrated into existing IT environments through Auto-ID connectors for SAP R/3, version 4.6c or higher, and mySAP™ ERP. SAP and its consulting and technology partners will help customers build individually tailored RFID solutions that address business case building, integrating RFID hardware infrastructure, creating solution blueprints and implementing projects. SAP’s automatic identification concept enables companies to manage multiple Auto-ID technologies, including RFID, barcodes and sensors.

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Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Walmart RFID Compliance: Provia's WMS Chosen to Power Sun's RFID Test Center

Texas-Based RFID Test Center to Help Suppliers Meet RFID Compliance Requirements from Wal-Mart

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Provia Software, a leading provider of supply chain execution software solutions, announced today that the company's ViaWare warehouse management system (WMS) is the supply chain execution system being currently utilized at Sun Microsystems' new, state-of-the-art RFID Test Center in Dallas, Texas. Sun's facility brings together a complete end-to-end RFID solution designed to help quell the fears of companies looking to initiate an RFID compliance program and quickly help them achieve compliance status.

Sun's RFID Test Center, a 17,000-square-foot warehouse facility, is slated to open May 5, 2004 with a large open house celebration. The center is fully equipped to meet the EPC standards and RFID compliance requirements for tagging and testing of products at the pallet and case level.

"The idea of RFID implementation can seem insurmountable. Provia and Sun are here to demonstrate the actual tangible process to companies, and help them build a map to RFID compliance," said Paul Crist, vice president of sales and marketing for Provia. "This is truly the first RFID test center of its kind -- a working warehouse where companies can test how the entire system works before they invest in RFID technology. Companies can use the test center to evaluate how they can incorporate RFID into their manufacturing, warehouse and distribution environments, develop production of a full scale product tagging plan and come away with an end-to-end architecture for the implementation at their site."

Corporations and government agencies around the world recognize RFID's potential to cut supply chain costs, increase operational efficiencies, speed delivery time, and minimize theft and waste.

"We are excited to have Provia as an integrated partner into our Test Center offering. Together we will provide suppliers to Wal-Mart and others with a facility and the technical expertise to get their RFID implementations achieved correctly the first time," said Julie Sarbacker, director of the Auto-ID Business Unit at Sun Microsystems. "Suppliers should contact us today to get started."

In addition to showcasing a state-of-the-art warehouse environment equipped with RFID readers installed at dock doors and warehouse forklift portals, the test center contains material handling pallet conveyers and high speed conveyor station products for advanced tagging and testing of RFID tagged products. Integration with Provia's warehouse management system (WMS)
will allow for automated processing of Advance Ship Notifications (ASNs). The initial use for the test center will be for pallet acceptance into the center via dock doors, but will quickly be expanded to the tracking of products to various test stations such as pallet conveyors, high speed tracks and pallet racks.

Executives from Sun, Provia and other companies will participate in the event. The grand opening of the Test Center would be of interest to consumer product companies, manufacturers and suppliers, who are required to comply with RFID mandates from Wal-Mart, Target, Albertsons, HDMA or the US Department of Defense. To register to attend, please visit http://www.avim.com/sun/index.html . Inquiries about the Grand Opening should be sent to
rfid-testcenter@sun.com . About Provia Software - Provia Software, a viastore Company, delivers The Power of Delivery(TM) for customers like Gillette, Menlo Worldwide, Graybar Electric, US Freightways, Spencer Gifts, Lanier Worldwide, and Owens Corning and third-party logistics (3PL) customers like, Menlo Worldwide, Total Logistic Control and Conestoga Cold Storage. Provia's Supply Chain Execution solutions include RFID-enabled warehousing, transportation, order and yard management products seamlessly integrated together with web-based visibility tools to create a real-time, end-to-end supply chain execution solution. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc., in the US and other countries.

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Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Walmart RFID Compliance: Forrester Research Projects The Cost Of RFID Implementation

Report Finds That Only A Fraction Of Suppliers Will Meet Wal-Mart's January 2005 Mandate Cambridge, Mass., March 30, 2004 . . . A new Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) report, "RFID At What Cost?," places RFID implementation costs — startup and one year of maintenance annually — at approximately $9 million for a typical supplier attempting to comply with Wal-Mart.(1) The report also indicates that only 25 percent of suppliers will meet Wal-Mart's January 1, 2005 deadline.

"There is no business case for most suppliers in the short term," says Forrester Research Senior Analyst Christine Spivey Overby. "The technology is not ready, and there is a lack of deep expertise in the industry to help suppliers implement RFID."

The largest costs remain constant from supplier to supplier, highlighting major challenges that will impede RFID deployments.

Tags currently make up more than 80 percent of a supplier's cost. Based on today's tag production processes and projected volumes, Forrester believes that suppliers should not build a near-term business case on any price lower than $0.40 per tag.
Professional services spent on getting distribution centers operational are high and will only increase, due to a short supply of experienced RFID experts.
Converse to what many believe, companies implementing RFID should expect to add supply chain labor to their budgets in the first year, because vendors have yet to perfect solutions for automating tagging and embedding RFID in packaging material.

To gain benefits such as product tracking, businesses need to begin RFID implementation at the manufacturer, rather than at the distribution center, which is one step closer to a retailer in the supply chain. Today, "source tagging" cases at the manufacturer is too disruptive for most companies to implement. Because source tagging requires significant process re-engineering and budgets that top $100 million in some cases, RFID early adopters like Gillette are the only companies that will attempt this approach in the next 12 months. In the short term, a "slap-and-ship" approach, in which suppliers tag cases and pallets in the distribution center, is the most realistic scenario for a majority of suppliers.

What Should Wal-Mart Do?: The report recommends that Wal-Mart redefine the scope of its RFID mandate by narrowing the scope of products to those with limited amounts of metal and liquid. With a narrower focus on high-priced products like prescription drugs, apparel, and DVDs, fewer suppliers would be affected by the 2005 mandate. It would also allow vendors and suppliers additional time to perfect tag reliability for all products. Forrester also recommends that Wal-Mart use its influence to help create a buying consortium, giving suppliers the collective power to cut tag costs.

What Should Suppliers Do?: Forrester suggests that suppliers use their initial learnings to shape mandates by Wal-Mart and other retailers. In addition to addressing the challenges they are facing in implementing RFID with Wal-Mart, suppliers should create an internal RFID lead position with direct access to the CEO.

(1) Total cost of compliance varies depending on a company's distribution network and Wal-Mart volume. The model includes costs associated with infrastructure, software, consulting, and new warehouse labor.

Forrester is an independent technology research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice about technology's impact on business. Business, marketing, and IT professionals worldwide collaborate with Forrester to align their technology investments with their business goals. Forrester offers products and services in four major areas: Research, Data, Consulting, and Community. Established in 1983, Forrester is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For additional information, visit www.forrester.com.

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