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

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

RFID Pharma Item and Case Tag Reading

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

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. ...

... "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. "

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 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

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. ...

... "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

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. ...

... "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

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) ...

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. " ...

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 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 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.

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 ...

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 ...

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

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: 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. "

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

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 ...