Motorola RFID deployed to manage cold chain logistics application

Motorola and Franwell collaborate to deliver radio frequency identification (RFID) solution to improve H&M Bay’s distribution center processes in Federalsburg, Maryland. ...

... "Time is of the essence in a temperature controlled environment. Such is the case for H&M Bay, a premier freight mover in the less-than-truckload (LTL) frozen and refrigerated commodities market. In this industry, cold storage freight transfers must be stored and shipped in environments that meet stringent industry guidelines and government mandates. In an effort to improve the company’s operational efficiencies and guarantee consistent temperature controls, H&M Bay turned to Motorola and Franwell, Inc. for an RFID hardware and software solution that would locate and record pallet information in real time – giving operators an instantaneous read of inventory as it enters, moves through and leaves the distribution facility. " ...

Via Motorola: Cold Storage Freight Transfer

RFID Future Factory

RFID and automated data collection will enable the future factory to operate efficiently and more fully embrace lean manufacturing principles. Shop floor transactions and supply chain material movements will be visible through RFID technology. ...

... "Pushing new manufacturing processes through the above mentioned bottlenecks are Radio Frequency based hardware and software solutions. These do not require line of site and manual intervention anymore to read information on fast moving objects or groups of items in large quantity. " ...

Via PCQuest: Future State for Factory Efficiency

RFID III Contract

Savi joins three prime contractors as participants in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) RFID III procurement contract for future task orders. This competitive bid contract will be in place for an initial three-year ordering period scheduled to begin in early 2009. ...

... "RFID III is an indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract established by the U.S. Army on behalf of all Services with a total value of $428 million for active Radio Frequency Identification hardware, software and engineering services. The competitively bid RFID III contract, administered by the U.S. Army’s Product Manager Joint-Automatic Identification Technology (PM J-AIT) office, is open to purchase orders from other U.S. Federal agencies and non-U.S. defense forces." ...

Via Savi: U.S. Department of Defense's RFID III Contract Vehicle

RFID on International Bridges

RFID technology implementation continues at border crossings where smart-passports will make the process more efficient and secure. ...

... "Radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware will be placed in all vehicle inspection lanes. It lets inspectors read travelers' passport cards ... " ...

Via Brownsville Herald: Border Security

Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates: "This four-lane bridge carries commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and pedestrians. It is 4,024 feet long, with sidewalks on both sides. ... "

Gateway International Bridge

Border Crossing RFID Deployments

U.S. Customs and Border Protection implements its Vehicle Primary Client computer system and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology hardware in the vehicle inspection lanes at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings. ...

... "These technology enhancements will be incorporated into the ongoing construction of the new port facility at the Blaine Peace Arch crossing. The RFID deployment is part of a national construction initiative at 39 major entry points (354 total traffic lanes) along the U.S borders with Canada and Mexico over the coming months. Vehicle Primary Client, the new 21st Century portal-based system, represents the most substantial upgrade to the primary inspection computer system in 20 years. VPC incorporates the current license plate reader system with the new RFID enabled documentation technology. When completed, CBP officers will be able to quickly verify the validity of travel documents and make determinations regarding the admissibility of persons. " ...

Via U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Blaine Border Crossings

MiFare RFID Crack

Scientists show that MiFare RFID security can be hacked. ...

... "According to a newly published report by Nicolas Courtois, Karsten Nohl and Sean O'Neil, the encryption can be cracked in a few seconds on PC hardware, without the laborious precalculation of rainbow tables. " ...

Via heise: MiFare Classic RFID

RFID World March 2007

RFID World is coming up in May 2007. ...

... "Now in its 5th year, RFID World 2007 spotlights successes in all aspects of the market - from the core applications and business process improvements driving RFID demand, to the latest innovations in hardware, software and infrastructure needed for deployment. Produced by CMP Technology, the show expects to attract a record attendance of enterprise users, manufacturers and systems integrators to the world's largest RFID trade event from March 26-28, 2007 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas (near Dallas). " ...

Everything RFID at 5th Annual RFID World 2007

Checkpoint RFID Metro Pilot Implementation Solves Technical Challenges

Checkpoint Systems is involved in pilot of UHF RFID technology at METRO Group's Distribution Centres near Hamm, Germany, under supervision of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) task group 34 (TG34). The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) plays a major role in the global standardization of Information and Communication Technologies. This pilot has been created to improve the read performance of RFID tags in a high-density UHF reading environment and validate the performance of portal dock door solutions. The successful pilot solves UHF RFID challenges and supports Metro's plan to implement RFID more broadly in 2007. The Metro RFID implementation is aimed at enhancing customer service and increasing the efficiency of its supply chain. METRO Group is an international retailing company with 2005 sales of EUR55.7 billion. The company has a headcount of about 250,000 employees and operates more than 2,200 outlets in 30 countries. ...

... "Utilizing equipment from numerous RFID suppliers in Europe and North America, Checkpoint served as a hardware integrator for the trials. In this capacity, Checkpoint helped with the design work for the hardware solution and procurement, configuration and installation of the 36 RFID-enabled dock door portals which were used to validate successful simultaneous operation of multiple dock doors using a 4-channel synchronized approach under the ETSI 302 208 standard. Pallets containing 62 individually tagged cases largely containing RFID unfriendly materials (such as cans, liquids and metal lined items) were simultaneously transported at warehouse speeds through 36 adjacent loading dock doors. Some 4.5 million individual reads were recorded over the course of the trials. Complying with the ETSI listen before talk (LBT) requirements, the tests achieved a 98.5%+ read rate simultaneously from multiple pallets as they were wheeled through the dock doors. " ...

Via Checkpoint Systems: Checkpoint Systems Partners with Metro Group to Successfully Deploy UHF RFID Dock Door Solution: 98.5%+ Read Rate Represents Milestone in European RFID Deployment ...

RFID Optimize Accuracy: ODIN Patent Award

ODIN tech receives U.S. patent for software and hardware that enables the accuracy of RFID technology to be optimized. The patent covers the technology design centered on its RFID reader software. ...

... "ODIN technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID for solution design, deployment, and optimization software, announces the award of a broad patent relating to the use of software and equipment to improve RFID performance accuracy and visibility. Patent number 7,132,948 was granted on November 7, 2006 and covers a system and method for optimally placing RFID tag and reader antennas. The intellectual property behind the patents is one design component that forms the foundation of ODIN's EasyReader software. ODIN technologies' patent portfolio is centered on intellectual property, innovative software, algorithms, and methodologies which automate the RFID system life-cycle from installation and design to trouble-shooting and maintenance. ODIN technologies' pioneering physicists and RF engineers began developing solutions to challenging RFID performance problems many years ago and have worked with scores of clients to prove out those strategies. Based on RF physics, ODIN's portfolio of solutions and methodologies provide rapid insight into why certain approaches will be successful and why other approaches fail. This saves end users time and cost, helps avoid predictable pitfalls and improves system performance. " ...

Via ODIN technologies: ODIN technologies Awarded U.S. Patent for RFID Accuracy Optimization ...

RFID Supports Nissan Continuous Improvement Initiative

Nissan implements a continuous improvement initiative to target vehicle labor cost reduction, increase logistics throughput accelerating customer service, and enhance vehicle quality through defect elimination early in the product lifecycle. The initiative will be enabled by a wireless architecture and active RFID technology in the Nissan Canton MS manufacturing facility, supplied by WhereNet. ...

... "As part of a continuous improvement initiative at its four-million square foot assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi, Nissan will leverage a single wireless architecture to run multiple WhereNet applications, including the WhereSoft Yard Management System (YMS) and Vehicle Tracking and Management System (VTMS), to improve production velocity and throughput, labor productivity, and vehicle quality. Nissan's Canton assembly plant has the capacity to produce 400,000 vehicles per year, including the Altima sedan, Armada full-size sport utility vehicle, Infiniti QX56 full-size sport utility vehicle, Quest minivan, and Titan full-size pickup truck.

Deploying the WhereNet single wireless infrastructure over the entire Canton complex will take less than 90 days. The hardware consists of 1500 active RFID WhereTag transmitters, which are temporarily attached to new vehicles as they roll off the assembly line as part of the WhereNet VTMS system; 700 WhereTag transmitters that are permanently fixed to trailers belonging to Nissan's dedicated suppliers or temporarily attached to others as part of the WhereSoft YMS application; 120 WherePort magnetic exciters positioned between gates and at key choke points across the complex; and a local infrastructure of 80 wireless WhereLAN locating access points.

Nissan also plans to deploy the WhereNet automated gate check-in/out solution known as Fast Gate that supports 24x7 sequenced parts deliveries from Nissan suppliers. Fast Gate senses when a truck is approaching the gate; cross-references detailed information about the truck in a database; and, if authorized, automatically opens the gate to grant entry. Then, based on business rules loaded into the WhereSoft yard management application, the system instructs drivers and yard personnel to deliver the inbound load to the appropriate dock door for just-in-time sequencing of parts based on the assembly line build plan for that work shift.



When new vehicles roll off the Nissan assembly line, each vehicle is assigned an active RFID WhereTag transmitter that is married to the vehicle identification number (VIN). The WhereTag remains on the vehicle until it has been processed and is ready to ship to its final destination. Nissan uses the WhereNet VTMS in off-line areas to manage post-assembly verification and test processes, as well as quality repair, containment and shipping zones. The system includes a logical hierarchy of rules that manages the processing of every vehicle in accordance with its assigned status so that critical orders are processed before lower-priority units. " ...

Via Wherenet: NISSAN SELECTS WHERENET'S LOCATABLE, ACTIVE RFID SYSTEM TO AUTOMATE INBOUND SUPPLY CHAIN AND OUTBOUND DELIVERY CHAIN ...

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 Acquisition Scenario

Oracle Sun Red Hat scenario considered ...

... "In so doing, Oracle becomes the custodian of Java and gains Sun's identity management and RFID businesses, not to mention its server and storage hardware." ...

Via Computerworld: Link

Savi RFID: China Ready

China State Radio Regulation Committee (SRRC), a division of the China Ministry of Information Industry, grants Savi Tech approval to implement its family of active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products throughout the country. Savi's tags and readers are compatible with the ISO 18000-7 (International Standardization Organization) standard for active RFID products. ...

... "By approving Savi's hardware equipment, China has authorized the use of active RFID products compatible with ISO-18000-7. These product approvals in China, combined with similar prior approvals in North America, South America, Europe and Pacific Rim markets such as Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, clearly show the solid support for the 433 MHz frequency as the worldwide choice for active RFID, Jennings said. Following extensive testing and document reviews, SRRC has issued Savi Technology a Radio Transmission Equipment Type Approval Certificate and Code for five of the company's flagship hardware products, including tags, readers and signposts. " ...

Via Savi Technology: SAVI TECHNOLOGY'S ACTIVE RFID SUPPLY CHAIN PRODUCTS APPROVED FOR USE IN CHINA ...

RFID Middleware: Automate Integrate ...

Reltronics Technologies has made their system, SmartInstrument, a versatile middleware for automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, widely available in the marketplace. Reltronics strengths lie in automation and identification using remote RFID technology. The SmartInstrument middleware system plays a role in supporting interoperability and integration of multiple, potentially incompatible, solutions. ...

... "One of Reltronics Technologies' fortes is in creating and supporting RFID systems that assist in automating asset and inventory management, identifying drug pedigrees, etc. and which rely upon storage and remote retrieval of data using RFID hardware (Readers, Antennas, Tags or Transponders). Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target have whole-heartedly accepted the RFID concepts to implement efficiencies in their workflow and to limit inventories in their warehouses and they have subsequently initiated mandates to their vendors to implement RFID technology in their supplies within set timelines. These mandates are allowing shorter timelines and the industry not only needs many new deployments but also sustain existing deployments. SmartInstrument is a step forward to facilitate transparency in the RFID systems deployment thereby bringing commonality between various RFID protocols and hardware technologies (reader, antenna, and transponders or RFID tags), irrespective of the technology being new or old.

For instance, SmartInstrument enables end-users to deploy new RFID systems while seamlessly supporting all existing RFID systems and eliminating the need for single- sourcing thereby achieving a better return of investment. It fills the need by interpreting any RFID system utilizing any reader (Active, Passive), working on any frequency (LF, HF, VHF, UHF), with any communication protocol (Ethernet, WiFi, RS-232, RS-485), any transponder (Active, Passive), and any standard (EPCGlobal, ISO, AIMGlobal) bringing the much needed commonality into the RFID infrastructure. Reltronics Technologies' focus on bringing interoperability and sustainability into the RFID technology environment is the result of industry satisfaction with the RFID initiative, to enable overcoming the customer perception of which RFID technology to deploy, to enable commonality between the various RFID protocols, to enable a more cost-effective RFID system deployment, and finally to allow the end-users to start small with one RFID system and expand at their own financial pace without having to worry about the RFID system being antiquated. " ...

Via Reltronics: A Novel Idea to Harmonize Automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems ...

Monza RFID Tag Readers Gen2 Interoperable ...

Impinj's Monza RFID chip and Speedway readers are certified for Generation-2 interoperability. ...

... "Leading Gen 2 RFID solution provider, Impinj, Inc., announced that EPCglobal Inc., the not-for-profit standards organization dedicated to driving global adoption of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) for supply chain excellence, has awarded interoperability marks to Monza tag chips and Speedway readers, certifying that these Impinj products comply with EPCglobal's Gen 2 standard and interoperate with other certified devices. Third-party testing firm MET Laboratories conducted EPCglobal's product interoperability testing as part of an extensive hardware certification and standards compliance program for RFID chips, tags, readers, and printers. MET Laboratories also performed EPCglobal's RFID Gen 2 compliance testing in September 2005, awarding Gen 2 compliance certification marks to Impinj's Monza chip and Speedway reader at that time.

Impinj is the only company to have earned Gen 2 interoperability certification for both tag chips and readers. Monza chips and Speedway readers enable Powered by Impinj solutions available from a variety of RFID vendors and are key components of recent RFID deployments. Impinj has shipped Monza chips in high volume to the industry's leading RFID tag and inlay vendors worldwide since the Fall of 2005. " ...

Via Impinj: Impinj’s Gen 2 RFID Monza Tag Chips and Speedway Readers Earn EPCglobal Interoperability Certification ...

RFID Security: NSF Funds Smart Tag Research ...

National Science Foundation, NSF, provides funding to increase the privacy and security of RFID smart tags, through better cryptographics.

... "Strengthened security for smart tags - the wireless devices that allow drivers to zip through automatic tollbooths or pass a security desk with the flash of a card - is the aim of a new initiative that has received $1.1 million from the National Science Foundation. Led by Kevin Fu of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the researchers are developing much-needed cryptographic protocols, hardware and applications for the increasingly common devices. Millions of consumers already use smart tags—wireless devices that use radio waves to identify and authenticate people and things - and they will become more numerous, says Fu.



Smart tags - which include Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags—are already used to track items from library books to merchandise to cattle. Increasingly, they are replacing the magnetic stripe cards used in security badges and mass transit cards, sometimes also serving as electronic cash. The tags will soon be incorporated into documents such as passports; their use is being explored for tracking medical records and prison inmates. But the tags, which also include contactless smart cards and low-resource sensors, are a technology that has crept in from the edge of the Internet and they present new challenges in terms of security and privacy issues, says Fu.

The unique environment presented by smart tags - they can operate without human intervention and without a physically connected power source - presents unique security concerns, says Fu. Smart tags automatically respond to the device that reads them, so human users don't have the traditional means of giving or denying consent to the reader. This infrastructure of untrusted readers and tags requires an approach that preserves privacy while maintaining the flexibility and convenience that the tags offer.

The new consortium, dubbed the RFID ConsortiUm for Security and Privacy (RFID-CUSP), takes these operating conditions into account and is designing new cryptographic definitions, algorithms and models that will lay the solid foundation on which secure applications can be built. As part of their project, the researchers are working with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The project will result in the first completely open, publicly available software for experimenting with RFID security and privacy. " ...

UMass Amherst: UMass Amherst-Led Research Will Protect Consumers by Ramping Up Security for Smart Tags

Kevin Fu: "Open cryptanalysis of existing RFID protocols will give assurance in the soundness of reliable RFID technology. At UMass, we are investigating how to build secure RFID-based systems. "

The Sensor Revolution: Industry & Commerce: "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stands among the fastest-proliferating sensor technologies. RFID systems combine electromagnetic sensing with radio communications. RFID tags and interrogators can be used to track inventory in a warehouse or collect tolls from moving cars. "

Understanding Contactless Smart Card Technologies and Some of the Leading Reader/Card Product Providers (PDF): "That transmission could then be replayed to a reader to gain access illicitly at some time in the future. In contrast, today’s secure contactless cards and readers (such as XceedID ISO-X and HID iCLASS) employ a myriad of cryptographic techniques. These techniques encrypt data in ways that render it useless to an illicit user. Thus, traditional proximity cards and readers provide inferior communication security when compared to secure contactless smart cards and readers. "

RFID Retail: Apparel Payback ...

Laudis demo planned for RFID conference will show payback in the retail apparel industry ...

... "The RFID Journal and AAFA Summit, held at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York Aug. 15-16, is the first event of its kind designed to address RFID-related opportunities and issues in the apparel and footwear industry. Laudis and NCR will demonstrate their collaborative end-to-end RFID solution that allows manufacturers to tag apparel at the source, enabling retailers to verify the location or the receipt of garments anywhere within the supply chain. The demonstration (Laudis AAFA Summit booth #3) will feature the Laudis apparel applications and item-level tracking solutions for clothing and footwear. NCR will provide hardware, such as hang tags, flap tags and RFID-reader technology. NCR is also providing Laudis with consulting services and installation support for its end-to-end clothing solution. " ...

Via NCR: NCR and Laudis Systems Demonstrate End-to-End RFID Solution for Apparel Industry ...

Retail RFID applications are discussed ...

Via CIO Magazine: The RFID Imperative - Retail - prepare systems for RFID technology: "Like most CIOs in the retail industry, he believes that widespread RFID adoption is a sure thing and that the technology—which some day will enable him to track every single product, from manufacture to checkout ... "

ABI has researched the market for retail RFID use ...

The RFID Retail Market Market Research Report from ABI Research: "The retail market is possibly the most talked about in the RFID industry. Although Wal-Mart is not the only retailer that has issued an RFID mandate for its suppliers, it is still the most popular subject. This market is expected to be one of the fastest growing RFID verticals. "

T3CI offers RFID-enabled business intelligence capabilities for the retail industry ...

Via T3CI: RFID Analytics and Application Leadership; Experience Delivering Business Value to Major Retail Suppliers Drive Investment Decision: "T3Ci's software and subscription services are designed for leaders of RFID initiatives at major retail suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to deliver business value from their RFID investments. The company's enterprise-class solutions provide RFID data analysis (only for retailers who allow 3rd party analysis of their EPC data), deductions management and authentication/anti-counterfeiting/e-pedigree – the most comprehensive RFID applications vision. "

RFID Europe Bridge Project ...

Europe organizes to leverage research in RFID technology. ...

... "The BRIDGE project will focus on business-based research, provision of information services and hardware (sensors, tags) and software development. This will lead to pilots, deployment and comprehensive training materials in the use of RFID in a variety of business sectors. The BRIDGE project will help make this happen by contributing to the development of new solutions for all businesses, from small to large. Improving skills and expertise on RFID technology and network information sharing will lead to enhanced competitiveness of European companies and to benefits to customer and citizen.

The BRIDGE project is funded under the FP6 Information Society Technologies (IST) work programme supporting research into the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Networked Businesses. The strategic objectives of FP6 are to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of industry and encourage its international competitiveness while promoting research activities in support of other EU policies. " ...

RFID Europe Bridge Project: A Consortium of 31 global organisations supported by the European Commission launches a three year project in RFID application research and development ...

RFID Market Size Estimates ...

Estimation of RFID market size ...

... "Global investment in RFID software, hardware and services in the retail sector is expected to break the half billion dollar mark by 2007, growing from $168 million in 2004 to an estimated $1 billion in 2010. " ...

Via Computer Business Review: RFID: tagged for retail ...

SAP RFID Solution: Acsis Link ...

SAP and Acsis deliver offering to help customers comply with RFID mandates, while creating a scalable end-to-end RFID architecture for the enterprise. ...

... "Utilizing the SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, built on SAP NetWeaver, and Acsis Data-Link Enterprise platforms, a Certified for SAP NetWeaver solution, these two leaders in RFID and supply chain solutions provide a complete package for both SAP and non-SAP customers. Further, their integrated solution provides the foundation needed to quickly scale and derive value as mandates expand. With the End to End approach, Acsis and SAP will combine Acsis's Tag/Reader recommendation for hardware, Acsis and SAP process design, software, and complete implementation in 30 days to help customers achieve their immediate compliance needs. The offering can be delivered either fully integrated with SAP back office systems or as a completely standalone system. Further, the offering can be integrated with any ERP and WMS solution using SAP's Exchange Infrastructure and Acsis Data-Link Enterprise integration capabilities. The integrated offering provides complete device orchestration, data collection, and the transformation of RFID data into business context for commissioning, packing, loading, shipping, tracking, and analytics for RFID. " ...

SAP RFID Solution: Acsis Link: Via Acsis: ACSIS and SAP LAUNCH END TO END OFFERING FOR RFID COMPLIANCE ...

RFID Network Device Services ...

AT&T and Sterling Commerce collaborate with partners to create new capabilities for RFID network devices. ...

... "AT&T Inc. and its subsidiary, Sterling Commerce, announced that they are partnering with industry leaders, Intel, BEA Systems and Symbol Technologies to design and deploy radio frequency identification (RFID) device services and networks for business customers. The goal of this initiative is to provide business customers with a best-of-breed managed RFID service and standardization of RFID technology by accelerating the mass adoption of RFID through the evolution to universal sensor networks (USN). Currently conducting customer trials, scheduled for completion by mid-2006, the companies are working on network solutions that incorporate end-to-end services for RFID networks across diverse hardware platforms, operating systems, applications and databases — one of today's major challenges confronting RFID technology. Through this initiative, AT&T is seeking to make RFID devices as simple to manage and as secure as any other network element in response to growing customer demand for an integrated affordable service.

As an extension of its previously announced collaboration, the Intel worldwide professional services organization, Intel Solution Services, is co-developing with AT&T Laboratories reference architectures that will establish basic building blocks for RFID devices to improve the management and administration of RFID readers and sensors in a networked environment. The development work capitalizes on Intel's leading-edge network processor technology, Intel Solution Services' technical and execution expertise, and AT&T's experience building and managing complex enterprise networks on a large scale.

RFID market leader Symbol Technologies is providing the RFID hardware to round out the overall offering, including mobile and fixed RFID readers. The collaboration allows Symbol readers to read UHF RFID tags and pass the information securely to the AT&T network and have the readers managed remotely. " ...

RFID Network Device Services: Via Sterling Commerce: AT&T Accelerates Adoption of RFID Networks Through Collaboration With Technology Industry Leaders ...

RFID: RealTime Promotion Execution

OatSystems and ADT combine to deliver a real-time promotion execution process, enabled by RFID technology. RFID applied to the execution of promotions, help track the inventory used in promotions in real-time and create immediate feedback for marketers. ...

... "OATSystems, Inc. and ADT, a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, announced a proof of ROI program designed to validate the return on investment from standards-based RFID-enabled promotions and ignite the next phase of RFID deployments. Together with Intel Corporation, the companies will provide RFID hardware, software and services necessary for a 10 store retail deployment to help retailers track promotional products and provide critical information back to suppliers such as Proctor & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark. To help validate the ROI, an independent academic institution of the retailer's choosing will establish the parameters of the study, monitor control stores and deliver a final report on the ROI.

Trade promotion spending by manufacturers is a massive budget item, representing 12%-15% of sales for most companies. Unfortunately, study after study and the day-to-day experiences of manufacturers and retailers show that the returns on trade promotions are far less than satisfactory. Real-time Promotion Execution (RPE) is a new, RFID-centric business process that can help consumer products manufacturers and retailers to dramatically increase promotion effectiveness which may result in increased promotional sales, decreased execution costs, and greater shopper satisfaction. According to Cheryl Perkins, senior vice president and chief innovation officer for Kimberly-Clark, RFID technology can be used as a business tool to help deliver greater value to K-C and its retail customers.

RPE uses RFID-tagged displays and promotion product cases to measure in-store promotion execution by tracking where and when the displays and promotion inventory are in the store. Manufacturers and retailers can track when the items reach the store, when they're moved to the sales floor, and how long they are there - all in near-real time. This information is then integrated across many stores and manipulated with powerful analytic tools. Illustrated by the recently released MIT study on RFID-based promotions, this enables a new business process that is cost-effective and dramatically increases promotion sell-through, correction of poor in-store execution and promotion intelligence, and lowers the cost of promotions management. " ...

Via OATSystems: OATSystems and ADT Announce Promotions-on-Standards Program to Ignite RFID ROI: Leaders Rally Retailers and Suppliers to Validate ROI in Standards-Based Real-time Promotions Execution ...

RFID-Capable Hand Held Computer ...

Hardware interface allows hand-held computer to support RFID ...

... "The JETT-WAVE Radio is just one of many options that customers can choose to customize Two Technologies hand held computers. Using its new JETT-PACK hardware interface, Two Technologies can integrate many different peripherals including RFID, GPS and more into the JETT-PACK, which can then be used on a Pack Ready hand held computer. " ...

RFID-Capable Hand Held Computer: Via Two Technologies: Two Technologies Extends Data Communication Range, Security of Its Most Popular Hand Held Computers ...

RFID DOD DLA Contract: Passive Systems ODIN Tech ...

ODIN Tech awarded contract from DOD DLA for passive RFID systems ...

... "DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY: ODIN Technologies, Dulles, Va., is being awarded a maximum $7,000,000 combination firm fixed price, cost, and time and materials contract for passive radio frequency identification (RFID) portals, hardware, and installation for Defense Logistics Agency. Other location(s) of performance are Defense Distribution centers, CONUS and OCONUS. Proposals were Web-solicited and 11 responded. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is May 16, 2007. Contracting activity is Defense Distribution Center (DDC), New Cumberland, Pa. (SP3100-06-D-0003). " ...

RFID DOD DLA Contract: Passive Systems ODIN Tech: Via DoD: Contracts for May 17, 2006 ...

RFID Drug Authenticity Pilot at Cardinal Health ...

Cardinal Health begins second wave of RFID testing that supports the safety of the drug supply. RFID technology will enable in-process authentication as drugs make their way through the extended supply chain. Cardinal will also look for ways to achieve operational efficiencies from the RFID-enabled supply chain information. The company is expecting to complete this wave of tests by the 4th Quarter of 2006. ...

... "Cardinal Health, Inc., the leading provider of products and services supporting the health-care industry, announced the next phase of the first end-to-end pilot program to test technology that could improve the safety and efficiency of the nation's drug supply. The pilot program will begin to tag medication with labels carrying unique data that can be captured and read to verify its authenticity at each step of the supply chain. Verifying the authenticity of pharmaceuticals along each step of the distribution path adds an additional layer of security to lessen the chance of counterfeit pharmaceuticals entering the supply chain. In addition, the data gathered could improve efficiency as logistics experts at Cardinal Health will be able to analyze the data to identify bottlenecks, read rates and other opportunities to improve efficiency in the supply chain.

In conducting the end-to-end pilot program, Cardinal Health will use new technology to place radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on the labels of brand-name and generic solid-dose prescription drugs at the company's Printed Components facility in Moorestown, N.J. Next, the company's facility in Philadelphia will encode the electronic product code (EPC) standard data at the unit, case and pallet levels during the packaging process. The products will be then shipped to a Cardinal Health distribution center in Findlay, Ohio, where the data will be read and authenticated as products are handled under normal operating conditions. Normal operating procedures will be enhanced with RFID hardware and software from Alien Technology Corporation and IBM along with project management support from VeriSign. From Findlay, the tagged product will be sent to a health-care provider to further test read rates and data flow using the same technology as the distribution center. The product dispensed to patients will not be in the RFID packaging. The company launched the pilot in February and expects to complete the test in the fall." ...

RFID Drug Authenticity Pilot at Cardinal: Via Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health Announces Next Phase Of RFID Pilot ...

RFID: NCR Symbol Technologies Collaborate ...

NCR and Symbol collaborate to deliver RFID technology solutions based on Generation 2 standards. ...

... "As leaders in the retail market, Symbol and NCR provide deep industry expertise and high-performance solutions that can help retailers capitalize on next generation data capture technology to significantly improve the customer experience by reducing labor costs, accelerating material handling and increasing visibility within the supply chain. Symbol is a leading global provider of enterprise mobility solutions comprised of advanced data capture products, mobile computers, wireless infrastructure, services, and RFID - including high-performance RFID fixed and mobile readers that are compliant with the EPCglobal Generation 2 standard. NCR delivers end-to-end, global RFID solutions that help businesses solve real business problems. The NCR TransitionWorks portfolio of RFID solutions encompasses thoughtware, hardware, tags, services and software, including data warehouse solutions from Teradata, a division of NCR. " ...

RFID: NCR Symbol Technologies Collaborate: Via NCR: NCR and Symbol Technologies Collaborate to Sell Generation 2 RFID Systems ...

RFID Peel and Apply Solution: NCR ...

NCR provides peel-and-apply RFID technology solution. ...

... "The NCR TagWorks solution provides a turnkey offering to meet EPCglobal standards and major manufacturer, distributor and retailer guidelines. The cost-effective solution addresses the need for businesses to readily access the benefits of RFID-enabled inventory tracking and supply-chain visibility. NCR makes the transition toward RFID more manageable by offering a complete end-to-end solution including tags, hardware, software and services allowing companies to quickly and efficiently begin tagging cases and pallets of product. Touching industries around the world, the NCR TransitionWork portfolio of global RFID solutions encompasses thoughtware, hardware, tags, services and software, including Teradata data warehouse solutions, to help customers solve real business problems.

NCR TagWorks is a stand-alone, fully integrated, peel-and-apply solution including tags, readers, servers, printers and NCR software. NCR installation, training and support services help ensure reliability and disruption-free environments. Because NCR serves as the single point of contact, businesses can avoid the hassle and confusion of dealing with multiple vendors for their RFID solutions. NCR also makes it simple to expand and customize the NCR TagWorks solution by providing a range of additional products and services. As their business grows, customers have the option to incorporate other advanced features such as handheld RFID scanners, conveyor installations, a selection of tag sizes and inlays, and enterprise system integration. " ...

RFID Peel and Apply Solution: NCR: Via NCR: NCR TagWork Provides Essentials for Rapid RFID Implementation ...

RFID Technology: Savi Acquisition ...

Lockheed Martin acquires Savi Technology, a company that specializes in radio frequency identification, RFID. ...

... "Lockheed Martin Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Savi Technology, Inc. (Savi), a provider of active radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Savi, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., has developed innovative logistics solutions that track in-transit asset shipments in a secure, accurate and timely manner. Its full line of hardware and software products have been implemented by the U.S. Department of Defense, international defense agencies, civil agencies and commercial enterprises to monitor cargo shipments globally. Savi's products include active RFID asset tags, data rich high performance tags, sensor tags that monitor security and environmental conditions and related fixed and mobile readers. " ...

RFID Technology: Savi Acquisition: Via Savi Technology: LOCKHEED MARTIN AGREES TO ACQUIRE SAVI TECHNOLOGY: Purchase of Active RFID supplier enhances capabilities in global focused logistics ...

RFID Reader Software Platform Support ...

iAnywhere supports wide range of fixed and mobile RFID devices through its Anywhere software platform. ...

... "iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc., announced the latest version of RFID Anywhere, the company's software platform that provides an extensible environment for developing and managing robust, highly-distributed radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions. RFID Anywhere 2.1 includes next-generation support for both fixed and handheld RFID devices. This new release gives developers complete access to the full set of features available in an RFID reader, and also provides additional capabilities such as dynamic support for new tag formats such as Gen 2, simplified general purpose input/output (GPIO) control, and reader synchronization for operation in dense-reader mode. " ...

RFID Reader Software Platform Support: Via iAnywhere: Sybase iAnywhere Releases Broadest Support For Fixed And Handheld RFID Devices In New Version Of RFID Anywhere ...

RFID KimberlyClark Gen2 Walmart Tags ...

Kimberly-Clark ships Gen2 RFID tags on products shipped to Walmart. ...

... "Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced it has begun shipping Gen2 RFID-tagged cases of product to WalMart. This next step in the implementation of RFID technology is a result of K-C's extensive research and testing on the compatibility of Gen2 hardware and software with conveyor, packaging, logistics and shipping systems in the company's dedicated Auto-ID research lab in Neenah, Wis. Leveraging the accuracy and up-to-the-minute information the Gen2 platform provides, K-C has shipped to WalMart approximately 100,000 cases of Huggies brand diapers and other infant and child care products since March. Using industry-leading Gen2 hardware and software, K-C encoded the RFID tags, placed them on the cases, captured and transferred product data into its supply chain system, and forwarded the data to WalMart, letting them know their product order had been shipped. " ...

RFID KimberlyClark Gen2 Walmart Tags: Via Kimberly-Clark Investors: Kimberly-Clark Begins Shipping Gen2 RFID-Tagged Cases Of Products To WalMart ...

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 Company For Sale: SAMSys Considers Strategic Alternatives ...

SAMSys consider strategic alternatives for future of the company ...

... "SAMSys Technologies Inc., an international provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions, today announced that it has formed a special committee of independent directors to review and consider strategic options available to the Company for enhancing shareholder value including, but not limited to, business combinations and strategic partnerships. " ...

RFID Company For Sale: Via CNW Group: SAMSys Reviewing Strategic Options ...

RFID for Commercial Vehicle Fleets ...

Partners collaborate on RFID technology solutions for commercial vehicle applications, such as data collection devices. ...

... "AXCESS International Inc. and STEMCO LP announced a recently-signed business agreement between their companies to work together in the development of RFID based solutions for heavy-duty commercial vehicle fleets. These solutions will utilize semi-active tag technology and hardware from AXCESS that will be seamlessly integrated with STEMCO's BAT RF active RFID mileage and tire pressure data collection sensors. Future products utilizing these combined capabilities are in development and planned for release in 2007. AXCESS' patented ActiveTag RFID systems use small, battery powered tags (generically called semi-active tags) that when automatically activated, transmit a wireless message typically 30 to 100 feet to hidden palm size receivers. The receivers are connected via standard network simultaneously to the enterprise system software, the existing security alarm equipment, and standalone management software. Optionally, the tag system can be used to trigger security video recording and live remote video transmission. The tags are used for a variety of enterprise productivity applications including automatic personnel access control and tracking, automatic vehicle access control and payload management, automatic asset management and protection, as well as special purpose sensing. " ...

RFID for Commercial Vehicle Fleets: Via Axcess: STEMCO LP and AXCESS Sign Business Agreement ...

RFID Integrator Program ...

Printronix provide RFID service and support through its RFID integrator program, which creates total solutions for customers ...

... "Printronix's extensive RFID certified partner and integrator community will demonstrate RFID solutions using Printronix's SmartLine printer family, including the SL5000r MP2 RFID printer and SLPA7000r MP2 print, encode and apply printer. These printers are the industry's first designed specifically to EPCglobal(TM) Gen 2 encoding specifications. Both printer families feature EPCglobal Gen 2-certified hardware and RFID smart encoding technology, and address a wide range of applications and global frequency requirements. Printronix has taken the lead in RFID service and support by developing a Certified RFID Integrator Program. The company has established robust, dynamic partnerships with leading integrators to offer customers a total solution: Printronix's market-leading RFID solutions with top-quality integration service and support. In addition, Printronix RFID Technology Partners deliver best-of-breed RFID technology to the global marketplace. Printronix has developed strategic alliances with leaders in bar-code quality and RFID tags to give customers the most reliable and lowest-cost RFID solution for the supply chain. " ...

RFID Integrator Program: Via Printronix: Printronix Strengthens RFID Leadership Position with Dominant Presence at RFID World: Printronix RFID Printers Will Be Featured in 17 RFID Solution Demonstrations ...

RFID IBM AS400 Solution ...

Partners collaborate to deliver RFID solution for the IBM AS400 architecture ...

... "Enterprise Information Systems, Inc. (EIS), a national RFID systems integrator, and T.L. Ashford, the leader in bar code labeling software for IBM midrange systems, announce a partnership to provide a complete RFID compliant solution for the AS/400 and iSeries community. EIS's Compliance 1st is a RFID compliance package that bundles hardware, service and software together to take advantage of T.L./Ashford's RFID printing and encoding capabilities to help AS/400 and iSeries users achieve fast, easy-to-use and cost-efficient RFID systems. T.L. Ashford's Barcode400 RFID option prints and encodes the RFID Smart Labels with data directly from the iSeries system. T.L. Ashford also provides Smart Label templates for companies such as Wal-Mart, Target Stores, Department of Defense and others. After label printing and encoding is complete, Enterprise Information Systems then provides the components that enable point of action verification of the RFID data and interfacing back to the AS/400. " ...

RFID IBM AS400 Solution: Via EIS: EIS Partners with TL Ashford

RFID Readers: Wideband Antennas ...

MTI Wireless will showcase RFID reader antenna at upcoming RFID World ...

... "MTI Wireless Edge will exhibit their new range of wide band RFID readers antennas at RFID World 2006. This new family of MTI antennas includes two circular polarized and two linear polarized antennas covering the 856-956MHz band. The new antenna range allows RFID manufacturers to use the same hardware for a variety of geographies. " ...

RFID Readers: Wideband Antennas: Via MTI Wireless: MTI to Show New Wide Band RFID Reader Antenna Range at RFID World 2006 ...

RFID Smart Label Print Server ...

Loftware plans RFID product launch at upcoming RFID World ...

... "A proven brand leader for its ability to integrate from a centralized software platform both RFID Smart Labels as well as traditional bar code labeling, this latest release of the Loftware Print Server further extends these capabilities by adding software support for fixed mount RFID reader technology from companies like Alien, Symbol, AWID and ThingMagic. As a result, companies implementing pilot programs can use multiple hardware devices with a single software solution from Loftware. Loftware's highly integrated, multi-device platform encodes and now reads both Smart Labels and RF Tags to perform real time use cases, including building, receiving, and verifying pallets. The Loftware Print Server is a server-based software solution for managing and processing barcode label and RFID Smart Label requests from corporate applications. An enterprise-class solution, LPS 8.4 is a highly-scalable and fault tolerant system designed to handle thousands of requests targeted to hundreds (or thousands) of printers, whether local or remote, with all of the appropriate queuing, status, and recovery features expected in advanced enterprise systems. Key to its leading market status is the product's seamless integration of Department of Defense (DOD) and EPC specifications via universal interfaces for HF, UHF, and GEN 2 RFID whether printing smart labels or encoding RFID tags. " ...

RFID Smart Label Print Server: Via Loftware: New Product to Make First Public Debut at RFID World, Booth 310 on Feb. 27th: INNOVATIVE LPS 8.4 SOLUTION FROM LOFTWARE, THE ONLY USER-CONFIGURABLE PRODUCT IN ITS CLASS TO SUPPORT BOTH LEGACY BAR CODES AND RFID SMART TAGS, NOW INCLUDES RFID TAG READER SUPPORT ...

RFID Development Lab Kits ...

Learn how to track your beans ... BlueBean offers RFID development lab kits for smaller-scale implementations. David Sims provides update on BlueBeans ...

... "BlueBean, LLC, is now offering what the company describes as complete RFID development lab kits for anyone who needs a smaller-scale RFID portal product. " ...

RFID Development Lab Kits: Via TMCnet: BlueBean's DIY RFID: Don't Try This At Home, Kids

BlueBean RFID Company Description: "RFID compliance, in its most basic form, means meeting your client's specifications which allows them to identify and track your beans throughout their entire supply chain. They must be able to know at any given moment exactly where your beans are. "

BlueBean EasyInbound: "BlueBean EasyInBound RFID receiving line only allows one case in the RFID read zone to ensure read accuracy. Your solution is set up for off-site testing and sign off. It is shipped as an assembled kit for easy on-site installation. "

Roadmap to Compliance: "BlueBean follows a strict and proven methodology in creating a Roadmap to Compliance strategy for it clients. The Roadmap provides a compliance scorecard, budgetary costs, technology selection, timetable, software and hardware requirements, high level physical layout and short vs. long term strategies. "

Hospital RFID Asset Management ...

PanGo's RFID technology to be used for hospital asset management ...

... "PanGo's turnkey location management solution includes an intuitive end-user application for asset monitoring and reporting, true Wi-Fi active-RFID tags and a location management platform that integrates location data into third-party and custom healthcare and business applications. PanGo Locator is the only active RFID solution available today that leverages any Wi-Fi access point infrastructure as its reader network, eliminating the need for a separate and costly overlay of proprietary hardware and wiring. Implementation Scheduled at El Camino Hospital: The IT leadership at El Camino Hospital, a full-service acute care facility, is recognized throughout the industry for a vision that consistently sets new standards in leveraging innovation. The team turned to long-time information solutions partner Eclipsys for new ways to boost response time and improve efficiency using El Camino Hospital�s existing Wi-Fi network. A wireless networking team from Eclipsys will lead the implementation of PanGo's active-RFID technology, scheduled to begin in March. " ...

Hospital RFID Asset Management: Via PanGo Networks, Inc: Eclipsys and PanGo Form Strategic Partnership to Deliver Advanced Radio Frequency Identification Solutions to Healthcare Organizations: Partners Sign El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, CA as First Customer ...

RFID-Enabled Smart Card ...

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

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

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

RFID Credit Card Solution ...

SmartCode launches RFID-enabled solution for the credit card market ...

... "SmartCode Corp. - The RFID Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of low cost, high performance RFID hardware solutions announced its new SmartPay RFID solutions for the Contactless RFID Credit Card Market. Specially designed for the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Chase Blink, SmartCode's new SmartPay RFID solution enables a time efficient contactless procedure for credit card transactions. Not requiring any physical contact between the credit card and the terminal, the SmartPay Credit Card RFID solution enable Merchants and Consumers to reduce card processing time and increase Point Of Sale throughput. The SmartPay Credit Card RFID solution also translates to lower maintenance costs and increased flexibility of terminal positioning such as on the counter, drive through installations or embedded into a variety of fixtures. Wall Street Journal and research firm TowerGroup estimates the market for transactions valued at less than $5 accounted for $1.32 trillion in consumer spending in 2003, representing more than 400 billion transactions. In addition, more than 37 million Americans are willing to use their cards for $5 or less and an estimated 6.5 million Americans would be comfortable using cards for transactions of less than $1, according to a study released late last year by the research firm Ipsos-Insight. " ...

RFID Credit Card Solution: Via SmartCode: SMARTCODE CORP. unleashes low cost RFID TO THE $1.32 trillion micro payments market: SmartCode Corp.'s new SmartPay Product line offers embedded RFID solutions for Visa, MasterCard and American Express RFID Credit Card solutions ...

RFID Anywhere: Smart Reader Components ...

iAnywhere releases RFID components that enabled smart readers ...

... "iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY), announced the release of RFID Anywhere Appliance Edition. The new product provides RFID hardware manufacturers with embeddable software components to build smart readers that include essential security features, support for a variety of communication protocols, the ability to execute logic on-device, remote management and upgrade capabilities, and RFID reader multi-protocol support. With the RFID Anywhere Appliance Edition, engineers can build RFID readers that are both intelligent and easily managed, thereby significantly reducing the cost of ownership. Through remote management, reader configurations can be quickly and automatically restored, drastically reducing downtime and administrative overhead. On-device logic can filter and smooth data generated by the reader, ensuring that only essential information is transmitted and thus greatly reducing network data volumes. " ...

RFID Anywhere: Smart Reader Components: Via iAnywhere: iAnywhere Enhances Frontline Management Capabilities with Next Release of XcelleNet Afaria ...

RFID Fulfillment Network: New Service Accelerates Adoption ...

One Network introduces new network fulfillment service based on RFID technology. ...

... "One Network Enterprises, the pioneer of innovative solutions for Business Process Networks, announced the RFID Fulfillment Network, a new service that will accelerate the adoption of RFID technology and revolutionize its economics. The service delivers an advanced network and RFID technology that can reduce the cost of RFID printing by 75% and drive significant savings in the end-to-end order fulfillment process. The RFID Fulfillment Network is being demonstrated at the National Retail Federation Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York from January 16th - 17th at both Zebra's booth #1653 and One Network's booth # 9999.

The service delivers a complete package of hardware, maintenance, software, consumables and network connectivity for managing the end-to-end process. It is priced on a per-click basis in which the users pay a fixed fee to generate RFID compliant labels, with no upfront capital costs. " ...

RFID Fulfillment Network: New Service Accelerates Adoption: Via One Network Enterprises: On Demand Supply Chain Solutions and Network Applications ...

Hands-On RFID Application Development Workshop: UCLA ...

UCLA RFID workshop upcoming in February ...

... "UCLA - WINMEC (Wireless Internet for the Mobile Enterprise Consortium) will present its fourth one-day hands-on RFID application development workshop on February 21, 2006. This hands-on workshop will provide attendees an opportunity to learn the basics and the potential of RFID in various application scenarios. Attendees get to experience a variety of RFID technologies and use the WinRFID middleware in conjunction with the existing RFID hardware in UCLA to get a first hand experience with several potential industrial RFID applications. The workshop and demonstrations will be held in UCLA. " ...

Hands-On RFID Application Development Workshop: UCLA: Via UCLA: UCLA WINMEC RFID Hands On Workshop February 21, 2006 ...

RFID Gen2 China Project ...

UPM Rafsec’s RFID Class 1 Generation 2 technology has a single, globally applicable antenna design and provides higher read ranges and faster response times than RFID tags of previous generations and will implement Novetex’s complete RFID identification and tracking solution by early 2006. ...

... "UPM Rafsec, a leading RFID tag and inlay manufacturer, announces that it has entered into an agreement with Supply Chain and Logistics Technology Holdings Limited (SCL), a joint-venture of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), to deliver UPM Rafsec Gen 2 RFID tags. UPM Rafsec together with SCL will supply tags to Novetex Spinners Limited (Novetex), the world’s largest single site woollen spinner, for the project that will mark the first Gen 2 RFID initiative in Hong Kong and the South China region. The new RFID system being deployed for Novetex by SCL, consultant as well as hardware & solution provider for the project will touch three different processes in Novetex’s Zhuhai warehouse - the receiving process, cycle counting and the delivery process.

UPM Rafsec’s Gen 2 RFID tags will be instrumental in achieving real-time visibility of raw materials and product inventory, leading to fewer production delays and faster response times to customer requests. Novetex expects substantial enhancements in operating efficiency at its warehouse when the project is fully deployed. " ...

RFID Gen2 China Project: UPM RAFSEC PROVIDING RFID TAGS FOR THE FIRST GEN2 PROJECT IN HONG KONG AND THE SOUTH CHINA REGION ...

Tags: Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, RFID Tag

RFID Lab Provides Hands-On Classroom Experience ...

Stratum Global will provide the RFID technology foundation for the hands-on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) lab in Illinois at Oakton Community College, serving fourteen northern Chicago suburbs.

... "The Community College RFID lab will be located at Oakton’s new Art, Science, and Technology Pavilion in Skokie. Stratum Global, William Frick, Intel and Intermec Technologies Corp. are providing Oakton with the tools required to develop an RFID lab and curriculum that will give students the opportunity to study the dynamics of how RFID infrastructure, readers, tags, and software logic solve business problems.

Stratum Global’s TagNet RFID solution suite will serve as the software application foundation for understanding the integration components and the dynamics between the infrastructure, tags and readers. Students will use the software to manage and configure readers, conduct remote diagnostics, commission and interrogate tags, verify tag reads against existing enterprise data and create rules to establish application level events. William Frick, based in Libertyville, IL, specializes in tag and labeling solution offerings. Frick will assist in developing the tag curriculum as it relates to tag materials, tags for high impact or rugged environments, application of active or passive tags, high visibility tags as well as tagging location. Frick will provide the lab with a variety of tag types for the students to work with on different materials, in multiple scenarios. Students will have a firm understanding of the differences between tags types, where those types are applicable and how to effectively construct a tagging methodology. Enterprise data will reside on an Intel based P4 and Xeon Server infrastructure. Data will be used to commission tags, construct work rules and manage events. Stratum Global’s TagNet® will ensure a seamless flow of data within the RFID environment, between the Intermec Readers, antennas, tags and the Intel platform.

RFID hardware will be provided by Intermec and will include Intermec’s IF5 fixed readers, IP3® portable readers, and a combination of Intermec Intellitag antennas. Students will use the hardware to understand how physical readers, handhelds and antennas are used to develop portals, and how portal development impacts read rates and the dynamics of hardware configuration. The hardware and curriculum will prepare students for careers in RFID, with a firm understanding of the technology required for a successful implementation and how that implementation can bring continuous process improvement to the business. " ...

Via Stratum Global: Hands-On RFID Lab at Oakton Community College: Industry leaders collaborate to develop lab and curriculum ...

Additional resources on university RFID labs:

Via Cal Poly: RFID HIGHLIGHTS: "Fred Abler, Tali Freed visited Sun Microsystems in Menlo Park, CA for a day of meetings to present the Cal Poly RFID Research and Testing Lab to a team of SUN executives. The meeting was arranged by Sema Alptekin, a Cal Poly IME professor currently on sabbatical at UC Berkeley. During the day-long series of meetings, the directors presented their vision for RFID Research at CAL POLY, resulting in the RFID Research and Testing Lab being nominated to become the SUN Center of Excellence for RFID."

Via University of Wisconsin: Headlines for March 21, 2005: "The RFID laboratory on the UW-Madison campus enables RFID workgroup members to conduct structured experiments ranging from tag placement to antenna design. "

Via University of Arkansas - Daily Headlines: "The University of Arkansas RFID Research Center laboratory has passed accreditation criteria established by EPCglobal Inc., a global not-for-profit standards organization commercializing the Electronic Product CodeT (EPC) and RFID worldwide. The UA lab is one of the first EPC/RFID research laboratories worldwide to receive the EPCglobal Performance Test Center accreditation. The RFID Research Center, a subunit of the Information Technology Research Institute, housed in the university's Sam M. Walton College of Business."

RFID People Chipping ...

RFID chipping of people is not very far away. Consumer items, passports, drugs, and other objects will have RFID tags and could serve as a mechanism for tracking and tracing people. In the references below, there are many examples where people RFID chipping is beginning. Mark Long explores the benefits and privacy concerns of RFID technology as adoption increases to solve various problems in society. ...

... "Nevertheless, the chipping of Americans may not be as far away as some people think. For one thing, RFID tags are likely to play a pivotal role in securing the next generation of American identity documents, said Bob McCullough, an analyst at The Yankee Group. " ...

RFID People Chipping: Tracked by a Tiny Chip: The Promise and Peril of RFID - Via Tech Trends - NewsFactor Network

Additional resources on the chipping of people with RFID:

Feds approve human RFID implants | Via The Register: "The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a gimmick from Florida-based Applied Digital Solutions to chip people with RFID implants - previously confined to tracking animals - thereby making it easy to access their medical records, even when they cannot, or would rather not, cooperate."

EPIC RFID Privacy Page: "In comments to the Article 29 Working Group, an association of leading European privacy officials, EPIC has recommended strong safeguards for RFIDs and techniques to track the use of digital works. EPIC's Comments on RFID (pdf) recommend a prohibition on chipping people and warn that unencrypted RFID passports pose significant security risks. "

Japan: Schoolkids to be tagged with RFID chips - Hardware - News - Via ZDNet Asia: "The rights and wrongs of RFID-chipping human beings have been debated since the tracking tags reached the technological mainstream. Now, school authorities in the Japanese city of Osaka have decided the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and will now be chipping children in one primary school. "

Zebra RFID Gen2 Printer Firmware Upgrade ...

Zebra upgrades its RFID printer firmware to support Gen2 capability. ...

... "Zebra customers can download and install the firmware to conveniently expand RFID support to include Gen 2 smart label printing/encoding. No hardware replacement or service call is required. Zebra is the first company to provide publicly downloadable firmware to support Gen 2 RFID, while still supporting previous protocols. The free firmware upgrade is available for Zebra’s RXi series printer/encoders, RPAX4 series print engines and European R4Mplus printer/encoders. These models are configured to update RFID protocols via firmware, not hardware, so there is no need to replace the reader module to add support for new protocols. Because Gen 2 functionality can be added to Zebra printer/encoders without sacrificing the use of other UHF technologies, including EPC Class 1 and Class 0, companies who utilize Zebra RFID printer/encoders can be assured that the product will support their current and future business needs. " ...

Zebra RFID Gen2 Printer Firmware Upgrade: ZEBRA DELIVERS EPC GEN 2 RFID PRINTING/ENCODING WITH INDUSTRY’S FIRST FREE, DOWNLOADABLE FIRMWARE UPGRADE: Companies can add Gen 2 support on existing Zebra RFID printer/encoders while continuing to use Gen 1 and other protocols: no new hardware required ...

RFID Adoption Will Accelerate ...

RFID adoption is expected to accelerate in the coming years. ...

... "The adoption of RFID continues to gather momentum with spending on related hardware and software expected to skyrocket over the next five years ... " ...

RFID Adoption Will Accelerate: Via IT Week: RFID poised for investment explosion ...

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.

RFID Intelligence: Cisco Webcast ...

Cisco hosts webcast on the future of RFID technology and intelligent networks. ...

... "Cisco Systems (Nasdaq:CSCO) will host another session of its Tech Talk for Investors webcasts, with corresponding slide presentation, on Friday, December 16th, at 12:00 Noon ET. Please join Mohsen Moazami, Vice President, as he discusses how networks and Cisco Systems will increasingly play a key role in RFID implementations. Following a brief presentation, a question & answer session will be held with Reik Reid and Ken Muth of Robert W. Baird & Co. Date: Friday, December 16th, 2005; Time: 12:00 Noon ET; 9:00 AM (PT) " ...

RFID Intelligence: Cisco Webcast: Via Cisco: Cisco Systems Hosts Tech Talk for Investors Educational Webcast -- Cisco RFID Solutions: Delivering Intelligence to RFID ...

Additional resources on RFID network intelligence:

Building Business Intelligence: RFID: An Opportunity for Business Intelligence, Part 1: "A computer is a device that can input, process and output information. RFID tags potentially have these capabilities, as well as the ability to communicate wirelessly within networks."

Via TechWeb: RFID Network Set To Launch In 2006: "EPCglobal Inc. is looking for big changes to radio frequency identification technology adoption in 2006, and expects to launch its RFID network that will enable businesses to collaborate and share data electronically early next year."

ProdexNet - Business Intelligence for the IT Infrastructure: "Network management software provider ProdexNet has developed an RFID version of its core NetGather application to provide a real-time management and reporting system for enterprise RFID networks. The new productdubbed NetGather for RFID - delivers a centralized management console that provides full control and visibility of all readers in an RFID network. In 2001, ProdexNet debuted its first integrated IT reporting solution, NetGather, which was designed to draw operational data from a company's IT infrastructure to provide reports and alerts so that a company could better understand and interpret how that infrastructure was impacting its core business. Developing a version for RFID implementations required ProdexNet to add a new central console as well as ensure that the new software could pull data from a range of applications and hardware in real-time. "

NCR RFID Services: Greece and Region ...

NCR names Business Effectiveness as partner to collaborate and deliver RFID consulting service to the Greek market. ...

... "NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) and Business Effectiveness S.A. have signed an agreement to provide companies with radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions, comprising business strategy consulting, systems integration, deployment and project management. The companies will work together in Greece and neighboring countries with NCR clients that are evaluating, implementing and expanding the use of RFID technology. Based in Athens, Greece, Business Effectiveness is a leading RFID integrator and provider of hardware and supply chain solutions. The company will work with NCR to identify, develop and support solutions designed for various industries including retail and consumer goods, helping companies create new operational efficiencies and capture business improvement opportunities through the use of RFID technology. " ...

NCR RFID Services: Greece and Region: Via NCR: NCR Signs Agreement with Leading Mediterranean Region RFID Integrator ...

Business Effectiveness, S.A., based in Athens, Greece, is a leading provider of RFID integration services, RFID hardware and supply chain solutions in the Mediterranean region.

RFID Cost Analysis ...

Cost analysis for an animal RFID application. ...

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

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

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

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

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