RFID Shipment Tracking and Detection

Pliant implements IBM-designed RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) platform pilot program, that tracks shipments between technical centers and customer sites. The RFID system detects tampering in shipped products and enables workforce mobility using handheld devices to track products. Potential tampering can be identified and addressed in real-time. ...

... "IBM Global Business Services consultants collaborated with Pliant to develop a comprehensive RFID technology roadmap, helping Pliant prepare and validate the RFID equipment in its labs. Pliant's IBM software and solution, which has been in place since December 2005, leverages IBM's Data Collection Server software and WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure. The software installed on Pliant's network helped to create RFID labels which were printed and deployed on pallets and the pallets were tracked as they moved between the two Pliant technical centers in Newport News, Virginia and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. IBM consultants worked with Pliant to create Web pages on a network database to track the content and movement history of each pallet so that its location was always known.



A wireless handheld RFID reader loaded with the WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure used to scan the pallets within the plants to immediately look up pallet content information. With the support provided by the IBM Global Business Services team, Pliant now has a proven product concept to access to real-time tracking information for shipments between its two facilities. This setup allowed Pliant to download and monitor critical information which helped protect business-critical applications. " ...

Via Pliant Corporation: IBM Helps Pliant Design and Implement RFID System to Track Shipments and Detect Tampering ...

RFID Pharma Supply Chain: Track and Trace EPCIS Pilot

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

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

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

RFID Battery-Assist Passive Tag: Supports Logistics and Manufacturing ...

Intelleflex RFID tags can be used by logistics companies and in manufacturing in long-range, battery-assisted mode for real-time inventory tracking of assemblies in the warehouses. The RFID system can automatically generate a proof of shipment when assemblies are shipped. When used in maintenance operations in passive mode, companies can realize significant benefits from having actionable manufacturing and repair history data in the 64Kb user memory of the RFID tag at the point of use. ...

... "Intelleflex's InfoSure tags and the I-Beam reader are multi-protocol, ensuring global interoperability using EPC standards. InfoSure tags can be used as passive C1G2 tags with any other C1G2 reader or used in the battery-assisted passive mode at long ranges with the I-Beam reader. InfoSure tags offer up to 100-meter read/write range in free space, which translates to 100 percent read/write reliability at standard working ranges in industrial environments. They also offer 64 kb user memory, which is segmented into 1 kb blocks so they can be independently protected for read/write access through passwords. The I-Beam reader can read any EPC C1G2 tag as well as the Class 3 InfoSure tag. Initial product shipments of both the tags and readers are targeted for asset management, yard management, manufacturing and zonal access control applications. " ...

Via Intelleflex Corporation: Intelleflex Announces Availability of its RFID Battery-Assisted Passive Tag and Reader Products ...

RFID Access Inventory Control: KeyWhere

KeyWhere applies RFID technology to the process of managing car delaership keys through it wireless system. ...

... "KeyWhere optimizes staff productivity and increases accountability using state-of-the-art RFID access cards and keytags to track each vehicle's activity history. " ...

RFID Access Inventory Control: KeyWhere: Via KeyWhere: KeyWhere Tracks Sales Activity Each Time a Key is Accessed ...

RFID Medical Device Management: Human Error Reduction ...

Wren Medical collaborates to deliver RFID-based management of medical devices. ...

... "Wren Medical and ETCOM have developed the best RFID solution for Wren Medical's applications, and is now employing the use of Active RFID technology to enhance its current software offering that guarantees accurate data collection and establishes a clearly defined process for cycling of a medical device - from location to utilization to biomedical service history. RFID technology has proven that by automating data collection the potential for human errors and inconsistencies is eliminated. Wren Medical has been providing unique software solutions to their customers for several years, and is currently managing tens of thousands of medical devices for health care providers all over North America. Their system offers a complete solution for asset management by addressing all of the following areas: location, utilization, preventative maintenance schedule, repair history, warranty information, depreciation, valuation, and more. " ...

RFID Medical Device Management: Human Error Reduction: Via Wren Medical: Wren Medical Systems, Inc. Initiates the Use of Active RFID with their State-of-the-Art Asset Management Network ...

RFID Hospital: Blood Tracking ...

IBM collaborates with Japan hospital to track blood samples using RFID technology. ...

... "At the Kyoto Medical Center, under the new project, RFID tags were attached to dummy samples of plasma derivatives (about 50 units) and successfully traced. Using these RFID tags, information on the distribution and use history of the products - from the pharmaceutical manufacturer via the wholesalers to the medical institutions through to use - can be shared (federated), and the basis for a tracking mechanism can be established. In the future, multiple users, beyond the boundaries of individual industries, can make use of this kind of historical information to provide a system for enabling safe medical care. IBM Japan has built a distributed information system for seamless operation of RFID tags, while protecting a variety of highly classified medical information, such as personal information. Moreover, from the point of view of privacy, it has become possible to provide access control technology, which strictly limits access to the database and displays only the information necessary for the business at hand in systems used by multiple businesses or departments. " ...

RFID Hospital: Blood Tracking: Via IBM: Japan's first RFID tag drug-shipment-to-in-hospital medication traceability successfully demonstrated ...

RFID Animal Tagging: Record Month ...

Digital Angel has record month due to RFID animal tagging ...

... "McGrath noted that the expanding move toward electronic RFID tagging by ranchers, prompted primarily by the need to verify the sources and history of livestock from birth to the processing plants, has also increased demand for visual tags, a product which Digital Angel pioneered more than 60 years ago. While ranchers need the electronic system to create a permanent history and database for livestock, visual tags also play a role in easily identifying the animals, particularly in the early years of their lives. " ...

RFID Animal Tagging: Record Month: Via Digital Angel: DIGITAL ANGEL CORPORATION REPORTS RECORD SALES MONTH FOR VISUAL LIVESTOCK ID TAGS IN U.S. ...

RFID GlaxoSmithKline Technology Test ...

GlaxoSmithKline tests RFID technology on HIV drug to combat counterfeiting. ...

... "GlaxoSmithKline has begun distributing a medicine tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology as part of a pilot project to help protect patient safety. The tags will be placed on all bottles of Trizivir (an HIV medicine) distributed in the United States. When scanned at close range, the tags will help verify that the medicine bottle contains authentic Trizivir. This specific medicine was selected for the project because it has been listed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy as one of 32 drugs most susceptible to counterfeiting and diversion. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked the pharmaceutical industry to develop standards and pilot processes for RFID that may lead in the next few years to broad adoption and use of the technology. RFID uses a tiny silicon chip and antenna about the size of a postage stamp that is attached to each bottle of medicine. The chip stores a unique product code that reflects information about the drug's manufacturing and shipping history. The product code can be read by pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacists using a hand-held or stationary electronic device that is placed within 2-18 inches of the tag. The tag can be read by wholesalers when it is received from the manufacturer and when it is shipped to pharmacies, who would then record when they have received the medicine. This allows manufacturers to more precisely account for medicine as it moves through the distribution chain and to authenticate medicine at the point of dispensing. " ...

RFID GlaxoSmithKline Technology Test: Via GlaxoSmithKline: GlaxoSmithKline begins testing new technology ...

RFID Tracks Produce ...

ScoringAg addresses trackback needs in produce industry through RFID integration ...

... "ScoringAg's Point-to-Point Traceback system keeps the produce ID and/or RFID number from the field through the processing stage or storage, to the transporter's log through every processing stage, from the grower to the table, all for just pennies per record. Each produce label can carry an SSI-EID number and/or barcode that corresponds to that one item's total history of food handlers and its quality. " ...

Produce Handlers Using ScoringAg are Ready for FDA Traceback Regulations: Those nut, fruit, and vegetable operations that receive, hold, and ship raw agricultural commodities, such as sweet corn, green beans, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, peppers, apples and other crops, are mandated by the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 to register all their facilities, and keep proper records wherever food commodities and produce are received, cleaned, stored, blended, and processed, and then shipped again ...

Implanted RFID Microchips for Dogs ...

Digital Angel Corp's RFID microchips will be implanted into dog rescue teams. ...

... "Digital Angel Corporation, an advanced technology company in the field of rapid and accurate identification, location tracking, and condition monitoring of high-value assets, announced that the United Network for Worldwide Disaster Aid (UNWDA), an internationally-known, EU-based team of experts deployed at catastrophic events throughout the world, has selected the Company's implanted electronic RFID microchips for its specially-trained canine search and rescue teams based in diverse countries. To date, a total of 49 of the group's 178 dogs have been implanted with the Digital Angel microchip and many of the chipped dogs have recently been deployed in emergency aid areas including Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Caribbean and China. The UNWDA organization, which has canine units connected to 22 countries around the world and has deployed dogs to catastrophes of the magnitude of the New York 9/11 disaster and last year's tsunami in Asia, had previously used tattoos to identify their dogs. UNDWA switched to the implanted microchips because of the need for access to a variety of information about the individual animals, said Dr. S. Eynn, spokesperson for the organization's coordination center in Brussels. The Digital Angel microchip was selected after a careful review of other similar microchips available on the international market, she added. " ...

Implanted RFID Microchips for Dogs: Via Digital Angel: DIGITAL ANGEL CORPORATION ELECTRONIC RFID MICROCHIP SELECTED FOR SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL CANINE SEARCH/RESCUE TEAM; Need for Complete Canine History Prompts Use of Microchips; Chipped Team Deployed in Afghanistan, Pakistan ...

Wireless RFID Animal Tracking and Traceback System ...

ScoringAg leverages RFID to enable web-based animal tracking system and could replace NAIS cattle ID project. ...

... "Instead of waiting for hours or days for animal health history - which is the stated goal of the proposed NAIS animal ID consortium - all field data updates, including those that are available on the animal's public page, are displayed instantly - in real time - as they occur, when and where the data is collected and uploaded - in the field or in chutes at auctions, feedlots, packing plants, and elsewhere. Only ScoringAg's system is ready and able to deliver this level of secure information in just seconds to those in need during a catastrophic event. The animal's public records page can also show other tags, brands or tattoos, or a photo of the animal if needed. This gives an additional means of animal ID when RFID ear tags are lost or stolen and only the animal's unique identifying characteristics can give positive ID. ScoringAg's Web-based databank uses its secure Internet interconnections and servers to provide real-time traceup and traceback, as well as complete traceability and animal movement history, to geographically diverse livestock groups - from original producers through all production stages, using a system of checkpoints to account for tagged livestock as they move through the system. " ...

Wireless RFID Animal Tracking and Traceback System; Via ScoringAg: NAIS Cattle ID Pilot Projects Not Needed, Since Proven Advanced Technology Already Exists: While NAIS regional pilot projects merely promised some limited animal ID and tracking results after a few years of study, ScoringAg's Web-based traceup / traceback database system delivers real time results in seconds – in operation now for all livestock species, using high-speed, wireless RFID and precise premises locations ...

RFID Emergency Card: Enables Electronic Health Record ...

MedicAlert will show its RFID-enabled smart-card for enabling emergency medical care through the use of identification and electronic health records. ...

... "MedicAlert will be showcasing technology products - the MedicAlert® E-HealthKEY, the Health Enhancement System (HES), and the RFID Emergency Card in response to the federal government’s goal to give all Americans electronic medical records in the coming years. Within a few years, one-third of all Americans will be elderly – about 77 million people – the single biggest demographic group in the country. Globally, the U.S. will have the largest population of elderly people in the history of the world. " ...

RFID Emergency Card: Enables Electronic Health Record: Via MedicAlert: MedicAlert® to showcase technology at the White House Conference on Aging ...

MedicAlert® is committed to providing technology-based solutions and is an active member and a leader in developing interoperability standards with all the major Healthcare IT standards organizations. The MedicAlert® repository uses Web service interfaces to support standard Electronic Health Records (EHRs), including electronic drug prescriptions and for patient record interoperability. These activities will ensure the rapid development and deployment of standards to improve the quality of care, lower healthcare costs while increasing patient safety. MedicAlert® is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1956 with a mission to protect and save lives, is headquartered in the United States and has international affiliates in nine countries.

Additional resources on uses of RFID to support emergency health care or electronic health care identification:

Health Care CIO Runs Internal RFID Test - Computerworld: "Halamka said this month that when the chip is scanned by an RFID reader, an identifying number directs physicians to his medical records, which are stored electronically at CareGroup's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "

VeriChip launches secure database to consult health care data stored on implantable RFID chips: "VeriChip is a miniaturised, implantable, radio frequency identification device (RFID) which can be used in a variety of security, emergency, and health care applications. About the size of a grain of rice, each VeriChip is composed of FDA-accepted materials and contains a unique verification number which can seamlessly integrate to the GVS Registry."

RFID can be a matter of life and death in the medical world | WTN: "Radio frequency identification technology is often touted as a way to improve supply chain management. But in the health care world, the technology is bringing other, perhaps more important benefits: safety and security."

RFID Technology Enables Hospital Efficiency and Effectiveness ...

RFID technology can enable efficiency in hospitals through asset management and increase effectiveness, such as patient safety, through real-time patient information access that lower patient errors. Marisa Torrieri's article explores hospital RFID scenarios. ...

RFID Technology Enables Hospital Efficiency and Effectiveness: Via SecureID News: FDA-approved RFID technology eases E.R. visits, reduces wrong-site surgery ...

... "But let's say she's tagged with RFID and the hospital's medical staff is equipped with a reader that can pick up her medical history in one wave. Her diabetes would be detected immediately, and she'd get the right treatment right away that would decrease her emergency room stay. That's just one scenario made possible by RFID. " ...

RFID Art Party ...

Art reception was held using RFID tracking technology where party-goers were given RFID tags. People's viewing history was traced and analyzed using Alien RFID readers.

RFID Art Party: Via Engadget: Partygoers get RFID tagged for art's sake ...

... "RFID Tracking Party held at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art earlier this week was to make some kind of clever, artsy, postmodern statement about privacy, society and art. " ...

Significant RFID Growth Expected By Samsys ...

Significant RFID Growth Expected By Samsys: SAMSys Technologies Reports 2005 Q3 Financial Results and Holds Investor Conference Call ...

SAMSys expects signficant growth in RFID revenue as new product adoption rates accelerate ...

... "Early adopters of the technology, including retail and consumer packaged goods companies, continue to move toward meeting the various mandates defined by numerous North American and European retailers and the U.S. Department of Defence. As a result of these trends and the introduction of new products, SAMSys expects to see growth and expansion in the adoption and deployment of RFID technology in the remainder of fiscal 2005 and beyond which should result in significant growth in the Company’s revenues. The current order book is approx $1.5 million and represents the highest level in the history of the Company. " ...

Tag: RFID

Hospital RFID Bracelet Integrated Medical Record ...

Hospital RFID Bracelet Integrated Medical Record: Exavera Technologies Incorporated - Insight Comes from Information: eShepherd™ Combines WiFi and RFID Technologies to Maximize Patient Safety and Optimize Hospital Workflow ...

... "eShepherd's RFID bracelets contain a subset of the patient's electronic medical record, including a photograph for positive identification and medical history such as insurance information, vital signs, physician contact data and current medications. In addition to this intelligence, the bracelet communicates automatically with the hospital's information system through Exavera's wireless broadband premise router, eliminating the need for scanning and making the flow of data transparent to patients and caregivers. Working with a hospital's HIS and wireless input devices such as PDAs, tablet PCs, and laptops, eShepherd enables real-time, point-of-care read and write access to information contained in the bracelet and the hospital's database." ...

Printronix RFID Growth Bright Spot ...

Printronix RFID Growth Bright Spot: Printronix Announces First Quarter Results for Fiscal Year 2006 ...

... "Although we were disappointed with the slowdown in sales for our core business, we were very encouraged by the progress we made in our growing RFID segment, said Robert Kleist, President and CEO of Printronix. This quarter we achieved $943 thousand in RFID printer sales, the highest in our history, which we believe is indicative of the tangible traction we are gaining in the early deployment of RFID. In addition, we also recently announced strategic RFID partnerships with IBM and Microsoft, two key leaders and developers in the RFID space. " ...

Vessel History RFID Tag

Vessel History RFID Tag: Vats of Wine and Brandy - SACO Systems (Pty) Ltd.

... "The company came up with a simple answer whereby each individual vat was fitted with a passive RFID tag containing information about the vat's history, as well as its contents. " ...

RFID Digital Healthcare Transformation

RFID Digital Healthcare Transformation: McKesson Executive Retreat to Highlight Role of IT in Healthcare Transformation: Nation’s top healthcare leaders will share best practices and explore key issues ...

McKesson's retreat will explore the digital healthcare transformation, enabled by RFID technology, among others ...

... "Building Digital Healthcare Communities – IT leaders will discuss how healthcare organizations will soon be able to triage patients before they enter the emergency room by blending traditional communication networks with WiMax and RFID technologies to link to local emergency, fire, police and other municipal services. " ...

McKesson Corporation is a Fortune 15 healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 170-year history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare, and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.

RFID Shipping Warehousing Operations

RFID Shipping Warehousing Operations: ClearOrbit Harvests Supply Chain Efficiencies for Paramount Farms - the World's Largest Pistachio and Almond Supplier: ClearOrbit's Solution Will Enable Real-Time, Precise Tracking of Inventory, Shipping and Deliveries from Standard-setting Warehouse and Cold Storage ...

... "Paramount Farms is the world's largest vertically integrated supplier of pistachios and almonds, managing 175,000 square feet of cold storage with up to 190 million pounds of capacity. ClearOrbit's G.SI for Oracle Process Manufacturing (OPM) solution enables companies running OPM to leverage bar code, RF scanning and RFID to dramatically improve inventory, warehousing and shipping operations. " ...

Paramount Farms is the world's largest vertically integrated supplier of pistachios and almonds. Paramount Farms, a company with a long established history building successful produce brands including Sunkist® California Pistachios, a top seller; and Sunkist® Almond Accents®, the leading flavored, sliced almond topping. Sister brands include POM Wonderful®, the largest grower of California Wonderful; pomegranates and producer of POM Wonderful® Pomegranate Juice.

Since 1994, ClearOrbit has assisted more than 275 clients in automating and controlling their supply chain execution processes. ClearOrbit extends enterprise systems value with proven Supply Chain Execution (SCE) and Collaborative Supply Management (CSM) software solutions that allow customers to fully leverage their investment in enterprise applications while also gaining additional value by incorporating their trading partners into their supply chains. ClearOrbit products work within the existing enterprise system to leverage a "single version of the truth," expanding rather than duplicating functionality to eliminate inefficiencies in the supply chain. By using the customer's data model, ClearOrbit delivers on the promise of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) and SAP (NYSE: SAP) with fully integrated supply chain execution and collaboration solutions that address "last mile functionality" issues inherent in most ERP systems. ClearOrbit customers include Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), JDS Uniphase (NASDAQ: JDSU) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN).

Stacked Type RFID Tags: Inventory Management

Stacked Type RFID Tags: Inventory Management: NISSAN FIRST MANUFACTURER TO INTRODUCE DIE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FEATURING STACKED-TYPE RFID TAGS ...

Nissan will use stacked-type RFID technology to manage die inventory ...

... "Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has introduced the manufacturing world's first die inventory management system with stacked-type RFID *1 tags at its Yokohama engine plant. The new system will allow Nissan to improve the efficiency of its drivetrain parts die management, while reducing the workload of its employees. The system should also help Nissan reduce its die inventory by half to 3,500 units in 2007. Under the system, each drivetrain part die is issued an IC tag, which contains information about the die's production status, location, repair record and history usage. By placing the tag in a special RFID tag reading tray, workers can instantly read information about the die on a nearby computer screen without the need to operate the computer. In the past, workers had to refer to files of paper for such information. " ...

RFID Temp Sensor: MicroSensys

RFID Temp Sensor: MicroSensys: MATRICS Group Offers RFID products and sensor tags by MicroSensys

... "The TELID 1T module with a integrated temperature sensor. The measured temperature value will be read contactlessly from outside by standard iID 2000 components from MICRO-SENSYS. Dimensions - 28mm x 6 mm.; Antenna - coil on chip; distance - short, closed coupling. " ...

The company microsensys is a specialist in manufacturing and developing of radio frequency identification components. In this wide field of possible products microsensys focuses on wireless closed coupling, low power, 13.56MHz RFID transponder and reader technologies. microsensys strategy is to offer the most innovative technology and the true realistically technical solution as far as this product portfolio is concerned. Located in Erfurt, founded in 1991, microsensys has dedicated his 12 years history to supplying RFID products for niche markets in Europe every time.

RFID Drug Pedigree Requirement ...

Implementation of SB 1307 (Chapter 857, Statutes of 2004) Relating to Wholesalers: Pedigree Requirement

... "McKesson reported that EPCglobal, a non-profit organization, has developed broad industry standards for the use of electronic product codes (EPC) in global commerce. An EPC is a simple license plate that uniquely identifies objects (items, cases, pallets) in the supply chain. Multiple committees within EPCglobal are currently working to develop standards and fully examine both the feasibility and the ramifications of implementing EPCs to support the use of RFID with pharmaceutical products. EPCs can securely store information about a specific product in a tag that is affixed by the manufacturer. With the development of global standards and the utilization of RFID technology, EPCs will provide for immediate, automatic, and accurate identification of any pharmaceutical item in the supply chain and will enable the industry to track a product’s distribution history, which constitutes an e-pedigree." ...

RFID Baggage Tests

FAA ...

... "The agency also conducted two Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Baggage Tag trials, in conjunction with United and Continental Airlines. The tests provided critical operational performance information to support airline efforts to develop an international standard for RFID Baggage Tag use. " ...

3M Law Firm RFID Solution ...

3M Introduces Legal Professionals to Radio Frequency Technology That Tracks and Manages Critical Files ...

... "At the upcoming Association of Legal Administrators conference, 3M is unveiling a high-tech way to take control of file tracking and management. 3M RFID Tracking Solutions offers a suite of products for law firms based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology that locates and identifies individual files via a tiny microchip and antenna. The microchip and antenna are inside a 3M RFID Tracking Tag that is affixed to each file and allows the files to be easily tracked through the entire workflow. As a file moves from central file rooms, team rooms, or individual offices, a complete file history is tracked and can be easily viewed on any network computer." ...

3M is a $16 billion diversified technology company with leading positions in consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics; health care; industrial; safety, security and protection services and transportation. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company has operations in more than 60 countries and serves customers in nearly 200 countries. 3M, which marked its 100th anniversary in 2002, is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and also is a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

RFID History: Savi DOD Contract ...

DefenseLINK News: Contracts for August 8, 1997

... "The RFID contract will provide active and passive hardware, software, and services to system designers and integrators throughout the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. The RFID systems will provide an integrated structure for logistics tracking, locating, and monitoring. Equipment includes fixed, hand-held and transportable RFID interrogators, and a family of RFID transponders (tags) for worldwide use. Software includes equipment operating systems and application development software. Services include maintenance of equipment and software, training, and technical engineering services. The technical engineering services include integration of RFID components, site analysis and survey, and problem solving (includes communications, interfaces with other government systems, and systems integration). Work will be performed in Mountain View, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 30, 2002. " ...

RFID Inlay Insertion Printing ...

RFID Inlay Insertion Printing: Mark Andy to Demonstrate RFID Conversion Equipment Using Texas ...

Mark Andy is showcasing new capabilities in RFID printing with inlay insertion equipment ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Mark Andy, the leading narrow web printing equipment manufacturer, will demonstrate to label and printer manufacturers its recently developed RFID strap and ...

... Mark Andy, the leading narrow web printing equipment manufacturer, will demonstrate to label and printer manufacturers its recently developed RFID strap and inlay insertion equipment incorporating RFID straps and inlays from Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) at its "RFID Focus" Educator Series, "In-Line RFID Solutions for Today's Converters" on April 27, 2005. Mark Andy's printing and converting technology, which uses an RFID inlay and strap insertion module developed by Tamarack Products, is a leading commercial product line available for companies seeking to integrate RFID technology into traditional narrow web label manufacturing lines. In addition to the RFID insertion demonstration, the event will cover a variety of key topics about RFID and Electronic Product Code(TM) (EPC) label production. ...

Mark Andy, Inc., a Dover Company, is the world's number one manufacturer of narrow web printing equipment. The company has a rich history of delivering solutions to increase productivity and profitability for the label and packaging markets. The company supplies leading global brands including Comco printing/converting machinery, Mark Andy printing/converting machinery and UVTechnology curing systems and replacement parts. Mark Andy is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, with sales and distribution offices in France, Switzerland, and the UK. Texas Instruments is the world's largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications.

Radio Frequency Identification Tags - History

PNNL Available Technologies: Radio Frequency Identification Tags - History

... "In 1998, PNNL spun out its first RF tag company: WaveID. This company was acquired by Alien Technology, and along with their patented fluidic self assembly process, formed the basis of Alien's new business venture into low cost RF tags." ...

RFID Animal Identification, National Program ...

Animal Identification

... "APHIS and its predecessor agencies began using ear tags, back tags, tattoos and face brands in the early 1960's. These identification methods were required by statutory regulations and successfully used to trace the movements of diseased animals during disease outbreaks and eradication programs. With this long history of contact with the field, APHIS has led the way in the development of national identification systems. The agency continues to place a high priority on livestock identification and database development.
Current methods of livestock identification include but are not limited to ear tags, back tags, neck chains, tail tags, freeze brands, tattoos, paint marks, and leg bands. Electronic identification methods including bar codes and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders are becoming increasingly useful tools in herd management programs. As these new technologies develop and become compatible with one another, they may prove to be cost-effective tools to increase the efficiency of production. Similarly, regulatory agencies may benefit from these systems through increased accuracy and efficiency of tracing the movement of livestock. " ...

Healthcare RFID Real-Time Tracking ...

Healthcare RFID Real-Time Tracking: McKesson's CarePoint-RN(TM) Gives Nurses Unparalleled Point-of ...

From Market Wire (press release) ... McKesson turned to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems provider PanGo Networks, Inc., to incorporate advanced real-time tracking capabilities to ...

... McKesson, the world's leading healthcare services company, announced that it will preview CarePoint-RN™, the industry's first-of-its-kind mobile workstation, at the HIMSS 2005 annual conference and exhibition Feb. 13-17, in Dallas, Texas. CarePoint-RN is designed to alleviate one of nursing's most vexing challenges: how to deliver safer, more efficient care. McKesson's fully equipped, transportable workstation takes bedside computing and scanning to the next level by conveniently placing everything that nurses need at their fingertips. Patient-specific medication bins, supplies, a bar-code scanner and a wireless PC are combined on a single platform, enabling nurses to access clinical information, scan and administer medications, complete assessments, and chart care from anywhere they wish. ...

McKesson Corporation is a Fortune 16 healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 170-year history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare, and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.

The RFID Demand-Driven Supply Chain ...

The RFID Demand-Driven Supply Chain: i2 Helps the World's Leading Retailers to Extract Additional Value ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... the millions of SKUs across multiple systems are essential to introducing new products, managing supply chains, merchandising, and implementing RFID and other ...

... The world's leading retailers have the applications they need to run their businesses. However, in order to compete in today's rapidly changing business environment, it is necessary to add applications that work together with existing systems to enhance supply chain flexibility and visibility across multiple systems and extract additional value from technology investments. Retailers are turning to i2 Technologies, Inc. (OTC: ITWO), a leading provider of demand-driven supply chain solutions designed to enable business agility, to help them achieve these goals. Innovative solutions from i2 can help address retail's toughest industry challenges and assist companies to plan merchandise lifecycles to lower inventory and improve shelf availability, control price to increase sales, execute orders to improve customer service, optimize transportation to improve efficiency and manage information to drive business performance. ...

i2 is a leading provider of demand-driven supply chain solutions designed to enable business agility. i2's flexible solutions can synchronize demand and supply across an ever-changing global supply network. Seventeen of the AMR Research Top 25 Global Supply Chains belong to companies who are i2 customers. Seven of the Fortune global top 10 are also customers of i2. Founded in 1988 with a commitment to customer success and supply chain innovation, i2 has a history of delivering value by implementing solutions designed to provide a rapid return on investment.

Additional resources on RFID-enabled demand-driven supply chain for retailers ...

EDI, UCCnet & RFID: Synchronizing the Supply Chain, By Nahid Jilovec;

Mobilizing the Supply Chain: Developing RFID and EPC Professional and Managed Services for the Consumer Packaged Goods and Retail Sectors, By IDC;

RFID Labeling: Smart Labeling Concepts & Applications for the Consumer Packaged Goods Supply Chain, By Robert Kleist;

Turning signals into profits in the RFID-enabled supply chain: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Turning signals into profits in the RFID-enabled supply chain ... behavior makes it demand-driven and enables the ... Event Intelligence in RFID-enabled Value Networks ...

SAP: newest SCM solution will support RFID-enabled execution scenarios ... as well as major retailers such as ... been to build a demand-driven supply chain that delivers ...

Performance Measurement: RFID Software, manufacturing rfid tags: RedPrairie's visibility tool enables retailers to create a demand-driven supply chain and better support overall logistics flow. ...

HP and BearingPoint Expand Global Alliance by Combining RFID Tools: collaborate to implement RFID-enabled technology designed ... technologies linked with supply chain and merchandizing ... a DDSN (Demand Driven Supply Network) strategy ...

Motorola RFID Enables Liquid Media Future Shown at Consumer Electronic Show CES 2005 ...

RFID Enables Liquid Media Future Shown at Consumer Electronic Show CES 2005: 2005 International CES Opening Day Showcases World's Coolest CE ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Using an RFID tag developed by Motorola, the user can move from the home, to the car, to the office and the live content seamlessly will follow the user from ...

... Powerful and exciting displays of the hottest consumer electronics products, technologies and trends were unleashed on the opening day of the 2005 International CES(R). With heavy hitting keynote speakers and conference sessions featuring the industry's most pressing topics, the 2005 International CES is shaping up to be the biggest and best in history. The 2005 International CES runs January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the opening morning of, Gary Shapiro president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), delivered an inspiring and exciting State of the Industry Address. Shapiro announced plans for the 2005 SINOCES, which will take place in Qingdao, China in July. "Our mission here is simple," Shapiro said, "to grow the CE industry." ...

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 1,850 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $110 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

Additional resources on RFID liquid media ...

Motorola uses RFID to power ubiquitous media: JC pinned an RFID tag on Mr. Zander and had ... Using a technology called "Liquid Media," four monitors at each station ... play and stop video or audio content when Mr ...

2005 International CES: Attendees: Garriques shows off Liquid Media, an application that allows content to follow its user as it morphs itself to fit the environment. Using an RFID tag developed ...

Motorola Keeps ITunes Client Hidden: frequency identification tag as part of its "Liquid Media" initiative that allows content to follow ... particular tune at home can carry their RFID tag into ...

RFID Warehouse Management Systems Expect Some Growth ...

RFID Warehouse Management Systems: Robocom Systems International Inc. Reports Financial Results for ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... With the development of our latest version of RIMS, Version 5.0, which is compatible with Electronic Product Code (ePC) identifiers and RFID technology, we ...

... Robocom Systems International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: RIMS) announced its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2005. For the second quarter of fiscal 2005, Robocom reported net income of $125,398 ($0.027 per fully diluted share), as compared to $18,948 ($0.004 per fully diluted share) in the year-ago quarter. For the six-month period, net income increased by $222,774 to $246,980 ($0.054 per fully diluted share) as compared to $24,206 ($0.005 per fully diluted share) in the year ago period. This was Robocom's ninth consecutive profitable quarter. ...

Robocom Systems International Inc. (http://www.robocom.com) develops, markets and supports advanced Warehouse Management Systems software that enables customers to expand productivity, reduce costs and increase profits.

Additional resources on RFID warehouse management and systems ...

Will RFID Save the Warehouse Management Systems Market?: Will RFID Technology Save or Improve the Warehouse Management Systems Market? ... The worldwide market for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) experienced a rough year. ...

Supply Chain Execution Software & Warehouse Management Systems: HighJump’s RFID technology-enabled product suite ... tightly integrated solutions for warehouse management, yard management ... Download the 2005 WMS RFP Template Now ...

RFID: inventory software, warehouse software, Performance: Part 2 - You Can't Manage What You ... examine briefly the history of RFID technology, discuss ... seek to implement a new warehouse management system (WMS) or upgrade ...

Aviation RFID: FAA Pilots ...

From NASA ...

... "The agency also conducted two Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Baggage Tag trials, in conjunction with United and Continental Airlines. The tests provided critical operational performance information to support airline efforts to develop an international standard for RFID Baggage Tag use. " ...

The FAA continued a dynamic research and development program in support of its mission to provide a safe, secure, and efficient global aerospace system that contributes to national security and the promotion of U.S. aerospace safety.

BSE RFID: Animal Sensors ...

From DORGAN TOURS HIGH-TECH ANIMAL ID PROJECT WITH DSU, NDSU RESEARCHERS: Senator secured $3 million for Dickinson State, NDSU role in research corridor ...

... "the research teams plan to tag up to 10,000 calves with tiny RFID chips that will track and record data including an animal's movement, diet, body temperature, and vaccination history. The project has taken on new significance with the discovery of a Washington state dairy cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or Mad Cow disease. If an animal is contaminated, RFID technology can be used to accurately trace where it has been and identify other animals that might be infected. " ...

RFID Action Summit ...

From Senator Byron L. Dorgan ...

... "Action Summits to explore new areas of research and commercial opportunities for our region. These meetings focused on the growing biosciences and RFID technology areas. Future Action Summits will look at hydrogen energy, homeland security, nanotechnology and information security." ...

Senator Dorgan continues to represent the working men and women of North Dakota through his dedication to public service. After being appointed Tax Commissioner at 26, he was the youngest Constitutional officer in North Dakota history. He moved into Federal Service in 1980 by being elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving all of North Dakota as an "at large" member. In 1992, the Dean of the North Dakota delegation was elected to the Senate. Currently, Senator Dorgan is serving in his second term where he is a key member of the U.S. Senate’s Democratic Leadership team. He is Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee (DPC), where he works closely with Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle to help develop the legislative agenda for the Senate Democratic Caucus. Senator Dorgan's legislative Agenda puts North Dakota First!

RFIDs and the Dawning Micro Monitoring Revolution ...

From RFIDS AND THE DAWNING MICRO MONITORING REVOLUTION, Congressional Record: March 23, 2004 (Senate), Page S2989-S2990 ...

... "RFID chips are like supercharged barcodes--barcodes on steroids, if you will. They are so small they can be tagged onto almost any object. They do not have to be in open view; RFID receivers just have to be within the vicinity--at a security checkpoint, in a doorway, inside a mailbox, atop a traffic light. And RFID chips can carry a lot more information than barcodes. Some versions are recordable so that they can carry along the object's entire history. RFID chips are more powerful than today's video surveillance technology. RFIDs are more reliable, they are 100 percent automatic, and they are likely to become more pervasive because they are significantly less expensive, and there are many business advantages to using them. RFIDs seem poised to become the catalyst that will launch the age of micro-monitoring." ...

RFID Software: Sun Wraps 2004 with Strongest Product Portfolio in Company's ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... tools and Java development platforms capped a year that included the introduction of Sun Java Enterprise System Release 2, Sun Java System RFID Software, and ...

... Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW - News) today announced that in 2004 it rolled out the most innovative systems portfolio in the company's 20-plus year history. Through its quarterly Network Computing launch cycle, Sun has demonstrated its commitment to delivering customer value through breakthrough Network Computing solutions that address critical business needs like complexity, interoperability, scalability and simplicity. ...

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer(TM)" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW - News) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work.

FDA RFID Compliance: McKesson Supports FDA Compliance Policy on Radio Frequency ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... NYSE:MCK) today announced its strong support for the US Food and Drug Administration's initiative employing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to ...

... McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) today announced its strong support for the US Food and Drug Administration's initiative employing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to create an electronic pedigree for pharmaceutical products. By using RFID technology to create an "electronic pedigree" -- a sort of living history of when and where the product was manufactured, its expiration date, when it was shipped, as well as its intended destination -- drugs can be tracked from factory to pharmacy, greatly reducing the chances of counterfeit products making their way into the supply chain. In addition, RFID tagging will allow for more rapid and accurate recalls, improve distributors' operational efficiencies and assist manufacturers, distributors, retailers and institutions in managing their inventories. ...

McKesson Corporation, ranked 16 on the Fortune 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 170-year history, McKesson has grown to provide pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.

RFID Chips: Elan PCMCIA-to-UART Chip for RFID Cards

From Market Wire (press release) ... has created a single 64 Ball Grid Array PCMCIA-to-UART bridge chip, the VPU16551, which is proving to be ideally suited for the burgeoning RFID card market. ...

... Elan Digital Systems has created a single 64 Ball Grid Array PCMCIA-to-UART bridge chip, the VPU16551, which is proving to be ideally suited for the burgeoning RFID card market. A unique feature of this device is that data can be accessed simultaneously with an active COM port connection to the UART simply by connecting an SD Flash Card or SD controller to the parallel port of the VPU. ...

Elan is a specialist design house centred around PCMCIA. Their products and custom design services are used by a world-wide range of clients including tier 1 & 2 companies. Elan is a privately owned company which has gained unique experience over its 28 year history and uses the latest design & manufacturing technology which makes them one of the leading companies in their field worldwide. Elan has ISO9001 (2000) approval.

RFID Logistics Tool: Ship2Save deploys its ‘Ready-Set-Mandate’ RFID toolkit

From LBS (Location-Based Service) Zone (press release), MD ... September 08th, 2004 - Montreal, Quebec - Ship2Save has completed work on its Ready-Set-Mandate RFID toolkit. The toolkit is powered ...

... Ship2Save has completed work on its Ready-Set-Mandate RFID toolkit. The toolkit is powered by Ship2Save’s renowned Operation Management System and comes with a set of RFID hardware components and other accessories. Ready-Set-Mandate is designed to help suppliers of various retail chains meet various RFID directives currently circulating through the industry. ...

Ship2Save is one of the industry leaders in cost effective RFID Solutions and is a founding member of the Canadian Microsoft RFID Council, a member of the Microsoft Global RFID Council, and a member of Texas Instruments Tag-It Team. Ship2Save’s unique product lines, flexible and proficient software, business development models, and distinctive deployment services, offer customers cost effective and high quality solutions for their logistic needs.

Axentia delivers ERP solutions that work. Based on Microsoft Business Solutions, Axentia's ERP implementations are engineered to your exact business requirements. Axentia serves a number of industries working with companies that have unique and difficult business conditions that require flexible software and a bullet-proof approach to implementation. Axentia is powered by Microsoft's Navision and Axapta. In fact, with over a dozen awards, Axentia is recognized by Microsoft as one of the most successful business partners in their history. Most importantly, Axentia is successful because its customers are successful. At over 96%, Axentia's customer satisfaction level is built on delivering projects that are on time and on budget. Axentia's success is unmatched in the ERP industry.

Supply Chain RFID: MARC Global, Premiere Adaptable Supply Chain Execution Solutions ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... This powerful, new family of products has industry-leading transaction processing capabilities, architected specifically to handle RFID and other supply chain ...

... MARC Global, the leading provider of adaptable supply chain execution (SCE) solutions for the world's most demanding companies, today announced the completion of its latest round of financing. The round was 100% funded by existing investors, demonstrating strong confidence in the Company's new leadership and its aggressive plan for continued growth. ...

MARC Global is recognized as one of the world's premier supply chain execution solutions companies with a long history of improving customer fulfillment, profitability and cash flow for the world's most demanding companies. We achieve measurable results by solving our customers' most sophisticated supply chain challenges with our MARC Suite solutions. MARC Global solutions have been successfully implemented in hundreds of sites worldwide and in multiple languages. We have full-service offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, all backed by implementation experts and a global support staff on call 24 x 7 that is ready to help you achieve operational excellence. For over a decade, our capabilities, depth of experience and distinguished partnerships have enabled us to deliver measurable results for successful clients of all sizes.

Sun Java RFID Software: Future of Network Computing

From PhysOrg.com, United States ... Sun Java System RFID Software: This standards-based software simplifies integration of RFID data into enterprise information systems, reducing the complexity ...

" ... The top minds at Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) presented a rare display of innovations from supercomputing, sensor technology and next-generation storage to security, speech recognition and advanced search during Sun Microsystems Laboratories (Sun Labs) Open House yesterday, hosted by the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. ... "

RFID Technology: ScoringSystem, Inc. and Semacode Corporation Launch Joint Venture ...

From PR Web (press release), WA ... This latest technology for data collection and ScoringSystem databank access joins the existing barcode scanning, RFID, and color-coded imaging currently ...

" ... NACAA convention attendees that crowded around the ScoringSystem booth expressed a high level of interest in how DataMatrix and PDF-417 2D barcode scanning, and RFID reading, were being used to access and update information in the web-based databank. Many of the people visiting the booth had very specific problems and ideas that they were eager to discuss with ScoringSystem personnel staffing the booth and demonstrating the features of this unique technology. Some of these applications involved: direct access of site-specific agricultural records in remote locations, such as actual field data collected for databank update in real time; collecting direct field records on many varieties of citrus and landscape trees to track their growth and installation history; commercial and university research projects involving data collection for field management projects, legal documents management, and EPA and environmental records; data collection and tracking for fish farming, worldwide; and a wide variety of other major projects ... "

RFID Printer: Avery launches fastest RFID label printer

From Bharat Textile, India ... Claimed as fastest radio frequency identification (RFID) label printer, garment industry supplier Avery Dennison Printer Systems launched label printer on the ...

Avery Dennison is a global leader in pressure-sensitive technology and innovative self-adhesive solutions for consumer products and label materials. Based in Pasadena, Calif., the Company employees 21.000 people in 89 countries. Avery Dennison develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of products for consumer and industrial markets, including Avery-brand office products, Fasson-brand self-adhesive materials, peel-and-stick postage stamps, reflective highway safety products, automated retail tag and labeling systems, and specialty tapes and chemicals. Printer Systems Europe offers solutions to link information to products. Avery Dennison network provides end-to-end solutions for reliable product identification. The company has own offices and partners in all European markets. With an annual capacity far in excess of 80 billion labels, Avery Dennison is also one of the largest label manufacturers in Europe.

Avery Dennison is recognised all over the world for expertise and innovative leadership in self adhesive technology, providing products across industrial sectors including textiles, automotives, food and cosmetics. At European Headquarters in Germany, Printer Systems Europe is pushing development boundaries with thermal transfer printing and RFID technology and offers pioneering solutions to link information with products.

In Rheinberg, Germany, the METRO Group's Extra Future Store has recently opened, offering the latest experience in shopping technology where different innovations for automated electronic, logistic and customer management processes are being tested. The store has invested in an Avery Dennison 64-05 RFID thermal transfer printer, which prints specific products with RFID labels.

Avery Dennison's 64-05 RFID thermal transfer printer can locate, trace, secure and count. This mind blowing tracking tool enables companies to record the size, description, serial number and history of every single item in their warehouses. The RFID kit comes with a standard 13.56 MHz read/write module as well as antenna and adapter board. Based on a 64-bit CPU it prints at speeds of up to 400mm/s at 300dpi. A standard Ethernet connection allows integration into existing data processing systems.

Ruggedized RFID: Flexible range of RFID solutions

From Ferret, Australia ... This device, thought to be the world's first fully customisable rugged Auto-ID platform, will further expand DI's RFID product range. ...

Diagnostic Instruments was formed in 1987 to develop hand portable instrumentation based on newly emerging low power electronic components. The company has a history of innovation, recording many technology firsts through the design of specialist performance devices. DI's world class engineering expertise, initially applied to the field of sound and vibration measurement and analysis, has now diversified though design to offer solutions to a much wider audience of customers and applications. As a result, DI can now offer unique handheld instrument & computing platforms and customisation services. Customers are provided with a cost effective and rapid route to market, enabling them to quickly realise their mobile instrumentation design requirements.

DI's data capture platforms are designed to form the basis of your custom Auto ID solution. The fully ruggedized design, combined with integrated barcode and advanced RF scanning options makes them ideal for use in industrial and hazardous environments. X-Scale Instrumentation & Computing Platform... The new X-scale platform will offer a full range of custom options, and provide the basis for your custom product: Di-400. RFID Reader Module Options are Module A - 125 kHz: Philips - Hitag 1, Hitag 2, Hitag S EM Marin - EM400x and Unique Microchip - MCRF200/123; Module B - 134.2 kHz: TI Tiris LF; Module C - 13.56 MHz : (ISO 14443, ISO 15693) Philips - I-Code, I-Code SLI, Mifare TI - TAG-IT , TAG-IT HFI Infinion - SRF55VxxP(My-D), SRF55VxxS STM - SR 716, LRI 512 EM Marin - EM4135 KSW - Tempsense...

RFID Software: Sun offers new pricing model for enterprises

From InfoWorld, CA ... well as a directory server. -- New Java System software for managing and storing RFID (radio frequency identification) information.

As chair of both the MIT Auto-ID Center'[tm]s Technology Board and the MIT Auto-ID Center's Software Action Group, Sun led industry efforts to drive RFID/EPC standards. Sun continues to participate and drive those efforts today as part of EPCglobal. Sun is committed to delivering the market leading RFID/EPC standards-based infrastructure for deploying enterprise RFID applications. Enterprises are looking for reliable, available, scalable, manageable and secure RFID infrastructure to help drive efficiencies in their business processes and operations. No one understands mission critical enterprise computing better than Sun. Further, by leveraging Sun's iForce Centers, our customers can be confident that their RFID solution will deliver on their particular real-time business requirements. Sun Microsystems has a long history of grabbing technology "disruptions" and turning them into "disruptive" innovations. The company challenges the status quo, blows up some long-held assumptions and creates revolutionary technology to benefit its customers. Java application, Jini network technology, NFS, and Java XML pack are just a few. Now, enterprises will benefit from the disruptive innovations around Auto-ID technology, being developed by Sun.

Exavera RFID: RFID Remedy for Medical Errors

From RFID Journal ... Exavera eShepherd combines RFID with Wi-Fi and voice over IP to deliver a single system to track patients staff and hospital assets. By Jonathan Collins May 28 2004 Start-up company has unveiled its eShepherd system which by combining RFID and Wi-Fi technology the company says can bring enormous savings to hospitals and healthcare centers across the U.S. ...

Exavera Technologies Incorporated combines wireless technologies to build advanced networks that enable the identification, location and tracking of people and assets and document interactions between them. Incorporated in June of 2003, Exavera is headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The company's management represents extensive experience in both communication technologies and the underserved markets Exavera's solutions address.

eShepherd™ combines a secure broadband network with the Vera-T™ family of intelligent, RFID-enabled bracelets, badges and asset tags. By integrating with a Hospital Information System (HIS), eShepherd enables positive patient identification, provides real-time patient, staff, and asset location, and ensures secure information delivery to the point of care. At the heart of eShepherd is the VeraFi™—Exavera’s wireless premise router. It enables realtime, secure communication between RFID and WiFi technologies and integrates with the existing IT infrastructure. The VeraFi is in constant communication with all Vera-T devices, including the Vera-T bracelet, enabling automatic and positive patient identification as the caregiver approaches the bedside. The Vera-T bracelet can also contain pertinent patient information, including contact data, photograph, insurance information, and select medical history. Through the wireless network, medical professionals securely access and update information on the hospital’s database, as well as the bracelet, in real time using WiFi-equipped PDAs, laptops, and tablet PCs. Internal firewalls and patent-pending encryption techniques ensure the highest level of security and HIPAA compliance.

Because eShepherd facilitates the paperless hospital system and has robust security features, it minimizes unauthorized or incidental disclosure – perhaps the primary objective of HIPPA. One of JCAHO’s most important mandates is the requirement of two forms of patient identification at the time of medication administration. In conjunction with the Hospital Information System, eShepherd can automatically validate the patient ID providing both methods of identification.

All members of the Vera-T family communicate automatically and wirelessly with the Exavera network. Authorized personnel can access and write pertinent information on the bracelets, badges, and tags in real time. With capacities up to 2 Megabytes, the Vera-T devices can contain files ranging from simple text to images. In addition to the application-specific information, each comes with a unique, factory-imprinted ID, ensuring accurate tracking of equipment and inventory as well as positive identification and location of individuals. The VeraFi series transmits via RFID to Exavera’s Vera-T™ family – a suite of RFID-enabled bracelets, badges, and asset tags that relay pertinent information including identity and current location. A single VeraFi is capable of supporting up to 500 Vera-T devices. The unit also communicates with wireless devices, such as PDAs, tablet PCs, laptops, desktop computers, WiFi telephones, and printers, via 802.11 a, b or g at speeds up to 54+ Megabits per second. Each VeraFi offers support for a full Class C network or 253 IP devices per LAN segment.

RFID Solutions: TAGSYS and NEC team to deploy RFID solutions

From Frontline Today, ... TAGSYS a provider of RFID tags and readers operating at 13.56MHz will collaborate with NEC on the deployment of RFID systems for large-scale projects with an initial focus on Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia. The alliance between NEC Solutions Asia Pacific NECSAP and TAGSYS allows the two companies to leverage each other's strengths in providing their customers with a comprehensive set of RFID solutions consultancy services and customer service support ...

TAGSYS has been designing and manufacturing innovative, high-performance and cost-effective RFID systems (chips, tags, antennas and reading stations) for over fifteen years. TAGSYS has today the longest experience in implementing field-proven passive RFID systems operating at 13.56 MHz and UHF frequencies.
With over 40 million RFID tags, ten thousand RFID reader systems and 500 installations worldwide, TAGSYS has emerged as the world’s leading dedicated RFID supplier. TAGSYS draws its strength from a long history of technological innovations and advancements

TAGSYS produces two types of “universal” reader platforms that the company modifies to develop application specific readers. "Universal" means that they can read most RFID chips in the market operating at 13.56MHz. Both platforms include state of the art DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology. Both platforms also allow for rapid development of new algorithms to read 13.56 MHz chips from other manufacturers which alleviate customers' concerns regarding obsolescence. Reader types include: OEM readers -- easy to package in any low read range RFID reader or station. TAGSYS OEM readers are currently integrated in more than 15 handheld terminals and printers. Long range readers -- capable of delivering up to 7 watts output power on 4 channels. They allow the development of complex stations with several antennas and 3D algorithms for reading and writing tags in multiple orientations.

NEC's membership in EPCglobal will enable the company to participate in the process of standard creation, to join in RFID-related trials, which the organization executes, and to share advanced technologies. NEC, together with NEC Electronics Corporation and NEC Solutions (America) will initially participate in activities of creating global standards for EPC and gather necessary information and develop RFID-based solution businesses targeting the retail market in Japan and the U.S. Then, NEC and its affiliated companies plan to expand their businesses to other markets in other areas.

NEC established the RFID Business Promotion Center in January of this year with 300 employees, developing a comprehensive RFID solution business that includes from chip supply to system integration. NEC has engaged in the construction of asset management systems and logistical management systems such as logistics system of Japan Freight Railway Company.

NEC is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of the world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of approximately $40 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2004.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Animal Identification RFID: USDA moves forward with national animal ID system

From Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman, IA ... neutral and allow producers to use what ID technologies best apply to their livestock, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), retinal scanners and DNA ...

APHIS and its predecessor agencies began using ear tags, back tags, tattoos and face brands in the early 1960's. These identification methods were required by statutory regulations and successfully used to trace the movements of diseased animals during disease outbreaks and eradication programs. With this long history of contact with the field, APHIS has led the way in the development of national identification systems. The agency continues to place a high priority on livestock identification and database development.

Current methods of livestock identification include but are not limited to ear tags, back tags, neck chains, tail tags, freeze brands, tattoos, paint marks, and leg bands. Electronic identification methods including bar codes and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders are becoming increasingly useful tools in herd management programs. As these new technologies develop and become compatible with one another, they may prove to be cost-effective tools to increase the efficiency of production. Similarly, regulatory agencies may benefit from these systems through increased accuracy and efficiency of tracing the movement of livestock.

The current primary driving forces behind the development of livestock identification systems are based on recognized industry needs. They include disease control and eradication, disease surveillance and monitoring, emergency response to foreign animal diseases, regionalization, global trade, livestock production efficiency, consumer concerns over food safety, and emergency management programs.

RFID Deployment and ROI: Oracle Introduces Sensor-Based Services

Oracle Introduces Sensor-Based Services to Help Companies Quickly Deploy RFID Initiatives and Maximize Return on Investment: New RFID Pilot Kit and Compliance Assistance Package Designed to Minimize Implementation Risks and Costs

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Mar. 30, 2004 - (http://www.oracle.com/tellmemore/?3011272) Today at the RFID Journal Live! Conference, Oracle introduced Oracle(r) Sensor-Based Services, a comprehensive set of capabilities to capture, manage, analyze, and respond to data from sensors, such as RFID. Oracle Sensor-Based Services allow companies to quickly and easily integrate sensor-based information into their enterprise systems, automate and optimize business processes, reduce risk and improve return on investment.

As companies test and deploy RFID solutions, they are realizing that the cost and complexity of creating a specialized infrastructure prevents numerous RFID business benefits, such as reduced operating expenses and improved supply chain visibility. Oracle Sensor-Based Services deliver comprehensive RFID capabilities based on Oracle's mature, proven technology including Oracle(r) Database 10g, Oracle(r) Application Server 10g, Oracle(r) Enterprise Manager 10g, and Oracle(r) E-Business Suite 11i, that help minimize the cost and risk of adoption.

"As the world's leading express and logistics company, DHL is committed to investigating new and promising technologies to maximize operating performance and create optimal value for our shipping and logistics customers," said Trevor Peirce, Global RFID Program Director at DHL. "Currently, DHL is completing pilots around the world to test RFID technology with the support of companies like Oracle. Early results indicate incorporating RFID capabilities into our operations could prove very helpful in extending supply chain visibility to our customers and partners."

RFID Strategies Today: Oracle offers enterprises looking to adopt RFID and other sensor technologies flexible options depending on where they are in the adoption cycle. Deployment options include:
-- Compliance Assistance Package: To help companies comply with recent mandates from Wal-Mart, Department of Defense, Metro, Target, among others, Oracle will provide a comprehensive RFID compliance assistance package, which encompasses a pre-built application coupled with the necessary services to enable rapid deployment.

-- RFID Pilot Kit: For companies exploring RFID and sensors, Oracle will provide an RFID Pilot Kit for pilots and prototype testing. The Oracle RFID pilot kit will include drivers for leading RFID readers, reporting capabilities and advanced business intelligence tools, helping provide companies immediate visibility into business processes.

-- Enterprise Deployment: Built on proven Oracle technology and applications, companies can start small and cost effectively scale their RFID pilots to global deployments using Oracle's scalable, reliable and secure Grid computing infrastructure.

-- Sensor-Centric Applications: Oracle E-Business Suite will enable enterprises to transform and automate their business processes by taking advantage of sensor-based information. As recently announced, the next version of Oracle Warehouse Management is scheduled to include RFID capabilities to improve inventory control and extend supply chain visibility. Additional Oracle E-Business Suite modules are expected to support RFID and sensor-based services in the near future.

"Enterprises need to lay out a long-term strategy for dealing with RFID to support everything from RFID-enabling existing business processes today to transforming the business with RFID-centric processes of the future," said Jeff Woods, principal analyst, Gartner. "Even with the radical changes envisioned by RFID-centric business processes, a lot of the technology to power these processes is already inside the enterprise."

Reduce Implementation Risk: Turning the massive potential promised by sensor-based solutions like RFID into a sustainable competitive advantage depends on how effectively RFID data can be turned into valuable operational intelligence and made available to all enterprise systems, applications and users. Because the RFID market continues to define new standards, technologies and processes, companies require an RFID architecture that supports standards, as well as the increased demands on network and server infrastructure.

The next release of Oracle Application Server 10g will enable out-of-the-box integration and device management for all RFID readers, helping companies reduce deployment time and costs. Additionally, new edge services capture and filter data read from readers and sensors before being passed to a common data store to be analyzed and distributed to all business applications.

Regardless of what systems or RFID devices a company is using, or the standards they adhere to, Oracle can seamlessly integrate and communicate with them across the organization --significantly reducing the risks associated with implementing RFID technology.

Optimized Business Processes: Oracle Sensor-Based Services provide a complete solution to address the full spectrum of business intelligence requirements -- from real-time operational intelligence to management reports. Real-time intelligence features of Oracle Database 10g include embedded location, network and trend modeling and analysis tools, which provide organizations with powerful routing and predictive capabilities. Time stamping and version control capabilities enable managers to analyze operational history for more informed decision-making. Oracle Application Server 10g includes features to integrate information, applications and processes, while an event-driven architecture and extensive process modeling and monitoring capabilities help ensure that enterprises quickly respond to changing business dynamics.

Oracle Sensor-Based Services also ensure that operational intelligence is used continuously to refine business processes and ensure optimum and sustained competitive advantage.

RFID Expertise: By leveraging Oracle Consulting's strong technology and sensor-based computing expertise and teaming with leading systems integrators and consultants such as BearingPoint, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Oracle is providing companies with comprehensive RFID solutions that can yield short term ROI while mitigating risk.

"Companies are increasingly expressing interest in understanding how to deploy their RFID solutions and evolve their strategies," said John Cummings, managing director of Global RFID Solutions at BearingPoint, Inc. (NYSE:BE), one of the world's largest business consulting and systems integration firms. "Offerings such as Oracle's RFID and sensor-based computing can help companies streamline business processes and maximize their return on investment."

Oracle is a member of EPC Global, which is leading the development of industry-driven standards for the Electronic Product Code (EPC) Network to support the use of RFID. For more information about Oracle Sensor Based Services, please visit http://www.oracle.com/solutions/rfid/ or call 1-800-968-4664.

About Oracle
Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information about Oracle, visit our Web site at www.oracle.com

RFID for Animal Identification

... Livestock identification in the United States has been documented in large animal production industries dating back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. Cattle ranchers, to indicate ownership and deter theft, first used hot iron branding. Swine producers for registration and record keeping purposes used ear notches for individual animal identification. These two methods are rapidly losing popularity due to concerns about humane treatment of animals and a decrease in product value.

APHIS and its predecessor agencies began using ear tags, back tags, tattoos and face brands in the early 1960's. These identification methods were required by statutory regulations and successfully used to trace the movements of diseased animals during disease outbreaks and eradication programs. With this long history of contact with the field, APHIS has led the way in the development of national identification systems. The agency continues to place a high priority on livestock identification and database development.

Current methods of livestock identification include but are not limited to ear tags, back tags, neck chains, tail tags, freeze brands, tattoos, paint marks, and leg bands. Electronic identification methods including bar codes and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders are becoming increasingly useful tools in herd management programs. As these new technologies develop and become compatible with one another, they may prove to be cost-effective tools to increase the efficiency of production. Similarly, regulatory agencies may benefit from these systems through increased accuracy and efficiency of tracing the movement of livestock.

The current primary driving forces behind the development of livestock identification systems are based on recognized industry needs. They include disease control and eradication, disease surveillance and monitoring, emergency response to foreign animal diseases, regionalization, global trade, livestock production efficiency, consumer concerns over food safety, and emergency management programs ...