RFID Medical Transportation Implementation Based on Microsoft Sharepoint Server

B.O.S. Better Online Solutions Ltd will implement solution of strategic customer involved in medical transportation industry. ...

... "The system is based on BOS PointAct infrastructure enhancements to Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS). The first phase of the implementation will enable the customer, on a daily basis, to monitor, analyze, audit, manage and control its services, costs, pricing lists and other business aspects. In subsequent phases, new features for monitoring the customer's vehicles and equipment will be introduced, using BOS RFID and AVL technologies. Following the completion of this project, the Company and the customer intend to establish a Joint Venture that will offer the system to potential new customers. " ...

Via BOS: RFID SharePoint based logistics project

Airbus RFID ODIN Expertise

Airbus partners with ODIN tech for RFID technology experience. ...

... "ODIN will provide solution design, deployment, testing and support services for the first of three ambitious phases to provide real-time automated visibility across the Airbus value chain. Airbus plans to employ ODIN expertise for numerous projects throughout its supply chain and assembly operations, and make ODIN's RFID services and performance optimization software available to Airbus suppliers and customers. " ...

Via ODIN technologies: Airbus Deal

Metro RFID Rolls Out Network Infrastructure

Reva enables Metro Group's RFID capability with its network infrastructure. ...

... "Reva's RFID network infrastructure provides a key component that enables Metro's RFID architecture to support current and future RFID initiatives. METRO Group has one of the most sophisticated RFID research and testing organizations in the world. Their process for evaluating innovative technologies is thorough, their requirements for standards-based performance are exacting, and their criteria are stringent for moving from RFID pilots to production. Reva's TAP products will be used to manage the distributed network of RFID installations, to produce accurate data from each site, and to provide rapid operator feedback. For the initial phase of the rollout, METRO Group is primarily using RFID to enhance its distribution and store receiving processes by using accurately located tag data for more efficient operations, better customer service and improved inventory management. " ...

Via Reva Systems: RFID Network Infrastructure for Europe's Largest Retail RFID Rollout at Metro Group

NIST RFID Security Guidelines and Recommendations

NIST provides guidelines for security of RFID technology. ... A sample of their recommendations are organized by phase of RFID implementation - initiation (prior to design), acquisition and development, implementation, operations and maintenance, and, finally, disposition. In the initiation phase, NIST recommends performing risk assessment to understand threats posed by RFID to the organizations assets. A usage policy should be created that defines assets that should be tagged with RFID and who has the authority to determine what assets get tagged. A transparent privacy policy for RFID should be establised. The organization's information security policy should be updated with regard to the introduction of RFID technology. A training program should be established for the users of the RFID solution that emphasizes security and privacy. Document the RFID standards that you comply with. Disable or destroy RFID tags upon disosal. Other recommendations are in the reference report (PDF). ...

... "RFID devices send and/or receive radio signals to transmit identifying information such as product model or serial numbers. They come in a wide variety of types and sizes, from the size of a grain of rice or printed on paper to much larger devices with built in batteries. Unlike bar coding systems, RFID devices can communicate without requiring a line of sight and over longer distances for faster batch processing of inventory and can be outfitted with sensors to collect data on temperature changes, sudden shocks, humidity or other factors affecting products. As RFID devices are deployed in more sophisticated applications from matching hospital patients with laboratory test results to tracking systems for dangerous materials, concerns have been raised about protecting such systems against eavesdropping and unauthorized uses. " ...

NIST Issues Guidelines for Ensuring RFID Security

Hyundai RFID Enables Supply Chain Management

Hyundai-Kia Motors Group, South Korean vehicle manufacturer, implements RFID technology to provide visibility throughout the automotive parts supply chain. Transitioning from applied bar code labels, Hyundai Group's Glovis company will automate its distribution process with RFID to acquire real-time distribution information. ...

... "In March 2007, Glovis, an affiliated company of Hyundai/Kia Motors Group in charge of the supply chain management (SCM), will begin receiving RFID tagged boxes of automotive parts from more than 200 suppliers. In the first phase of the project, approximately 130,000 UPM Raflatac DogBone UHF RFID tags will be applied to parts boxes and packaging cases from five major suppliers for exportation to Hyundai/Kia Motors' overseas factory in Alabama, USA. In the second phase, 20 million UPM Raflatac RFID tags will be used annually to track all boxes and containers of automotive parts through the supply chain. Using RFID technology, Glovis will be able to track corrugated cardboard boxes of automotive parts through the major SCM processes, including delivery to the distribution centre, the repacking process, leaving the distribution centre, delivery to the overseas distribution centre and final delivery to Hyundai/Kia Motors' overseas factory. In the RFID-enabled SCM, the completion reports for each process are automatically collected by passing the parts boxes through an RFID interrogator gate. " ...

Via UPM Raflatac: UPM Raflatac RFID tags enhance supply chain management at Hyundai/Kia Motors

Schiff RFID Pilot Tests Technology Across Value Chain

Schiff Nutrition tests RFID technology in a pilot phase, with intention to realize benefits across its value chain with partners and customers. ...

... "Schiff Nutrition International, a U.S.-based manufacturer of vitamins and nutritional supplements, and IBM announced a new Radio Frequency Identification pilot to better anticipate current and future customer needs and improve efficiency. This makes Schiff the first mid-size manufacturer to execute such a program, giving it a competitive advantage in the market and illustrating that RFID is sustainable for small- and medium-sized businesses. After researching RFID technology, Schiff turned to IBM Global Services and Business Partner, OATSystems, for the initial design, testing and implementation of their RFID infrastructure. Remaining compliant with retailer mandates while also having a strategic vision of extended uses of the technology, Schiff required an RFID partner with deep expertise in integration and open standards. " ...

Via IBM: IBM Wins First of a Kind RFID Project for SMB, Schiff Nutrition ...

Honda RFID Assemply Line: Critical Component Traceability

Honda Italia partners with IBM to implement RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology and infrastructure in production processes at its plant located in Atessa, Italy. The solution will enable Honda Italy to increase efficiency and accuracy in managing its motorcycle production in Italy. ...

... "IBM Global Business Services will support Honda Italia in the design and development of the RFID implementation, which will enable the real time, automatic identification of each vehicle along the entire production chain. The RFID tags will also be used on micro-lots of critical components, such as engines. IBM business and technology consultants have been collaborating for a long time with Honda Italia engineers in the design of the new processes and in the identification of the best solution. The RFID technology will be then completely integrated with Honda's existing IT systems through an open standards-based, Linux and Java (J2EE) application built on the IBM WebSphere Application Server to track inventory and to monitor ways to improve efficiency.



The first phase of the project, completed earlier this year, simultaneously with the celebration of the 35th anniversary of Honda Italia, calls for the transformation of Honda's large-displacement bikes (Hornet 600, CBF1000/600/500) assembly line. The RFID tags were used to monitor the traceability of critical components, WIP (Work In Progress) management and inventory replenishment. In the future, RFID tags will also be applied to Honda's scooter production line, starting with the European best seller SH150i/125i and the bigger SH300i. " ...

Via IBM: Honda Italia and IBM Revolutionize Motorbike Production With RFID: Innovation Project at Honda's Plant in Italy Expected to Improve Efficiency and Accuracy ...

RFID Out-of-Box Solution: SMB Market

Intermec partners to create an out-of-box RFID compliance experience for suppliers to the retail industry and the Department of Defense. This is especially critical for small and medium sized businesses (SMB market) as this RFID kit enabled them to accelerate their RFID compliance efforts. The kits include everything required to meet RFID compliance mandates, generate and apply Generation-2 RFID tags, and verify tag information. This is a time-saver as it enables an SMB customer to accelerate to the integration testing phase. ...

... "To generate a label, customer order information and the customer-stipulated label format is transmitted by the Intermec portable terminal to the PM4i printer's on-board encoder, which translates the information and prints it into an RFID-readable tag, barcode or human readable label. The printer's embedded reader then scans and verifies the tag's information before it is placed on a carton or pallet. The Intermec 751, operating with an attached IP4 portable reader, or the IF5 fixed RFID reader then re-verifies the order information and confirms shipment. The Informs kit comes with stand-alone PC-based compliance software that includes all standard retail and DOD-compliant label formats, so users have easy and immediate access to compliant label formats. The software can act as a stand-alone shipping application and interoperates with all ERP software for complete system integration. A key component of the system, EPC Solutions' Tag Manager software contains GTIN and SSCC smart labels information and allows users to immediately begin shipping cases and pallets with standards-compliant, up-to-date labeling. " ...

Via Intermec: Intermec and Informs Deliver Affordable, Streamlined RFID Compliance Kit

Logistics RFID: Inbound Process ...

TNT NV, a global provider of mail, express and logistics services, pilots RFID in inbound logistics processes for manufacturing firm. ...

... "Supply chain processes covered by the projects ranged from inbound logistics and warehousing to multi-country distribution. In the US, TNT worked closely with an automotive manufacturer to improve the inbound process to one of its main manufacturing facilities. The use of RFID led to quicker and more accurate scanning of cargo and therefore resulted in shorter delivery times, simplified processes and a significant decrease in identification errors. Especially in a time-sensitive environment of assembly line manufacturing, RFID has proven to make a critical difference by reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes. TNT is already discussing with its client how RFID can help further achieve cost reductions and apply the solution to other manufacturing facilities. Based on the successful outcome of the six projects, TNT is further implementing RFID technology throughout its divisions. The experience gained from the projects, both on the technology itself and in how to apply it in order to gain maximum benefit, will be used to further roll out the technology within suitable customer operations. For this reason and following the early successes, TNT has already started the second phase of the RFID programme in which the company aims to turn the projects into successful industry sector solutions in very close collaboration with its clients. " ...

Via TNT: TNT successfully finishes phase one of RFID programme ...

RFID Wireless Toll Payment

Transcore receives expanded order for RFID tags that enable the Jamaican wireless toll payment system. ...

... "Jamaica's Highway 2000 expands toll collection infrastructure with opening of Portmore gateway, completing the first phase of a three-tiered project. Jamaican Infrastructure Operator, which operates the roadway for the TransJamaican Highway Ltd., increases order for TransCore radio frequency identification (RFID) eGo tags. The paper-thin windshield sticker tag, which operates at 902-928 MHz frequency band, expands global use providing an economical RFID tag technology that can increase patrons' migration to wireless payment of tolls and speed traffic throughput. " ...

Via Transcore: Jamaica Highway2000 Expands Toll Collection System, Increases RFID Sticker Tag Use Worldwide ...

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data ...

Unilever collaborates with IBM and T3Ci to test interoperability of the emerging EPCIS RFID data standard. The standard focuses on the efficient use of real-time data among partners in the supply chain. ...

... "The standard is designed to help better enable retailers, manufacturers and organizations throughout the supply chain to overcome information overload and share information to improve business processes. This milestone marks the first step toward delivering interoperability based on the Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) for exchange and query of RFID data. IBM and T3CI are the co-chairs of the EPCglobal EPCIS Working Group. The objective of the Working Group is to create common interfaces among RFID software, allowing organizations to exchange and leverage RFID data independent of the applications in which data is created or stored. For organizations throughout the supply chain, this will deliver greater value by allowing them to inexpensively capture large volumes of detailed data at each stage of the supply chain and share that data among trading partners. While retailers today can provide manufacturers with large amounts of data about RFIDtagged products, until now there has been no simple and standardized way for manufacturers to sort through the volumes of raw data and perform queries to use it to improve product introductions, promotions and distribution of new products.



The new EPCIS standards-based ability to query RFID data will provide organizations with near real-time RFID data from their trading partners, for the first time giving manufacturers access to the precise information they need. Unilever North America, a global manufacturer of foods, home care and personal care products, also announced today its plans to pioneer use of the EPCIS standard to query RFID data provided by retailers. Unilever will conduct a trial using IBM's EPCIS implementation to collect and access information from within the company's manufacturing environment and from trading partners. By leveraging IBM and T3Ci reports and analysis, Unilever is looking to create additional business value in the areas of promotion management, supply chain visibility and metrics, as well as RFID readability. " ...

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data: Via T3Ci: IBM and T3Ci Successfully Pilot Open Standard to Enable Manufacturers to Leverage RFID Data and Improve Supply Chain Processes: Unilever Among First Manufacturers to Pioneer New Interface to Connect Data Among Trading Partners ...

EPCIS standard ...

Software Action Group: "EPC Information Services (EPCIS) Phase 2: Create one or more normative technical specifications that will facilitate the development of interoperable EPCIS systems. "

Background on Unilever ...

Unilever awards HR outsourcing contract to Accenture: "Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands including twelve EUR1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as: Knorr, Hellmann's, Flora, Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Sunsilk, Persil, Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 206 000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated annual sales of EUR40 billion in 2005. "

Info on T3Ci ...

T3Ci: The RFID Analytics and Applications Company: "T3Ci, the leading RFID analytics and applications company, offers a broad range of RFID software and services, representing the most comprehensive RFID vision in the industry. T3Ci develops software and provides enterprise-class solutions for managers of RFID initiatives who are responsible for delivering business value from their company's RFID investment. T3Ci's enterprise-class solutions include RFID analytics as well as a suite of high-value applications for retail suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and major retailers. Applications include Out-of-Stock Management, Promotions Execution Management, Deductions Management, and Product Authentication. "

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology ...

Zebra licenses Magellan's PJM Phase Jitter Modulation technology to support its RFID produtct development. ...

... "Under the license agreement, Zebra has the right to develop and commercialize RFID reader modules and tags that incorporate Magellan's patented PJM technology. In 2006, Zebra plans on embedding the reader modules in its printer/encoder products to enable more efficient programming of smart labels and tags. Ratified in 2004, PJM is an HF RFID system specified in an existing global standard: ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 2, RFID for Item Management. Because the technology is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are packed tightly or need to be read reliably in dynamic situations, it is an ideal solution for pharmaceutical e-Pedigree, document control, gaming and other applications." ...

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES NEW RFID LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH MAGELLAN TECHNOLOGY ...

Magellan Technology Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia, is a technology developer, manufacturer and licensor of advanced read and write 13.56MHz RFID systems. Magellan designs and offers RFID chips, inlets and a complete reader portfolio (multi channel, multi antenna, tunnel, and tray readers) and all operating software. Magellan’s Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM) technology complies with the International Standard ISO/IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2. PJM is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are stacked tightly or need to be identified reliably in dynamic situations including pharmaceutical authentication, document control, jewelry tracking and gaming management. The technology is also optimized for conveyor fed applications where tags are presented in all orientations. Typical applications are in the airline baggage, postal and courier markets. Magellan develops and licenses its PJM technology world wide to interested parties including other manufacturers and system integrators.

RFID Cold Chain Application 3PL: Third Party Logistics ...

Atlas Cold Storage implements Ship2Save RFID systems in a second phase of its cold chain. ...

... "As part of Atlas Cold Storage's RFID expansion initiative, Ship2Save has deployed yet another Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system for the cold storage third party logistic provider (3PL). The 2nd deployment site is phasing in a superior Gen2 tag standard that has facilitated Atlas Cold Storage to have a more flexible operational process with the RFID tagging. As it stands, Ship2Save has deployed its RFID solution at 2 of Atlas Cold Storage's 55 facilities. This solution can easily and rapidly deployed at the other Atlas facilities. The Company strongly believes that this number will grow as more and more food and beverage manufacturers begin to adopt RFID as part of their supply chain. " ...

RFID Cold Chain Application 3PL: Third Party Logistics: Via Ship2save: Ship2save deploys second RFID solution for Atlas Cold Storage Inc. ...

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 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 Gen2 Transition ...

Industry making transition to Generation 2 RFID ...

... "RFID markets, increasingly concentrated on the Gen 2 specification, show signs of a healthy transition to the next phase of RFID implementation: full integration at the enterprise level, backed by deep management commitment. When WalMart's new CIO, Rollin Ford, addressed his troops upon taking office last week, he confirmed the company's unabated enthusiasm for RFID ... " ...

RFID Gen2 Transition: Via ABI Research: Scalability, Interoperability, Performance: ABI Research Highlights RFID's New Mantra ...

RFID Asia Partnership ...

RFID partnership will address needs in Asia, namely China, for electronics manufacturing applications ...

... "With this new addition to our product line we now have the ability to offer end-to-end RFID solutions, starting with closed-loop factory automation and later expanding into global supply chain applications. The first phase of RFID implementation includes the ability to track, trace and control all materials and tools on the shop floor. This will significantly accelerate the deployment and the ROI for our customers, while providing a roadmap to extend RFID applications from the production floor to the warehouse and the supply chain. There are two strong market drivers for RFID in the China electronics manufacturing industry. The first and most significant is the ongoing pressure for cost-reduction. Despite the low cost of labor in China, it is important to remember that 80 to 90% of the cost of a finished electronic product is the sum of its electronic components. As a result the ROI for improving material control by achieving real-time visibility and eliminating human errors on the production floor is extremely short. The cost of the RFID tags is not even critical when you keep re-using the same tags inside the four walls of a factory. " ...

RFID Asia Partnership: Via Cogiscan: RFID Smart Material Control: SchmidtRFID partners with Cogiscan to offer RFID solutions for electronics manufacturers in Asia ...

RFID Visibility Solution for Supply Chain

TNT Express will implement Xterprise’s TraX Visibility, a real-time supply chain execution solution. The system will track high value electronics movement in the supply chain from China to Europe. The solution was piloted in 2004 and will now be expanded. ...

... "Phase II involves deployment of an enhanced TraX Release 2.0 application with multi-stakeholder enterprise system integration, including SAP. In addition, the solution will enable streamlining and higher accuracy sorting at the TNT facilities in Europe and enable Item-level shipment visibility for supply network partners. TraX 2.0 is expected to improve TNT customer service through a higher fidelity Track and Trace features which allows for better inventory planning and management and more accurate shipping performance, resulting in a value-added service offerings to TNT’s customer base. Xterprise technology partners in the project included Alien, Zebra Technologies and Apriso. The introduction of the latest RFID tag antenna designs and new multi-static European RFID readers both from Alien increased the read reliability dramatically. Tests have shown up to 100% read performance of a full pallet of notebooks as they are unloaded through the Xterprise XPort™ RFID reader portals in multiple locations throughout Europe. Xterprise’s TraX RFID enhanced visibility application, built on Apriso’s Flexnet SOA platform, enables customers, suppliers and logistics service providers to view real-time status of shipments around the globe. " ...

RFID Visibility Solution for Supply Chain: Via Xterprise: TNT Express Deploys Xterprise TraX Real-Time RFID Visibility Solution for China-Europe Supply Chain ...

Pharma RFID Dispensing Authentication ...

Aegate is commercializing RFID-enabled authentication solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, which focuses on controls at the point of drug dispensing. ...

Pharma RFID Dispensing Authentication: Via Aegate: Aegate Moves Forward into Commercialisation Phase and Appoints Gary Noon as CEO ...

... "Aegate, a wholly owned subsidiary and specialist venture company for PA Consulting Group, has developed a commercially viable solution to combat one of the pharmaceutical industry's biggest and growing patient safety issues -- the trade in counterfeit and fake drugs. Authentication at the point of dispensing enables investment in mass serialisation security technologies such as bar code and RFID to be effectively leveraged as a brand protection mechanism. Sales of counterfeit prescription medicines are forecast to reach $75 billion by the end of the decade, nearly doubling current levels and outgrowing the annual growth rate of legitimate pharmaceutical sales. Following the outstanding success of Aegate's pilot programme in the UK, the company is now in the planning phase for commercial launch and roll-out in the USA, UK and Belgium during 2006. " ...

2006 Big Year For RFID ? ...

Article supports the hypothesis that RFID will have a big year in 2006. Experts point to RFID adooption rates and the creation of industry RFID standards as indicators of a strong foundation for significant adoption in the year ahead. ...

2006 Big Year For RFID ?: Via CIO Today: Analysts Predict Big Year Ahead for RFID

... "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology will reach a significant turning point by the end of 2006, according to Unisys Global Visible Commerce experts. Companies will move beyond the pilot phase, implementing RFID infrastructures that will increasingly become a core element of their businesses in 2006. ... " ...

RFID: Walmart to Add 200 Suppliers ...

Walmart plans shift to EPC Generation2 RFID tags in January 2006, when it will expand RFID-compliance suppliers. Shea Van Hoy explores the realization of RFID technology benefits at Walmart and the next phase of suppliers, faced with RFID compliance in Jan 2006 ...

RFID: Walmart to Add 200 Suppliers: Via The Morning News: UA Says RFID Working For WalMart Study: Out-Of-Stock Items Drop 16 Percent At RFID Stores ...

... "WalMart will begin accepting Generation 2 tags in January at RFID-networked stores and distribution centers, the company said. That month, the company plans to add 200 more suppliers shipping products with RFID tags to its current roster of 100. " ...

Healthcare RFID Hospital Installations ...

Healthcare RFID Hospital Installations: Via Radianse: New Radianse active-RFID installations at Yale-New Haven Hospital, PinnacleHealth Hospitals and St. Vincent's Hospital

... "Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, installed a Radianse IPS to improve equipment management and patient and staff flows across Perioperative Services and the Cardiac Thoracic Intensive Care unit. Close to a thousand pieces of medical equipment are covered by a Radianse IPS, so wherever equipment is located from central supply to the post anesthesia care unit it can be immediately found using a simple, web-based search. That same search function can be used to locate a number of managers who wear Radianse active-RFID location tags in the first phase of staff location. When patient location is deployed later this year, the hospital plans to use Radianse single-use active-RFID tags, a wristwatch-sized device designed to maximize comfort, safety and convenience across a patient's length of stay. " ...

Radianse, Inc., Lawrence, Mass., provides hospitals with wireless indoor positioning solutions (IPS) that accurately locate and associate medical equipment, patients and staff. University, regional and community hospitals alike use Radianse applications for asset tracking, patient and staff location and real-time alerts to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and safety and increase satisfaction and revenues. A Radianse IPS, which combines active-RFID tags with LAN-ready receivers and web-based location analysis software, installs simply, expands readily and delivers a return on investment in a matter of months. The Radianse Ready™ partner program provides equipment and clinical applications providers the ability to integrate identity and time-based location data.

RFID Labels Second Generation ...

RFID Labels Second Generation: Via RSI ID Technologies: RSI ID Announces Production of Gen 2 RFID Labels ...

RSI ID begins production of second generation RFID labels ...

... "RSI ID Technologies (RSI), one of the nation's only vertically integrated providers of RFID technology, today announced that is now in the production phase of one of the industry's first batch of EPC compliant second generation RFID labels. Gen 2 RFID promises faster processing speeds and overall increased performance and is expected to drive the widespread adoption of RFID technology. RSI's labels will begin shipping immediately. RSI has experience building more than 20 million RFID tags, and expects to produce approximately 100 million Gen 2 labels in 2006, ramping total production to approximately 300 million labels per year by 2007. " ...

RSI ID Technologies is one of the only vertically integrated providers of RFID technology that enables customers to tag, scan and track information - resulting in increased productivity, reduced operating costs, streamlined operations and immediate ROI. RSI ID Technologies offers a full line of RFID antennas, inlays and labels as well as “smart” shelving and real-time location systems, portals, custom software development and middleware integration. In addition, the company provides a full range of support services, training and consulting. As a systems integrator specializing in process automation and optimization systems, the company’s applications also include asset tracking, warehouse management systems, wireless networks, inventory control, product marking, bar code scanning and thermal printing. RSI ID Technologies’ clients include more than 70 Fortune 500 firms, a dozen of Wal-Mart’s top 100 suppliers, along with hundreds of mid-range companies involved in industries including electronics, telecommunications, healthcare, automotive and aerospace.

RFID Technology Entry Exit Land Border Pilots ...

RFID Technology Entry Exit Land Border Pilots: Via DHS | Department of Homeland Security | US-VISIT Begins Testing Radio Frequency Identification Technology to Improve Border Security and Travel

... "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun testing the US-VISIT Program's next phase of implementation, which uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to more efficiently record the entries and exits of visitors who are currently issued an I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) at our land borders. Five U.S. land border ports will test the RFID technology from August 4, 2005, through early summer of 2006. The ports are Nogales East (Deconcini) and Nogales West (Mariposa) in Arizona; Alexandria Bay (Thousand Islands) in New York; and Pacific Highway and Peace Arch in Washington state. US VISIT is a continuum of security measures that collect biometric and biographic information from visitors at U.S. visa-issuing posts around the world, and upon their arrival in and departure from U.S. air, sea and land border ports. Experience has shown that the US-VISIT enrollment process is fast, easy to understand and simple for visitors. " ...

Scansource Enhances RFIDEdge Program ...

Scansource Enhances RFIDEdge Program: SCANSOURCE® RFID EDGE™ PROGRAM GOES FULL THROTTLE: Program includes comprehensive training, strategic partnerships, support ...

ScanSource make enhancements to their RFIDEdge program to support the RFID solution lifecycle and the ecosystem of RFID intellectual capital needed to enable success ...

... "ScanSource, Inc., (Nasdaq: SCSC), a leading international value-added distributor of specialty technology products, has announced major additions and enhancements to its RFID Edge program designed to help solution providers be successful in selling, installing and supporting RFID solutions. In addition to the RFID Edge website, an online RFID educational resource introduced in October 2004 and located at www.scansource.com/rfidedge, the program now includes a hands-on RFID qualification course, an RFID laboratory and demonstration center, the RFID Solution Partner Program, RFID Professional Services, an RFID Solutions Engineering Team, and a dedicated RFID Help Desk. As a result, solution providers can now receive assistance in every phase of the RFID process, from the beginning stages of learning about RFID all the way through actual RFID system installations and post-sale support. " ...

ScanSource, Inc. is a leading international distributor of specialty technology products, including automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) and point-of-sale (POS) products through its ScanSource sales unit; Avaya communications products through its Catalyst Telecom sales unit; communications products from Intel and NEC through its Paracon sales unit; and electronic security products through its ScanSource Security Distribution unit. The Company serves the North America marketplace and has an international segment, which sells AIDC and POS products in Latin America and Europe. Founded in 1992, the Company markets products from more than 100 technology manufacturers to over 16,000 value-added technology resellers and is committed to empowering them with tools and services designed to help them grow.

RFID Mine Equipment Tracking

RFID Mine Equipment Tracking: Inco Deploys AeroScout Visibility System for Wireless Location in Mining: Active RFID and Wi-Fi Solution to Enable Increased Operational Efficiency for Underground Mine ...

Aeroscout implements a Wifi RFID solution in an undergound mine for equipment tracking ...

... "AeroScout, Inc., a pioneer in the field of Enterprise Visibility Solutions, today announced that Inco, Ltd. has installed the company's Wi-Fi based Active RFID system, as the first phase of an equipment-tracking project inside an underground mine in Sudbury, Canada. Inco is using the mine's existing wireless infrastructure, along with AeroScout software, to evaluate tracking items affixed with AeroScout Wi-Fi based Active RFID tags. " ...

AeroScout provides award-winning enterprise visibility solutions that utilize Wi-Fi wireless networking standards to deliver accurate location-based solutions. The AeroScout system includes real-time location services (RTLS), long range active RFID, telemetry and choke-point visibility all in a single integrated cost-effective infrastructure. AeroScout's standards-based applications locate valuable assets and people in indoor and outdoor environments, enabling customers in numerous industries to drive revenues and cut costs. AeroScout is a privately held company based in San Mateo, CA.

RFID Vehicle Safety Recommendation

RFID Vehicle Safety Recommendation: Massachusetts FACE Report No. 01MA039

... "As in this case and many other cases, the police reported that the truck operator stated he did not see the victim behind the truck. New technologies that are both currently available and still in the research phase, such as video cameras, fiber optic systems and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and tag readers, should be evaluated by equipment manufacturers. Video cameras and fiber optic systems would be mounted at the rear of the equipment, or at a blind spot, and a monitor would be placed inside the operator's area giving the operator an unobstructed view of the area around the rear of the vehicle. The RFID system has each worker on foot wearing a small RFID tag and a tag reader mounted in the equipment. When a tag is sensed within the tag reader's sensing range, the equipment operator receives a warning. " ...

RFID Radio Frequency Technology: Land Borders

RFID Radio Frequency Technology: Land Borders: DHS | Department of Homeland Security | Homeland Security Announces Plans to Test Radio Frequency Technology at Land Borders

... "By July 31, 2005, the testing will begin at the ports of Nogales East and Nogales West in Arizona; Alexandria Bay in New York; and, Pacific Highway and Peace Arch in Washington. The testing or proof of concept phase is expected to continue through the spring of 2006. The optimal technology will allow for a unique and automatic identifier issued to pedestrians and visitors crossing in vehicles. The benefits of deploying RFID technology at the land border allows for the automatic recording of visitors arrival and departure. " ...

RFID Port Security Project ...

RFID Port Security Project: Homeland Integrated Security Systems Continues Development of Phase III of its Savannah Port Project: Noted Wireless Expert Ed Legum Commissioned for White Paper ...

... "The Savannah Port Security Project revolves around Homeland Integrated Security Systems' revolutionary Cyber Tracker, which monitors drivers' activities to and from the port's berths. Cyber Trackers would be dispensed using an automated system that will integrate the Cyber Tracker via RFID to bills of laden. When the drivers are leaving the port, the units are collected, thus insuring that all vehicles that enter the port facility are accounted for when leaving. " ...

Homeland Integrated Security Systems owns proprietary technology and has the rights to use patents to some of the most innovative and sophisticated security products. One of the key target markets is the 361 commercial seaports in the U.S., which are vulnerable to criminal penetration.

Healthcare RFID Solutions: Patient Safety

Healthcare RFID Solutions: Patient Safety: Precision Dynamics Corporation Signs Reseller Agreement with Hewlett-Packard Taiwan for Healthcare RFID Wristband Solutions

... "PDC and HP Taiwan have begun an RFID implementation at Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. During the initial phase of the implementation, PDC Smart Band RFID Wristbands will be used in the hospital's operating room to identify the right patient, right surgical site, right nurse, right blood, and right doctor. This additional safety check is expected to help reduce human errors and enhance the safety of patients. " ...

Network Centric RFID Solutions: AON

Network Centric RFID Solutions: Cisco Unveils Application-Oriented Networking: The Next Phase of the Intelligent Information Network Provides Network-Embedded Intelligence for Secure Application Communication

Cisco partners to deliver network-centric solutions leveragin RFID technology ...

... "By collaborating with Cisco Systems, ConnecTerra, a leading supplier of radio frequency identification (RFID) infrastructure software, will deliver next-generation, network-centric RFID solutions to enterprise customers. Taking advantage of the existing infrastructure at sites enabled with Cisco AON will allow ConnecTerra's customers to fully utilize more secure and accurate information gathered from RFID devices and delivered by Cisco AON. Additionally, customers will benefit from advanced device monitoring and management capabilities, enabling better business visibility quickly at lower cost. " ...

RFID DMEA Investments: Rugged Antenna

RFID DMEA Investments: Rugged Antenna: Paratek Awarded $1.987 Million DMEA Contract for RFID ...

... "Paratek Microwave, Inc., a privately held company at the forefront of the next generation wireless devices, announced a $1.987 million contract award from the Defense MicroElectronics Activity (DMEA). This research and development award is to advance the state-of-the-art concepts for ruggedized military radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas. " ...

Paratek is uniquely able to address the solutions needed for the next generation wireless devices by combining its patented tunable RF and microwave dielectric materials technology with its highly integrated 3-D miniaturization circuit and module design. Resulting products are multi-band, multi-function radio frequency components and front ends with ultra wideband frequency agility for software defined radios, circuit agility for longer battery life, and real-time adaptive impedance matching for improved performance. Other products include electronically tunable RF filters, pre-selectors and phase shifters. Paratek has also developed a line of smart scanning and phased array antennas, which provide enhanced wireless network performance, flexibility, scalability, and are particularly well suited for RFID and communications on the move applications. Paratek is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with offices in Nashua, New Hampshire.

RFID Skills Survey Supports Certification Development ...

RFID Skills Survey Supports Certification Development: CompTIA RFID Skills Certification Development Initiative Advances to Next Phase: Survey to validate work of subject matter experts group launches today ...

CompTIA enters its survey phase to support understanding of RFID skills which will be used in the development of certification materials ...

... "Efforts by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) to develop a new professional certification of radio frequency identification (RFID) skills advanced to the next phase today with the launch of a survey to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities individuals should have to be proficient in the technology. The CompTIA RFID+ Blueprint Survey builds on the work earlier this month of a committee of RFID subject matter experts who are helping CompTIA develop the content of the certification exam. The CompTIA RFID+ certification will validate an RFID technologist’s knowledge and skills in the areas of installation, maintenance, repair, and upkeep of hardware and software functionality of RFID products. " ...

CompTIA is a global trade association representing the business interests of the information technology industry. For more than 23 years CompTIA has provided research, networking and partnering opportunities to its 20,000 members in 102 countries. The association is involved in developing standards and best practices, and influencing the political, economic and educational arenas that impact IT worldwide.

RFID Hospital Logistics Process

RFID Hospital Logistics Process: Cactus Commerce Partners with Allstream to provide RFID solution: Cactus Technology Integral to Improvement of Supply Chain Management Infrastructure for Leading Healthcare Supplier ...

Cactus partners to deliver efficient hospital logistics process through RFID technology ...

... "Cactus Commerce Inc., a provider of ebusiness software and services for global data synchronization and trading partner integration, today announced at the U Connect Conference that Allstream, one of Canada’s leading business communication solutions providers, is using Cactus technology to provide Hospital Logistics Inc. with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) supply chain management solution. Allstream, a Cactus Strategic Partner, announced last week an agreement with Hospital Logistics Inc., a company that provides third party logistics services including hospital supplies to hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area. This announcement marked the first phase roll-out of Allstream’s portfolio of RFID solutions. " ...

Cactus Commerce is an e-business software and services provider dedicated to helping manufacturers, distributors and retailers bring more efficiency to their complex business processes with integrated B2B solutions that lay the foundation for the move towards RFID. A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Cactus works closely with partners like Allstream and Microsoft to develop and deliver rapidly deployed, cost-effective and extensible global data synchronization (GDS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solutions. Cactus complements its packaged software offerings with an array of professional services and unique industry expertise, enabling companies to take full advantage of their existing and future technology investments.

WalMart RFID: 100Percent Readability

Wal-Mart Stores: Wal-Mart Begins Roll-Out Of Electronic Product Codes in Dallas/Fort Worth Area: Eight Manufacturers Participating in First Phase of Implementing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology at the Case and Pallet Level ...

... "Wal-Mart is targeting 100 percent readability of pallet tags through dock doors and 100 percent readability of case tags on distribution center conveyor belts. At seven pilot stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex - specifically in the communities of The Colony, Decatur, Denton, Hickory Creek, Lewisville and Plano, RFID readers at dock doors will replicate the process from the distribution center by automatically confirming that this particular shipment is now in the store's back room. Individual products will then be stocked as needed. During the initial test, tagged cases and pallets may be distributed to stores throughout North Texas and South Central Oklahoma - the geographical area served by the Sanger, Texas distribution center. As suppliers expand their efforts to meet the requirements of multiple retailers, it is possible that tagged cases and pallets will arrive at Wal-Mart stores around the country. However, readers will not be installed in stores outside the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex so those cases and pallets would be handled as usual. " ...

Healthcare RFID Solutions: Real-Time Access and Control ...

Allstream RFID Solution to Improve Management Infrastructure for Leading Healthcare Supplier ...

... "Allstream, one of Canada's leading national business communication solutions providers, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Hospital Logistics Inc. (HLI) to provide a business management solution using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Hospital Logistics Inc. is a Toronto, Ontario-based company that provides supply chain management solutions to hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area. As part of the agreement, in the first phase, Allstream will provide a web-hosted RFID solution for HLI's logistics chain management system for real-time access and use within their warehouse facilities. " ...

Allstream is a leading communication solutions provider with a world-class portfolio of Connectivity, Managed Services and Professional Services. Focused on the business market, Allstream collaborates with customers to create tailored solutions that meet their unique needs and help them compete more effectively. Allstream is a division of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS), Canada's third largest communications provider with approximately 6,600 dedicated employees focused on delivering outstanding value to its customers. MTS has an extensive broadband fibre-optic network spanning more than 24,300 kilometres, and provides international connections through strategic partnerships and interconnection agreements with other international service providers. MTS's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT).


Hospital Logistics Inc. (HLI) is a leading provider of management solutions to hospitals, delivering value by reducing costs and increasing service levels in support of patient care. Through its facility in Oakville, Ontario, HLI provides a technically state-of-the-art and cost-effective solution so that its hospital customers can improve management of their supply chain and streamline inventory, ordering, and distribution of medical surgical supplies. HLI is owned by the University Health Network (UHN), the umbrella organization that supports three teaching and research hospitals in Toronto: Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, and Toronto Western Hospital. Two other Toronto hospitals have also signed on as customers, which include Mt. Sinai Hospital and Sunnybrook & Women's Health Sciences Centre (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Women's College Hospital, and Orthopedic & Arthritic Institute).

RFID Applications For Metrology ...

Abstracts for the Gossamer Spacecraft Exploratory Research and Technology

... "It is envisioned that integrated into the solar sail next to each antenna are flexible, single-chip, solar-powered, low noise amplifier and signal processing circuits together with a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag will radiate the measurement results to the spacecraft bus. The Phase I effort will evaluate RFID designs and configurations for performing sail metrology, and will identify viable plasma wave and dust detection sensor configurations for solar sail spacecraft. " ...

RFID Tracking Corrections Industry: Real-Time Identification Drives Safety ...

Alanco Commences Multi-Staged Project With Los Angeles County Jail: U.S.’s Largest County Jail To Deploy Alanco’s TSI PRISM™ RFID Tracking Technology ...

RFID technology used to provide identification and tracking in the corrections industry ...

... "Alanco Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALAN) announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) to commence the pilot phase of a proposed multi-staged project to deploy Alanco's TSI PRISM RFID inmate tracking technology. In the initial phase, expected to be completed in early Fall, 2005, TSI PRISM technology will be installed in the 1,800 inmate East Facility of the Pitchess Detention Center located in Castaic, California, at an approximate expected cost of $1.5 million. The TSI PRISM system, which continuously locates and tracks inmate and officer movements, will be evaluated to measure its effectiveness in reducing and resolving violent incidents and impacting operating costs. Assuming favorable performance, LASD will seek additional funding to deploy the technology in additional jail facilities, ultimately enrolling all of the approximate 18,000-inmate population in the tracking program. " ...

Alanco Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALAN), headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the developer of the TSI PRISM RFID continuous tracking system for the corrections industry, which tracks the location and movement of inmates and officers, resulting in significant prison operating cost reductions and enhanced officer safety and facility security. Utilizing RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tracking technology with proprietary software and patented hardware components, TSI PRISM provides real-time inmate and officer identification, location and tracking capabilities both indoors and out. TSI PRISM is currently utilized in prisons in Michigan, California, Illinois, and a new Ohio installation.

RFID Container Security ...

iControl Incorporated Awarded DHS Container Security Contract ...

... "Fred Tubb, iControl’s CEO, elaborated on the advantages of iControl’s approach. The MATTS program requirements represent a challenging, yet logical extension of our commercial product capabilities. During Phase II, iControl’s container tracking device will be deployed as a miniaturized System-On-Chip (SOC) design. It provides substantially superior processing, communication range, and worldwide tracking capability when compared to RFID technologies. Strategically, we have chosen international standards to improve overseas adoption, to speed deployment, and to minimize installation. " ...

iControl is a leader in remote monitoring and control via the Internet. Products include iDAC™ data acquisition and control units, iGATE™ wide-area network gateways, and iVIEW™ data fusion, display, and reporting suite of web-based tools. iControl is headquartered in San Jose, CA.

RFID Integration Infrastructure ...

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

... "Given the number of potential legacy systems to consider, specific formats are not easily prescribed. A viable approach could involve proposing specific legacy systems for interfacing purposes during Phase I; in that event, the government would assist in providing system data formats. Another possible consideration is to follow industry initiatives for developing (or conforming with) a viable middleware framework to mitigate the impact of unique RFID infrastructures interfacing with the spectrum of enterprise software environments. " ...

RFID Line-of-Sight ...

RFID Terms

... "RFID Line-of-Sight. In order for any communication to occur, a signal transmitted from interrogator or the tag must reach the other device. Unless the device is in a completely shielded metal enclosure, some radiation will usually reach the device. This radiation may arrive in a direct line of sight path or it may arrive via scattered reflections from man-made or natural terrain features. However, the amount of radiation (and its phase) which reaches the device is very important. If a passive device is being used, sufficient radiation must reach a tag so that the tag can not only can interpret the information content of the signal, but must also be sufficient to power the signal transmission of the tag back to the interrogator. Therefore, passive devices usually have a significant degradation in their range when they are not in the direct line of sight to the interrogator, because otherwise they will not receive enough RF radiation to allow for a successful re-transmission of RFID radiation. Active tags are much more non-line-of-sight tolerant, because they only need to receive enough radiation to allow for the incoming signal to be successfully interpreted. They then re-transmit using their own on-board power supply. " ...

US Government RFID Purchase Agreements

SAMSys to Provide RFID Readers to U.S. Government ...

SAMSys secures RFID purchase agreements from the US Government ...

... "SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY: TSX) announced today that two of its value-added resellers have been awarded Blanket Purchase Agreements authorizing the use of SAMSys new MP9320 v2.8 radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to comply with RFID mandates from the U.S. Department of Defense. The agreements are expected to result in the sale of at least 700 fixed RFID readers from multiple vendors over the next year during the first phase of a long-term initiative to implement RFID technology throughout the DoD's supply chain. The contracts were awarded to WFI Government Services, Inc., and CDO Technologies, Inc., both SAMSys resellers, as part of the DoD's Passive Radio Frequency Identification Electronic Product Code-1 (RFID EPC-1) project. The project requires DoD suppliers to place RFID tags on all cases and pallets containing products sold to the U.S. military. Multi-protocol passive RFID EPC-1 readers are needed to exchange data with the tags in order to expedite identification and tracking of DoD supplies. " ...

SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SAMSys), founded in 1995, is a world-leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions and RFID integration consulting services. SAMSys offers a family of products to simplify the installation and ensure the ongoing performance of the overall RFID hardware infrastructure. SAMSys is a public company whose shares are listed for trading on the TSX Exchange under the symbol: “SMY”. The Company has a total of 47.7 million shares outstanding.

RFID Effectiveness Asset Visibility ...

Total Asset Visibility

... "A system integration and verification test was performed to establish the effectiveness of tracking assets via RFID intelligent tags through the DOD supply chain. In order to validate supporting technologies and how to use them, the DLA Advanced HAZMAT Rapid Identification, Sorting, and Tracking (AHRIST) Phase II project team conducted four series of RFID intelligent tag product validation tests. ... the results of readings of a pallet of aerosol cans are shown. The color green denotes that the RFID tag was identified and read completely, yellow represents that the tag was identified but not read fully and the color red means that the tag was not identified. " ...

RFID SMEs Sought ...

RFID SMEs Sought: CURRENTLY SEEKING RFID SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, PHASE ONE - JOB TASK ANALYSIS ...

... CompTIA is currently seeking Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) to provide assistance in the development of an industry standard certification in the knowledge domain of RFID technologies. Assistance from SME’s is crucial in developing good quality content appropriate for the level of expertise in which the certification is being developed. In this first of three phases, CompTIA requires SME’s for the development of a Job Task Analysis research document out of which CompTIA will produce the knowledge and skills standards for RFID industry professionals. ...

For 22 years, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), has been dedicated to advancing the growth of the information technology (IT) industry and those working within it. With more than 20,000 members in 102 countries, CompTIA is the leading global IT trade association with influence in all areas of the IT industry worldwide. Headquartered in Chicago, CompTIA also has offices in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Ottawa, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Washington, D.C.

RFID EPC Developers Contest ...

Application Developers Program - EPC Application Developers Contest from VeriSign, Inc. ...

... "ATTENTION: DEVELOPERS, SYSTEMS INTEGRATORS AND CORPORATE IT GURUS! Do you have a revolutionary idea for the use of RFID/EPC data? VeriSign will recognize the work of application developers like you through the EPC Application Developers Contest. The contest will reward creative thinkers who use EPC data to help solve business problems.

Phase I: Qualification Phase, April 10 – May 31
April 10 through May 14: contestants submit proposals
May 14 through 31: judges select finalists.

Phase II: Contest Finalists, June 1 – August 28" ...

VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN) operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable businesses and individuals to find, connect, secure and transact across today’s complex global networks.

RFID System Deployment in Production Facility ...

RFID System Deployment in Production: Microfield Subsidiary Begins Final Phase of Symbol Technologies Wireless Project ...

... Microfield Group, Inc. ("Microfield") (OTCBB:MICG announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Christenson Velagio, Inc. ("CVI"), has completed the initial phase and has launched the final phase of a Symbol Technologies wireless installation project for a large national client at one of their regional production plants located in Oregon. ... This project represents CVI's continued focus and success with marketing and deploying new wireless technologies and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. We will continue our strategy to introduce these emerging technologies to our valued customers and to other businesses throughout the region, said A. Mark Walter, President of Microfield." ...

Microfield Group, Inc. ("Microfield" or the "Company") is engaged in the arena of energy-related technology products and services. Through its subsidiaries, Microfield offers an array of new technologies for energy production, distribution, and management. Microfield also offers services within other segments, including data, telephony and fire/life/security systems. The company's strategic objective is to grow its customer base and brand value to capitalize on acquisition opportunities and strategic partnerships that broaden its product and service offerings in the energy field. Microfield is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and its common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "MICG."

RFID EPC Anti-Counterfeit Drug Initiative

Panel 5--Anti-Counterfeit Drug Initiative--Meeting Minutes ...

... "The product of this research was electronic product code or EPC. The Auto-ID Center and its participating sponsor companies conducted extensive pilots on EPC technology to test its performance in real world supply chain applications. Since MIT and Auto-ID Center are research institutions, they wanted to license this technology to an organization that could commercialize the EPC for worldwide use. Since the Uniform Code Council was a founding sponsor and had a 30-year track record in standards, it was a natural next step that the UCC take a leading role in bringing the EPC to market. In May of this year MIT finalized an agreement with the UCC and its global partner, EAN International, to standardize this emerging RFID technology on a worldwide basis. In order to support this effort, the UCC and EAN formed a joint venture called EPCglobal to drive the commercialization of the EPC. In order to move this technology from the research phase to the real world of business, the EPCglobal organization is focused on working with industry users to develop the necessary standards to drive broad adoption. It is a multi-industry focus and the standards will be developed in a user-drive consensus-based process. " ...

OAT RFID ROI Acceleration ...

OAT Announces RFID Pathway to ROI for Consumer Products Companies ...

OATSystems delivers RFID ROI return-on-investment acceleration tools that move beyond compliance ...

Comply for ROI is the First ROI-based Approach for RFID Compliance. ePOD is the First RFID-centric Application to Deliver ROI ...

... "OATSystems®, Inc., the recognized RFID framework leader, today announced a clearly defined RFID pathway to ROI for the consumer products industry. Based on work with industry pioneers, OAT has developed Comply for ROI and ROI for CP, a two-phase pathway with solutions built on the company’s flagship OAT Foundation Suite and designed to accelerate the path to ROI for all consumer products companies. Addressing the need for a clear course for their company to go from compliance to ROI, OAT has fundamentally changed the approach from cost-based compliance to ROI-based solutions. Instead of focusing exclusively on the lowest possible cost of a compliance solution, OAT analyzes a company’s specific products and business operations to design a phased adoption that accelerates payback from their RFID investment." ...

OATSystems, Inc. is the recognized RFID framework leader with software that empowers businesses to achieve competitive advantage from radio-frequency identification (RFID). As pioneers in the development of RFID technology, OAT has been setting the standard in RFID for over half a decade and is responsible for industry firsts that include the largest scale and largest scope of deployments, as well as the most innovative approaches to providing enterprise-wide RFID solutions. OAT’s multinational client base, which includes companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Gillette, consists of over 50 customers in retail, CPG, consumer electronics, manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace and defense. Headquartered in Waltham, MA, OAT has offices in Chicago, London and Bangalore and is on the Web at www.oatsystems.com.

RFID Line-of-Sight ...

RFID Terms

... "Line-of-Sight: In order for any communication to occur, a signal transmitted from interrogator or the RFID tag must reach the other device. Unless the device is in a completely shielded metal enclosure, some radiation will usually reach the device. This radiation may arrive in a direct line of sight path or it may arrive via scattered reflections from man-made or natural terrain features. However, the amount of radiation (and its phase) which reaches the device is very important. If a passive device is being used, sufficient radiation must reach a tag so that the tag can not only can interpret the information content of the signal, but must also be sufficient to power the signal transmission of the tag back to the interrogator. Therefore, passive devices usually have a significant degradation in their range when they are not in the direct line of sight to the interrogator, because otherwise they will not receive enough RF radiation to allow for a successful re-transmission of RF radiation. Active tags are much more non-line-of-sight tolerant, because they only need to receive enough radiation to allow for the incoming signal to be successfully interpreted. They then re-transmit using their own on-board power supply. " ...

RFID Passive Tags Use ...

KNOW NET:EL-TRAINS - Federal Personal Property Management Desk Reference - The Life Cycle - Phase III Accountability and Maintainability - Receiving/Assignment to Use

... "Agencies normally use passive RFID tags because of cost. Active RFID tags, which are more expensive, use batteries, stay on all the time and require a scanning device to determine the part or container's contents. Passive RFID tags, which are less expensive, stay dormant until scanned. Scanning can be via a hand held device or a pass-through scanning machine." ...

Research Project: RFID Market ...

ABSTRACTS - Phase I

... "Many applications are emerging in which communication between low speed, very low cost tags (wireless nodes) and base stations designates energy conservation as a critical system parameter. These applications include warehouse identification tags, hospital ID tags, smart tags, and intelligent ID cards, to name only a few. Tags are small devices with radio or infrared reception/transmission and processing capabilities integrated into a device the size of an ID card or smaller and designed for the lowest possible cost. Cost minimization and network size prohibit the replacement of batteries that need to last for as long as the object needs to be identified, from weeks to several years. The design of wireless access protocols for tag networks requires, therefore, that transmission of data that is often delay-sensitive occur under critical energy conservation and cost constraints. As classical access protocols do not meet these requirements, this project will introduce and evaluate several novel classes of protocols designated for these emerging low speed, low cost networks. The market potential for these systems is estimated at billions of dollars per year, underscoring the importance of this work." ...

RFID Warehouse Location Tracking ...

RFID Warehouse Location Tracking: SAMSys' RFID Hardware Deployed at Bradshaw International for Wa ...

SAMSys RFID solutions are deployed at Bradshaw to support warehouse location tracking and Walmart RFID compliance ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... (SMY: TSX), an international provider of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) hardware solutions has been deployed at kitchenware supplier Bradshaw ...

... SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY: TSX), an international provider of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) hardware solutions has been deployed at kitchenware supplier Bradshaw International as part of an enhanced warehouse location tracking system designed to comply with Wal-Mart's RFID mandates. Bradshaw holds the No. 1 market share for kitchen accessories sold through the grocery, drugstore and mass merchandise channels with its Good Cook(TM) brand, and is among the 137 suppliers involved in the rollout phase of Wal-Mart's RFID project. ...

SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SAMSys), founded in 1995, is a world-leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions and RFID integration consulting services designed to evaluate and recommend optimal RFID solutions to enhance existing business process. SAMSys offers a family of products to simplify the installation and ensure the ongoing performance of the overall RFID hardware infrastructure. SAMSys is a public company whose shares are listed for trading on the TSX Exchange under the symbol: "SMY". The Company has a total of 47.6 million shares outstanding.

Bradshaw International, headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, markets a wide assortment of kitchen tools, gadgets, bakeware, cookware, food storage and tabletop products. Marketed under the Good Cook(TM) brand name, Bradshaw maintains the number one market share for kitchenware in grocery stores, currently distributing in more than 35,000 retail store outlets in North America, New Zealand and Australia.

LowCost National Sensor Network

A Low Cost National Sensor Network ...

... "Conservative estimates have shown that the attack of September 11th had more than a $200 billion dollar impact on the U.S. economy. An attack using a radiological dispersion device (i.e. a dirty bomb) would be devastating to the U.S. economy and the psyche of our country. New sensor technology could significantly minimize the threat of such a terrorist nuclear attack. For widespread deployment, the sensor technology would need to be low cost and easy to disseminate. This will require a paradigm shift from expensive, fixed or wired networking solutions to a flexible, secure wireless network. This project will develop a wireless sensor network that interfaces to standard management systems. Phase I will define and architect a national sensor network. Simulations for optimum coverage / detection scenarios will be explored. Interface requirements, network topologies, and wireless technologies will be investigated, with a focus on failsafe and secure solutions. " ...

RF Polymers Grow RF Sensors ...

CINT - Database of Government Nanotechnology Programs

... "RF Polymers for Integrated Sensors KEY TECHNOLOGY AREA: Sensors

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative uses for radio frequency (RF) polymers with application to integrated RF sensor technologies that provide increased functionality to reduce physical size, power consumption, signal loss, weight, and cost for structurally integrated apertures.

DESCRIPTION: The research will explore revolutionary concepts and conduct feasibility demonstration efforts of RF sensors that employ RF polymers to provide a low cost manufacturing capability. The effort will examine advanced RF polymer materials and RF aperture concepts for use on affordable, structurally integrated apertures. The effort will consider ideas that lead to a working aperture demonstration at the end of Phase II. This includes multi-function/integrated aperture concepts. Also, the effort could focus on the RF polymer conductive, dielectric or magnetic properties that will dramatically improve the above type of integrated apertures for final demonstrations. Limited material coupons or hardware breadboards will be fabricated to verify modeling results required. Selection of the demonstration vehicles shall be based on the developed RF polymers suitability for a specific integrated aperture and the availability of suppliers transferring these technologies from a research to a production environment. " ...

Technology for Homeland Security Transportation Worker Identification Credential TWIC Prototype ...

Homeland Security Transportation Worker Identification Credential TWIC Prototype: SAFLINK Announces Subcontract for US Dept. of Homeland Security ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAFLINK(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: SFLK), the leading provider of biometric and smart card security solutions, today announced its ...

... SAFLINK(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: SFLK), the leading provider of biometric and smart card security solutions, today announced its selection as a key technology provider to BearingPoint, Inc. for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) prototype phase contract awarded to BearingPoint on August 10th. This is the third phase in a massive initiative designed to improve security at seaports, airports, rail, pipeline, trucking, and mass transit facilities by creating a nationwide credential to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to secure areas. ...

SAFLINK Corporation offers biometric security and smart card solutions that protect intellectual property, secure information assets, and eliminate passwords. SAFLINK's software provides Identity Assurance Management(TM), allowing administrators to verify the identity of users and control their access to: computer networks; physical facilities; applications; manufacturing process control systems; and time and attendance systems. We also offer protection for popular applications such as e-mail, instant messaging, web transactions, and individual files.

Additional resources on the Homeland Security Transportation Worker Identification Credential TWIC prototype ...

Department of Homeland Security | Department of Homeland: Fact Sheet: Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Prototype. The Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA ...

Transportation Security Administration | TSA TWIC Program: consisted of a broad array of transportation workers. ... stakeholder working groups to identify and resolve ... Department of Homeland Security; National Institute of ...

BearingPoint Awarded $12 Million TWIC Prototype Contract: "The TWIC program is a win-win for transportation workers and for the security of our homeland," said Rear Adm. ...

TWIC Phase III Project Goes Live at Four Sites, BearingPoint: Homeland Security - Transportation Security Administration has launched its prototype Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program at four ...

First RFID Mandates, Now Integrate RFID into Business Processes ...

First RFID Mandates, Now Integrate into Business Processes: In RFID's Second Phase, ABI Research Sees End-Users Revert to ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... 5, 2005--Most of the 137 companies that sought to meet RFID mandates during 2004 did get involved with the technology to a greater or lesser degree. ...

... Most of the 137 companies that sought to meet RFID mandates during 2004 did get involved with the technology to a greater or lesser degree. But many started small, allocating much lower budgets to the effort than the $2-3 million some analysts had predicted. In 2005 these companies are increasing their investment, to scale up and integrate RFID into their normal operations. ...

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations that support annual research programs, quarterly intelligence services and market reports in wireless, automotive, semiconductors, broadband, and energy.

Additional resources on RFID Mandates and Business Process Integration ...

More Retailers Mull RFID Mandates: Kroger and other retailers might soon be joining Wal-Mart and Target with RFID mandates all their own; meanwhile, retailers are starting to move toward item ...

Goodyear Copes With RFID Challenges: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is a supplier to both Wal-Mart and the US Department of Defense and is subject to RFID mandates from both. ...

Smart Services for RFID: By Integration Consortium. ... As components of a larger business process framework and network ... In critical event exceptions, RFID information can be leveraged to ...

RFID Overview: Integration Platform for RFID: Integration Manager; EPC Manager. ... partner requirements with our RFID in a ... them as a single, synchronized business process that can ...

webMethods Integration: Advancing Radio Frequency Identification: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Management – webMethods offers complete business process modeling and ... to the supporting integration platform components enabling RFID to be easily ...

RFID Network: Paratek Strengthens Commercial Business Development Team

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... array antennas, which provide enhanced wireless network performance, flexibility, scalability, and are particularly well suited for RFID and communications on ...

... Paratek Microwave, Inc., a privately held company at the forefront of the next generation wireless devices, today announced Greg Mendolia will lead its commercial sector as Vice President, Product Strategy and Business Development. Previously Executive Vice President at E-Tenna Corporation and Director of Ericsson's Mobile Phone Advanced Technology division, Mendolia leads Paratek's commercial product development and market entry strategies. ...

Paratek Microwave, Inc., a privately held company, is uniquely able to address the solutions needed for the next generation wireless devices by combining its patented tunable RF and microwave dielectric materials technology with its highly integrated 3-D miniaturized circuit and module design. Resulting products are multi-band, multi-function radio frequency front ends and components with ultra wideband frequency agility for software defined radios, circuit agility for longer battery life, and real-time adaptive impedance matching for improved performance. Other products include electronically tunable RF filters, pre-selectors, and phase shifters. Paratek has also developed a line of smart scanning and phased array antennas, which provide enhanced wireless network performance, flexibility, scalability, and are particularly well suited for RFID and communications on the move applications. Paratek is headquartered in Columbia, MD, with offices in Nashua, NH.