OTI RFID Supports Discover Network Contactless Payment

OTI receives certification for its RFID reader in support of the contactless payment solution for the Discover Network. ...

... "Discover Network, a business unit of Discover Financial Services and Morgan Stanley, announced that it has certified the Saturn 5000 contactless reader developed by On Track Innovations (OTI) (NASDAQ: OTIV), a global leader in contactless microprocessor-based smart card solutions, for use with Discover Network's contactless payment application. The certification process ensures that the Saturn 5000's reader technology is able to support Discover Network's proprietary contactless payment solution. Additional OTI readers are in the certification process.

Compatible with major POS terminal providers and acquirers, Saturn 5000's enhanced features allow the reader to support multiple application programs and read a variety of payments sources, including credit cards and key fobs and cell phones. The console's plug-and-play design and small footprint facilitates quick upgrades of existing POS terminals to accept contactless payments. And because the reader faces the customer, the Saturn 5000 enables easier and faster payment transactions. Additionally, OTI's patented matched antenna technology provides more effective power consumption, reliable and stable communications, and additional levels of security and encryption throughout the communication link. " ...

Via Discover Network: Discover Network Certifies Oti Card Reader For Contactless Payment System, OTI's Saturn 5000 to Support Discover Network's Fast, Secure, and Simple Contactless Payment System Worldwide

RFID Software Platform: Asset Location Services ...

PanGo Networks introduces enhancement to its software platform that acquires location information from active and passive RFID sources. The RFID platform provides a services-based interface for higher level systems to consume asset location information. ...

... "Now, for the first time, applications used by hospitals, manufacturers and third-party solution providers can tap standards-based active and passive RFID technologies from a single platform, thereby dramatically increasing the number of assets that can be tracked and eliminating the need for proprietary choke point or portal solutions that add complexity and cost to corporate networks. This aggregation and refinement of location from multiple standards-based sources gives users unprecedented flexibility to apply the appropriate mix of RFID-tracking technologies to best match their unique and varying needs. Through presence detection, real-time location and high-resolution choke-point visibility, the PanOS Platform allows customers and application vendors to benefit from the most timely and accurate tracking of assets and inventory possible, while capitalizing on the pervasive adoption of WLAN and RFID technology. Wi-Fi-based RTLS and RFID sensory networks are transformational technologies that are delivering business benefits and driving change within IT organizations across many markets. " ...

RFID Software Platform: Asset Location Services: Via PanGo Networks: PanGo Integrates Active and Passive RFID to Deliver Industry’s Most Advanced Location Management Platform ...

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 Cards Enable IP Telephony Mobile Workforce ...

RFID security enables mobile workforce for IP telephony. ...

RFID Cards Enable IP Telephony: Via LiteScape Technologies: LiteScape Adds New Capabilities to Facilitate Enterprise-Wide Communications via IP Telephony ...

... "OnCast Directory facilitates the secure creation and distribution of content-rich, enterprise-specific broadcasts, launches conferences calls, and utilizes IP phones to lookup profile information and other timely content from a variety of sources. In addition, by leveraging authentication methods such as passwords, RFID cards and biometrics, users can move from site to site and immediately access their personal data to quickly broadcast collaborative messages and engage in IP-based communications. By providing phones with real-time access to enterprise-wide indexes, OnCast Directory streamlines everyday business processes and enhances the overall productivity of large, mobile enterprises, while taking maximum advantage of investments in IP infrastructure. " ...

RFID Market Leaders: Walmart DOD ...

RFID Market Leaders: Walmart DOD: Via Dept of Commerce: David A. Sampson RFID Conference, U.S. Chamber of Commerce ...

... "According to industry sources, the RFID market for related consulting, implementation, and managed services is expected to reach between $2 billion and $4.2 billion by 2008. In addition, as much as 30% of all capital goods will carry RFID tags by 2008. There are many business reasons to use RFID technology: supply chain visibility, inventory management, ensuring product legitimacy, and shrinkage/loss prevention. It's therefore not surprising that WalMart and the Department of Defense are market leaders as both rely on extensive supply chains. RFID applications are also being tested in other parts of government for logistics support and for public safety and security. But the commercial sector will continue to drive innovation in this area. " ...

Incident Management RFID Technology: Pilot Demonstration NIMS

Via Cimulus: Cimulus and ICT Invited to Demonstrate RFID Technology in Multi-Agency Exercise ...

Cimulus and ICT collaboration to demonstrate RFID technology for incident management in the NIMS process ...

... "Cimulus and ICT will perform a live demonstration of a new on-scene tracking system built on Cimulus’ DataCenter platform. The application, which will use RFID tags and mobile readers to track equipment and personnel in real time, is targeted toward giving Incident Commanders (scene supervisors) the critical information they need to make life-safety decisions in chaotic and highly variable environments. The system simplifies the enormous task of tracking resources from local, State and Federal agencies who respond to such events, and assists emergency response agencies in meeting requirements of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), a new Federal mandate that requires local, State and Federal agencies to work together in the mitigation of large scale incidents. " ...

Cimulus serves businesses and organizations by creating targeted IT solutions, focusing on technical applications for efficiency and productivity. DataCenter, Cimulus’ real-time data collection and management system, provides a scalable and open platform for managing information from a wide range of sources, including radio-frequency identification (RFID) and bar codes.

ICT is a provider of technology solutions to the Emergency Responder community. Emergency scenes inherently require that critical, time-sensitive decisions be based on the rapid and accurate collection of data. ICT delivers technology products that improve emergency operations by streamlining the process by which data is collected and disseminated. Improved safety and efficiency is the result.

Zebra TI RFID Gen2 Demonstrated

Zebra TI RFID Gen2 Demonstrated: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES FIRST COMPANY TO SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS’ GEN 2 TECHNOLOGY: Zebra, Texas Instruments and ThingMagic demonstrate Gen 2 technology, proving Zebra’s flexibility to handle RFID tags from multiple sources, to help accelerate the adoption of Gen 2 ...

RFID leaders collaborate to demonstrate RFID Gen2 performance ...

... "Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business and process improvement, recently collaborated with Texas Instruments and ThingMagic to demonstrate EPC Gen 2 tags from Texas Instruments in a Zebra printer/encoder during the EPCglobal Fast Moving Consumer Goods Business Action Group meeting in Houston, Texas. Zebra is the only company to successfully demonstrate printer/encoder communication with Gen 2 inlays from several leading suppliers. Highlighting the meeting’s Gen 2 Live theme, the demonstration featured Zebra’s R110Xi printer/encoder, embedded with ThingMagic’s RFID reader module and Texas Instruments’ EPC Gen 2 inlays incorporated into label rolls. " ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers’ real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company’s businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. 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.

Founded in 2000 and based in Cambridge, MA, ThingMagic is a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID), sensing and embedding computing technologies. Mercury4, ThingMagic’s fourth generation agile RFID reader, builds on and substantially enhances the company’s original platform created for early field tests of the Electronic Product Code (EPC). Designed to meet the business needs of a future where networked objects are pervasive, the Mercury4 line of RFID readers also includes an embedded reader, Mercury4e, and a handheld reader, Mercury4h. Mercury4 RFID readers are the only intelligent, network-ready RFID readers, and the only devices that can read any RFID tag.

Contactless RFID Payment Cards

Contactless RFID Payment Cards: VeriFone’s MX870 Brings Multi-Media to Multi-Lane Payments ...

The MX870 enables RFID smart payments ...

... "The MX870 projects a high-quality image on a ¼-VGA screen that is enhanced with available custom-branded face plates and features the smallest footprint available to conserve counter space. The MX870 enables consumers to pay their way with time-tested magnetic-stripe and touch technology as well as contactless RFID and EMV smart card payment cards, all meeting the industry’s latest security standards. With the highest read rate in the industry, wear-resistant touchscreen and modular design to accommodate future enhancements, the MX870 features the best total cost of ownership in the industry. " ...

VeriFone Holdings, Inc. (“VeriFone”) (NYSE: PAY), a global leader in secure electronic payment technologies, provides expertise, solutions and services for today with a migration strategy for tomorrow. VeriFone delivers solutions that add value to the point of sale, resulting in improved merchant retention and the generation of new sources of revenue for its partners and customers. VeriFone solutions are specifically designed to meet the needs of vertical markets including financial, retail, petroleum, government and healthcare. VeriFone has shipped over eleven million electronic payment systems since inception in 1981.

RFID Key Fobs: eCommerce Transactions

Federal Reserve Board’s Request for Comment regarding the proposed changes to Regulation E ... Wendy Nolan Sutton, Assistant Vice President, Credit & Check Programs, The TJX Companies, Inc.

... "Customers are accustomed to electronic consumer payments in many environments including eCommerce, telephone, gas stations, and other retail establishments. They see many sources for debit entries against their checking accounts: online and offline debit card transactions, use of RFID key fobs, conversion of their paper checks, and verbal or electronic approval when supplying routing and account number in a telephone or eCommerce transaction. " ...

RFID EPC Consulting Services ...

RFID EPC Consulting Services: VeriSign Acquires R4 Global Solutions from VeriSign, Inc.

... "VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, announced the acquisition of R4 Global Solutions, a leading provider of solution consulting services for companies evolving their supply chains with the implementation of RFID, Electronic Product Codes(EPC), and other data sources. VeriSign purchased R4 Global Solutions for $15 million in cash. " ...

VeriSign, Inc. operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable businesses and individuals to find, connect, secure, and transact across today's complex, global networks.

EPC Network Standards Implementation ...

Refactored Networks Open Sources EPCglobal Network Implementation ...

... "Refactored Networks, an Atlanta based RFID and supply chain management company, released the initial version of its implementation of several EPCglobal Network standards today. The xcEPC Core is a set of software components geared toward the more B2B aspects of the EPCglobal Network. " ...

Founded in 2004, Refactored Networks, LLC is a software and consulting company specializing in deploying RFID and EPCglobal Network based solutions for radically inexpensive but capable solutions for enterprises of all sizes. Refactored Networks believes that the power of the world's economy is in its small businesses and that the distinctions between consumers and small businesses are blurring beyond all useful recognition. Refactored Networks is a privately held company located in Atlanta, Georgia.

RFID Historical Perspectives ...

RF/ID ENABLES RAPID OFF-LOAD OF

Randall McClure and Thomas J. Kershaw write ...

... "While preparing final plans for loading its prepo ships in late 1994, the Army decided that radio frequency/identification (RFID) tag technology like that used in Haiti would aid in rapidly identifying the contents of containers deployed aboard the ships. After a series of feasibility meetings, the Army decided that soldiers could use handheld interrogators and RF tags affixed to shipping containers to locate quickly items packed in the thousands of containers arriving for a contingency. Handheld interrogators and RF tags manufactured by Savi Technology were selected for this task. Remarkably, this automatic identification technology could work even in an austere environment without computers or external power sources-exactly the conditions often found during the initial offloading of prepo container ships in an oversea theater. " ...

RFID Interrogator Infrastructure ...

Logistics Automation Support of OJE ...

Thomas Manzagol writes a personal account of some significant lessons learned in search of solutions to logistics support problems experienced during Operation Joint Endeavor ...

... "Early on, this small group of personnel, outfitted with aging M1010-series ambulances and a meager inventory of tools and repair parts, attached RF tags to containers, installed satellite transponders in vehicles, and trained unit personnel in the use of satellite, AMS, and RF technology. They built an initial RF interrogator infrastructure that eventually provided intransit and in-the-box visibility of consolidated shipments over an area of operational responsibility (AOR) that spanned nearly 1,000 miles. During the March meetings, when LIA was asked what support it could provide, the answer was clear-assist with the application of AIT, specifically RF and satellite tracking, and attempt to integrate disparate data from numerous sources. The first opportunity to do just that was the 1st Armored Division's redeployment. " ...

RFID Enables Travel Information System

Data Fusion For Delivering Advanced Traveler Information Services ...

... "Another source of traveler information comes from vehicular tags (RFID devices) that can be read by roadside readers on public roadways for the purpose of charging a user fee (toll tag), identifying vehicles (CVO registration or transit vehicles) or verifying credentials (WIM specifications). This information is usually available only to the public agency responsible for collecting a fee or processing traveler information. The information would be valuable for developing an improved understanding of trip distributions, but currently there are no institutional arrangements that allow for sharing this user information with ATIS service providers, public or private. Other sources of traveler information come from GPS-based systems, including certain types of Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems employed in certain transit systems and GPS-enabled probe vehicles. " ...

RFID Accelerator: ObjectStore Trading Accelerator Delivers Real-Time Event ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... ObjectStore(R) products are supporting RFID implementations, and are deployed in industries such as finance, telecommunications and travel, where companies ...

... ObjectStore, a leader in products for real-time data services, and an operating company of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), today announced a major update to ObjectStore(R) Trading Accelerator(TM), which provides financial trading houses with real-time market data capture, query and management, integrated with historical market data. With its newly available Event Query Language (EQL), ObjectStore Trading Accelerator allows trading houses to apply sophisticated "what-if" scenarios and analytics on incoming data sources and execute such real-time trading strategies as volume weighted average pricing (VWAP) analysis and program trading. ...

RFID Research ...

From CINT - Database of Government Nanotechnology Programs ...

... "Detection Tools and systems that may be used to monitor the performance of preventative measures (above and beyond those which are specifically supported under this topic) and detect or sense breaches in systems will be supported. Tools that enable nascent detection technologies to proliferate will be supported as well. The specific subtopics supported under this solicitation are as follows: 1. Terahertz sources and detectors 2. Systems utilizing hardened RFID and other modalities for secure supply chain management, traceability and counterfeit detection 3. Multi-scale integration tools including new-generation packaging to enable nano-micro-meso system integration 4. Compact, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and long-lived power supplies (e.g., for widely-disbursed wireless sensor networks) a. Biomimetic b. Energy-scavenging systems c. Photovoltaic systems d. Acoustic-voltaic systems e. Other systems that provide energy densities exceeding 1000 Wh/kg 5. Proteomic-based biometric systems (Note: NOT PCR-based) " ...

RFID shipment tracking Radio Frequency Identification ...

From Sealift -- HQ Highlights ...

... "an informative work group meeting on the newest technology in shipment tracking, Radio Frequency Identification. The Undersecretary of Defense has issued a directive stating that by 2005 all services must be using RFIDs on items purchased from commercial sources at the lot and pallet level. Government and private industry executives in the defense industry met at the conference to, among other things, hear about commercial retailers' use of the system. RFID technology uses tags that are electronically imbedded with key pieces of information about the tagged item. When a package is shipped or received, data collecting devices or portals automatically obtain the information needed from the tags. Items with the RFID tags do not have to be opened for contents to be verified. The system also eliminates the potential for incorrect data entry that occurs with manual input of shipping or receipt details. " ...

RFID shipment tracking Radio Frequency Identification ...

From Sealift -- HQ Highlights ...

... "an informative work group meeting on the newest technology in shipment tracking, Radio Frequency Identification. The Undersecretary of Defense has issued a directive stating that by 2005 all services must be using RFIDs on items purchased from commercial sources at the lot and pallet level. Government and private industry executives in the defense industry met at the conference to, among other things, hear about commercial retailers' use of the system. RFID technology uses tags that are electronically imbedded with key pieces of information about the tagged item. When a package is shipped or received, data collecting devices or portals automatically obtain the information needed from the tags. Items with the RFID tags do not have to be opened for contents to be verified. The system also eliminates the potential for incorrect data entry that occurs with manual input of shipping or receipt details. " ...

RFID shipment tracking Radio Frequency Identification ...

From Sealift -- HQ Highlights ...

... "an informative work group meeting on the newest technology in shipment tracking, Radio Frequency Identification. The Undersecretary of Defense has issued a directive stating that by 2005 all services must be using RFIDs on items purchased from commercial sources at the lot and pallet level. Government and private industry executives in the defense industry met at the conference to, among other things, hear about commercial retailers' use of the system. RFID technology uses tags that are electronically imbedded with key pieces of information about the tagged item. When a package is shipped or received, data collecting devices or portals automatically obtain the information needed from the tags. Items with the RFID tags do not have to be opened for contents to be verified. The system also eliminates the potential for incorrect data entry that occurs with manual input of shipping or receipt details. " ...

RFID shipment tracking Radio Frequency Identification ...

From Sealift -- HQ Highlights ...

... "an informative work group meeting on the newest technology in shipment tracking, Radio Frequency Identification. The Undersecretary of Defense has issued a directive stating that by 2005 all services must be using RFIDs on items purchased from commercial sources at the lot and pallet level. Government and private industry executives in the defense industry met at the conference to, among other things, hear about commercial retailers' use of the system. RFID technology uses tags that are electronically imbedded with key pieces of information about the tagged item. When a package is shipped or received, data collecting devices or portals automatically obtain the information needed from the tags. Items with the RFID tags do not have to be opened for contents to be verified. The system also eliminates the potential for incorrect data entry that occurs with manual input of shipping or receipt details. " ...

RFID Symposium: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED RADIO TECHNOLOGIES

... "7thANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED RADIO TECHNOLOGIES, ISART Forecasting the Future of Radio, 1 - 3 March 2005

The ISART technical program committee is soliciting papers for the 7th annual International Symposium on Advanced Radio Technologies (ISART) to be held in Boulder, Colorado March 1-3, 2005. These papers will discuss new technologies, research and development, innovative ideas, enabling technologies, standards, protocols, business practices and policies, and government regulation for the purpose of forecasting the future development and application of radio frequency technologies into the next decade.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Future of 802.16
Wireless/Hybrid LANs
New Wireless Convergence and Protocols
Software Defined/Cognitive Radios
Digital Video Broadcasting: Handhelds (DVB-H)
New Wireless Protocols
Voice over IP (VoIP)
IPv6
Global Mobile Communication Systems (2/2.5/3/4G)
Mobile VSATs
Broadband over Power Lines
GPS, Galileo, Glonass Interoperability and standards
2004 Olympics Communications Lessons Learned
Effective Spectrum Management
First Responder Communications
Human Computer Interface
Propagation Modeling in Urban Environment
VPN/Wireless Security
Mesh Networking
High Speed Digital Packet Access
Battery/Power Sources
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)
UWB Communications
Signal Compression
Conformal Antenna Design
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
Automatic Voice Recognition
Automatic Language Translation
Automatic Direction Finding Network
Network Services (Artificial Intelligence)
Quantum Computing" ...

RFID Sensors: AXCESS Adds Ammonia Detection Capability to RFID-based Sensor Tags

From PR Newswire (press release) ... (OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI.OB), a leading provider of Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems today announced the general availability of a unique ...

... AXCESS International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI.OB), a leading provider of Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems today announced the general availability of a unique, distributed ammonia detection and alerting system based upon its battery-powered RFID long range wireless tagging technology. The RFID system provides constant monitoring of harmful gas levels from sources which would be potentially toxic or explosive, if undetected leaks occur. ...

AXCESS International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI), headquartered in greater Dallas, TX, provides Active RFID (radio frequency identification) and video surveillance systems for physical security and supply chain efficiencies. The battery-powered (active) RFID tags locate, identify, track, monitor, count, and protect people, assets, inventory, and vehicles. AXCESS' Active RFID solutions are supported by its integrated network-based, streaming digital video (or IPTV) technology. Both patented technologies enable applications including: automatic "hands-free" personnel access control, automatic vehicle access control, automatic electronic asset management, sensor management, and network-based security surveillance. AXCESS is a partner company of Amphion Capital Partners LLC.

RFID RTLS: Sybase and AeroScout Partner to Deliver Integrated Wi-Fi Location ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... SYNOPSIS: New solution incorporates AeroScout's Active RFID and Real-Time Location System (RTLS) with the Sybase RFID offering, enabling centralized management ...

... Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY), a leading provider of enterprise infrastructure and mobile software, and AeroScout, a Wi-Fi standards-based enterprise visibility solutions provider, today announced availability of a mobile real-time RFID tracking solution. The combined solution allows organizations to quickly locate and determine availability of critical resources using Wi-Fi wireless network-based infrastructure, thereby improving asset utilization and enhancing service quality. The Sybase(R) mobile real-time RFID solution, which supports relational database management systems such as Sybase(R) Adaptive Server(R) Enterprise and SQL Anywhere(R) Studio, aggregates location data from AeroScout's active RFID solution, as well as other passive RFID sources, and delivers it to mobile devices such as smart phones and PDAs, including Palm and PocketPC. ...

AeroScout provides enterprise visibility solutions that bridge the gap between Wi-Fi, RFID and GPS. AeroScout enables standards-based location and presence-based applications for indoor and outdoor environments where real-time visibility of assets and people is required to drive revenues or cut costs. AeroScout is a privately held company based in San Mateo, Calif. Additional information is available at http://www.aeroscout.com. Celebrating 20 years of innovation, Sybase enables the Unwired Enterprise for customers and partners by delivering enterprise and mobile software solutions for information management, development and integration. The world's most critical data in commerce, communications, finance, government and healthcare runs on Sybase.

Smart Card: VeriFone, Inc.

From Sports Features Communications (press release), FL ... The all-in-one Omni 3750 is VeriFone's best-selling payment terminal, featuring EMV 4.0 smart card certification, triple DES (3DES) PIN security and up to 6MB ...

VeriFone, Inc., (http://www.verifone.com) recognized worldwide as the trusted leader in secure electronic payment technologies, provides expertise, solutions and services for today with a smart migration strategy for tomorrow. VeriFone is leading the industry in the delivery of solutions that add value to the point of sale, resulting in improved merchant retention and the generation of new sources of revenue for its partners and customers. VeriFone solutions are specifically designed to meet the needs of vertical markets including financial, retail, petroleum, government and healthcare. VeriFone has shipped over eleven million electronic-payment systems.

VeriFone's smart card product family incorporates a series of handheld and countertop peripheral products that support multiple options for secure PINpad and smart card applications at the point of sale. These products allow merchants to upgrade their existing POS systems to accept both debit and smart card forms of payment. VeriFone Smart Card solutions provide retailers with an easy migration path to upgrade installed terminals or electronic cash registers to support global smart card solutions based on EMV specifications. In addition, VeriFone products that feature integrated smart card readers with support for up to 4 Security Access Module (SAM) slots enable support for a broad range of smart card-based loyalty and electronic purse schemes.

Retail RFID: MaxID Banishes Checkout Queues

From Emediawire (press release) ... The company has developed a fully operational, unmanned checkout that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies to instantly identify a basket ...

MaxID Ltd, based in the United Kingdom, is the exclusive license holder and sole distributor of Sygade products and services in all markets outside Africa. Sygade is a developer and supplier of a broad range of innovative products, with the primary focus on the Auto Identification, Government, Electronic Payments and Retail sectors. The company develops products for end users and on an OEM basis. Using its in-house research and development facilities and track record for delivering innovative new products to market, Sygade has become a leading player in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) development.

SyGade is a leading developer and supplier of a broad range of innovative products, with the main focus on products for the Auto Identification, Government, Electronic Payments and Retail sectors. SyGade has considerable experience with regards to the conception of new products, the development of these products, and their subsequent production and supply. Production is mainly undertaken in Asia. RFID allows the ability to read, track and interrogate data on a non-contact basis over a range of near-touch to many meters. It is the most practical and intelligent means of collecting and managing identification data read over a distance. RFID technology consists of two main components: an RFID transponder tag and a Reader. SyGade specialises in the design and supply of RFID readers to be used by Systems Integrators, Value Added Resellers, OEM’s and other similar entities, as well as the supply of RFID development kits, and specially packaged transponder tags. General use transponder tags are available from various sources...

RFID Data Synchronization: QRS Puts RFID in Perspective

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Company Outlines Necessity of Data Sync Prior to RFID Adoption RICHMOND, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to the growing interest in Radio ...

QRS was founded in 1988 with the goal of automating paper-based transactions among retail trading partners to reduce costs and errors. Today, QRS drives collaboration among retailers, marketers/manufacturers and their suppliers around the world to improve supply chain performance and create brand differentiation. Our vision is to be the market leader in collaborative commerce solutions for the global retail trading community. QRS' comprehensive set of collaborative commerce solutions enables companies in retail to accelerate the speed of doing business, resolve problems across trading communities in real time, and bring new products to market faster with higher margins. At QRS, we manage the flow of critical commerce information and leverage our retail technology expertise to address fundamental industry challenges such as global data synchronization, mandate compliance, transaction management and global trade management. QRS solutions help over 10,000* customers expand into new markets and channels, improve operational efficiency and differentiate their brand. QRS Puts RFID in Perspective: To drive better customer and business interactions today, retailers must first focus on solving their data synchronization issues. By using QRS QuickSync to prepare internal data for UCCnet Services, suppliers are laying the foundation for future initiatives such as RFID, CPFR® and participation in the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). QRS QuickSync addresses internal data synchronization by consolidating item information from multiple sources into one centralized repository. By aligning product data from across the organization, multiple internal parties have a single view into the most up-to-date, accurate information.

RFID Chip: VeriChip Corporation Signs Master Product Purchase Agreement with ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... VeriChip is a miniaturized, radio frequency identification (RFID) device that can be used in a variety of security, financial, emergency identification and ...

VeriChip is a miniaturized, radio frequency identification (RFID) device that can be used in a variety of security, financial, emergency identification and other applications. About the size of a grain of rice, each VeriChip product contains a unique verification number and will be available in several formats, some of which will be insertable under the skin. The verification number is captured by briefly passing a proprietary scanner over the VeriChip. A small amount of radio frequency energy passes from the scanner energizing the dormant VeriChip, which then emits a radio frequency signal transmitting the verification number. In October 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that VeriChip was not a regulated device with regard to its security, financial, personal identification/safety applications but that VeriChip's healthcare information applications are regulated by the FDA. VeriChip Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Digital Solutions. For more information about VeriChip, visit www.adsx.com.

APPLIED DIGITAL SOLUTIONS is an advanced digital technology development company that focuses on a range of early warning alert, miniaturized power sources and security monitoring systems combined with the comprehensive data management services required to support them. Through its Advanced Wireless unit, the Company specializes in security-related data collection, value-added data intelligence and complex data delivery systems for a wide variety of end users including commercial operations, government agencies and consumers.

VeriChip Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSX), designs and manufactures a complete line of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Devices that can be used in a variety of security, financial, emergency identification, and other applications. The VeriChip miniaturized Radio Frequency Identifcation (RFID) Device is the core of all VeriChip applications. About the size of a grain of rice, each VeriChip contains a unique verification number, which can be used to access a subscriber-supplied database providing personal related information. And unlike conventional forms of identification, VeriChip cannot be lost, stolen, misplaced or counterfeited. Once implanted just under the skin, via a quick, painless outpatient procedure (much like getting a shot), the VeriChip can be scanned when necessary with a proprietary VeriChip scanner. A small amount of Radio Frequency Energy passes from the scanner energizing the dormant VeriChip, which then emits a radio frequency signal transmitting the individuals unique verification (VeriChipID) number. The VeriChip Subscriber Number then provides instant access to the Global VeriChip Subscriber (GVS) Registry - through secure, password protected web access to subscriber-supplied information. This data is maintained by state-of-the-art GVS Registry Operations Centers located in Riverside, California and Owings, Maryland.

Animal RFID Tracking: Swine Producer Protein Sources LLP Implements Digital Angel's ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... Digital Angel's proprietary PigSMART system features the Company's patented radio-frequency identification (RFID) microchips, e.Tags(TM), scanning systems and ...

The Digital Angel Corporation (AMEX:DOC) is a leading provider of sensor and communications technologies that enable secure and accurate identification, tracking, and condition monitoring of high-value mobile assets. The PigSMART™ System offers producers a swine management tool that automates data collection and storage on individual animals, personnel, and husbandry practices in a paperless manner. A system that can organize and provide instant information to facilitate the decision making process,as well as provide on-demand summary reports for trend analysis and efficiency assessments. Swine producers have long used numerical ear tags or tattoos to identify individual animals. Extensive data collection with these types of ID tools is time consuming and prone to transcription errors. The PigSMART™ System uses Destron electronic ear tags (TX12102S and TX11002) and data collection tools to automate the collection of critical information and events. Data is effortlessly put into electronic records which can easily be reviewed and shared with all parties involved in the production of pork.

Thin Film RFID Battery Power: Oak Ridge Micro-Energy Inc. Welcomes Vice President of ...

From Business Wire (press release) ... such as smart sensors that operate in harsh environments, security cards, wireless sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, semiconductor non ...

Thin-film rechargeable lithium batteries that are less than 15 micrometers (0.0006 inches) thick (about the thickness of Saran Wrap™) were developed by Dr. John B. Bates and his team of scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Unlike conventional batteries, thin film batteries can be deposited directly onto chips or chip packages in any shape or size, and when fabricated on plastics or thin metal foils, the batteries are quite flexible. Because of their unique features, thin-film batteries have a wide range of uses as power sources for consumer products such as non-volatile memory backup, smart cards, sensors, radio frequency identification tags, micro-sized devices, and medical products such as implantable defibrillators and neural stimulators. The small size and high-energy density of this new battery technology will improve existing consumer and medical products and enable the development of many new products.

RFID Data Management: TJX Completes Rapid Deployment of Netezza Data Warehouse...

From TMCnet ... future, Netezza's ability to scale easily ensures that NPS users are properly positioned to accommodate both corporate growth and new data sources, such as RFID...

EPC RFID Standards: Unified Group of ADC and RFID Industry Leaders Support Proposed EPC UHF Generation 2 RFID Standard

Group reaffirms support for rapid adoption of EPCglobal Inc. UHF Generation 2 RFID standard

TORONTO, April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Leading manufacturers and technology providers of data collection and RFID (radio frequency identification) have submitted an RFID protocol definition that would pave the way for rapid adoption of a new worldwide RFID standard known as EPC UHF Generation 2. Companies supporting the protocol include Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN - News), Impinj, Inc, SAMSys Technologies (SMY:TSX-VEN), Q.E.D Systems, UPM Rafsec and Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA - News) company, along with several others.
The proposed RFID definition currently is in development by EPCglobal Inc., an arm of UCC.EAN charged with establishing the EPC system. The proposed definition meets user requirements outlined by the world's leading retailers and others, including the U.S. Dept. of Defense, the companies said. It fully meets user requirements, works worldwide, meets international standards and provides a path to low-cost RFID tags and readers.

Together these companies represent multiple sources for every aspect of a fully implemented RFID system - chips, tag, and readers - as well as manufacturers of barcode and 2-D symbology equipment, wireless networks, mobile computers and terminals, software companies and RFID system manufacturers and integrators.

RFID is a complement to industry's current bar code-based tracking systems, allowing companies to automatically track inventory throughout an entire supply chain. RFID automatic data collection typically does not require line of sight or manual scanning, as do most bar code-based systems. For example, information from RFID-tagged cases on a pallet can be read automatically using fixed, mobile or handheld readers rather than requiring individual bar code scanning. EPC UHF Generation 2 RFID technology adds the capability to change and update the information on each tag as it proceeds, providing new levels of up-to-date information for better decision-making.

EPCglobal Inc., a joint venture of the standards bodies EAN International and the Uniform Code Council, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing and overseeing standards for the newly emerging Electronic Product Code. As part of that work, EPCglobal Inc. participants are leading the development of standards for the use of RFID technology in a number of industries, including retail supply chains.

About SAMSys Technologies Inc.

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 Venture Exchange under the symbol: "SMY". The Company has a total of 45.1 million shares outstanding. Visit SAMSys at: www.samsys.com and www.investorfile.com.

RFID: The X-Change Corporation's Subsidiary AirGate Technologies Opens RFID Lab in Allen, Texas

DALLAS, April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirGate Technologies, Inc.,
a wholly owned subsidiary of the X-Change Corporation
(OTC Bulletin Board: XCHC), announced the opening of a new RFID lab in its
corporate office in Allen, Texas.

In response to growing global demand for RFID solutions and requests from
potential customers, AirGate is conducting "smart label" testing and label
orientation and association studies with various tag readers in its RFID lab.

"The AirGate lab allows us to interact directly with our Matrix Analytic
Engines in a controlled environment, operating with customer supplied data,"
said Mike Sheriff, CEO of AirGate Technologies. "The lab-based research is a
first step toward developing consistent performance between tags and readers, but it in no way replaces testing in the customer's actual environment.

"The work we are doing in our lab is an effort to resolve many
industry-wide questions about tag design, a tag's orientation on the 'package'
(case or pallet), and its readability by various readers. Our engineering
team is working with antennas, their placement, and 'tuning' of tags where
required."

AirGate's development team is made up of engineers experienced in network
integration and control systems, VoIP, database development and major
application development in Windows and Unix environments. AirGate engineers have developed and deployed large-scale network management systems involving diverse hardware, nodes and simultaneous real-time events emanating from various data sources, including device, user interaction and alarms. This involved auto-discovery of IP devices and high-level presentation through a GUI interface. This is directly applicable to RFID, with huge amounts of data from tags, readers and gateways.

About RFID
RFID is an information management tool that employs miniature RF
transmitters, sometimes called 'smart labels' or 'smart tags', that are
attached to product packages, cases, pallets and shipping containers to
communicate their cargo's identification data via radio waves to 'readers'
that allow a tagged item to be tracked every step of its journey from
component stage in the assembly plant to final manufacture, shipping, and
movement through all points in the distribution channel, all the way to the
retail shelf and eventual purchase by the end user.

About AirGate Technologies
AirGate Technologies is a development stage company specializing in
wireless data management technologies. The company designs and develops
applications utilized in RFID ("radio frequency identification") deployments.
AirGate will deliver RFID solutions in selected vertical markets built around
a data management and integration strategy. This strategy is designed to
ensure rapid market penetration and maximum return on investment. Please
visit http://www.airgatetech.com for more information.

About The X-Change Corporation
The X-Change Corporation was organized to seek merger or acquisition
candidates. The company intends to acquire interests in emerging technology
opportunities that it believes will generate significant revenues and return a
profit to shareholders. AirGate Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of
the X-Change Corporation. Please visit http://www.x-changecorp.com for further information.

For further information, please contact: Bevo Beaven, Vice President,
bevo@ctapr.com, or Carl Thompson, Principal, carl@ctapr.com, both of CTA
Public Relations, +1-303-665-4200.

Hitachi shows off RFID dust

From The Inquirer, Mar 19, 2004 ... JAPANESE GIANT HITACHI was showing off a mysterious bottle full of tiny blue metallic things. We asked at the stand what these were and a representative declined to comment what this blue dust was. However it has transpired according to sources close to the company that this blue dust is tracking material capable of being built into any number of devices from soaps to CDs ...

Current Assessment of the RFID Job Landscape (February 2004) ...

Based on information from external data sources on RFID job postings, the RFID job market looks like this:

32% of the RFID job openings are in the RFID Sales domain, with job titles such as RFID Sales Manager or RFID Channel Manager.

27% of the RFID job market is in the RFID Services domain, with job titles such as RFID Consultant, RFID Application Engineer, and RFID Field Specialist.

41% of the RFID job openings are in RFID Technology domain, with job titles such as RFID Engineering Manager, RFID Systems Manager, RFID Product Engineer.

There is significant growth in the RFID job market with a 27% monthly-sequential increase in RFID-related job openings in early 2004, when comparing January and February openings with the 4th Quarter of 2003. This should be a productive year for job seekers with translatable RFID work experience. Now is a good time to embark on an RFID career or make a career transition into the RFID field.

Good luck with your job search.