RFID California Toll Contract

Sirit RFID tech will drive California toll solution. The IDentity Title 21 transponder is a small radio frequency identification (RFID) device designed for Sirit's Electronic Toll Collection and advanced Traffic Management Systems. ...

... "contract worth approximately US$10.6 million over three years from the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) in Southern California. Upon Board approval, Sirit will enter into an agreement to supply its Title 21-based RFID transponders following the completion of the existing contract. Sirit anticipates the new contract to be approved on or about June 14, 2007 with shipments to begin in July 2007. " ...

Via Sirit: Sirit Selected for US$10.6M Renewal Toll Contract

RFID Transportation Logistics Solution

Datatrac adds Radio Frequency Identification Data (RFID) collection capabilities to the eTrac shipment tracking system in partnership with Psion Teklogix and KonaWare to enable real-time track and trace capabilities for logistics. ...

... "By leveraging cutting-edge RFID equipped handheld computers from Psion Teklogix and KonaWare's Mobility Platform, Datatrac's eTrac system automatically tracks complete shipment information in real-time from order entry through delivery, invoicing, reconciliation and settlement. Users can now track packages with increased accuracy and obtain specific shipment custody information. Moreover, the RFID capabilities work seamlessly with existing Datatrac systems. " ...

Via TechLinks: Datatrac Enhances Transportation Logistics Solution with RFID Technology ...

RFID Adaptive Supply Chain Networks

SAP upgrades its transportation management functionality, as part of the mySAP Supply Chain Management (mySAP SCM) modules to support adapting business processes to optimize revenue across global trade operations. The upgraded software will support ocean shipping management and transportation planning through increased visibility and control of shipments globally. Transportation management costs will be reduced by making the business process more flexible and dynamic using real world aware practices, such as RFID technology. RFID technology integration into the adaptive supply chain will occur through SAP's NetWeaver platform. SAP reports that its existing transportation management software is used by more than 2,200 companies worldwide. This upgrade positions SAP as a strong competitor in the supply chain logistics software market. ...

... "Powered by the SAP NetWeaver platform and leveraging emerging technologies and real world aware practices - using technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, smart cards and sensors - mySAP SCM transforms traditional, linear supply chains into adaptive supply chain networks to meet the challenges of rapidly changing market dynamics. These adaptive supply chain networks allow all participants, including suppliers and logistics providers, to sense changes in demand and supply conditions as they occur and to share the critical knowledge needed to respond intelligently. The result is an adaptive supply chain network that is not only demand-driven but can also leverage its assets to influence demand where appropriate. mySAP SCM offers a dynamic synchronization of demand-driven planning, logistics and network execution based on real-time information that provides the capability to synchronize supply with demand by balancing push and pull network planning processes and to replenish and produce based on actual demand; sense and respond with an adaptive supply chain network in which distribution, transportation and logistics are driven and integrated into real-time planning processes; and enable network wide visibility, collaboration and analytics across the extended supply chain. " ...

Via SAP: SAP Helps Companies Meet the Challenges and Reduce the Costs of Global Trade ...

Solar RFID: RPI Pilot

RPI pilots solar-powered RFID readers to collect traffic data and monitor flow. The portable RFID reader has the potential to decrease traffic congestion and enable travel time estimation in real-time, using intelligence dynamically about work zones, events, etc. When fully networked, the RFID-enable database can recommend the best driving routes and avoid construction zones and accidents. ...

... "In the coming months, the units will be deployed to collect traffic data during the morning commute on busy Capital Region roads. The portable units, which are based on the same technology as E-ZPass tag readers, could eventually be used to provide valuable data for a variety of applications, from decreasing congestion in work zones to assisting emergency evacuations. A portable, solar-powered tag reader that collects data to monitor traffic flow. The research is funded through a $3.9 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to the Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Studies (CITS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. " ...

Via Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Portable, Solar-Powered Tag Readers Could Improve Traffic Management

RFID Gen2 Chip Supply for Alien ...

Tower Semi will manufacture Generation 2 RFID chips for Alien Technology. ...

... "Tower Semiconductor Ltd., a pure-play independent specialty foundry, announced that it is the manufacturing supplier for Alien Technology's internally-designed Gen 2 RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) integrated circuits. These ICs recently achieved the EPCGlobal certification mark. The RFID ICs are produced at Tower's Fab2 in an advanced 0.18-micron manufacturing process. Market analysts forecast the RFID IC's market to grow significantly to between $500 millions and $1 Billion by 2010, mainly due to the Gen 2 impact. RFID tags help enable supply chain efficiency, visibility and security and are being deployed in retail, defense, transportation and health markets. Some of the implementation initiatives are being led by major US retailers. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 13 federal agencies are already using or plan to deploy RFID technology. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), has mandated RFID's use across its suppliers for increased supply chain visibility and improved forecasting. The newly certified Alien Gen 2 RFID chips include some new CMOS devices which were jointly developed with Tower. IC development efforts focused on the low-power requirements for such an RFID tag which draws its power solely from transmitted Radio Frequency energy. " ...

RFID Gen2 Chip Supply for Alien: Via Tower Semiconductor: Tower Semiconductor Manufactures Gen 2 RFID Tags for Alien Technology ...

Java RFID Sensor Community ...

Sun launches community for RFID sensor development using Java as the software foundation. ...

... "RFID (radio frequency identification) and sensor-based applications are being used increasingly in a variety of industries, including manufacturing retail health care, pharmaceuticals, transportation, logistics, aerospace and government. They can dramatically reduce costs for companies, increase operational efficiencies, improve security and accountability of assets, and help ensure the authenticity and integrity of products. However, the complexity of developing and integrating RFID and sensor solutions can slow adoption while developers come up to speed.

The Sun RFID Community has grown out of the experiences of technical collaboration among internal Sun experts and the more than 350 members of Sun's RFID Partner Advantage program. Any developer can access the Sun RFID and Sensor Community by joining Java.Net. Members of the Sun RFID Community can participate in e-mail lists, code-building projects, and community activities. The Sun Java System RFID Software, toolkits and documentation are freely available for download. " ...

Java RFID Sensor Community: Via Sun Microsystems: Sun Launches New RFID and Sensor Community for Java Developers ...

RFID Staff-Less Library System ...

RFID-enabled library system caters to riders of public transportation in Taiwan . ...

... "The staff-less computer-operated library employs a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a self check-in and check-out system, allowing residents to enter the library by inserting a RFID library card ... " ...

RFID Staff-Less Library System: Via Taipei Times: Staff-less library opens at MRT station ...

RFID Network Information Service ...

Savi Networks ramps up RFID information service in Asia ...

... "Savi Networks, operator of the RFID-enhanced global information service for container shipments, announced that SaviTrak information services is now fully operational at major port facilities in Asia. The SaviTrak information service that enables automated tracking, management, and security is now commercially available at two of the world’s busiest ocean terminals -- in Hong Kong and Shenzhen (China). Savi began developing the SaviTrak solution commercially in 2002 as a provider of networking technology to the Smart and Secure Tradelanes initiative, which included thousands of RFID-tagged container journeys from origins in Indonesia, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany and South Africa. The system was further refined in several other global transportation security initiatives, including the STAR BEST program conducted in cooperation with the Asia Pacific Economic Coalition (APEC) , and with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) in a South Africa-to-Europe program. " ...

RFID Network Information Service: Via Savi Technology: SAVI NETWORKS EXTENDS RFID-ENHANCED SAVITRAK™ INFORMATION SERVICES TO PORTS IN HONG KONG AND CHINA: SaviTrak and RFID Network Infrastructure Now Fully Operational at Key Asian Ports to Track, Manage and Secure Global Container Shipments in Real-time ...

RFID Journal LIVE! 2006 Announced ...

... "RFID Journal LIVE! 2006, its 4th annual conference and exhibition will be held May 1-3, 2006, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. RFID Journal LIVE! 2006 will feature many of the leading early adopters in five key industry segments: Retail/Consumer Goods; Defense/Aerospace; Transportation/Logistics; Health Care/Pharmaceutical, and Manufacturing industries. Business leaders from the leading companies in these industries will be presenting case studies and applied examples of profitable and efficient ways to utilize RFID. " ...

Via RFID Journal: RFID JOURNAL Announces Unparalleled Speaker Lineup for RFID Journal LIVE! 2006

RFID in Military Deployments ...

RFID technology has role in the logistics of military deployments. DOD RFID policy was development from experiences in
logistics and operational requirements during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). ...

... "Radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies are being used by the military to provide visibility of items moving across the Defense Transportation System (DTS), as well as for asset visibility. RFIDs are a type of automatic identification system that has been available in commercial systems for a number of years. An RFID system enables data to be transmitted by a portable device called a tag. A tag is activated by an RFID interrogator and then transmits data stored on it. That information is read (by RFID), processed, and stored according to the needs of a particular application or information system. Typically, applications are in the fields of logistics, inventory control, rail yard asset management, and vehicle tracking. " ...

RFID in Military Deployments: Via FHWA Office of Operations: Coordinating Military Deployments on Roads and Highways - Chapter 5. Technologies Supporting Military Deployments

DataRich Active RFID: Nato SupplyChain ...

NATO awards Savi contract to sustain operations of its RFID-based network, built to track the supply chain between Europe and Afghanistan. ...

... "The contract followed a year-long assessment of the RFID backbone Savi deployed for NATO. The contract calls for purchase of additional data-rich active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and readers as well as network wide software enhancements to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supply chain, stretching from the Netherlands and Germany through Uzbekistan to Kabul in Afghanistan.

The contract calls for purchase of additional data-rich active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and readers as well as network wide software enhancements to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supply chain, stretching from the Netherlands and Germany through Uzbekistan to Kabul in Afghanistan.

The new NATO contract calls for additional units of Savi’s readers (Savi Reader SR-650) to be placed at key transportation nodes along the ISAF Network, more Savi tags (ST-654) to be affixed to containers and air pallets, and for a network wide software upgrade to CMS 1.0, which will be hosted at NC3A’s facility in The Hague, Netherlands, where CMS will interface with the NATO LOGFAS Logistics IT system. " ...

DataRich Active RFID: Nato SupplyChain: Via Savi Technology: NATO AWARDS SAVI TECHNOLOGY A NEW CONTRACT FOR RFID NETWORK UPGRADES TO TRACK DEFENSE CONSIGNMENTS: Savi’s New SmartChain® Consignment Management Solution Brings Real-Time Visibility of Joint Force, Multi-National Shipments from Europe to Afghanistan ...

Additional references on the NATO RFID supply chain network:

Focus on DLA: "In fact, asset tracking has become a NATO interest item with the recognition of the inability of traditional materiel management techniques to trace individual assets accurately. The 1998 NATO Ministerial Guidance prioritized the achievement of a common standard asset tracking system through the establishment of the Asset Tracking Interservice Working Group. "

International Asset Tracking & Materials Handling Standardization: "The aim of NATO standardization is to enhance the Alliance's operational effectiveness, achieve the closest practicable cooperation among forces, and to improve efficiency in the use of available resources. LOGSA PSCC supports NATO standardization under the NATO Standardization Agency for asset tracking and materials handling as to increase multinational force compatibility (MFC). As our defense resources diminish, we can make more efficient use of resources through MFC. Our prime goal is to establish Standardization Agreements (STANAGs), which are agreements among several or all 19 member nations to adopt like or similar military equipment, ammunition, supplies, and stores; and operational, logistic, and administrative procedures. "

Supply Chain Systems Transformation - Portfolio Management - Milestones: "IUID STANAG ratification by NATO Asset Tracking Working Group"

Korean RFID Certification: Savi Active Tags ...

Korean government certifies Savi active RFID tags and readers. ...

Korean RFID Certification: Savi Active Tags: Via Savi Technology: SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT CERTIFIES SAVI TECHNOLOGY’S ACTIVE RFID SUPPLY CHAIN PRODUCTS OPERATING AT 433.92 MHz: Certification of Active RFID Tags and Readers Allows Commercial Deployment of Savi’s Real-Time Supply Chain Solutions in Asian Transportation Region ...

... "Savi Technology, a leading provider of RFID-based supply chain solutions, has become certified by the South Korean Government to use the 433.92 MHz radio frequency band for active RFID tags and readers. The decision by the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) supports the ISO 18000-7 (International Standardization Organization) standard operating at the 433.92 MHz frequency, and enables deployment of Savi's RFID-based solutions in this regionally and strategically important supply chain region. South Korea, one of Asia's largest trading partners with the United States, ships about 900,000 TEUs (20-foot long container equivalents) between the countries annually. Specifically, MIC granted certification for the Savi Tag ST-654, a high performance, data-rich active RFID tag with transmission ranges up to 300 feet suited for various applications including tracking shipping containers, vehicles and other large assets; and, the Savi Fixed Reader SR-650, a highly reliable data collection system for real-time, end-to-end visibility of goods and critical assets moving through the supply chain. These products are based on proven technology Savi has deployed globally for more than a decade, and can be seamlessly integrated with Savi's SmartChain Enterprise platform and Savi's software applications for a number of supply chain solutions, including Asset Management, Transportation Security, Consignment Management and Chemical Chain of Custody. " ...

RFID SupplyChain Visibility Security ...

Universal Guardian sees increased revenue from new products, such as its RFID-enabled global supply chain visibility and security system. ...

RFID SupplyChain Visibility Security: Universal Guardian Records 5th Consecutive Quarterly Revenue Increase and Largest Quarterly Revenue to Date ...

... "We also launched our ISR Systems Trusted Shipper™ global supply chain security program with two new ground-breaking systems: The SupplyChain Guardian™ source-based RFID global supply chain security and visibility system and the Container Guardian™ integrated and interoperable internal container tracking system. " ...

ISR Systems, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Guardian Holdings, Inc., provides multi-level secure, security systems that facilitate surveillance, threat detection and tracking to protect inter-modal transportation, seaport and airport facilities, and critical infrastructure from asymmetrical terrorist and security threats. ISR turn key sourced-based SupplyChain Guardian™ RFID systems and Container Guardian™ systems provide increased supply chain efficiencies, visibility and security with automated monitoring and decision support from command and control centers in North America, Europe and Asia to coordinate notification to shippers, customers and tactical responses among multiple agencies to interdict or respond to potential security threats.

RFID Growth Europe 5BnEuro ...

Recent market research shows growth of RFID technology in Europe to cross 5Bn Euro mark in 2007. ...

RFID Growth Europe 5BnEuro: Via RNCOS: The burgeoning RFID R&D centers across Europe

... "RFID has recently generated large-scale interest in Europe. This region has seen substantial research and development processes undertaken by a large number of RFID and contact less application vendors and developers. Nordic and Scandinavian regions are also characterized by a credible market for RFID. The new report, RFID Industry (2005-2007) - An Update (Insight to European Market), published by RNCOS, a renowned market research firm, provides a comprehensive coverage of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, as the projects related to RFID technology have begun to thrive in various markets such as retail, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and livestock. The expert team of RNCOS has examined the changes occurring in the business processes and market sizes in the European RFID industry. Market analysis shows that RFID spending on hardware, software, and services in Europe is estimated to cross 5bn Euro in 2007. The major reason being the adoption of latest technology by the firms to ensure an efficient RFID supply chain model. " ...

RFID China Partnership: Printing Solutions

Zebra partners to deliver RFID and printing solutions to the Chinese market. ...

RFID China Partnership: Printing Solutions: Via Zebra Tech: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGITAL CHINA JOIN FORCES TO BRING BEST-OF-BREED PRINTING SOLUTIONS TO CHINESE ENTERPRISES: Largest and most recognized brand in the bar code and RFID industry partners with China's pioneer IT distributor to bring industry-leading solutions to Chinese customers ...

... "A signing ceremony, held earlier today in Beijing with Digital China, marks a milestone for Zebra's PartnersFirst channel development program in China. Launched in March 2003, Zebra's PartnersFirst program was designed to help deliver value-driven bar code, wireless and RFID-based solutions to a wide range of end customers in industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, government, transportation, logistics and more. Globally, the program has been successful earning a five-star rating (out of five) from VARBusiness Magazine. A redesigned program for the China market was launched last year. Today's alliance with Digital China is significant to Zebra's development, and testament to its increasing growth and commitment to this dynamic market. Under the terms of the agreement, Digital China will become Zebra's value added distributor (VAD) in China's auto-ID field. The alliance will enable Digital China to expand its presence in this lucrative market. Currently, Digital China’s distribution network and wide-reach is unparalleled, with access to over 6000 agents throughout Greater China. " ...

Digital China Holdings Limited was spun off from Legend Holdings Limited and separately listed on the mainboard of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited on 1 June 2001 (HK:0861) . Digital China is the number one IT products distributor and systems integrator as well as a leading networking product developer in China. The company provides hardware and software solutions to its clients, with a strong focus to add value to them. Digital China engages in three groups of businesses: Distribution, Systems, and Services.

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 nearly five million printers, including wireless/mobile solutions and RFID printer/encoders, and also offers software, connectivity solutions, and printing supplies.

Toyota RFID Project: Accelerated Processes ...

Toyota project will implement Alien RFID technology to drive accelerated supply chain processes. Anticipated benefits exceed the RFID project's capex investment. ...

Toyota RFID Project: Accelerated Processes: Via Alien Technology: Toyota South Africa Motors Ltd. Selects Alien Technology® RFID Solution for Vehicle Identification: Automated vehicle tracking will accelerate throughput of produced assets in the supply chain, resulting in reduction of time to invoice dealers and thus time-to-cash ...

... "Traditionally, RFID-based vehicle tracking applications have been hampered by the use of costly microwave systems and proprietary RFID protocols. Toyota's application will benefit from the use of open, global-standard EPC RFID technology that combines consistent reads, even in a heavy metallic environment, with the ability to leverage extremely low-cost RFID tags. In Toyota's implementation, an Alien RFID tag will be applied to each vehicle during production. The tags will then be accurately read by field-proven Alien ALR-9780 readers at ranges exceeding six meters as the vehicle is tracked from within the Assembly Plant, through the Plant Exit, into, through and out of the Vehicle Distribution Yard. The resulting precision tracking will enable Toyota to both streamline and accelerate its vehicle shipping and invoicing processes, and thus its time-to-cash. According to Stoop, the anticipated savings on interest for the targeted reduction of Stock (vehicles-on rubber) of one day is expected to more than off-set the CAPEX for this RFID Project. " ...

Toyota South Africa, established in 1961, has been the overall market leader in terms of domestic vehicle sales for more than 25 consecutive years. The company has now been integrated into the global supplier network of Toyota Motor Corporation after TMC took a 75% majority shareholding in the company in 2002. The current production capacity of Toyota SA’s plant in Durban is in excess of 100 000 vehicles annually. This is set to expand to 220 000 units per annum by 2008. The South African operation now exports built up units to both Australia and Europe.

Alien Technology Corporation is a leading provider of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products for global customers in government, retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and other industries. Using its patented manufacturing process, Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA®), Alien manufactures EPC tags in very high-volumes and at low cost. The company provides a family of RFID readers for a variety of applications including supply chain management, logistics, and anti-counterfeiting, to improve inventory management and reduce operating costs. Alien is an active member of EPCglobal.

RFID Industry Consolidation: BEA Acquisition

RFID middleware and service oriented architectures SOA are an enabling infrastructure for the RFID future. Consolidation in the RFID industry continues, as BEA Systems acquires ConnecTerra, a leading RFID middleware technology provider, to drive their SOA vision to the edge ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: BEA Acquisition: Via BEA Systems: BEA Acquires Pioneering Provider of RFID Infrastructure Software; Extends Infrastructure Offering to the Edge: ConnecTerra Adds World-Class RFID Expertise and Products to the BEA Infrastructure Portfolio; Can Help Companies Integrate Growing Volumes of Supply Chain Data Using SOA ...

... "BEA Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: BEAS), today announced the acquisition of ConnecTerra, a privately-held pioneer in RFID middleware technology based in Cambridge, Mass. The acquisition is designed to immediately extend the range of the BEA infrastructure portfolio to easily integrate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and other device data as liquid assets available across a company's business units, applications and processes. The acquisition can help customers address the growing amount of RFID data captured across supply chains. ... ConnecTerra's RFID infrastructure software is designed to provide the core communications, security, policy and device management services which can be used to integrate devices into a wide range of applications. This includes software at the edge for filtering and device management at the local store, manufacturing plant or distribution center level; enterprise level software for centralized RFID data management; and compliance software to address RFID retail and defense mandates. BEA can augment ConnecTerra’s RFID software with its industry-leading infrastructure components to help provide a complete solution for customers looking to build new RFID enabled business processes. ConnecTerra and BEA have already worked together successfully over the past year with key customers to create market-specific solution bundles for pallet and case tracking applications in retail as well as mobile asset tracking in transportation. " ...

RFID Chemical ChainofCustody: DowChemical ...

RFID Chemical ChainofCustody: DowChemical: Savi Technology: SAVI TECHNOLOGY’S CHEMICAL CHAIN OF CUSTODY SOLUTION SELECTED TO TRACK AND ACCOUNT FOR PRODUCT SHIPMENTS: Savi’s Enterprise-Wide Solution Platform designated as Most Effective Technology by Dow Chemical to Manage Mobile Assets Such as Totes, Cylinders, Trucks and Rail Cars ...

... "This contract with Savi followed an extensive selection process based on Six Sigma measurement standards. The Savi Chemical Chain of Custody Solution is now live at Dow AgroSciences, tracking selected products and containers from origin to customer and back. The Dow Chemical Company, which serves customers in 175 countries in a wide range of markets, chose the Savi Chemical Chain of Custody Solution to further enhance Dow's product stewardship. The solution also reduces risk associated with theft, diversion, product contamination and tampering, spilling and other dangers,