RFID Readiness Conference: Explore Opportunities ...

Upcoming conference at University of Alabama will explore opportunities to leverage RFID technology. ...

... "To help explain what opportunities exist, the Northeast Alabama Regional Small Business Development Center is presenting, RFID: Are You Ready? The daylong conference is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. " ...

Via Huntsville Times: Conference will introduce RFID to area businesses

China RFID: Postal Efficiency ...

Symbol enables efficiency in China (Shanghai Post Office) through RFID technology that automates tracking. ...

... "Symbol's RFID technology enabled Shanghai Post to automatically track the status of mail bags en route from individual post offices to various collection and sortation centers within Shanghai. The current process of tracking the mail bags involves bar coded tags, which while reliable, does require some manual intervention. China Post has verified that RFID technology can reduce the amount of time it takes to process the mail bags, because the bags can be automatically tracked as they move through various points in their processing cycle.

China Post has deployed Symbol's ruggedized and reusable RFID tags, XR400 RFID fixed readers, high-performance area antennas, and MC9000 mobile computers. Symbol's XR400 RFID reader automates high-performance RFID tag reading and writing and is certified by EPCglobal for full Gen 2 dense-reader mode support, and provides China Post with accurate read rates in environments where multiple readers have the potential to create interference with one another. The success of this project was due to close collaboration between Shanghai Post's operations team, Concord Unity and Symbol Technologies. Through joint cooperation, all parties were able to design and deliver a solution that met all of China Post's requirements. " ...

China RFID: Postal Efficiency: Via Symbol Technologies: China Post Selects Symbol for Express Mail Bag Tracking and Monitoring ...

RFID SENTRI Rapid Inspection Technology ...

US CBP needs remaining Sentri users to upgrade to the latest RFID rapid inspection technology. ...

... "U.S. Customs and Border Protection urged San Diego and Tijuana area SENTRI participants who have not yet swapped their old fast pass vehicle transponder for the new RFID decal to make the conversion immediately or face loss of privileges. Of the 37,176 vehicles currently enrolled in the San Diego-Tijuana Secure Electronic Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) program, about 8,200 still need to be converted to a newer technology Radio Frequency Identification decal that will provide secure occupant information to CBP officers as the vehicles enter ports of entry from Mexico. Detection equipment at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry that reads the old windshield-mounted transponder will be turned off on Thursday, June 22, replaced by newer equipment that reads an RFID chip embedded within the official SENTRI windshield decal, officials said. The vehicle conversion does not require an appointment and requires about 20 minutes to complete at the Otay Mesa passenger port, said James Hynes, director of the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa passenger ports of entry. " ...

RFID SENTRI Rapid Inspection Technology: Via U.S. Customs and Border Protection: SENTRI Users Urged to Upgrade to Newer Technology Now ...

Hoboken RFID Parking Permits ...

Hoboken implements software, mobile computers, and RFID technology to enable better management of residential parking permits. ...

... "Hoboken is one of the first municipalities in the United States to implement RFID in this way. Hoboken parking enforcement officers were finding it difficult to distinguish the permits of residents with extended parking privileges from those of city visitors with more limited privileges tinted windows, weather conditions and inconsistent permit placement were all challenges. As residential Hoboken parking permits become more valuable, officers have also noticed a rise in illegally issued and counterfeit permits. The combination of PayLock's RFID Permit Management software running on Symbol RFID rugged mobile computers enables Hoboken parking officers to rapidly read the parking permit information stored on the RFID tag, allowing them to easily identify illegally parked vehicles and those using counterfeit permits.

The city of Hoboken's solution consists of Symbol MC9000-G RFID mobile computers running PayLock software to read Symbol passive RFID tagged parking permits. With this integrated solution, Hoboken parking enforcement officials can do away with the laborious car-by-car inspections that were previously needed to determine whether a permit was real or counterfeit. The RFID tags, which are embedded in the parking permits, contain an identification number that is stored in a permit database. This database holds the information on the vehicle and the type of permit issued, defining where a vehicle can legally park. Valid tags and associated information are synchronized to the Symbol mobile computers daily, allowing parking officers to validate if a car is permitted to park in a particular location at a particular time. PayLock's RFID Permit Management software also allows the city of Hoboken to greatly reduce the cost and effort associated with issuing new permits every year permit holders are now able to renew online through a 24/7 call center and have their existing permit extended immediately. " ...

Hoboken RFID Parking Permits: Via Symbol Technologies: Symbol RFID Solution Helps City of Hoboken Battle Parking Permit Counterfeiting: Innovative RFID Solution Helps Manage City Parking Demands ...

RFID Human Identification: Appropriate Uses ...

Broad use of RFID technology for human identification is not supported at this time by the DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee, due to the increase in privacy and abuse risks. ...

... "There appear to be specific, narrowly defined situations in which RFID is appropriate for human identification. Miners or firefighters might be appropriately identified using RFID because speed of identification is at a premium in dangerous situations and the need to verify the connection between a card and bearer is low. But for other applications related to human beings, RFID appears to offer little benefit when compared to the consequences it brings for privacy and data integrity. Instead, it increases risks to personal privacy and security, with no commensurate benefit for performance or national security. Most difficult and troubling is the situation in which RFID is ostensibly used for tracking objects (medicine containers, for example), but can be in fact used for monitoring human behavior. These types of uses are still being explored and remain difficult to predict. " ...

Via The DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee: The Use of RFID for Human Identification: A DRAFT REPORT (PDF) ...

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 Printer SAP AutoID Certified ...

Printronix RFID print solution achieves AutoID certification with SAP infrastructure. ...

... "Printronix Inc., the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, announced that its radio frequency identification (RFID) label printing solution has achieved SAP certified integration. SAP has certified the Printronix XML Forms Module 1.0 for integration with the Device Controller Interface of SAP(R) Auto-ID Infrastructure Release 2.1 and the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform in Printronix's 5r Multi-Technology Thermal Printing Platform. With this certified solution, Printronix customers can expect low-cost, rapid integration of RFID label printing into SAP solution-based environments. The pre-designed label templates, XML test files and label-design software yield the dual benefits of lower maintenance and increased reliability. This scalable solution grows with users' information-processing needs, eliminating need for costly middleware. SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure 2.1 enables RFID-based supply chain management (SCM) and supply chain execution processes across the enterprise. Printronix worked with SAP to enable smart label creation within SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure 2.1 on the industry's best-selling RFID printers and encoders. " ...

RFID Printer SAP AutoID Certified: Via Printronix Printers: Printronix RFID Label Printing Solution Achieves SAP Certified Integration ...

European RFID Reader

Symbol launches European RFID reader compliant with ETSI standards and based on Microsoft Windows CE OS. ...

... "The XR480 reader builds on Symbol's commercially proven XR400 RFID reader platform and supports the European ETSI 302-208 standard reliable read performance for today's industrial-scale RFID implementations. The XR480 also delivers Generation 2 (Gen 2) dense-reader mode operation which enables the flexibility to support the European standard as it evolves. The XR480 is the only commercially available EPC-compliant RFID reader approved for use in Europe to provide support for up to eight read points which helps decrease deployment complexity and increases flexibility. The Symbol XR480 is also the first commercially available EPC-compliant RFID reader in Europe based on the Windows CE operating system. By utilizing Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, the XR480 RFID reader enables seamless integration and interoperability with existing IT infrastructure while reducing the support costs associated with multi-platform environments. " ...

European RFID Reader: Via Symbol: Symbol Launches RFID Reader for Europe

RFID: Sun SAP Collaborate ...

Sun and SAP collaborate to enable seamless RFID solutions ...

... "Sun Microsystems, Inc. expanded its relationship with SAP AG to integrate and standardize RFID technology based on the SAP(R) Auto-ID Infrastructure component of SAP NetWeaver(R) and the Sun Java System RFID Software. This collaboration will enable RFID data network communication between Sun and SAP RFID technology (part of the mySAP Business Suite solutions), allowing for seamless data flow from any RFID-enabled device to the mySAP Business Suite. The technology integration has been tested and certified by SAP. Customers in a broad range of industries, including retail and manufacturing, are looking to RFID technology to help them gain insight into multiple facets of the logistics process, including maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, improving customer service and tracking orders. The collaboration between SAP and Sun will help speed time to deployment for customers looking to integrate RFID data into their back-end systems. The Sun Java System RFID Software provides centralized monitoring and management capabilities for large numbers of distributed RFID devices and delivers Jini technology-based dynamic networking capabilities, which help ensure that RFID data can continue to be transmitted to the SAP applications under demanding production environments. " ...

RFID: Sun SAP Collaborate: Via Sun: Sun and SAP Collaborate to Simplify Deployment of RFID Solutions on SAP NetWeaver ...

Additional references on SAP and RFID ...

Via SAP - Components & Tools of SAP NetWeaver: SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure: "SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, the key component of SAP NetWeaver that provides RFID capabilities, provides SAP applications with a gateway into RFID data. "

Via SAP: SAP RFID Rollout Signals Major Savings for Midsize Flag-Maker: "SAP NetWeaver provides companies with a powerful platform to manage, integrate and leverage RFID data within their SAP and non-SAP business applications. By integrating a combination of SAP NetWeaver components with core business applications, such as enterprise resource planning or supply chain management, customers can RFID-enable their business processes. The implementation of SAP RFID technology was facilitated by Annin's implementation partner CIBER Novasoft. The integration of SAP RFID technology and the pre-existing SAP IT infrastructure means information captured from the RFID tags for the more than 500,000 master cartons shipped annually can be accessed directly in the enterprise SAP system. Retailers can track and report on the movement of Annin's inventory tagged with RFID through warehouses and stores. By creating this real-world aware network, Annin has laid the groundwork for shipping items using RFID and developing an integrated and scalable approach to the technology, providing benefits beyond merely meeting the Wal-Mart requirement. "

Via SAP: SAP Forges Next Generation of RFID-Enabled Business Solutions with Kimberly-Clark: "SAP and Kimberly-Clark will continue to leverage EPCglobal efforts to promote standards based solutions to the marketplace. SAP is bringing to bear the state-of-the-art Auto-ID, analytical and event-driven technologies provided by the SAP NetWeaver platform to collect, analyze and act on EPC (electronic product code) data shared among Kimberly-Clark and its trading partners. Kimberly-Clark has already deployed SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure as the system of record of enterprise-wide EPC information and as the interface that controls all EPC information flowing into mySAP ERP. "

Via SAP: SAP Enables Fraport AG to Reduce Maintenance Costs and Increase Safety at Frankfurt Airport with Mobile Asset Management: "Before the mobile deployment, service engineers had to fill out lengthy forms during equipment checks, then enter the data manually into the central ERP software. Service technicians now use PDAs to access daily maintenance plans and carry out work orders. The PDAs read maintenance-relevant information from the RFID tags installed on ventilation shutters and act as clients to the ERP software for reporting and archiving. Because the PDAs can read tags only at a distance of three centimeters or less, the mobile scenario confirms that service technicians duly checked each vent on their work orders. In addition to safeguarding maintenance processes and generating reports in compliance with federal regulations, the solution helps the company maintain a complete view across the entire asset life cycle and more quickly locate reoccurring faults. "

RFID Radio Frequency Identification in Banking ...

RFID adoption expected in banking and financial services to drive outstanding customer services. ...

... "Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technology being developed by retailers that should migrate to banks. Customers would be automatically identified by the RFID-encrypted card in their wallet as they pass through the door, prompting a personalised welcome to flash up on a computer screen. " ...

RFID Radio Frequency Identification in Banking: Via Reuters: Less waiting, fingerprint check coming to your bank ...

RFID Data Privacy: Corporate Issues ...

Corporations can extract beneficial supply chain information from RFID on goods, however it may expose people to a breach of privacy if not managed properly. RFID smart chips may end up being ubiquituous. ...

... "RFID encodes information on chips implantable in almost anything, including people. Wave an RFID scanner at them, and you can siphon off their data. " ...

RFID Data Privacy: Corporate Issues: Via The Plain Dealer: Corporations can tap into privacy, too

RFID GPS Location Tracking ...

RFID GPS Location Tracking: Via Allixon: Allixon International Corporation Signs Educational-Industrial Cooperation Agreement with Research Center for Logistics Information Technology (LIT) of Pusan National University ...

... "Allixon will focus on developing four basic technologies as follows: a technique for location tracking of logistics using GPS/RFID, middleware technology for the control and management of readers for next-generation logistic tags, distributed platform structures and middleware technologies for logistics information network, and semantic-based integrated management of logistics resources and adaptive authentication software technologies. LIT, in conjunction with SUN Microsystems RFID Test Center at Pusan National University, has been established to support companies which are going to observe the RFID application plans. The SUN Microsystems RFID Test Center at Pusan National University has been built based on RFID Test Center in Dallas, but modified to suit the Korean environments. Allixon will also join this SUN Microsystems RFID Test Center to use it as an excellent test bed for the many companies which want to engraft RFID technologies to their business. " ...

RFID Electronic Medication Administration: Error Reduction ...

RFID Electronic Medication Administration: Symbol Urges Congress to Support RFID and Electronic Medication Administration to Reduce Errors and Costs: Larry Blue to Testify Before Government Reform Committee on Healthcare and Information Technology ...

... "Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility Company™, announced today that Larry Blue, vice president and general manager of Symbol's RFID Tag Business Unit will testify before the Government Reform Committee regarding healthcare and information technology (IT). The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, September 29 at 10 a.m. Mr. Blue will provide thoughts on how mobile computers and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology can help reduce medical errors and help combat counterfeit drugs. " ...

Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company™, is a recognized worldwide leader in enterprise mobility, delivering products and solutions that capture, move and manage information in real time to and from the point of business activity. Symbol enterprise mobility solutions integrate advanced data capture products, radio frequency identification technology, mobile computing platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software and world-class services programs under the Symbol Enterprise Mobility Services brand. Symbol enterprise mobility products and solutions are proven to increase workforce productivity, reduce operating costs, drive operational efficiencies and realize competitive advantages for the world's leading companies.

Sun Java RFID Software: HighVolume Data Management ...

Sun Java RFID Software: HighVolume Data Management: Via Sun: Sun Java System RFID Software Data Sheet

... "As companies move past initial pilots and single-site deployments, they need an infrastructure that can easily be deployed and administered, support high-volume data management, and integrate into enterprise business systems. Sun Java System RFID Software is a critical RFID infrastructure component that integrates the edge of the network with enterprise application systems. " ...

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. " ...

DHS USVISIT RFID Pilot at POEs

DHS USVISIT RFID Pilot at POEs: Testing of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology at Land Borders Questions and Answers ...

DHS makes Q+A's available for their RFID pilot at border points of entry, POEs, under the USVisit program ...

... "US-VISIT entry had little impact on wait times. Will this new technology impact wait times? There will be no effect on travelers exiting the United States. As visitors leave the United States they will exit at current speeds with no additional stops. Through our public education program, we suggest that the visitor keep the RFID enabled Form I 94A VISIBLE, so that it is in the best position to be read properly by readers located at entry and exit points at the port. Will there be RFID-enabled gantries at every vehicle lane at these test port locations? Yes, every lane will be able to read the RFID tag embedded inn the Form I-94A. " ...

DHS AIDMS RFID POE ...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has established the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT), an integrated, automated entry-exit system that records the arrival and departure of covered individuals ...

... "The primary AIDMS records database is located at the DHS Data Center in Ashburn, Virginia. AIDMS interfaces, RFID tag readers, and other supporting components are located at U.S. land border Ports of Entry (POE). " ...

DHS USVisit RFID Implementation ...

DHS USVisit RFID Implementation: The Department of Homeland Security is creating a new system of records for the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program ...

... "US-VISIT has been implemented in increments. As part of Increment 2, US-VISIT will test the use of passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to automatically, passively, and remotely record the entry and exit of covered individuals. These RFID tags will be embedded in the Form I-94 or I-94W, which is an Arrival-Departure Record issued to a traveler. " ...

Symbol RFID Leader Joins AIMGlobal Board

Symbol RFID Leader Joins AIMGlobal Board: Symbol Technologies John G. Bruno Elected to AIM Global's Board of Directors

... "Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility Company, today announced that John G. Bruno, senior vice president and general manager of Symbol's RFID division, has been elected to AIM Global's Board of Directors. AIM Global, a not-for-profit trade association, is recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility. Bruno joins 12 other industry leaders on the AIM Board of Directors, including other newly elected members from such notable companies as Texas Instruments, Zebra Technologies and Acura Technologies. " ...

Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company™, is a recognized worldwide leader in enterprise mobility, delivering products and solutions that capture, move and manage information in real time to and from the point of business activity. Symbol enterprise mobility solutions integrate advanced data capture products, radio frequency identification technology, mobile computing platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software and world-class services programs under the Symbol Enterprise Mobility Services brand.

For more than 30 years, AIM Global has served as the association for and worldwide authority on automatic identification, data collection and networking in a mobile environment. AIM members are providers and users of technologies, systems, and services that capture, manage, and integrate accurate data into larger information systems. Serving more than 900 members in 43 countries, AIM is dedicated to accelerating the growth and use of Automatic Identification and Mobility technologies and services around the world.

RFID Smart Secure Tradelanes: Wireless Cargo Tracking ...

RFID Smart Secure Tradelanes: DoD Roles and Missions in Homeland Security ...

... "“Smart and Secure Tradelanes” (SST) - borrows technology from DoD Total Asset Visibility Network. Wireless cargo tracking system. Employs radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Other vendors are also proposing RFID-based tracking systems under the TSA Operation Safe Commerce initiative, which addresses the issue of marine container security through demonstration projects at the nation’s three largest container ports - Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, and Seattle/Tacoma. " ...