Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Coke RFID Tracks Consumer Trends to Enable Business Decisions

Coca-Cola North America is piloting its advanced fountain dispenser, the Freestyle, to engage consumers in an experience that offers many custom choices and fresh beverages made to order. The Freestyle fountain uses RFID technology to track the inventory of beverage cartridges and ERP integration to understand consumer trends and preferences. ...

... "The cartridges are tagged with radio frequency ID chips, and each dispenser contains an RFID reader. " ...


Via Information Week: Coke Business Intelligence through RFID

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Sunday, July 06, 2008

RFID, The Boxes Know ...

IBM vid on RFID inventory tracking ...

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Staples RFID Long-Range Inventory Tracking

Fujitsu successfully implements AbsoluteSKY's Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based intelliTRACKER suite in three months at STAPLES Business Depot’s first store. ...

RFID enables inventory tracking at Staples Business Depot in Canada

... "STAPLES Business Depot, Canada's largest supplier of office supplies, business machines, office furniture and business services, worked with Fujitsu to install AbsoluteSKY's real-time, long range inventory tracking system in a 37,000 sq. ft. STAPLES Business Depot store in May 2007 as a test pilot. To date, roughly 1,500 SKUs have been tagged, and the system has been dynamically reporting inventory status and changes on a minute-to-minute basis as merchandise travels from receiving to store shelves, across retailer-defined zones and through the point-of-sale process. The results achieved illustrate a fully automated and highly accurate business system for item-level inventory tracking. " ...


Via AbsoluteSKY: Fujitsu Installation of AbsoluteSKY RFID System is Successful at STAPLES Business Depot

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Monday, August 27, 2007

RFID Enables Wafer Fabrication

RFID tech supports semiconductor manufacturing process as it tracks high-value materials. ...

... "California company AeroScout Inc. supplied a RFID (radio-frequency identification) tagging system, which enables factory workers to keep closer track of containers of silicon wafers in the factory. " ...


Via Austin American-Statesman: RFID in Wafer Fab

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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

RFID Moves Food at Sushi Restaurant

Microsoft and Intermec collaborate to deliver RFID application at Blue C Sushi. The implementation of RFID (radio frequency identification) from Intermec and business process software technology from Microsoft and Kikata enables this sushi restaurant to track food, calculate customer bills, and improve the experience. The system is comprised of: Intermec RFID readers and antennas, Microsoft BizTalk RFID, and Kikata's Ebisu Live Inventory Management software. ...

Blue C Sushi RFID enables their customer experience

... "Blue C Sushi restaurants are based on the concept of kaiten sushi where customers select plates of sushi from a rotating conveyor belt that winds through the restaurant moving past every table. Customers pay based on the number and types of plates they choose. At Blue C Sushi, plate colors indicate prices for specific items. RFID technology replaced the original tracking system, which used bar codes on the bottom of the plates. That system could only track the time a plate was put on the conveyor belt and that a customer had pulled it off. The new RFID system provides much more detailed business intelligence, like what item is on the plate, how long it has been on the conveyor, which chef produced it and which menu items are running short. The system uses the Intermec IF5 fixed mount RFID readers in conjunction with customized Intermec RFID antennas that are placed into the chefs' cutting boards and integrated into the conveyor. Intermec worked with 3M to create tags that adhere firmly to the bottom of the plates and can withstand restaurant wear and tear, including hot dishwashing cycles with harsh detergents. " ...


Via Intermec: RFID System That Keeps Food Moving at Blue C Sushi

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Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Honda RFID Assemply Line: Critical Component Traceability

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

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

Honda and IBM collaborate on RFID technology implementation

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


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

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006

RFID Track Trace System ...

Infosys has successfully implemented SAP RFID solution to enable CHEP's Global Track and Trace System. CHEP will use this system to provide real-time visibility to its customers for their products and to track the shipping assets. CHEP is the global leader in pallet and container pooling services and serves many of the world's largest companies. The company has more than 7,700 employees and operates in 44 countries. CHEP manages over 280 million pallets and containers through a global network of service centers. It identified product and asset visibility as a significant opportunity to leverage RFID technology. The Global Track and Trace System at CHEP enables vendor managed inventory (VMI), yields increased asset control, and optimizes inventory management. ...

... "This project is a significant step forward for global RFID adoption, combining SAP's RFID platform and applications with Infosys' strong thought leadership and robust implementation model for the RFID-enabled enterprise. By delivering innovative, value-added solutions with a low total cost of ownership (TCO), Infosys and SAP aim to help organizations adopt RFID technology to both enhance their existing business models and pursue new ones. " ...


Via Infosys: Infosys Deploys SAP Solutions for RFID for CHEP's Global Track and Trace System

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Sunday, October 15, 2006

RFID Library System: Working Through The Issues ...

Implementation of RFID system at local library works through typical start-up issues: customer communications, data management, and interesting suprises, such as more accuracy inventory. ...

... "The RFID system uses stamp-sized electronic tags to track the location of library materials, permitting librarians to more effectively manage the collection and decrease thefts. " ...


Via LongmontFYI: City library struggles ...

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Sunday, October 08, 2006

Hospital RFID: High Value Asset Management ...

THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano will be dedicated solely to providing inpatient and outpatient cardiovascular care. The $100 million, 68-bed hospital is scheduled to open in January 2007 on the campus of Baylor Regional Medical Center in Plano., Texas Hospital will automate the storage, tracking, utilization, and billing of clinical resources through RFID technology to realize benefits in enhanced care quality, increased productivity, accurate billing, and significant inventory cost savings. ...

Baylor Heart Hospital will implement RFID technology to track high-value assets ...

... "To support the opening of the facility in January 2007, THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano will implement a radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled inventory management system to store, track, and manage the utilization of high cost cardiovascular devices and supplies. Developed by Mobile Aspects, Inc., of Pittsburgh, Pa., the system, called iRISupply, uses a RFID tracking architecture to automate charge capture, inventory management, device expiration management, and other key operational processes within the patient care setting. THE HEART HOSPITAL will implement fourteen iRISupply cabinet units to manage items such as stents, catheters, and guide wires that are commonly used during cardiovascular procedures. In leveraging the RFID technology, the organization seeks to efficiently and accurately automate device and supply utilization processes without manual tracking approaches such as paper documentation, stickers, bar coding or button pushing. " ...

Via Mobile Aspects: THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano selects RFID system from Mobile Aspects ...

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Sunday, September 10, 2006

RFID Security: NSF Funds Smart Tag Research ...

National Science Foundation, NSF, provides funding to increase the privacy and security of RFID smart tags, through better cryptographics.

... "Strengthened security for smart tags - the wireless devices that allow drivers to zip through automatic tollbooths or pass a security desk with the flash of a card - is the aim of a new initiative that has received $1.1 million from the National Science Foundation. Led by Kevin Fu of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the researchers are developing much-needed cryptographic protocols, hardware and applications for the increasingly common devices. Millions of consumers already use smart tags—wireless devices that use radio waves to identify and authenticate people and things - and they will become more numerous, says Fu.

Kevin Fu of the University of Massachusetts Amherst investigates RFID smart tag security with NSF funding ...

Smart tags - which include Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags—are already used to track items from library books to merchandise to cattle. Increasingly, they are replacing the magnetic stripe cards used in security badges and mass transit cards, sometimes also serving as electronic cash. The tags will soon be incorporated into documents such as passports; their use is being explored for tracking medical records and prison inmates. But the tags, which also include contactless smart cards and low-resource sensors, are a technology that has crept in from the edge of the Internet and they present new challenges in terms of security and privacy issues, says Fu.

The unique environment presented by smart tags - they can operate without human intervention and without a physically connected power source - presents unique security concerns, says Fu. Smart tags automatically respond to the device that reads them, so human users don't have the traditional means of giving or denying consent to the reader. This infrastructure of untrusted readers and tags requires an approach that preserves privacy while maintaining the flexibility and convenience that the tags offer.

The new consortium, dubbed the RFID ConsortiUm for Security and Privacy (RFID-CUSP), takes these operating conditions into account and is designing new cryptographic definitions, algorithms and models that will lay the solid foundation on which secure applications can be built. As part of their project, the researchers are working with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The project will result in the first completely open, publicly available software for experimenting with RFID security and privacy. " ...


San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District collaborates to address RFID security ...

UMass Amherst: UMass Amherst-Led Research Will Protect Consumers by Ramping Up Security for Smart Tags

Kevin Fu: "Open cryptanalysis of existing RFID protocols will give assurance in the soundness of reliable RFID technology. At UMass, we are investigating how to build secure RFID-based systems. "

The Sensor Revolution: Industry & Commerce: "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stands among the fastest-proliferating sensor technologies. RFID systems combine electromagnetic sensing with radio communications. RFID tags and interrogators can be used to track inventory in a warehouse or collect tolls from moving cars. "

Understanding Contactless Smart Card Technologies and Some of the Leading Reader/Card Product Providers (PDF): "That transmission could then be replayed to a reader to gain access illicitly at some time in the future. In contrast, today’s secure contactless cards and readers (such as XceedID ISO-X and HID iCLASS) employ a myriad of cryptographic techniques. These techniques encrypt data in ways that render it useless to an illicit user. Thus, traditional proximity cards and readers provide inferior communication security when compared to secure contactless smart cards and readers. "

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Tuesday, August 01, 2006

RFID Access Inventory Control: KeyWhere

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

RFID tech enables car dealerships ...

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

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

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Sunday, May 21, 2006

RFID: RealTime Promotion Execution

RFID technology is applied to the management of promotions ...
OatSystems and ADT combine to deliver a real-time promotion execution process, enabled by RFID technology. RFID applied to the execution of promotions, help track the inventory used in promotions in real-time and create immediate feedback for marketers. ...

... "OATSystems, Inc. and ADT, a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, announced a proof of ROI program designed to validate the return on investment from standards-based RFID-enabled promotions and ignite the next phase of RFID deployments. Together with Intel Corporation, the companies will provide RFID hardware, software and services necessary for a 10 store retail deployment to help retailers track promotional products and provide critical information back to suppliers such as Proctor & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark. To help validate the ROI, an independent academic institution of the retailer's choosing will establish the parameters of the study, monitor control stores and deliver a final report on the ROI.

Trade promotion spending by manufacturers is a massive budget item, representing 12%-15% of sales for most companies. Unfortunately, study after study and the day-to-day experiences of manufacturers and retailers show that the returns on trade promotions are far less than satisfactory. Real-time Promotion Execution (RPE) is a new, RFID-centric business process that can help consumer products manufacturers and retailers to dramatically increase promotion effectiveness which may result in increased promotional sales, decreased execution costs, and greater shopper satisfaction. According to Cheryl Perkins, senior vice president and chief innovation officer for Kimberly-Clark, RFID technology can be used as a business tool to help deliver greater value to K-C and its retail customers.

RPE uses RFID-tagged displays and promotion product cases to measure in-store promotion execution by tracking where and when the displays and promotion inventory are in the store. Manufacturers and retailers can track when the items reach the store, when they're moved to the sales floor, and how long they are there - all in near-real time. This information is then integrated across many stores and manipulated with powerful analytic tools. Illustrated by the recently released MIT study on RFID-based promotions, this enables a new business process that is cost-effective and dramatically increases promotion sell-through, correction of poor in-store execution and promotion intelligence, and lowers the cost of promotions management. " ...

Via OATSystems: OATSystems and ADT Announce Promotions-on-Standards Program to Ignite RFID ROI: Leaders Rally Retailers and Suppliers to Validate ROI in Standards-Based Real-time Promotions Execution ...

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Thursday, March 02, 2006

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. "

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Thursday, February 09, 2006

Active RFID Network Enables Spain Military ...

Spain's military leverages Savi's active RFID network to optimize its supply chain ...

... "The Spanish Armed Forces (SAF) has contracted with Savi Technology to deploy Savi's Consignment Management Solution (CMS), which includes an active RFID network that interoperates with similar networks deployed by Savi for NATO countries and other allies. Savi's RFID networks and related software solutions have been deployed for a growing number of international defense organizations, including the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO headquarters, United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, Australian Defence Forces, and Denmark Ministry of Defence, among others. Recent findings from defense organizations show that Savi's solutions based on active RFID technologies when used with improved supply chain processes have significantly improved fill rates, reduced backlog orders by 70 percent, and reduced inventory by many tens of millions of dollars. Just as importantly, Savi's active RFID solutions for defense organizations have proven to improve operational efficiency, and enhance the confidence of war fighters in their logistics operations to get the right supplies to the right place at the right time. Savi's RFID solutions have been implemented in over 2,000 locations in over 50 countries, and are the foundation for the largest interoperable RFID networks deployed worldwide. Savi has also sold over 1.5 million tags to defense forces, and the combined networks track about 35,000 consignments a day. These RFID-based networks, which can function independently or interoperate with each other during multi-national deployments, are based on ISO’s 18000-7 standards operating at 433.92 MHz. Active RFID operating at 433.92 MHz with its ability to bend around metal objects has been proven to be the most effective RFID frequency in environments where large metal ISO containers are tracked and stored. Many other frequencies face significant challenges in this harsh environment, which can lead to decreased performance or require significant additional readers and other infrastructure to be as effective as Savi’s RFID networks. " ...

Active RFID Network Enables Spain Military: Via Savi Technology: SPAIN JOINS NATO AND ALLIED DEFENSE’S INTEROPERABLE RFID SOLUTIONS DEPLOYED BY SAVI TECHNOLOGY: Real-Time Active RFID Network Based on Global Standards Is Foundation for Spain’s Implementation of Savi’s Consignment Management Solution ...

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Wednesday, February 08, 2006

RFID Jewelry Inventory Management ...

De Grisogno implements Tagsys RFID for inventory management in its extended supply chain ...

... "TAGSYS, the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure, announced that Geneva-based watchmaking and jewelry company de GRISOGONO has adopted the company’s RFID track and trace solution for inventory management across its stores worldwide. Under the terms of the rollout, the luxury retailer will utilize TAGSYS' Reliable, Accurate and Secure (R.A.S.) High-Frequency RFID readers and tags in its efforts to reduce theft and minimize loss of its valuable jewels and watches. The project begins immediately in the company's Paris and Geneva branches, with future deployments in the company's European, Asia-Pacific and North American outposts, expected at the rate of one store every two months. De GRISOGONO initially considered the use of traditional bar codes as a means to track individual items, such as gems, from its distribution center through the shipment process to the retail shop. However, the threat of theft or loss of assets required the deployment of a near errorless tracking technology. By leveraging the tagging capabilities of TAGSYS' RFID jewelry application, developed in conjunction with system integrator SOLID, the accessories company has enabled a real-time RFID-based detection system that monitors stock location at any point in the supply chain. " ...

RFID Jewelry Inventory Management: Via TAGSYS RFID: De GRISOGONO Finds a Gem of an Inventory Management Solution With SOLID and TAGSYS Item-Level RFID Jewelry Application: Item level track and trace technology minimizes threat of theft, loss and counterfeiting of luxury accessories ...

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Monday, January 02, 2006

RFID Tracks NASCAR Tires ...

Goodyear will use radio frequency identification to track tire inventory at racing series in 2006. ...

... "The tires, which previously were tracked using bar codes on the stickers affixed to the new tires, will be traced using the RFID chips implanted in the rubber's sidewall. " ...

RFID Tracks NASCAR Tires: Via NASCAR: NASCAR revs toward Daytona at full speed ...

Additional resources on RFID used for NASCAR tires:

Via Goodyear Tire: Goodyear’s 2006 NASCAR Tire Lease Program to Deploy RFID Technology: "Goodyear will start the 2006 racing season with a new tire leasing program for NASCAR's top three series and racing's first deployment of Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) in the form of an embedded computer chip in the tires to help manage the leased inventory. The RFID technology will assist in the implementation of NASCAR's new controlled testing procedures, which were developed by the sanctioning body to reduce private team testing next year in an effort to level the playing field for all teams."

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Wednesday, December 28, 2005

RFID Visibility Solution for Supply Chain

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

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


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

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Monday, December 19, 2005

RFID Supply Chain Excellence Recognition ...

Supply chain innovators are recognized for their operational excellence. ...

... "OATSystems, Inc., the recognized RFID framework leader, offers its congratulations to customers who have been named to the AMR Research Supply Chain Top 25, which highlights companies that are excellent operationally and brilliant innovators. A third of the companies on the Top 25 list are using OAT's RFID platform to help optimize their supply chains. AMR Research analyzed the top retailers and manufactures on a variety of metrics and criteria including return on assets, inventory turns, trailing 12 months growth. According to Marc Osofsky, vice president of marketing and product management at OATSystems, RFID has become an increasingly attractive and realistic strategy for companies to track their products through the supply chain and gain operational efficiencies.

AMR Research's Supply Chain Top 25 for 2005 list includes:
Dell, Procter & Gamble, IBM, Nokia, Toyota Motor, Johnson & Johnson, Samsung Electronics, Wal-Mart Stores, Tesco, Johnson Controls, Intel, Anheuser-Busch, Woolworths, The Home Depot, Motorola, PepsiCo. Best Buy, Cisco Systems, Texas Instruments, Lowe's, Nike, L'Oreal, Publix Super Markets, Sysco and Coca-Cola. " ...

RFID Supply Chain Excellence Recognition: OAT Customers Included in the AMR Research Supply Chain Top 25: List Identifies the Top 25 Global Supply Chain Performers for 2005 ...

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Sunday, December 18, 2005

RFID Supply Chain Event Management ...

RFID technology has a role in the supply chain to provide real-time event information. ...

... "Supply-chain event-management systems have the ability to track critical events and send out alerts and messages to appropriate managers to take corrective actions if they do not unfold. RFID technology can improve the accuracy of inventory counts and provide real-time information on the status of orders and shipments in transit, and what is being purchased. " ...

RFID Supply Chain Event Management: Via Metal Producing & Processing: Supply Chain Disruptions ...

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Sunday, December 04, 2005

Library RFID: New Zealand Town Leads ...

Manukau city in New Zealand leads in the application of RFID in libraries and expects to increase adoption. ...

Library RFID: New Zealand Town Leads: Via Stuff.co.nz: Wider use of RFID likely in libraries ...

... "RFID pioneer Manukau City Council will consider extending its use of the much talked about technology so it can electronically track books in all its libraries. Libraries manager Chris Szekely says a study of Botany Downs Library, which became the first in New Zealand to introduce RFID (radio frequency identification technology) in October last year, supports the move. " ...

The use of RFID in library processes can have a positive impact on quality, throughput, and efficiency. ...

Via ALA: Richard W. Boss on RFID Technology for Libraries ...

... "RFID security and the tracking of materials throughout the library; or it is a hybrid system that uses EM for security and RFID for tracking, but handles both simultaneously with a single piece of equipment. [3M has developed readers that can do both concurrently except for videotapes and audiotapes. These have to be desensitized and sensitized in a separate operation]. In either case, there can be as much as a 50 percent increase in throughput. The time savings are less for charging than for discharging because the time required for charging usually is extended by social interaction with patrons. " ...

Vendors that focus on RFID library systems continue to innovate in the field. ...

Via Bibliotecha RFID Library System: New RFID Handheld Reader improves mobile inventory control ...

... "The data exchange via radio waves provides new possibilities for a mobile inventory control. Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems has now developed a specific RFID handheld reader – called BiblioWandTM – which can be used to maintain the complete inventory in the shelves. For the reader, there is no difference in the processing of books, VHS cassettes, CDs and DVDs. Only the attachment of all material with programmed BiblioChip® RFID labels is required. " ...

There will be challenges in the deployment of RFID in library applications, such as the facility, the age of the collection, and other environmental considerations. ...

Via Libramation: Libramation's RFID technology protects the valuable collection of the Zottegem Library ...

... "The introduction of RFID technology in the Castle a decade later posed unique challenges. Building elements like stone flooring made the physical installation problematic. Melding new technology into the interior design of the library was a high priority. Finally, the new system would need to be flexible, easy to use and adhere to international technology standards. The Libramation solution (installed by Kno-Tech, its sister company in Europe) exceeded all expectations. " ...

Here are a few vendors that specialize in RFID library applications. ...

Bibliotheca is specialized in designing, producing and marketing of RFID systems that is hard- and software for library automation and media security. In Europe the BiblioChip® System is the Number One RFID Library System. Bibliotheca was formed to exclusively focus on the needs of librarians. The BiblioChip® RFID Library System is the result of what librarians have requested.

Libramation is positioned as a leader in library automation equipment technology and ergonomic work environments. We take pride in knowing that our systems and service are continually evolving to meet the needs and expectations of our clients. With its new office in Utah Libramation continues to expand its sales and marketing efforts in the United States. Libramation headquarters is in Edmonton Alberta Canada and has a sister company, Kno-Tech, the Netherlands. The company's contemporary and functional automation products have progressed from front of the house Easy-Check units, to automated return and sorting systems, and our latest, the Lib-Chip RFID Library and Self Check solutions. Libramation systems are in use at libraries in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and throughout Canada.

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Tuesday, October 25, 2005

DOD RFID November14 Case Pallet Tracking

On Novermber 14, the next wave of DOD RFID compliance goes into effect for suppliers. John Johnson explores the success of RFID technology implementation in the DOD to track supplies, reduce inventory, and increase fill-rates. ...

DOD RFID November14 Case Pallet Tracking: Via John R. Johnson's RFID Watch Weekly: DOD: RFID reduces costs, gets supplies to troops in Iraq faster ...

... "On Nov. 14, new contracts going out to bid require that certain DOD suppliers, like those for WalMart, start shipping cases and pallets of selected products to the DOD with RFID tags. " ...

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Sunday, October 23, 2005

Military RFID: Innovation DNA

RFID is taking root in the military for supporting the track and trace of inventory to support field visibility. Victor Godinez, The Dallas Morning News, explores the use of RFID in the military and the accleration of RFID adoption through the defense industry, where the DNA for innovative technology exists. ...

Military RFID: Innovation DNA: Via Technology News World: RFID : Military Calling Up RFID ...

... "Duncan McCollum, principal in Dallas at Computer Sciences Corp., said that many defense contractors will be quick to adopt RFID, because they're already comfortable dealing with cutting-edge technology. " ...

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University RFID Technology Movie ...

RFID technology movie from Baylor University's Dr. Pedro Reyes, professor of Management ...

University RFID Technology Movie: Via Baylor: KWBU Radio and TV ...

... "Business Review: RFID: On this edition of The Business Review we'll learn about radio frequency identification tags, or RFID. We'll learn how the new technology will affect how businesses track inventory and other innovations. " ...

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Wednesday, September 28, 2005

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, in keeping with compliance of all government requirements. " ...


At heart of Chemical Custody Supply Chain Solution is the SmartChain Asset Management System (AMS), a full-featured web-based application with continuous on-line tracking, security monitoring and management of hazardous material containers and their contents from point of origin to destination. The solution leverages the Savi SmartChain® Enterprise Platform, which aggregates and consolidates data from different nodes and integrates with current enterprise and supply chain systems, and offers unique flexibility to support all types of AIDC technologies to track all types of containers. SmartChain also can match the physical location of a container and its hazardous contents with shipment documents, inventory records, expected routes and destinations, and other pertinent information. Using alerts, SmartChain detects when a product has not arrived at a specific location where it is expected, if it is in the wrong location or if it was handled by someone without the right authority.

Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.

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Thursday, September 15, 2005

RFID WIP Work in Process ...

RFID WIP Work in Process: Via IBM: IBM Introduces New Work In Process and RFID Express Solutions ...

... "RFID for Work in Process helps manufacturers accelerate materials management within a plant floor environment. The SOA-based solution can help a manufacturer better manage assembly automation, track plant floor assets, and manage inventory by integrating applications inside a company, as well as externally with customers and suppliers. It offers customers real-time visibility of key assets to improve the identification and tracking of tools and equipment and also to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and other mandates. The solution includes IBM's WebSphere RFID middleware, tags and readers from IBM Business Partners, as well as IBM's Global Services expertise implementing manufacturing and Work in Process solutions. " ...


IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key business partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable companies to take full advantage of the on demand era.

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Sunday, September 11, 2005

TR3 Solutions RFID Retail CPG Systems

TR3 Solutions RFID Retail CPG Systems: Via Boston Business Journal: TR3 Solutions gets $4M for RFID delivery ...

... "TR3 Solutions Inc. has received $4 million in initial funding to provide radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems for retailers and consumer products companies to track inventory. " ...

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Wednesday, September 07, 2005

RFID Automotive Logistics Terminal

RFID Automotive Logistics Terminal: WHERENET DEPLOYS WORLD’S LARGEST ACTIVE RFID REAL-TIME LOCATING SYSTEM TO PRECISELY TRACK 40,000 VEHICLES AT BROEKMAN GROUP’S AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS TERMINAL AT THE PORT OF ROTTERDAM: WhereNet Partners with Mieloo & Alexander to Provide Vehicle Tracking System that Enables Broekman Group to Improve Throughput, Quality, and Customer Service While Processing 250,000 New Vehicles Annually ...

WhereNet providing RFID technology to support automotive logistics terminal ...

... "WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today that the Broekman Group is deploying the WhereNet® active RFID real-time locating system (RTLS) technology at its 750,000+ square-meter automotive logistics terminal at the Port of Rotterdam. Spanning the Rotterdam Car Terminal and Rotterdam Car Center, both part of the Broekman Group’s automotive division, the WhereNetwireless tracking system will precisely locate any one of 40,000 vehicles parked in the facility at a given time. To implement this system — the world’s largest active RFID/RTLS installation — WhereNet is partnering with Mieloo & Alexander, a European consulting firm specializing in optimizing business processes by implementing innovative technology for its clients. " ...


Founded in 1960, the Broekman Group now employs about 625 employees across several companies that are organized in four divisions: shipping (liner agencies, tramp vessel agencies); logistics (forwarding, NVOCC, logistic inland services, physical distribution and warehousing); automotive (logistics services for the automotive industry); and corporate (support HRM, ICT, accounting etc.). Widely recognized for its commitment to excellence in the shipping, logistics, and trade industries, the Broekman Group is headquartered in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with offices in western and central Europe.

WhereNet is the first company to deliver a single wireless location and communication infrastructure that reliably and cost-effectively manages valuable mobile resources and delivers a complete return on investment within 6-12 months. Based on patented, standards-compliant technology resulting from a collective 100+ years of development, the WhereNet real-time solutions enable companies such as BMW, Ford Motor Company, and NYK Logistics to reduce inventory, lower operating costs, and improve operations. The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award; was recognized for strong ROI by Computerworld; was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100; and has been recognized as a wireless innovator by Forrester Research, Computerworld ROI, Frontline Solutions, Plant Engineering, and Supply Chain Systems magazines. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with offices throughout the United States and Europe, WhereNet is funded by Crosspoint Venture Partners, Foundation Capital, Bay Partners, Crescendo Ventures, and Sun Microsystems.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005

RFID Cargo: Zero False Tamper Events ...

Via Savi Technology: SAVI TECHNOLOGY'S 3rd-GEN RFID INTRUSION DETECTION TAGS AND E.J. BROOKS' ELECTRONIC BOLT SEALS PROVE SUCCESSFUL IN TRANSPACIFIC CARGO CONTAINER FIELD TRIALS WITH MITSUI: Plans Call for Commercial Availability in November of ISO-Based RFID Devices to Track Worldwide Container Shipments and Detect Security Breaches ...

Partnership demonstrates the effectiveness of RFID for maritime cargo with zero false tamper events during ocean voyage trials ...

... "Two leading providers of supply chain security solutions and systems - Savi Technology and E.J. Brooks - announced in collaboration with Mitsui that they have successfully completed rigorous transpacific field trials of active RFID devices that automatically detect cargo door intrusions and security breaches while communicating their location and condition. Mitsui, a global leader of import and export activities, determined that all 65 tags proved effective and there were zero false tamper incidents while they automatically communicated with an RFID reader network throughout their end-to-end supply chain journey between Los Angeles and Hong Kong . The over-the-ocean container field trials, which followed extensive performance testing, evaluated 50 of the Savi Tag ST-676 ISO Container Security Tags and 15 of the E.J. Brooks E-Seals, clearing the way for their commercial availability in November. " ...


Mitsui USA, incorporated in 1966, is engaged in import, export, offshore trade, and domestic wholesale. Aspiring to be "Your Global Business Partner®," the company is committed to be a global business creator and problem solver with distinct service capabilities by innovative combinations of Information Technology (IT), Financial Technology (FT), and Logistics Technology (LT). Mitsui USA's New York Headquarters has 11 divisions across industries. Other offices are located in Chicago , Cleveland , Detroit , Houston , Los Angeles , Nashville, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Its parent company, Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Japan , is one of the world's most diversified and comprehensive trading and service companies. Headquartered in Tokyo, it maintains a global network of 183 offices in 80 countries, and has 723 subsidiaries and associated companies worldwide.

Founded in 1873, E.J. Brooks Company an ISO 9001-2000 registered company, is the world's leading manufacturer of tamper indicating security seals, locking devices and metering-related products through its Security Products Group. The company based in Livingston , N.J. , has 14 operating units, including locations in the USA, England, Mexico, China, Spain, Brazil, India and Singapore. Brooks has been involved in developing electronic seal technology for the past seven years.

With over 15 years experience, Savi is a proven leader in RFID solutions for the management and security of supply chain assets, shipments and consignments. Savi's integrated RFID hardware and software solutions drive business value, such as reducing supply chain assets, inventory and operational costs. The company tailors its solutions to the defense, commercial supply chain asset management and global supply chain visibility and security markets. Savi's solutions meet the supply chain needs of defense and government organizations, global shippers, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers as well as service providers such as terminal operators, asset owners and third-party logistics providers. Founded in 1989, Savi Technology is privately held, with headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., and offices in Johannesburg, London, Melbourne, Singapore, and Washington D.C.

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Monday, August 29, 2005

Government RFID Intermec Printers ...

Government RFID Intermec Printers: Via Intermec: Intermec Named to Provide RFID Printers to U.S. Government: Follows blanket purchase agreements for RFID tags, readers and engineering services ...

Intermec printers will be used to support government RFID initiatives ...

... "As part of the U.S. Government's initiative to improve efficiency and inventory asset management, Intermec Technologies Corp., which designs and manufactures RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems, has been awarded a Blanket Purchasing Agreement to provide RFID printers and related equipment to support the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. This award is the fourth AIT RFID award group resulting from a government request for quotation issued in December 2004. Earlier this year, Intermec was granted BPAs to provide RFID tags, readers and technical engineering services. The awards are part of the government's Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) RFID initiative to provide timely asset visibility in its global logistics pipeline, whether in process, in storage or in transit. " ...


Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include Intellitag® RFID, mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations.

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RFID Labels Second Generation ...

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

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

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


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

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Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Hospital RFID Inventory System ...

Hospital RFID Inventory System: King’s Daughters installs high-tech inventory system for Cardiac and Vascular Cath Labs: New system enables Heart and Vascular Center to track supplies and deliver a higher quality of patient care and safety ...

RFID inventory system, from Mobile Aspects, enables operational efficiency in hospital ...

... "King’s Daughters Medical Center (KDMC) of Ashland, Ky., recently installed a new computerized inventory control system in its cardiac catheterization laboratories. The system is an integrated suite of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware and software applications that lets KDMC automatically track supplies, drugs, assets, and patients in real time for increased patient safety and enhanced operational efficiency. " ...


KDMC, a locally controlled, not-for-profit, 385-bed regional referral center, offers comprehensive cardiac, medical, surgical, pediatric, maternity, rehabilitative, psychiatric, cancer, neurological, occupational medicine, pain care, wound care and home care services. Established in 1899, KDMC currently ranks sixth in the state of Kentucky in terms of admissions, and, with approximately 3,000 team members, is the largest employer west of Charleston, W.Va., and east of Lexington Ky.

Mobile Aspects, the recipient of the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Product Innovation Award within U.S. RFID Markets for Healthcare, provides innovative RFID solutions to enable hospitals to deliver a higher quality of care. The company’s One System of CARE™ is an integrated suite of RFID software and hardware solutions to track all supplies, drugs, assets, and patients in hospitals to make patient care safer and more efficient. The company’s RFID tracking solutions feature the iRIS™ inventory management system, the RFID-enabled Anesthesia Workstation and Drug Delivery Workstation, and the Patient and Asset tracking systems. These systems integrate seamlessly into existing hospital information management systems and eliminate all manual compliance steps while providing real-time data to clinicians. By integrating all patient and product information, the One System of CARE provides increased productivity, enhanced quality of care and safety for patients, and significant cost savings. From one web-based interface, providers can pull up information about all supplies, drugs, assets, and patients anywhere in the facility. Mobile Aspects’ One System of CARE is presently installed in several of the top 15 hospitals throughout North America.

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Tuesday, August 16, 2005

High Durability RFID Equipment for Harsh Environments ...

High Durability RFID Equipment for Harsh Environments: Sampling of durable RFID equipment supports operation of RFID capability in harsh operating environments ...

Omron: Omron RFID systems function in a wide range of operating conditions, including harsh environments,where bar coding is not practical. RFID Tags, RFID antennas and RFID controllers are industrially hardened to withstand wet, oily and other adverse conditions. Read reliability in RFID asset tracking and automatic identification is not affected by a misaligned tag or compromised by airborne dust, dirt, oil mist, or other factory conditions. RFID asset tracking systems are non-contact and non-line of sight, which allows them to read and write through non - metallic objects, such as plastic conveyors.

Escort Memory Systems UHF Series / UHF525HT: The UHF525HT is a rugged high-temperature long-range Ultra High Frequency (902-928 MHz) tag. This tag is designed to work at up to four feet. It is ideally suited for Body & Assembly and Paint Shop applications in the automotive industry, the UHF525HT is the only high-temperature tag in the market that survives over 204 Degrees C.

IDENTEC SOLUTIONS, long-range active RFID systems: Long Range Identification: RFID tags can be read from up to 300 feet (100 meters). This allows assets to be monitored in a very large environment with reliable results. Durability: Bar codes become unreadable if they are dirty or scuffed; RFID tags function in almost any harsh environment such as fog, ice and dust. RFID, therefore, reduces the problems associated with those "contact" or "line-of-sight" technologies. This means RFID can operate in harsh environments and will not be affected by temperature changes.

ScanSource RFID Edge: The significant advantage of RFID systems is the no contact, non-line-of-sight nature of the technology. Tags can be read through a variety of substances such as snow, fog, ice, paint, crusted grime, and other visually and environmentally challenging conditions, where barcodes or other optically read technologies would be useless. RFID tags can also be read in challenging circumstances at remarkable speeds, in most cases responding in less than 100 milliseconds.

Zebra RFID Printer R110XiIIIPlus: Built upon Zebra's highly regarded Xi platform, the R110XiIIIPlus is designed for high performance and mission-critical ruggedness in the most demanding environments. It delivers the legendary round-the-clock reliability and heavy-gauge steel durability of Zebra's high-performance Xi series as well as full 4-inch print width, 203-dot per-inch resolution and the extensive connectivity choices of 110XiIIIPlus, making it ideal for shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing. The R110XiIIIPlus will support both Class 0 (read-only) and Class 0+ (read/write) tags.

DC400 RFID Portal System: Turnkey High Performance for Dock Door Visibility: The DC400 from Symbol Technologies delivers a high-performance RFID turnkey solution for premium inventory visibility of assets entering or leaving designated read zones within warehouses, distribution centers, cross dock locations and a variety of other applications. With the DC400, you can automatically identify and track inventory in motion on pallets, bundles of assets on skids or cases using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. IP54 certification for dust and water resistance ensures improved uptime in harsh, industrial environments.

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USMarines Mobile RFID Infrastructure ...

USMarines Mobile RFID Infrastructure: SAVI TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYS NEW MOBILE RFID INFRASTRUCTURE KIT FOR REAL-TIME VISIBILITY OF MILITARY SUPPLIES TO THE LAST MILE: NEW PORTABLE DEPLOYMENT KIT ORDERED BY U.S. MARINES HELPS GET RIGHT SUPPLIES TO THE WARFIGHTER AT THE RIGHT TIME ANYWHERE ...

USMarines will leverage Savi RFID technology to establish a mobile infrastructure in the area of military operations ...

... "Savi Technology, Inc., a leading provider of RFID supply chain solutions, today announced the release of a new compact, highly mobile RFID solution that directly supports the war fighter deployed in the Area of Operations, such as Iraq and Afghanistan . Called the Portable Deployment Kit (PDK), the full solution-in-a-case enables for the first time military logisticians to leverage RFID to track critical military supplies in near real-time into the last tactical mile of operations. The PDK is a self-contained carrying case that delivers a full mobile RFID solution that addresses the long-time military challenge of supply chain visibility directly into the Area of Operations, referred to as the last tactical mile, where there is no RFID fixed reader infrastructure. The United States Marine Corps Systems Command is the first customer and has placed an initial order for 100 units to be deployed in Southwest Asia . " ...

USMarines plan on using an RFID mobile infrastructure in the military theater of operations ...

With over 15 years experience, Savi is a proven leader in RFID solutions for the management and security of supply chain assets, shipments and consignments. Savi's integrated RFID hardware and software solutions drive business value, such as reducing supply chain assets, inventory and operational costs. The company tailors its solutions to the defense, commercial supply chain asset management and global supply chain visibility and security markets. Savi's solutions meet the supply chain needs of defense and government organizations, global shippers, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers as well as service providers such as terminal operators, asset owners and third-party logistics providers. Founded in 1989, Savi Technology is privately held, with headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., and offices in Johannesburg, London, Melbourne, Singapore, and Washington D.C.

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Tuesday, August 02, 2005

RFID Reader Printer Integration ...

RFID Reader Printer Integration: TOSHIBA TEC Europe and TAGSYS Collaborate As Leaders in RFID- Bar Code Printing: Integrated Solution Delivers TAGSYS’ Item-Level RFID Features to TOSHIBA TEC Bar Code Printers ...

... "TOSHIBA TEC Europe, a leading retail and industrial automation solutions provider, today announced it has entered into an agreement with TAGSYS, the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure, to integrate TAGSYS’ MEDIO™ S003 RFID readers into TOSHIBA TEC’s B-SX bar code printer portfolio. Available immediately, the integrated solution aims to reduce the total cost of ownership for enterprise ICT management infrastructure and guarantees faster time-to-market for bar code printing assets. The collaboration brings together TOSHIBA TEC’s innovative leadership in the bar code printer market and TAGSYS’ proven track record of delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (RAS) item-level RFID systems and tags that automate labor-intensive processes, authenticate and safeguard goods, and enable real-time inventory and asset visibility. The integrated solution follows testing for product stability, ease of use and compatibility. " ...


TAGSYS is the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure. TAGSYS RFID provides RFID systems and tags for end-to-end item-level tracking that automates labor-intensive processes, authenticates and safeguards goods, and enables real-time inventory and asset visibility. With a proven track record of delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (RAS) RFID systems and tags, TAGSYS has deployed over 50 million tags and 50,000 reader systems to over 500 customers in more than 40 countries. TAGSYS RFID solutions are currently being deployed in a range of highly specialized vertical markets that include pharmaceutical, fashion apparel, libraries, and textile rental. The company is headquartered in France’s Smart Valley with offices in the USA (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and Asia (Hong Kong).

TOSHIBA TEC Europe has earned a reputation as a leading manufacturer of retail and industrial information systems through product development that aims to anticipate and uncover potential customer needs, resulting in products that provide real value and benefits to the user. As a total solution provider, TOSHIBA TEC Europe offers a complete package from consulting and system design to system installation, operation and maintenance of point of sale systems, cash registers, scales, barcode printers, peripherals and software information systems. TOSHIBA TEC Corporation has a global turnover of 355 billion yen through 58 offices, employing over 13.000 people. TOSHIBA TEC's majority shareholder is the TOSHIBA Corporation, which provides TOSHIBA TEC with the support of an unrivalled worldwide organisation with a strong presence in four continents.

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RFID Data Management Solution ...

RFID Data Management Solution: Business Objects Helps Graniterock Manage Mountains of RFID Data: Materials and Construction Company Uses Business Intelligence to Improve Operational Performance and Customer Satisfaction ...

Business Objects provides RFID data management solution for Graniterock to deal with skyrocketing information growth ...

... "Graniterock relies on Business Objects (Nasdaq: BOBJ; Euronext Paris ISIN code: FR0004026250 - BOB), the world's leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions to help manage the data pouring in from an RFID (radio frequency identification) tagging system. With Business Objects, Graniterock has been able to leverage its RFID information to improve operational performance and boost customer satisfaction. Graniterock, a long-time customer of Business Objects, found that its information management needs grew exponentially after implementing an RFID tagging system to track inventory and supply movement, such as the arrival and departure of trucks through its asphalt and quarry loading locations. The system collects information on the truck, project assignment, and weight for each load via RFID tag readers located at throughout plant locations. " ...


Graniterock was founded on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1900. The company has operations in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Salinas, Gilroy, Hollister, Aromas, Felton, Oakland, San Jose, Redwood City and South San Francisco. Graniterock Pavex Construction Division is a significant heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airport and private commercial and residential projects. Graniterock has also been the recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Governor’s Golden State Quality Award.

Business Objects is the world’s leading business intelligence (BI) software company. With more than 30,000 customers worldwide, including over 80 percent of the Fortune 500, Business Objects helps organizations gain better insight into their business, improve decision making, and optimize enterprise performance. The company’s business intelligence platform, BusinessObjects™ XI, offers the BI industry’s most advanced and complete platform for reporting, query and analysis, performance management, and data integration. BusinessObjects XI includes Crystal Reports®, the industry standard for enterprise reporting. Business Objects has also built the industry’s strongest and most diverse partner community, and also offers consulting and education services to help customers effectively deploy their business intelligence projects. Business Objects has dual headquarters in San Jose, Calif., and Paris, France.

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Monday, July 25, 2005

Healthcare RFID Asset Management

Healthcare RFID Asset Management: HealthCare Pilot Asset Management System (HCP) uses Radio Frequency (RFID) technology to track and manage portable assets throughout the healthcare facility or campus ...

... "HealthCare Pilot Asset Management System (HCP) performs for any type of inventory or equipment including IV pumps, portable cardiac monitors, respiratory ventilators, wheelchairs and even transport gurneys. The RFID tags are less than 2" in size, water proof and last for up to 3 years. The technology is FCC approved and meets multiple compliance guidelines ... " ...

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Thursday, July 21, 2005

RFID CashInTransit Management

RFID CashInTransit Management: TAGSYS RFID Systems Adopted By Rabobank for Cash-in-Transit Management Solution ...

TAGSys implements an RFID cash-in-transit solution for bank in Europe ...

... "TAGSYS, the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure, announced today that Rabobank, one of the world’s largest banks and Europe’s largest Internet bank, has successfully deployed an RFID-based cash-in-transit solution in 200 of its branches in The Netherlands. The application, a first of its kind on the market, will enable Rabobank to conduct person-independent cash delivery, allowing for more efficient cash deliveries. " ...


TAGSYS is the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure. TAGSYS RFID provides RFID systems for end-to-end item-level tracking that automates labor-intensive processes, authenticates and safeguards goods, and enables real-time inventory and asset visibility. With a proven track record of delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (RAS) RFID systems and tags, TAGSYS has deployed over 50 million tags and 50,000 reader systems to over 500 customers in more than 40 countries. TAGSYS RFID solutions are currently being deployed in a range of highly specialized vertical markets that include pharmaceutical, fashion apparel, libraries, and textile rental. The company is headquartered in France’s Smart Valley with offices in the USA (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and Asia (Hong Kong).

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Sunday, July 10, 2005

Walmart RFID Integrator: 100Pct Track Record ...

Walmart RFID Integrator: 100Pct Track Record: Fibergrations and SATO Partner to Provide RFID Solutions: Fibergrations - Your RFID Solutions Integrator

... "Fibergrations management has been a leader and innovator in RFID project testing, integration, and installation for several of the initial top 100+ WalMart vendors that were scheduled for January 2005 compliance. These projects were managed and executed to deliver on time go-lives with 100% compliancy. " ...


Fibergrations LLC is a privately held industry leading company and a supply chain management specialist in software development, deployment and RFID implementations and integrations in the manufacturing, Logistics, Retail, pharmaceutical/healthcare and food industries. Software capabilities include a warehouse management system with an available RFID integrated tracking package that allows near 100% visibility of inventory. In addition Fibergrations provides experienced project management for ERP, WMS and SAP solutions. Fibergrations offers system deployments that track inventory, assets, and people.

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Friday, July 08, 2005

RFID Smart ADC Solutions For SMB Market ...

RFID Smart ADC Solutions For SMB Market: Intermec Technologies Launches SmartADC™ for Small-to-Medium Businesses: Gives companies flexibility to automate business processes with Microsoft® Business Solutions–Navision® ...

... "Intermec Technologies Corp. today introduced SmartADCTM, a comprehensive collection of Intermec hardware, software and services that gives small-to-medium businesses the power to automate key processes such as inventory management, lot and serial number tracking, and shipping in a warehouse environment. The SmartADC hardware and software from Lanham Associates provide direct input from Intermec's data collection tools to Microsoft Business Solutions' Navision's Warehouse Management Systems, allowing companies to automate all warehouse functions, including dynamic picks, putaways, movements and cycle counts originated on the handheld device. " ...


Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include Intellitag® RFID, mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations.

Lanham Associates began its relationship with Navision in 1997 by developing the product's first distribution functionality. A Certified Microsoft Business Solutions ISV, Lanham Associates, has created complementary supply chain planning and execution products inside Navision ever since. Lanham Associates maintains high standards for product excellence, and has been the recipient of both the President's Club and Inner Circle Awards each year since being affiliated with Microsoft.

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Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Small Versatile RFID Tags

Small Versatile RFID Tags: RFID with Tagsys: Smallest RFID Tag on the Market Allows for Virtually 100% Readability and Scanning Efficiency in Extreme Research Laboratory Environments ...

TAGSys offers one of the smallest RFID tags and is flexible in a wide range of environmental conditions ...

... "The ARIO SDM is amongst the smallest and most versatile RFID tags available on the market today, based on a tag measuring just 8.9mm in diameter. Unlike larger and less resilient tags that have been used in the industry, ARIO SDM is small enough to be embedded into the tops of test tubes. These robustly designed tags are fully functional and readable when subjected to wide and precipitous temperature variations typically found in medical research labs. " ...


TAGSYS is the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure. TAGSYS RFID provides RFID systems for end-to-end item-level tracking that automates labor-intensive processes, authenticates and safeguards goods, and enables real-time inventory and asset visibility. With a proven track record of delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (RAS) RFID systems and tags, TAGSYS has deployed over 50 million tags and 50,000 reader systems to over 500 customers in more than 40 countries. TAGSYS RFID solutions are currently being deployed in a range of highly specialized vertical markets that include pharmaceutical, fashion apparel, libraries, and textile rental. The company is headquartered in France’s Smart Valley with offices in the USA (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and Asia (Hong Kong).

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Wednesday, June 22, 2005

RFID Track and Trace

RFID Track and Trace: Edge Dynamics: Join Edge Dynamics and Pembroke Consulting for a Special Webcast: Secure Commerce Practices for Today's Pharmaceutical Channel ...

... "RFID Track and Trace: Edge Dynamics and Pembroke Consulting for a Special Webcast: Secure Commerce Practices for Today's Pharmaceutical Channel, Wednesday - July 13, 2005, 12:00pm - 1:00pm Eastern Time; Edge Dynamics CEO John McGrory and Pembroke Consulting President Adam J. Fein, Ph.D. will present a compelling analysis of the current U.S. drug distribution channel, discuss future trends, and supply a framework to help drug makers protect patients from counterfeits from being introduced into the legitimate supply chain through inventory diversion. " ...

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Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Item Level RFID Tagging: Microsoft RFID ...

Item Level RFID Tagging: BT and Microsoft to Deliver Pioneering Implementation of Item-Level RFID Tagging: The two companies are jointly working on an RFID trial.

... "BT and Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) announced today that they will be working together to provide an RFID managed service to the retail sector. The new offering combines BT's RFID data management and systems integration expertise with Microsoft's proven experience in data capture and analysis to make it easier for European retailers and their suppliers to adopt item-level RFID technology for pilots or full-scale rollouts. The first customer to take up this managed service is Marks & Spencer. In February 2005, BT was selected by Marks & Spencer as the main contractor to extend the RFID trial in its clothing supply chain. " ...


The Microsoft Smarter Retailing Initiative helps retailers win today by leveraging current investments, and win tomorrow by easing delivery of new retail experiences. Consisting of Smarter Shopping, Smarter Selling and Smarter Operations, the Smarter Retailing Initiative is designed to close the loop between the retailer's strategy, the in-store execution and familiar technologies already in the consumer's hands.

BT Auto-ID Services is a market leader in the provision of complete, scalable and affordable Automatic Identification solutions including RFID and barcoding. As part of the BT Retail business, it combines the resources of a large corporation with the agility and flexible approach of a new technology start-up. The BT Auto-ID Platform managed service is helping customers manage inventory control, increase sales, provide electronic proof of delivery, and comply with mandatory track, trace and authenticate requirements throughout the supply chain.

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Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Mobile RFID Asset Management

Mobile RFID Asset Management: Managing mobile assets without the paperwork: RedPrairie and BT to offer next generation mobile asset management for businesses using the latest RFID technology ...

RedPrarie partners to deliver mobile, RFID-enabled asset management solutions ...

... "RedPrairie, a global leader in technology solutions that drive business process transformation and BT, a global networked IT services provider and market leader in the provision of RFID technology, announced a partnership to offer RFID enabled Mobile Asset Management as a fully managed service. Many businesses operate fleets of high-value mobile assets such as totes, roll-cages, trailers, beer kegs and medical equipment. Keeping track of these assets as they move between sites can be a real headache. " ...


BT Auto-ID Services is a market leader in the provision of complete, scalable and affordable Automatic Identification solutions including RFID and barcoding. As part of the BT Retail business, it combines the resources of a large corporation with the agility and flexible approach of a new technology start-up. The BT Auto-ID Platform managed service is helping customers manage inventory control, increase sales, provide electronic proof of delivery, and comply with mandatory track, trace and authenticate requirements.

For over 30 years RedPrairie has enabled leading global companies to create competitive advantage through supply excellence. RedPrairie’s comprehensive technology solutions provide rapid and sustainable return on investment by optimizing the performance of people, places and processes. RedPrairie provides industry-tailored solutions for diverse markets, including consumer goods, direct to consumer and traditional retail, food and beverage, high tech / electronics, third party logistics, industrial / wholesale, automotive and service parts, and pharmaceuticals.

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Tuesday, June 07, 2005

RFID Reader Mobile Workforce Solutions ...

RFID Reader Mobile Workforce Solutions: Everypath and Socket Communications Partner to Deliver Integrated Solutions for the Mobile Workforce ...

Everypath's software supports RFID reader integration for mobile workforce field solutions ...

... "With the combined Everypath MTA and Socket barcode scanning solution, customers benefit from real-time product, inventory and pricing information and the ability to capture accurate data while in the field. Everypath’s MTA applications streamline and deliver data from existing databases within the network directly to handheld devices operated by employees in the field. Socket offers a variety of plug-in and cordless barcode scanning products, providing efficient alternatives to manual data entry via keyboard. Socket’s barcode scanners have been shown to be up to 50 times faster than the manual method and to dramatically improve data accuracy. Everypath MTA software supports Socket’s CF Scan Card – 5 Series, its Cordless Hand Scanner, 2D Scan Card and RFID Reader. " ...


... RFID readers and field force software solutions enable powerful mobile workforce applications.

Everypath is a leading provider of Mobile Task Automation (MTA) solutions to global 1000 companies. Customers and partners worldwide use the Everypath MTA™ to enable field representatives to capture orders, track inventory and serve customers with greater efficiency. By unleashing Everypath’s innovative technology, companies can fuse, miniaturize and adapt their enterprise information assets to help increase revenue, reduce costs and improve responsiveness. Everypath's customers include leaders such as Bayer, Biogen, E*TRADE, NTT, Smith & Nephew, Sumitomo Trust Bank, Toshiba, Wright Medical and Yamaha. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company serves customers in North America, Japan and Europe.

Socket Communications, Inc., the Mobile Connection™ Company, provides a broad range of connectivity and data collection products for mobile devices using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, CE, XP, and Palm, RIM, and Symbian-based operating systems. These mobile devices include PDAs, Smartphones, Tablet PCs and notebooks that support standard expansion mechanisms. Socket’s Mobility Friendly™ products are feature-rich while promoting ease of use and lead the market with the smallest footprint and the most Battery Friendly® power consumption in their class. Socket’s Development Services team provides hardware developers with solutions using mobilityIC™ interface chips, KwikBlue™ modules with embedded Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, as well as other technologies implemented in Socket’s wide range of products. Socket is headquartered in Newark, California.

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Monday, May 16, 2005

RFID Inventory Management Interface ...

Oracle(r) Database Standard Edition One Provides Small and Midsize Businesses with Enterprise-Level Performance, Scalability for Growth

Oracle database technology supports RFID application interfaces for 3rd party inventory management systems, such as 3LOG ...

... "Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, 3LOG Systems is a software development firm that specializes in timberlands inventory and management systems for the forestry industry. 3LOG's propriety LIMS (log inventory and management software) application interfaces with RFID (radio frequency identification), GIS (geographic information systems), weigh scale and enterprise applications such as financial management systems to capture and track lumber companies' raw materials. This data is synchronized to each customer's central-office database, which 3LOG usually connects and configures. 3LOG chose Oracle Standard Edition One to meet its customers' database needs because of its reliability, scalability and upgradability. Reliability was particularly important, as many of 3LOG's customers are in extremely remote locations with minimal, to no, IT staff. Scalability was also critical, as many forestry companies start out small and grow quickly, and because consolidation in the industry has resulted in the need for companies to be able to quickly scale up or down. " ...


Oracle Database Standard Edition One (Oracle Standard Edition One) allows customers to take advantage of the proven performance, reliability and security for which Oracle is renowned on single server systems up to a maximum of two processors on Linux, UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X. Fully compatible with the complete Oracle Database family, Oracle Standard Edition One is easy to install, supports all data types and comes complete with automated management and Web application development tools.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2005

RFID Healthcare Business Intelligence ...

RFID Healthcare Business Intelligence: Mantic Point Solutions Ltd Announces Value Added Solutions Partner Agreement for Alien Technology® RFID Products ...

Mantic integrates RFID into the business intelligence capabilities of the healthcare industry ...

... "Mantic Point Solutions Ltd, a leading UK value added solutions provider (VASP) specializing in combining business intelligence with RFID data, today announced an agreement with Alien Technology to offer Alien® RFID reader and tag products as part of solutions aimed at the UK healthcare industry. By integrating real-time tracking data from RFID readers with data from other hospital systems, Mantic Point’s Chaperone solution helps hospitals and clinics track mobile assets and optimize their utilisation, control capital equipment costs, and enhance patient and staff safety. " ...


Mantic Point Solutions Ltd is a UK software company with a focus on applying business intelligence techniques to real-time and historic RFID data to provide new insights into asset movement and utilisation. Mantic Point is a member of AIM UK, the automated identification (AIDC) industry association, and a strategic partner of the National RFID Centre.

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.

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RFID Government Contract RFID Readers ...

RFID Government Contract RFID Readers: Intermec Named to Provide RFID Readers to U.S. Government: Blanket purchase agreement includes fixed-mounted and transportable readers; all equipment firmware upgradeable to Generation 2 RFID standard; follows award in March of RFID tag blanket purchase agreement ...

Intermec announces key win as supplier of Gen 2-compatible RFID readers to the US Government ...

... "As part of the U.S. Government’s initiative to improve efficiency and inventory asset management, Intermec Technologies Corp., which designs and manufactures RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems, has been awarded a Blanket Purchasing Agreement to provide passive UHF RFID (radio frequency identification) fixed-mounted and transportable RFID readers to support the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. Earlier this year, Intermec was granted a BPA to provide EPC Class 1 RFID tags. The awards are part of the government’s Automatic Information Technology RFID initiative to provide timely asset visibility in its global logistics pipeline, whether in process, in storage or in transit. The award is the latest in a 20-year partnership between Intermec and the U.S. Government. " ...


Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include Intellitag(R) RFID, mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations.

Additional resources on RFID government contracts ...

Border: Better Security Without a Traffic Jam? ... ... One component of the plan is a technology known as RFID, ... Reston-based Accenture LLP was the winner of the government contract worth up to ...

DoD Suppliers' Passive RFID Information Guide ... ... Figure 5 - RFID-enabled label placement on palletized unit load. ... government contract. If the DoD Purchase Card is used to acquire items that are on ...

CICA 30th Annual Convention slide sets ... ... assess government contract opportunities, use e-procurement and improved ... The Auto-ID Centre’s mission is to replace the use of barcodes with RFID ...

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