IBM RFID ePedigree Drug Solution Track Supply Chain Movements

IBM has developed a solution that enables pharmaceutical companies to create an electronic certificate of authenticity, an electronic pedigree or ePedigree, for drugs that move through the supply chain, from manufacturers to distributors, pharmacies and hospitals. ...

... "The ePedigree feature is a key capability of the new version of IBM's WebSphere RFID Information Center (RFIDIC), a high performance data repository that allows clients to efficiently manage and securely share information with trading partners to authenticate pharmaceuticals. Unlike competing solutions, the IBM offering was designed to manage and aggregate product serial numbers to enable processes in manufacturing plants, distribution centers, pharmacies, and hospitals.

IBM's new ePedigree feature allows clients to comply with new and emerging regulations such as those that will take effect in California in 2009 using either RFID, 2D barcodes, or a combination of barcodes and RFID. The offering provides a flexible track and trace framework for generating ePedigrees through standards-based EPC Information Services. By establishing ePedigree via EPCIS events and queries, clients will also be able to easily access key data elements to solve other business needs such as chargeback resolution and expiration management. " ...

Via IBM: ePedigree System to Combat Drug Counterfeiting and Help Clients Comply With Regulations

RFID Business Intelligence Implementation by US Army

US Army's Product Manager, Joint - Automatic Identification Technology (PM J-AIT) implements MicroStrategy Business Intelligence Platform to provide analytics for logistics data from radio frequency identification (RFID) solution created by Unisys Corp. ...

... "The Radio Frequency In-Transit Visibility (RF-ITV) program provides government and contractor personnel across four continents with instant access to critical information on military cargo, equipment, and supplies. MicroStrategy software was selected to improve the ability to access and analyze data, and provide better decisions to enhance the Department of Defense's worldwide logistics tracking system. Timely access to mission-critical information will enable decision makers throughout the logistics pipeline to plan, prioritize, and redirect logistics operations to improve warfighter readiness. " ...

Via MicroStrategy: US Army's PM J-AIT Implements MicroStrategy Software

Active RFID Tags Compatible With Cisco CCX Format

AeroScout WiFi tags are now compatible with Cisco's CCX tag format. Location functionality can be added to Wi-Fi networks easily. ...

... "The Cisco CCX tag format builds upon the Wi-Fi beaconing tag method that AeroScout and Cisco jointly pioneered. It is a new standard for communication from Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tags, which delivers location information and other valuable data to the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance. The beaconing method eliminates the need to associate with the Access Point and enables AeroScout's asset tracking solutions to easily scale to tens of thousands of tags without negatively impacting the Wi-Fi network. For example, one recent AeroScout installation uses this method to enable over 15,000 AeroScout tags to operate on a Cisco Unified Wireless Network. Other non-CCX tags that require an association method of continuous back-and-forth communication are severely limited in scalability and drain network resources." ...

Via AeroScout: Enhanced Location and Sensor Capabilities With Cisco

RFA RFID Technology Provides DVD Theft Protection in Supply Chain

NXP Semiconductors and Kestrel Wireless collaborate to develop an RFA (Radio Frequency Activation) RFID solution to provide DVD theft protection throughout the supply chain. The solution enables the ability to disable DVDs at manufacture and enable at the point of sale, rendering the in-transit goods useless while in the supply chain, which eliminates the motive for theft. ...

... "The first application of NXP and Kestrel's RFA / RFID solution will be integrated into optical media. The solution, however, is applicable to all consumer electronics products, such as MP3 players, electric shavers, toothbrushes, flat screen TVs, ink jet cartridges and flash memory. NXP and Kestrel's network-based RFID solution opens up new opportunities for the distribution of optical media and consumer electronics. It eliminates expensive security devices, restrictive packaging and display cages, enabling a more comfortable shopping experience for consumers. Minimized product packaging creates more environmentally friendly solutions, such as paper instead of plastics. Additionally, the costs and problems of returns for DVDs and other disc-based media are reduced. " ...

Via NXP: NXP and Kestrel Wireless partner to eliminate theft of DVDs in retail

RFID Solutions MSoft Biztalk By TCS

TCS will deliver RFID solutions using Microsoft RFID architecture. ...

... "TCS has launched an initiative to develop RFID solutions built on Microsoft BizTalk RFID to help companies simplify business processes, innovate more effectively, drive business efficiencies and enable deeper customer satisfaction ... " ...

TCS, Microsoft tie up for RFID solutions

CLIP RFID Connects Patients and Medical Assets Through Microsoft Biztalk RFID

Aventyn releases V1.2 of CLIP, its Clinical Information Processing Platform. CLIP integrates RFID capability to support hospitals and medical manufacturers to connect patients and medical assets. CLIP v1.2 integrates with Microsoft's BizTalk RFID technology. This creates a health information management solution that enables healthcare industry to link care provider business processes with events in the supply-chain. Aventyn participates in the Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Technology Adoption Program (TAP) to enable new RFID features in this release. ...

... "Enterprise Deployment of Connected Health Information: The availability of CLIP v1.2 provides clinicians and healthcare providers a flexible, yet affordable choice in the secure tracking of critical resources in a healthcare setting based on hospital, medical lab and supplier requirements. CLIP is available as a RFID-enabled hosted platform solution or as an installable packaged solution, seamlessly integrating into most existing IT environments with support for multiple users. A robust, ease-of-use interface offers installation, industry standard Gen2 RFID tag-reader configuration and deployment within hours. The modular CLIP architecture allows for true connected information processing for automated patient administration and medical asset tracking with built-in support for processing Gen2 RFID tagged health cards, patient wristbands and asset labels. " ...

Via Webitpr: CLIP V1.2 With Enhanced Integrated RFID Capability For Hospitals And Medical Suppliers

Intel-Reva RFID Reader LLRP Developer Trial

Reva and Intel collaborate to enable equipment vendors to trial LLRP protocol for RFID readers. ...

... "Intel will provide Reva's Low Level RFID Reader Protocol (LLRP) developers' kit and test tool to reader vendors employing Intel's R1000 radio chip. This is in addition to the ongoing LLRP development activities Reva and several leading reader manufacturers started earlier this year. LLRP is an EPCglobal standard for reader control and communications that is paving the way to industry‐wide reader interoperability. Upon completion of a 30‐day prototyping period among reader manufacturers, the Reva LLRP developer's kit, implementation code and supporting documentation will be turned over to an open source project available to any individual or company who wishes to participate." ...

Via Reva Systems: Reva Systems and Intel Collaborate to Drive RFID Reader Standard (PDF) ...

RFID Open-Standards Benefits Container Tracking Per Pilot

Recent active RFID pilot project using Oracle and Savi Technology infrastructure validates the need for common standards to realize benefits in port operations. RFID-enabled seaborne shipping containers provide real-time tracking status in the Asian supply chain tested in the pilot, using EPC Information Services (EPCIS), a draft standard championed by GS1 EPCglobal. The objective of this effort is to enable greater transport visibility across stakeholders, countries and continents. ...

... "The benefits seem clear, but many vendors and end users believe that the prerequisites for greater RFID adoption in this sector are a common nomenclature for RFID data, and a standard framework for the way in which that information is shared via open standards such as EPCIS. The EPCglobal pilot with Savi and Oracle represents a significant step towards the practical realization of a truly useful standard, notes Liard. It is the first real-world demonstration among port operators of the potential created when multiple trading partners and service providers can speak the same language. " ...

Via ABI ResearchContainer Tracking Pilot Highlights the Benefits of RFID Standards in Port Management

Government RFID Position

US and EU position on RFID technology is cautiously optimistic, with an eye toward protecting privacy. In order to enable efficient and effective commerce, governments appear willing to allow the technology to mature without the burden of legislation, at this time in the development lifecycle. ...

... "We were afraid the EU would mandate RFID legislation and would perhaps fail to understand where the technology was going. Instead, they took a step in the direction of monitoring the technology to prevent consumer harm. " ...

Via GCN: Commerce Dept, Robert Cresanti Interview

Alien RFID Supports WebSphere Premises Server

Alien Technology will support IBM's new WebSphere RFID Premises Server 6.0, a middleware platform that integrates RFID data with enterprise business processes. Alien will validate its Enterprise RFID Readers in IBM's WebSphere RFID Device Program, which will enable customers accelerate integration of RFID devices in their implementations. ...

... "Alien Enterprise RFID Readers and their underlying Alien Reader Protocol dovetail well with the new IBM offering, providing complementary and synergistic features for enterprise deployment. These include remote software version management, SNMP, Automode, and automatic recovery in the event of power or network outage. The Premises Server's open architecture allows these and other Alien capabilities to be fully leveraged to help drive the implementation of a scalable and reliable RFID system within an IBM enterprise infrastructure. " ...

Via Alien Tech: Alien Technology Supports IBM WebSphere RFID Premises Server 6.0

RFID Healthcare Sample-Management Authenticity

Iris International will use SkyeTek RFID solution to enable specimen management for healthcare samples. ...

... "Iris will integrate an M2 HF SkyeModule with ReaderWare Security into the iQ200 Urinalysis System that will read data on the RFID-tagged consumable reagent system. With the M2 incorporated, the iQ200 will now be able to check for reagent type, manufacturing date, and authenticity each time the reagent system is used for sample testing. Zebra's R110Xi-HF RFID printer, which also utilizes SkyeTek's M2 as its internal reader engine, will generate an encrypted, tag-specific digital fingerprint and encode it onto the reagent label as it is being printed. " ...

Via SkyeTek: Secure RFID Solution to Enhance Patient Safety

RFID Multiplexer Product Multiple Antenna

metraTec RFID Solutions launched its family of RFID multiplexers with multiple antenna ports for HF and UHF applications. ...

... "With seven different product versions, metraTec has the world's largest product spectrum for RFID multiplexers. The devices are meant to enable users to easily set up complex RFID systems like RFID shelves or antenna arrays for location tracking at low cost. The products presented are compatible with all readers on the market independent of reader brand. Special emphasis was placed on simple control of the antenna ports and a robust electronics design based purely on semiconductors. All product versions are available as of today. " ...

Via metraTec: RFID Expert metraTec Presents Multiplexer Product Family with up to 16 Antenna Ports

Intel RFID Chips Enable Alien Technology Reader

Alien will use Intel RFID transceiver in RFID reader products. ...

... "Alien Technology Corporation plans to offer RFID Readers based on the new Intel UHF RFID Transceiver R1000. The new Alien RFID reader products will capitalize on the high levels of integration and performance of the Intel R1000 to address new and emerging market opportunities for RFID readers worldwide. Alien plans to offer readers in new, smaller form factors with the advanced EPCglobal Gen 2 and software enhanced features typical of Alien readers. " ...

Via Alien Technology: Alien Technology Announces Support for the Intel UHF RFID Transceiver R1000

Retail RFID Implementation: European Shoes

Checkpoint Systems enters into a strategic agreement with RENO, European shoe retailer. The agreement will enable an RFID source-tagging program and implementation at 700 retail locations across six countries with NDRF-based (New Digital Radio Frequency) RFID tagging system. The implementation will be completed in May. The RFID system will support reduction of shrinkage and improvement of the customer experience. ...

... "Switching from EM to NDRF technology, RENO wants to further optimise both its market presence and its operational processes. To be successful in the shoe retail trade the goods have to be presented in the right way. As well as displaying shoes in pairs and in boxes, an open shop construction is also particularly important, says Konigs. With NDRF, the current aisle widths in the branches could be increased from 90 cm to 1.80 m and a more customer friendly entrance introduced. Further improvements in the business process include simpler deactivation of the tagged goods at the point of sale. The cashier transaction is sped up while it guarantees that no customer will leave the store with a tag that accidentally remains activated, thereby triggering a false alarm. RENO's decision for radio-frequency source tagging is a further step towards a uniform standard in security technology, not only in Germany, says Ulrich Schafer, Vice-President and General Manager NCE Unit, of Checkpoint Systems. For retailers, radio-frequency source tagging is the best option for reducing the costs of shrinkage. At the same time they are able to create a customer-friendly shopping atmosphere, which will help to boost sales. " ...

Via Checkpoint Systems: RENO Partners with Checkpoint Systems for Its Source Tagging Programme

RFID Plant Automation Network Integration

Automation technology will integrate RFID readers and other intelligent devices in the plant network, enabling real-time response to production events. ...

... "The deviceWISE 2.0 framework links PLCs, RFID readers and other intelligent devices in a network to enable bidirectional data flow between systems running, IBM DB2, IBM Websphere, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Servers and other software. This connectivity provides companies with an accurate picture of the production environment, allowing companies to monitor and retrieve information faster and to respond to operational issues in real-time. " ...

Via ILSTechnology: ILS Technology Enters Joint Development Agreement With Mitsubishi Electric for deviceWISE 2.0 Framework ...

RFID Patent iCE Invention Bridges Tags

Syscan receives broad patent for iCE technology from Canadian Patent Office. ...

... "Syscan believes that iCE is a significant leap forward in the evolution of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification); not only for the Company's selected verticals in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and the military but throughout the entire spectrum of RFID. With iCE, the real-time desktop monitoring of remote assets can be significantly enhanced and the much predicted internet of things made more functional.

Syscan's iCE invention was developed using an energy-efficient dynamic bi-directional communications protocol that employs transmission windows to dramatically reduce the power consumption of Tag batteries, which comprise a major portion of the per-Tag cost. iCE Readers can access Tags that would normally be out of range by substituting other Tags that are within reach to temporarily act as communication bridges to relay data to the Reader. The architecture of the iCE RFID network can be defined by the Reader or the Tags according to their positions and characteristics. Once configured, the system is equipped with enough intelligence and is sufficiently dynamic to enable it to operate by itself without human intervention, regardless of whether or not there is a change in the position of the Tags or in their environment. " ...

Via Syscan: Syscan's Breakthrough RFID Technology Approved for Patent

Russia RFID Transportation Application: Moscow Metro

UPM Raflatac will supply RFID inlays for contactless passenger tickets on the Moscow Metro. The RFID inlays will be supplied in cooperation with Moscow-based Comvision Russland for ticket converting at JSC Mikron. ...

... "The Moscow Metro is one of the world's most heavily used metro systems, carrying 8.2 million passengers on a normal weekday. The RFID inlays provided by UPM Raflatac will replace the cards with magnetic stripe Moscow Metro is currently using for tickets with a fixed number of journeys. For seasonal tickets, the Moscow Metro is already using contactless RFID smart cards which enable significantly faster entry for passengers. The Moscow Metro was the first metro system in Europe to implement smart cards together with a new type of magnetic card in 1998. In the first stage, the monthly usage of UPM Raflatac HF inlays based on the Mifare Ultralight standard will be 5 million pieces. After a transitional period at the end of summer 2007, usage will rise to approximately 30 million inlays per month. " ...

Via UPM Raflatac: UPM Raflatac supplies RFID inlays for Moscow Metro contactless tickets ...

RFID Transportation Logistics Solution

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

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

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

Honda RFID Assemply Line: Critical Component Traceability

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

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



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

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

RFID Reader Module: Small Form Factor

WJ Communications introduces a low cost, small form factor Gen2 UHF RFID module, the WJM3000, which is based on its WJC200 reader chipset. The WJM3000 is the size of a compact flash card and uses almost 60% fewer discreet components, compared to currently available modules on the market. This RFID module will exceed industry benchmarks for fast inventory time and longer read and write range with worldwide Generation-2 RFID tags. ...

... "Utilizing WJ's RF expertise and leadership in wireless infrastructure and radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, WJ has developed the WJM family of UHF RFID Reader Module products to enable OEMs to offer RFID functionality in mobile devices while maintaining key parameters such as low cost, light weight and extended battery life. The data connectors provide an easy snap on PCB or a cable connection allowing for easy integration.

The main applications for WJM3000 include: RFID enabled Mobile Devices, RFID Enabled Handheld Readers, RFID Enabled Fork Lift Readers, and RFID Portal Reader. " ...

Via WJ Communications: WJ Communications Revolutionize the UHF Gen2 RFID Reader Module Market ...