Medical RFID Tagging

Solstice Medical ties up with Magellan Technology on integration projects and RFID implementations for the medical device industry. ...

... "Magellan's PJM technology is able to scan more than 600 randomly organized products per second even when RFID labels are close to metals, liquids or other labels, and has proven in day to day operations its 100% identification accuracy, reliability and quality in the medical device industry. " ...

Via Magellan Technology: Alliance Supports Medical RFID Solutions

Solstice Medical is the developer of the DOCK to DOCTM system, a comprehensive asset management solution, and provides RFID tag engineering, single use and reusable medical grade RFID tags, site and enterprise tracking software, RFID hardware, systems integration, maintenance and support to enable total supply chain control.

Magellan Technology Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia, is a technology developer, manufacturer and licensor of advanced read and write 13.56MHz RFID systems. Magellan designs and offer RFID chips, inlets and a complete reader portfolio for Magellan's Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM) technology, which complies with the International Standard ISO/IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2.

RFID Portal Identifies Liquid Containers

Video demonstrates identification of containers as they glide through an RFID portal. ...

RFID Metal Packaging Works as Antenna

QinetiQ and Crown collaborate to develop adaptation of QinetiQ's Omni-ID Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for use on metal packaging. The improvements will enable RFID tags at the unit-level on metal items. Technology advancement is expected to integrate the metal substrate as part of the RFID tag's antenna. ...

... "This will enable brand owners to integrate ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tags into metal packaging for a wide variety of applications at the single item level. Designed to mitigate issues such as signal reflection, detuning and grounding which reduce or negate RFID's effectiveness on metal packaging or with aqueous-based products, the unique technology leverages several of metal's inherent properties and shifts the format into an advantageous position.

QinetiQ's standalone Omni-ID tags and integrated Omni-ID packaging technology allows a UHF tag to be mounted directly onto the metal substrate. Measuring substantially less than 1mm in thickness, the unique Omni-ID structure collects and focuses RF energy and enables highly efficient coupling to the chip. Another advantage of the system is that RFID chips require only a short coupling antenna rather than the large dipole usually incorporated in UHF tags, significantly reducing manufacturing costs. Crown and QinetiQ are continuing development of the technology for metal packaging to further optimize design. In the near future, it is expected that the metal substrate itself will have an integral role in the way the technology functions. Using a beverage or food can as an example, the can itself would serve as the antenna, simplifying production of the RFID tag and further reducing costs. " ...

Via Qinetiq: Crown teams up with QinetiQ to resolve challenges of RFID on metal packaging ...

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree ...

Unisys and ODIN Tech collaborate on RFID frequency research for pharmaceutical industry ePedigree applications ...

... "Sponsored by Unisys, who collaborated with ODIN in the design of testing protocols and use cases, the benchmark addresses the industry's heated debate over which frequency, high (HF) or ultra-high (UHF) works best for item-level pharmaceutical tracking and authentication. The testing focused on scientific evaluation of various tags and then pinpointed several popular applications or use-case testing scenarios. Significant collaboration with pharmaceutical clients and partners, including manufacturers and distributors, made the tests particularly salient to a broad audience in the pharmaceutical world. All of the testing was conducted with hardware and tags that are available in production quantities to end-users today. No prototype or hand-built artifacts were allowed in the research as they are untested in production environments and prototype demonstrations are often misleading.

After completing scientific tag testing, ODIN technologies and Unisys extended this study to include RFID use cases typical in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The team used standard pill bottles, liquid filled bottles and blister packs for the testing. These use cases uncover the core requirements of RFID as an e-Pedigree and product authentication tool in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This step goes beyond mere demonstration or theoretical analysis to provide direct evidence of HF and UHF RFID performance in a real world setting. Since there is a wide variety in RFID tag and reader performance, multiple UHF and HF tags and readers were utilized throughout the process. The final performance analysis was based on the best performing reader and tag combinations in each frequency. " ...

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree: Via Unisys: Unisys & ODIN technologies' Research Reveals RFID High- vs. Ultra-high Frequency Leader for Pharmaceutical Industry

ODIN technologies is the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, deployment and software. ODIN technologies leverages its team of RF engineers, physicists and software developers combined with its laboratory facilities to provide RFID consulting services to major retailers, pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods manufacturers, United States government agencies and other RFID adopters. In addition to client deployment services, ODIN technologies is also the publisher of the RFID Benchmark Series, the industry's first and most referenced head to head performance analysis of leading RFID components. ODIN's President and CEO, Patrick J. Sweeney II is also author of RFID for Dummies published by John Wiley & Sons. ODIN technologies is privately held and has labs and offices in Dulles, VA.

RFID Gen2 Item Level Tags ...

Impinj extends RFID Gen2 solution to item-level tagging ...

... "Impinj, Inc., the fabless semiconductor company whose patented Self-Adaptive Silicon technology enables its high performance radio frequency identification (RFID) products, announced the extension of its GrandPrix Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Gen 2 solution to include item-level tagging capability. Responding to increased demand from the global retail supply chain and other high-growth markets, Impinj has enhanced GrandPrix for tracking pharmaceuticals, apparel, CD/DVDs and many other high-value products. Conforming to EPCglobal's Gen 2 standard, GrandPrix is the first RFID system to provide a single infrastructure suitable for tagging items, cases and pallets, thus simplifying RFID installations and reducing system implementation costs without sacrificing system performance or functionality. Powered by Impinj's industry-leading Monza Gen 2 tag chip and Speedway reader with monostatic antenna technology, the GrandPrix item-level tagging solution also comprises a suite of patented, small-footprint tag antennas optimized for challenging item types or stocking conditions. For example, GrandPrix includes customized tag antennas for garments, DVDs and other stackable items, and items containing liquid or metals. " ...

RFID Gen2 Item Level Tags: Via Impinj: Impinj Extends GrandPrix™ Gen 2 RFID Solution to Item-Level Tagging ...

RFID Industry Consolidation: BEA Acquisition

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

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

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

RFID Technology Cost Reduction

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology Cost Reduction

... "Q: Would a proposal regarding LCP (liquid crystal polymer) hermetic electronic packaging of RF devices (such as RF filters and resonators) for RFID applications with lower cost and higher degrees of integration fall within the scope of this topic? A: The answer to the question is yes. All proposals discussing an innovation of RFID technology that can drive down costs would be within the scope of the topic." ...

Motorola RFID Enables Liquid Media Future Shown at Consumer Electronic Show CES 2005 ...

RFID Enables Liquid Media Future Shown at Consumer Electronic Show CES 2005: 2005 International CES Opening Day Showcases World's Coolest CE ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Using an RFID tag developed by Motorola, the user can move from the home, to the car, to the office and the live content seamlessly will follow the user from ...

... Powerful and exciting displays of the hottest consumer electronics products, technologies and trends were unleashed on the opening day of the 2005 International CES(R). With heavy hitting keynote speakers and conference sessions featuring the industry's most pressing topics, the 2005 International CES is shaping up to be the biggest and best in history. The 2005 International CES runs January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the opening morning of, Gary Shapiro president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), delivered an inspiring and exciting State of the Industry Address. Shapiro announced plans for the 2005 SINOCES, which will take place in Qingdao, China in July. "Our mission here is simple," Shapiro said, "to grow the CE industry." ...

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 1,850 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $110 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

Additional resources on RFID liquid media ...

Motorola uses RFID to power ubiquitous media: JC pinned an RFID tag on Mr. Zander and had ... Using a technology called "Liquid Media," four monitors at each station ... play and stop video or audio content when Mr ...

2005 International CES: Attendees: Garriques shows off Liquid Media, an application that allows content to follow its user as it morphs itself to fit the environment. Using an RFID tag developed ...

Motorola Keeps ITunes Client Hidden: frequency identification tag as part of its "Liquid Media" initiative that allows content to follow ... particular tune at home can carry their RFID tag into ...

RFID Port Security: VistaScape to Secure Port of New Haven; Automated Wide-Area ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... accurate 3-D display of all activity in a secured area based on combined analysis of video surveillance and other distributed sensors, such as RFID and radar. ...

... VistaScape Security Systems announced today that New Haven Terminal Inc., an operator at the Port of New Haven, Conn., and Logistec, the North American marine services company, have chosen VistaScape's SiteIQ(TM) to secure Logistec's terminal and shipping operations located within the Port of New Haven. SiteIQ is the industry's leading automated wide-area surveillance solution, used to protect critical infrastructure sites including ports, airports, chemical plants, and other at-risk facilities. SiteIQ gives users a single, highly accurate 3-D display of all activity in a secured area based on combined analysis of video surveillance and other distributed sensors, such as RFID and radar. ...

New Haven Terminal, Inc. is a privately owned, third party, "for-hire" bulk liquid storage terminal located directly on the east shore of New Haven Harbor. The company has been in business since 1941, and currently specializes in the storage and distribution of a variety of liquid petrochemicals and petroleum fuel products. It is a key player in the chain of energy distribution, with a total storage capacity in excess of 2,500,000 barrels (105,000,000 gallons). Its principal function is as follows: Liquid products are delivered to the terminal by ocean going tankers and harbor barges. From the terminal, these liquid products, such as diesel fuel, heating oil, kerosene, jet fuel and chemical raw materials, are distributed into the southern New England region by marine transportation, truck and pipeline."

VistaScape Security Systems develops industry-leading automated wide-area surveillance software solutions to protect commercial sites, government facilities, and other at-risk infrastructure. Its flagship product, SiteIQ(TM), is the only multi-sensor, single-view surveillance solution, allowing security professionals to visually define and centrally manage an automated security policy. SiteIQ delivers unparalleled situational awareness, enabling personnel to focus on prevention, not reaction. Founded in 1999, Atlanta-based VistaScape is recognized by Red Herring as one of the "Top 100 Private Firms Driving the Future of Technology" and among Fast Company's list of the 101 top ideas, trends and people that will change the way we work and live in 2005.

Low Temperature RFID: Research Instruments Limited announces launch of a revolutionary new RFID developed for identification in liquid nitrogen

Research Instruments Limited (Cornwall, UK), have developed a revolutionary new product using RFID microchip technology for specimen identification within liquid nitrogen for pharmaceutical and medical applications.

Operating at -196oC (-321oF) temperatures, ‘Cryoscan’ utilises Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips to locate individual frozen samples immersed in liquid nitrogen. The chip also has an anticollision function that enables the simultaneous reading of several tags, making it the first RFID device of its kind to function effectively at a temperature of -196 oC.

Bill Brown, Managing Director of Research Instruments said, “Cryoscan differs from currently available technology as although some chips can withstand the –196 oC temperature, they need to be warmed to – 80 oC in order to function. Our chip operates at –196 oC so that the samples do not need to be removed from the liquid nitrogen to be scanned which is the major breakthrough.”

The Cryoscan system works by utilising a PC database and a lightweight handheld PDA RFID reader. Typical applications include; Blood, Cord Blood, Stem Cell, IVF and pharmaceutical tracking.

Large cryobanks and pharmaceutical companies looking for traceability in cryopreserved samples have already approached Research Instruments Ltd and anyone who would like further information should contact sales@research-instruments.com

Contact:

J Retallack, Sales Director
Research Instruments Ltd
Bickland Industrial Park
Falmouth
Cornwall TR11 4TA
UK

+44 1326 327 753

www.research-instruments.com

sales@research-instruments.com

RFID Technology Advances: Magic ink that makes metal grow

From BBC News, UK ... It means antennas for tiny mobiles or radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, used for tracking goods, could be made cheaply and quickly. ...

QinetiQ is Europe's largest science and technology organisation. Formerly an agency of the MOD, the company has a distinguished heritage as a leading provider of technology solutions and a supplier of impartial and trusted advice. QinetiQ's core business is providing scientific research, test and evaluation for military customers to give them leading edge competitive advantage. In many areas the problems posed by the defence environment require the creation of intellectual property well beyond the state of the art in commercial markets. QinetiQ's move into the private sector facilitates access to this treasure trove of technology by customers from fields as diverse as transport, health, energy and telecommunications. The commercial production of low-cost, high volume RFID security / tracking tags along with a host of other applications where a fine metal pattern is needed (labels, smart cards, antenna, frequency selective surfaces), moved a major step closer. QinetiQ announced that Sun Chemical Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of printing inks and pigments used to produce credit cards and security documents, will manufacture base inks for its patented QinetiQ Metal Printing processes, through its Coates Screen business unit. The QinetiQ process is uniquely based on printing a desired pattern on either a flexible or rigid substrate using industry standard printing processes, and then 'growing' pure fully densified metal where required by immersion in chemical baths. With significantly fewer production stages than current techniques, the process produces negligible waste, is exceptionally cost effective as it requires substantially less metal, is much more flexible and has better 'green' credentials. QinetiQ originally developed this metal printing process because it needed large 'sheets' (up to 2m2) of Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) for use in radar applications and as part of its development of its MillimetreWave security screening device. FSSs allow only certain wavelengths to pass through them and are commonly found as the protective screening in microwave ovens or used in various radar applications. QinetiQ (pronounced ki' ne tik as in 'kinetic energy') is one of Europe's largest science and technology solutions companies that employs nearly 10,000 staff, including many of the UK's leading scientists and internationally acclaimed experts. Founded from the laboratories of the UK Government, today QinetiQ operates in markets as diverse as marine, energy, telecommunications, automotive, rail, electronics, defence, space, health, oil & gas, aerospace and information technology. QinetiQ's facilities include indoor and outdoor ranges, wind tunnels, marine testing facilities, automotive test tracks and climatic testing laboratories. QinetiQ's heritage covers the pioneering research and development of many household technologies such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), carbon fibre, the technology for flat panel speakers, infra-red sensors and microwave radar, a life saving foetal heart monitoring system, plus other significant advancements in the areas of healthcare, passenger security and transport.

QinetiQ RFID: Growing Low-Cost RFID Antennas

From RFID Journal ... June 7, 2004—Worried about the cost of RFID tags? ... The base inks can also be formulated for use on different types of substrates used for the RFID tag. ...

Doing Business with QinetiQ: We aim to form partnerships and joint ventures with companies who share our views on the importance of technology. QinetiQ has the potential to become a globally recognised brand, and the world's leading technology-based solutions provider. As a public private partnership, QinetiQ will have greater freedom and access to capital, allowing it to exploit its technologies and capabilities in wider markets and to achieve a significantly higher return on capital. Subsequently, the aim is to position QinetiQ for an Initial Public Offering within the next two to four years. QinetiQ has the potential to become a globally recognised brand, and the world's leading technology-based solutions provider.

QinetiQ announced that Sun Chemical Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of printing inks and pigments used to produce credit cards and security documents, will manufacture base inks for its patented QinetiQ Metal Printing processes, through its Coates Screen business unit. The QinetiQ process is uniquely based on printing a desired pattern on either a flexible or rigid substrate using industry standard printing processes, and then 'growing' pure fully densified metal where required by immersion in chemical baths. With significantly fewer production stages than current techniques, the process produces negligible waste, is exceptionally cost effective as it requires substantially less metal, is much more flexible and has better 'green' credentials.

QinetiQ (pronounced ki' ne tik as in 'kinetic energy') is one of Europe's largest science and technology solutions companies that employs nearly 10,000 staff, including many of the UK's leading scientists and internationally acclaimed experts. Founded from the laboratories of the UK Government, today QinetiQ operates in markets as diverse as marine, energy, telecommunications, automotive, rail, electronics, defence, space, health, oil & gas, aerospace and information technology. QinetiQ's facilities include indoor and outdoor ranges, wind tunnels, marine testing facilities, automotive test tracks and climatic testing laboratories. QinetiQ's heritage covers the pioneering research and development of many household technologies such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), carbon fibre, the technology for flat panel speakers, infra-red sensors and microwave radar, a life saving foetal heart monitoring system, plus other significant advancements in the areas of healthcare, passenger security and transport.

Low-Cost RFID: Xerox hopes plastic ink leads to printed chips

From InfoWorld, CA ... has discovered a way to print plastic transistors using a semiconductive ink, paving the way for flexible displays and low-cost RFID (radio frequency ...

Xerox Research Results Bring Printed Plastic Transistors Closer to Commercial Reality

Complete plastic transistor circuit could be printed using new semiconductive ink

SAN FRANCISO, April 16, 2004 -- Semiconductive ink and new materials revealed today by Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) may make flexible roll-up television screens and computer displays one step closer to reality.
According to Xerox, it has developed a high-performance, semiconductive ink that can be used to print the semiconductor channels of transistors at low temperatures and in open air - a requirement for low-cost manufacturing. Most materials developed by researchers from other organizations have required processing at high temperatures and under inert atmospheres.

In addition to creating the semiconductive ink necessary to print the semiconductor component of a transistor circuit, Beng Ong, a Xerox fellow, reported today that his team at the Xerox Research Centre of Canada has also developed materials for printing the conductor and the dielectric components. Thus, all three elements necessary to make a plastic circuit - a semiconductor, a conductor and dielectric - may now be printed using inkjet techniques.

Companies worldwide have been competing to develop a low-cost alternative to silicon technology that could print flexible plastic transistors as easily as printing a newspaper. The technology could ultimately lead to inexpensive large-area devices like flat-panel and flexible displays and low-end microelectronics such as radio frequency identification tags.

The manufacturing dilemma
The Holy Grail for researchers who want to bring flexible plastic circuits to the masses is a low-cost manufacturing solution that has two key elements: one, materials that can be processed in ambient conditions, and two, compatible printing techniques. The research developments announced today could satisfy both these manufacturing requirements.

According to Ong, if progress continues on this research project as he expects, Xerox just may have found the missing elements that could enable commercialized applications of flexible printed transistors. Ong discussed these research findings in a presentation at the Materials Research Society spring conference here today.

"Having developed these three critical liquid-processable materials may make it possible to create low-cost, flexible plastic transistor circuits using common liquid-deposition techniques such as spin coating, screen or stencil printing, offset, or inkjet printing," Ong said. He believes that products based on these or similar materials will be available commercially in the near future.

Xerox's advances build on the unique polythiophene semiconductor previously designed by Ong's team at XRCC, as well as on the Palo Alto Research Center's method for creating a plastic semiconductor transistor array using inkjet printing, reported last fall. PARC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox.

The open air issue
Being able to print in open air is significant because the electrical properties of most liquid-processable organic semiconductors degrade when exposed to atmospheric oxygen. This makes it difficult to build functional transistors in air. However, the Xerox polythiophene semiconductor not only possesses better air stability, but also exhibits excellent self assembly behavior.

Its unique molecular characteristics allow it to be readily processed into novel, structurally ordered semiconductor nanoparticles. These nanoparticles, when dispersed in a liquid, form environmentally stable nanoparticle ink. The ink provides consistent properties and enables inkjet printing of high-performing organic transistor channel layers under ambient conditions for the first time.

Under a National Institute of Standards and Technology's Advanced Technology Program grant, Xerox is working with Motorola Inc. and Dow Chemical Company in developing plastic integrated circuits for various electronic applications. Using XRCC's materials, PARC is inkjet printing active-matrix addressed arrays as backplane switching circuits for displays, while Motorola is fabricating plastic circuits for various applications using commercial printing technologies.

"Without the sharing of financial burden through the ATP grant, Xerox would not have been able to aggressively pursue this high-risk research endeavor," said Hervé Gallaire, president, Xerox Innovation Group, and the company's chief technology officer. "The ATP grant has dramatically accelerated the progress of this research, leading to our profound materials and process developments for this emerging technology."

Xerox Corporation operates research and technology centers in the United States, Canada and Europe that conduct work in color science, computing, digital imaging, work practices, electromechanical systems, novel materials and other disciplines connected to Xerox's expertise in printing and document management. The company consistently builds its inventions into business by embedding them in superior Xerox products and solutions, using them as the foundation of new businesses, or licensing or selling them to other entities. For more information, visit www.xerox.com/innovation.

Walmart RFID Compliance: Forrester Research Projects The Cost Of RFID Implementation

Report Finds That Only A Fraction Of Suppliers Will Meet Wal-Mart's January 2005 Mandate Cambridge, Mass., March 30, 2004 . . . A new Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) report, "RFID At What Cost?," places RFID implementation costs — startup and one year of maintenance annually — at approximately $9 million for a typical supplier attempting to comply with Wal-Mart.(1) The report also indicates that only 25 percent of suppliers will meet Wal-Mart's January 1, 2005 deadline.

"There is no business case for most suppliers in the short term," says Forrester Research Senior Analyst Christine Spivey Overby. "The technology is not ready, and there is a lack of deep expertise in the industry to help suppliers implement RFID."

The largest costs remain constant from supplier to supplier, highlighting major challenges that will impede RFID deployments.

Tags currently make up more than 80 percent of a supplier's cost. Based on today's tag production processes and projected volumes, Forrester believes that suppliers should not build a near-term business case on any price lower than $0.40 per tag.
Professional services spent on getting distribution centers operational are high and will only increase, due to a short supply of experienced RFID experts.
Converse to what many believe, companies implementing RFID should expect to add supply chain labor to their budgets in the first year, because vendors have yet to perfect solutions for automating tagging and embedding RFID in packaging material.

To gain benefits such as product tracking, businesses need to begin RFID implementation at the manufacturer, rather than at the distribution center, which is one step closer to a retailer in the supply chain. Today, "source tagging" cases at the manufacturer is too disruptive for most companies to implement. Because source tagging requires significant process re-engineering and budgets that top $100 million in some cases, RFID early adopters like Gillette are the only companies that will attempt this approach in the next 12 months. In the short term, a "slap-and-ship" approach, in which suppliers tag cases and pallets in the distribution center, is the most realistic scenario for a majority of suppliers.

What Should Wal-Mart Do?: The report recommends that Wal-Mart redefine the scope of its RFID mandate by narrowing the scope of products to those with limited amounts of metal and liquid. With a narrower focus on high-priced products like prescription drugs, apparel, and DVDs, fewer suppliers would be affected by the 2005 mandate. It would also allow vendors and suppliers additional time to perfect tag reliability for all products. Forrester also recommends that Wal-Mart use its influence to help create a buying consortium, giving suppliers the collective power to cut tag costs.

What Should Suppliers Do?: Forrester suggests that suppliers use their initial learnings to shape mandates by Wal-Mart and other retailers. In addition to addressing the challenges they are facing in implementing RFID with Wal-Mart, suppliers should create an internal RFID lead position with direct access to the CEO.

(1) Total cost of compliance varies depending on a company's distribution network and Wal-Mart volume. The model includes costs associated with infrastructure, software, consulting, and new warehouse labor.

Forrester is an independent technology research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice about technology's impact on business. Business, marketing, and IT professionals worldwide collaborate with Forrester to align their technology investments with their business goals. Forrester offers products and services in four major areas: Research, Data, Consulting, and Community. Established in 1983, Forrester is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For additional information, visit www.forrester.com.

RFID Protects Liquid Assets

From RFID Journal, Mar 24, 2004 ... A maker of couplings for tubing is using low-cost RFID tags to monitor and control the way liquids are dispensed. By Jonathan Collins March 24 2004 company that designs and manufactures connectors and fittings for flexible tubing has turned to RFID specialists to help cut the cost of Colder's RFID-enabled Smart Coupler products ...

Low Cost RFID...

Low-cost RFID from Innovision R&T reduces risk of liquid-transfer errors
Release Date: 1 March 2004

Ultra-low-cost Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags designed by Innovision R&T plc, the RFID design services specialist, will allow Colder Products Company (CPC) to use RFID tagging across a large range of its Smart Couplings, radically improving product identification and, therefore, quality assurance and safety.

CPC is an innovator in the design and manufacture of fluid couplings connections and fittings that allow flexible tubing to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected. Innovision R&T's ability to reduce the cost of RFID tags to less than a fifth of the cost of previous tags will allow CPC to bring the benefits of smart identification to virtually all of its fluid coupling requirements. The implementation of RFID is an important strategic move for CPC and the company is planning to produce tens of millions of tagged couplings over the next 3 years.

In Smart Coupling, the main benefits of RFID are improved quality assurance, safety, and product identification in the transmission of liquids. The tags enable identification of individual couplings and matching pairs, helping to ensure that they are connected correctly and that the appropriate liquids are being delivered through them. A well-designed RFID system embedded within a fluid coupling can, therefore, ensure that non-authorised liquids do not enter containers in the filling plant or dispensing systems on the other end of the supply chain. The tags are read-write, do not require line-of-sight reading and can even be embedded within the couplings.

CPC's initial RFID-based coupling applications will be found in food and beverage dispensers and chemical cleaning devices, where effective quality assurance is essential to users' safety. In beverage dispensers, Smart Couplings can help ensure that correct amounts are dispensed, that sugared syrup is not used in drinks advertised as sugar-free, and that products can be monitored for freshness. In chemical handling, RFID tagging can ensure the correct type and sequencing of ingredients.

"Innovision R&T's RFID tags will provide us with new opportunities because of their low cost and reliability, giving us an even sharper competitive edge," said CPC Smart Technology Business Unit Manager Rick Garber. "Earlier options of stick-on labels containing tags were not entirely reliable across our range of platforms because labels can sometimes become detached, or worse, the die can be damaged in certain applications. However, Innovision R&T's tags can be embedded in our existing couplings, eliminating these potential risks and enhancing both quality assurance and reliability."

"Industry's understanding of the many benefits of RFID tags is growing rapidly, but adoption has often been inhibited by perceived cost," explained Rob Kitchen, Innovision R&T's Head of Consumer Sector Development. "As one of the world's leading RFID design centres, Innovision R&T has succeeded in reducing costs through its novel approaches to the design of both its tags and the wider RFID system. By developing a business model that gives clients access to our technology at very low cost, we are now enabling clients such as CPC to place themselves at the forefront of technology and take significant leads in their respective markets."

Kitchen continued: "Smart RFID tagging can also be used as a cost-effective brand protection device and for a range of other business challenges in the consumer, medical and transport sectors."

About Innovision Research & Technology plc

Founded in 1994, Innovision Research & Technology plc is an electronics solutions provider and a major player in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) industry. Through the creation, development and licensing of technologies, Innovision R&T provides innovative solutions to a wide variety of enterprises, including some of the world's largest companies. With a growing team of thirty engineers and scientists, and commercial expertise honed in some of industry's most challenging sectors, Innovision R&T is able to support the entire RFID development process from conceptual design through to production engineering. Innovision R&T works in close partnership with its customers to drive commercial success and deliver competitive value.

Innovision R&T is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (Ticker Symbol: INN). Its head office is in Wokingham, Berkshire, UK.

For more information, see www.innovision-group.com

About Colder Products Company
Colder Products Company is the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of controlled performance connections and fittings that allow flexible tubing to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected. These specially-engineered solutions lend flexibility, control, safety, and cost savings to a broad range of applications. Colder Products' connections and fittings make systems cleaner, easier to maintain and more efficient, while adding new value and functionality to smaller-scale applications.

Founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1978, Colder Products have more than 25 years of experience in providing custom and standard solutions to industrial, medical, chemical handling, packaging and food-dispensing markets. Colder Products' commitments to developing specialized, high-performance product designs has led it to become the largest supplier of quick couplings in the world with direct sales and distributor representation in North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia and Asia.

For more information see www.colder.com

Media Enquiries
Stephen Fleming or Martin Stabe at Palam Communications
Tel +44 (0) 1635 299116
Fax +44 (0) 1635 299115
Email sfleming@palam.co.uk
mstabe@palam.co.uk

General Enquiries
Ian Lavigne,
Innovision Research & Technology plc
Ash Court, 23 Rose Street, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1XS
Tel +44 (0) 118 936 6362
Fax +44 (0) 118 979 1500
Email ianl@innovision-group.com