NATO RFID Consignment System

The NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) contracts with Savi Technology to implement Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based solutions for consignment tracking and management solutions through pre-authorized sourcing. ...

... "The contract, announced today at the opening of the 2007 Paris Air Show, simplifies and centralizes the process for NATO nations to place orders for Savi Technology's networked solutions through the NAMSA procurement process. There are no limits to the size or amount of orders that can be placed through NAMSA. The Savi SmartChain Consignment Management Solution (CMS) is compliant with NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAGS) for consignment management, and already is used by NATO, several member nations and other coalition defense forces worldwide. NATO Force Goal 4052 also recognizes the importance of member nations to have supply chain visibility and interoperability through STANAG-based consignment management systems for greater collaboration in multi-national logistics operations. The contract was awarded to Savi Technology to facilitate the process of gaining real-time visibility of consignments for NATO member and Partner for Peace nations in their own supply chains as well as when collaborating with other nations to transport critical supplies. Centralizing the logistics procurement process through NAMSA helps control costs and quality while promoting the use of standardized solutions for the operational readiness of NATO forces. " ...

Via Savi Technology: NATO RFID-BASED CONSIGNMENT SOLUTION

Checkpoint RFID Metro Pilot Implementation Solves Technical Challenges

Checkpoint Systems is involved in pilot of UHF RFID technology at METRO Group's Distribution Centres near Hamm, Germany, under supervision of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) task group 34 (TG34). The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) plays a major role in the global standardization of Information and Communication Technologies. This pilot has been created to improve the read performance of RFID tags in a high-density UHF reading environment and validate the performance of portal dock door solutions. The successful pilot solves UHF RFID challenges and supports Metro's plan to implement RFID more broadly in 2007. The Metro RFID implementation is aimed at enhancing customer service and increasing the efficiency of its supply chain. METRO Group is an international retailing company with 2005 sales of EUR55.7 billion. The company has a headcount of about 250,000 employees and operates more than 2,200 outlets in 30 countries. ...

... "Utilizing equipment from numerous RFID suppliers in Europe and North America, Checkpoint served as a hardware integrator for the trials. In this capacity, Checkpoint helped with the design work for the hardware solution and procurement, configuration and installation of the 36 RFID-enabled dock door portals which were used to validate successful simultaneous operation of multiple dock doors using a 4-channel synchronized approach under the ETSI 302 208 standard. Pallets containing 62 individually tagged cases largely containing RFID unfriendly materials (such as cans, liquids and metal lined items) were simultaneously transported at warehouse speeds through 36 adjacent loading dock doors. Some 4.5 million individual reads were recorded over the course of the trials. Complying with the ETSI listen before talk (LBT) requirements, the tests achieved a 98.5%+ read rate simultaneously from multiple pallets as they were wheeled through the dock doors. " ...

Via Checkpoint Systems: Checkpoint Systems Partners with Metro Group to Successfully Deploy UHF RFID Dock Door Solution: 98.5%+ Read Rate Represents Milestone in European RFID Deployment ...

Walmart RFID: Dillman Transfers ...

Linda Dillman changes positions for WalMart ...

... "WalMart isn't about to abandon RFID technology, but Linda Dillman is taking a step back from the world of RFID. Dillman, the force behind WalMart's initial RFID mandates, is leaving her position as executive vice president and chief information officer to oversee risk management and benefits administration for the giant retailer. " ...

Walmart RFID: Dillman Transfers: Via John R. Johnson's RFID Watch Weekly: WalMart shuffles RFID management team ...

Via WalMart Stores: WalMart Names Lawrence Jackson President and CEO of Global Procurement: Other senior leadership changes spread talent across the organization: "Linda Dillman, previously executive vice president and chief information officer, will become executive vice president of risk management and benefits administration. She will also lead the company's sustainability efforts. Last fall, Wal-Mart announced aggressive sustainability goals and has recently increased its offerings of organic products. Rollin Ford, previously executive vice president of logistics and supply chain, will become executive vice president and chief information officer, responsible for leading the company's global information systems division. "

DOD RFID Contract Value Doubled and Extended ...

DOD doubles RFID contract value with Savi Technology and extends the contract expiration date.

... "The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has increased its RFID II contract value with Savi Technology from $207.9 million to $424.5 million and extended the ordering period for the company's active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products and services by another two years -- through January 31, 2008. The contract amendments were made by the U.S. Army's Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), and the executive agent for the DoD is the office of the Product Manager, Joint-Automatic Identification Technology. In a public notice, the Department of the Army wrote: The extension of the ordering period and raising of the contract ceiling is necessary in order to continue to provide active RFID tags and associated supplies and services for shipments of materiel to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Savi Technology, a leading developer and provider of RFID supply chain solutions for allied defense forces and commercial enterprises, has provided RFID solutions to the DoD for more than a decade. The company helped build the DoD's In-Transit Visibility (ITV) network, which spans more than 45 countries and tracks military supplies through more than 2,000 sites. In addition to the DoD, the company provides RFID solutions for allies such as NATO, the United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, and Spain, among others. Savi Technology is building interoperable RFID-based networks for allies that enable them to improve the management of consignments for multi-national, joint-force operations. " ...

DOD RFID Contract Value Doubled and Extended: Via Savi Technology: SAVI TECHNOLOGY’S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RFID II CONTRACT CEILING INCREASED TO $424.5 MILLION: Procurement contract for RFID Products and Services Extended Two Years ...

Tags: Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, RFID Tag

RFID UID Military Packaging Seminar ...

Local seminar on RFID UID this Thursday ...

... "Thursday January 12: Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Military Packaging Requirements, 9 a.m.-noon; RFID/UID, military marking requirements for items and packages, 1-4 p.m., 616 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. " ...

RFID UID Military Packaging Seminar: Via St. Paul Pioneer Press: WEEKLY PLANNER

Healthcare RFID: Zebra ProductLine Agreement ...

Zebra inks product-line agreement to serve the healthcare supply chain with RFID printing and other identification technology. Zebra's partner, MedAssets, leverages technology into the healthcare supply chain through best-of-breed solutions. ...

Healthcare RFID: Zebra ProductLine Agreement: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND MEDASSETS ANNOUNCE NEW 3-YEAR AGREEMENT: Zebra to provide MedAssets customers with full line of bar code, card and RFID printers, supplies and services ...

... "Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand specialty printing solutions for business and process improvement, has signed a new three-year full product line agreement with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems, a leading healthcare group purchasing organization (GPO) and supply chain services company. The full line agreement makes Zebra’s bar code, card and RFID printers as well as its supplies and service agreements available to MedAssets' customers for a wide range of identification, tracking and access control applications. " ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, “smart” label, receipt and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

MedAssets, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, improves healthcare providers’ margins and cash flow through revenue cycle and supply chain initiatives. As a strategic business partner, MedAssets can replace multiple vendors and decrease supply costs by 3% to 10% and increase net patient revenue by 1% to 3%. Proprietary information technology is used to work with and improve existing IT assets and work processes. MedAssets, through its revenue cycle subsidiary MedAssets Net Revenue Systems, provides best-of-breed revenue solutions, including strategic pricing, pre-bill charge capturing and ongoing chargemaster management tools, all of which have been peer reviewed by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. In addition, MedAssets offers the only technology enabled systems that manage claim denials and link supply cost data with charge data to ensure accurate charges and defendable markups for all patient identifiable supplies, including costly medical devices. MedAssets, through its supply chain subsidiary MedAssets Supply Chain Systems, operates the fastest growing group purchasing organization and supply chain services company in the U.S. and builds customized solutions encompassing procurement of common medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, physician preference supplies, food and nutrition items, and capital equipment.

RFID Tags Exterior Package ...

RFID Tags Exterior Package: Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy - Radio Frequency Identification (DFARS Case 2004-D011) ...

... "Affix passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to the exterior packaging of shipments to identify the contents; and Electronically submit advance shipment notices to DoD to permit receiving personnel to associate the RFID tag data with the corresponding shipment. " ...

RFID UID Differences ...

RFID UID Differences: Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy - Unique Identification (UID), Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

... "UII is a piece of data associated with an item that uniquely identifies it through out its life. RFID is a vehicle for holding and sharing data. IUID of tangible items deals with physical marking as prescribed in the policy and are applied directly on items or on labels themselves. IUID also requires data to be captured about the item and submitted electronically to a registry database. Think of this as creating a birth certificate for the item. RFID is either a passive (unpowered) or active (powered) transmitter/receiver that stores information on the case or pallet in which UII'd and non-UII'd items are placed. The RFID tag may store the unique item numbers for the items in the case or pallet or simply a different unique packaging number that when accessed in a transportation or logistics database provides an inventory of the items in the case or pallet. " ...

RFID UID Unique Identification

RFID UID Unique Identification: Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy - Unique Identification (UID)

... "UID of items is accomplished by marking each qualifying item with a permanent 2-dimensional data matrix. The data matrix is encoded with the data elements necessary to construct a Unique Item Identifier (UII) which is globally unique and unambiguous. The data elements required to form a UII include the manufacturer's identification (i.e. cage code) and the item's serial number. If the manufacturer serializes within part number, that data element will also be encoded. " ...

RFID Service Oriented Architecture SOA ...

RFID Service Oriented Architecture SOA: SeeBeyond to Host Webinar Highlighting Value of SOA-Based Solution Suite for Retailers; Webinar to Feature How Leading Retailer Lowered TCO by 50% ...

SeeBeyond presents web seminar on service-oriented architecture, SOA, that enables RFID deployment and the data synchronization complexities ...

... "Increasing competition and escalating costs are driving the need to address many common IT issues in the retail industry today such as global data synchronization, multi-channel integration, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology deployment. SeeBeyond has extensive experience working with leading retail organizations to address these issues through the enablement of integration across sourcing and procurement, supply chain planning and fulfillment. As a part of the webinar, SeeBeyond will discuss the importance of leveraging a fully integrated composite application development platform based on a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) to address these business and IT challenges. " ...

With more than 15 years of software innovation and real-world experience in integrating systems across Global 2000 organizations, SeeBeyond (Nasdaq:SBYN) delivers the industry's first integrated composite application network built on a comprehensive integration platform. The SeeBeyond(R) Integrated Composite Application Network Suite(TM) helps organizations rapidly assemble and deploy enterprise-scale end-user applications built on existing systems and infrastructure to dramatically improve business operations. SeeBeyond has more than 2,000 customers worldwide, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, BHP Billiton, The Cleveland Clinic, The Dial Corporation, DuPont, Florida Power & Light, Fluor Daniel, Fujitsu, General Motors, Halliburton, Hertz Corporation, HP, Lockheed Martin, Pfizer, Samsung, Sprint and Sutter Health.

RFID White Papers ...

RFID Report

... "Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) is a transformational technology that will profoundly affect the manufacturing, logistics and retail sectors. With RFID mandates going into effect in early 2005 for suppliers to Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), interest in and progress toward deployment of RFID is high. While the mandates from large retailing and government procurement organizations clearly are accelerating the rate of adoption of RFID technology, there's still considering anxiety and doubt among implementers of RFID, as to standards and compliance. " ...

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 ...

DOD RFID DFARS Changes ...

Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy - DFARS Changes

... "DoD published a proposed DFARS change on April 21, 2005:

Radio Frequency Identification (DFARS Case 2004-D011), Proposed DFARS change ...

Requires contractors to:

Affix passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to the exterior packaging of shipments to identify the contents; and
Electronically submit advance shipment notices to DoD to permit receiving personnel to associate the RFID tag data with the corresponding shipment.

Applies to shipments that:

Contain packaged operational rations, clothing, individual equipment, tents, tools, housekeeping supplies and equipment, personal demand items, or repair parts and components; and
Will be delivered to the Defense Distribution Depot in Susquehanna, PA, or the Defense Distribution Depot in San Joaquin , CA.

The change targets improvement of supply chain visibility of DoD assets and permits efficient movement of supplies ... " ...

RFID Federal Register Notice.

Unique Identification (UID)

Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy - Unique Identification (UID)

... "UID is the path to knowledge enablement. Comprehensive registries of marked items will provide accurate and accessible information about personal property that will make acquisition, repair, and deployment of items faster and more efficient. To this end, on July 29, 2003 the acting USD (AT&L) issued a Memorandum entitled 'Policy for Unique Identification (UID) of Tangible Items - New Equipment, Major Modifications, and Reprocurements of Equipment and Spares' that made UID mandatory for all solicitations issued on or after 1 January 2004. " ...

RFID Supply Chain Mandates Drive Growth ...

RFID Supply Chain Mandates Drives Growth: G-Log Grows Annual Revenue by More Than 15 Percent; Names Former ...

Logistics software growth is attributed to the pace of RFID mandates and other market drivers, such as secure supply chains ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... "Our growth can be attributed to issues such as global trade management, supply chain security, and RFID mandates that are seriously challenging companies ...

... G-Log, the leading provider of global logistics and transportation software, announced today that it posted record revenues for the end of the fourth quarter 2004, highlighted by annual revenue growth of more than 15 percent compared with 2003. Also today, the company announced it has appointed L. Michael Shelton as senior vice president of global sales operations. A former senior executive at Ryder where he drove record net sales growth for its largest division, Shelton is widely recognized for his strong leadership and customer-centric approach. Shelton will lead G-Log's worldwide sales initiatives and spearhead acquisition of additional Global 2000 customers. ...

G-Log is the leading provider of global logistics and transportation software for enterprises and logistics service providers. The G-Log Web-native solution keeps goods in motion through the supply chain in all modes and across all geographies within a single system. G-Log's clients are reducing cycle times, inventory levels, and total transportation costs while satisfying their customers' demands for real-time information and on-time deliveries. The G-Log solution provides a broad range of services in the transportation market, including optimization, order entry, procurement, supply chain event management (SCEM), visibility, track and trace, freight payment, and historical analysis. Recognized as a "Best of the Web" company by Forbes, G-Log clients include Big Lots, Brown Shoe, DuPont, Exel, Family Dollar Stores, Giant Eagle, Halliburton, Kuehne & Nagel, Rohm and Haas, Stonepath Group, Tesco, Toll Solutions, Total Logistic Control, UPM, and Volvo Logistics.

GWAC Smart Cards ...

GSA - GWACs Smart Cards ...

From GSA ...

... "Smart Card provides common access ID, compliant with new interoperability standards. It promotes the growth of e-commerce and automation to streamline business functions, supports a wide range of services, and enhances security." ...

GSA's Millennia Lite and Smart Card Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) provide fully competed contracts allowing agencies to eliminate costly procurement lead time and to focus on mission. Millennia Lite is a multiple-award indefinite quantity, indefinite delivery contract offering a broad range of professional IT support services categorized in four Functional Areas.

RFID Frequency Spectrum Management for Passive RFID Technology in the Supply Chain ...

RFID Frequency Spectrum Management ...

From Business Rules for Passive RFID Technology in the DoD Supply Chain ...

... DoD components will forward requests for frequency allocation approval via command channels to the cognizant military frequency management office to ensure that RFID tags comply with US national and host-nation spectrum management policies. RFID tags may require electromagnetic compatibility analysis to quantify the mutual effects of RFID devices within all intended operational environments. RFID tags that meet the technical specifications of 47 CFR 15 of the FCC’s Rules and Regulations for Non-Licensed Devices, i.e. Part 15, must accept and may not cause electromagnetic interference to any other federal or civil RF device. ...

Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags reflect energy from the reader/interrogator or receive and temporarily store a small amount of energy from the reader/interrogator signal in order to generate the tag response. Passive RFID requires strong RF signals from the reader/interrogator, and the RF signal strength returned from the tag is constrained to low levels by the limited energy. This low signal strength equates to a shorter range for passive tags than for active tags. The DoD Logistics Automatic Identification Technology (LOG-AIT) Office is the DoD focal point for coordinating overarching guidance for the use of AIT within DoD. The Program Executive Office, Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS), Product Manager - Automatic Identification Technology (PM-AIT) Office is the DoD procurement activity for AIT equipment (to include RFID equipment and infrastructure) and will establish a standing contract for equipment installation and maintenance.

Upcoming Events

Announcing the 2005 DOD RFID Summit for Industry
February 9-10, 2005
Washington Hilton & Towers, Washington, DC

RFID Service Management for Mobile Assets ...

RFID Management of Mobile Assets: TrenStar Delivering Mobile Asset Management Solution to Martek

From Market Wire (press release) ... has signed an agreement to acquire Martek's container fleet and provide a management solution featuring radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking, systems ...

... TrenStar Inc. announced today at the ProMat trade show that it will be delivering an outsourced mobile asset management solution to Martek Biosciences Corp., a company that develops and sells products derived from microalgae. TrenStar has signed an agreement to acquire Martek's container fleet and provide a management solution featuring radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking, systems integration, logistics, fleet assessment and procurement, and maintenance services including sterilization. TrenStar will provide reverse logistics for some domestic and European Martek customers. ...

Martek Biosciences Corporation develops and sells products from microalgae. The Nutritional Products Group manufactures and sells two nutritional fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). Martek has patented its DHA (DHASCO®) and ARA (ARASCO®) oil blend (Formulaid®) and sells it to infant formula manufacturers worldwide. Martek also sells its DHA oil, under the Neuromins® brand name, to the nutritional supplement industry, either directly or through a number of supplement manufacturers. The Fluorescent Products Group develops and sells a series of proprietary and non-proprietary fluorescent markers. These markers have been designed for use in a wide range of drug discovery and research applications. TrenStar is the first company to offer mobile asset management. From the start in 2001, TrenStar's singular mission has been to buy, track and manage high-value containers for customers throughout asset-intensive industries. TrenStar offers one complete outsourced solution that combines asset acquisition, tracking technology and management services all for a per-use fee, so customers, and eventually entire industries, reduce operating expenses, improve customer service and manage assets and their contents effectively. TrenStar's clients include Carlsberg UK, Coors Brewers Limited, Kraft and Goodyear. Ranked as the top software developer in the Denver area and named a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Rising Star in North America, TrenStar has offices in Denver, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. TrenStar is privately held, and the primary shareholders are Trencor Limited, The Carlyle Group and the Leede Companies.

Additional resources on RFID Management of Mobile Assets ...

Inventory Software: RFID Technology, logistics, Inventory: and simplify management and control of valuable mobile assets and helps speed shipments through homeland security procedures. Based on active RFID technology ...

Mobile Asset Management Solutions for Healthcare: tracking and identification of mobile assets including medical ... is the first to offer RFID-enabled resource and workflow management solutions designed ...

RFID: ready for its close-up?: In addition, the RFID's mobile asset management solution provider will package the cost of assets, services and solutions into a per-use fee, enabling you to ...

RFID technology to power real-time asset: The ID-tags transmit continuous active-RFID information to Radianse ... us a further competitive edge in real-time management of mobile assets across healthcare ...

RFID ERP: Another ERP System is RFID Enabled, KarenSoft ...

KarenSoft is RFID-enabled ERP Software ...

From theedgedaily.com ...

... "KarenSoft introduces RFID-capable KarenSoft ERP 2005: KarenSoft Technology Bhd has made available its new mission critical application, KarenSoft ERP 2005, which comes with enhanced features and a new look. " ...

KarenSoft is a dynamic netcentric group of companies supplying ERP2 (ERP+CRM) solutions under the KarenSoft brand to manufacturing and services sectors in the Asia-Pacific region. The KarenSoft ERP2 is a complete e-Business solution comprising seven cycles: Sales Distribution, Material Requirements Planning, Procurement Control System, Planning and Production, Financial Accounting & Fixed Assets, Human Resources Information, and Customer Relationship Management. KarenSoft Solutions Sdn. Bhd. was formed in 1991 to take over CHCA Software Solution, the Information Technology division of C.H. Chee & Associates, a reputable Public Accounting firm in Penang. (CHCA Software Solution was formed in 1988 by an MACPA graduate, Mr. Chee Chong Hwa, PA(M), CPA. Mr. Chee is also a Public Accountant under the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.) KarenSoft Solutions Sdn Bhd and KarenSoft Corporation Sdn Bhd were incorporated to provide marketing, support and R&D respectively. Since then, KarenSoft has been continually investing in extensive research and development to create and provide comprehensive and leading edge software solutions. Having acquired an outstanding track record for providing organisations with innovative solutions, KarenSoft is now diversifying into new areas to deliver solutions to help customers revolutionise their competitive edge. KarenSoft was restructured in 1998 with KarenSoft Technology Sdn Bhd being incorporated to hold KarenSoft Solutions Sdn Bhd and KarenSoft Corporation Sdn Bhd as a subsidiaries. KarenSoft Technology Berhad is currently an MSC Status Company focusing on carrying out extensive R&D activities. KarenSoft has been approved by the Securities Commission & Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) for listing on the KLSE Mesdaq market and is expecting to be officially listed on the MESDAQ market soon.