DOD RFID Contract Continues With Unisys

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards Unisys its follow-on contract to enhance supply chain visibility for military logistics. ...

... "The contract, which includes firm fixed-price and time and materials work, is worth approximately $28 million in the first year, if the government continues to order time and materials work at the current level. The total value of the contract could be approximately $112 million if the government exercises all options and continues to order time and materials work at the current level. In addition, the contract provides for the award of additional fees if performance metrics are exceeded and the imposition of penalties if the metrics are not met. Award of this contract allows Unisys to continue its efforts on the RFID program that began 13 years ago. Unisys has been working with DoD to develop, maintain and enhance an in-transit visibility system utilizing radio frequency identification technology. Providing visibility almost instantaneously into the location of supplies and shipments enables the military to increase its agility to supply units and soldiers with critical supplies in a timely manner, focus on mission-critical activities and respond quickly to mission changes.

Unisys tracks approximately 125,000 shipments of supplies each week, including ammunition, food/rations and water, medical supplies, vehicles, vehicle parts and aircraft. Attached to these shipments are RFID tags that store information vital to the soldier. Unisys tracks shipments across all modes of transportation - truck, rail, ship and air - to their final destinations in combatant commands worldwide. Fixed and handheld readers send and receive radio signals to and from the tags. Because data written to each tag are replicated among five servers, users worldwide have access to the same information on each item. Consequently, decision-makers at all levels of command and throughout the logistics supply chain can plan, prioritize and redirect shipments accordingly and collaboratively. " ...

Via Unisys: Unisys Wins Bid to Continue Operating and Maintaining One of World's Largest RFID Networks for Department of Defense

RFID Badge: Airport Access Control Pilot ...

Airport freight drivers will participate in an access control pilot at Washington Dulles airport, using RFID technology in ID badges. ...

... "Unisys Corporation has selected Fidelica Microsystems and Abeo Corporation to deliver a biometric-based RFID badge to positively identify cargo drivers " ...

Via Security Document World: New badge for airport freight drivers ...

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 Tests Pharma Item Tracking ...

Unisys and ODIN Technologies collaborate to develop facts on the performance of RFID tag frequencies for item tracking in the pharmaceutical supply chain. ...

... "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. " ...

RFID Tests Pharma Item Tracking: Via ODIN Tech: ODIN technologies and Unisys Research Reveals RFID HF vs. UHF item-level performance leader for Pharma: The item-level pharmaceutical RFID debate is answered in the scientific Benchmark Report, Pharmaceutical Item Level RFID: Battle of the Frequencies ...

RFID Gen2 Tag Benchmark ...

ODIN Technologies and Unisys create Gen2 RFID tag benchmark. ...

... "ODIN technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID testing and deployment, released the RFID Gen 2 Tag Benchmark, sponsored by Unisys. The report presents analysis of eleven of the leading EPC (electronic product code) compliant Gen 2 RFID tags. The benchmark was developed to provide end users with objective insight into how well tags actually work in the field and what criteria should be evaluated when making tag selection, placement and orientation decisions. The Benchmark is the first scientific and objective comparison of how Gen 2 RFID tags work with various standard materials such as corrugate packaging, water and metal. ODIN technologies President and CEO Patrick J. Sweeney II commented, Gen 2 is the foundation for the rapid growth of RFID. ODIN technologies is proud to once again lead the way in RFID by producing the industry's first and most comprehensive, scientific analysis of Gen 2 RFID tags. The RFID Gen 2 Tag Benchmark can save end users time, money and hassle during this important technology transition. ODIN technologies RFID Benchmark Series is the most read and referenced source for independent evaluation of leading RFID tags and readers. ODIN leverages its scientific lab combined with the industry's most experienced RFID deployment team to test products from an end user's perspective. The RFID Gen 2 Tag Benchmark is designed to be an end user's trusted source for comparing the performance of leading RFID tags. " ...

RFID Gen2 Tag Benchmark: Via ODIN Technologies: ODIN Releases Industry's First RFID Gen 2 Tag Benchmark: Unisys sponsors the first objective, scientific analysis of Gen 2 RFID Tags ...

2006 Big Year For RFID ? ...

Article supports the hypothesis that RFID will have a big year in 2006. Experts point to RFID adooption rates and the creation of industry RFID standards as indicators of a strong foundation for significant adoption in the year ahead. ...

2006 Big Year For RFID ?: Via CIO Today: Analysts Predict Big Year Ahead for RFID

... "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology will reach a significant turning point by the end of 2006, according to Unisys Global Visible Commerce experts. Companies will move beyond the pilot phase, implementing RFID infrastructures that will increasingly become a core element of their businesses in 2006. ... " ...

RFID Inflection Point Prediction: Unisys ...

RFID Inflection Point Prediction: Via Unisys: Predicts 2006 will be RFID's Inflection Point ...

Unisys takes a shot a predicting inflection point for RFID technology, citing key growth statistics and external influences ...

... "According to Unisys, adoption within the aviation industry will more than double in 2006 due to the recent ruling, which allows passive RFID to be used for goods carried on airplanes and aircraft parts. The international shipping and transportation industry will also make great strides by using lessons learned by the early adopters, retail and consumer goods, automotive, healthcare and life sciences, and the military. " ...

Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage.

Passive RFID Purchase Agreement: Unisys ODINtech DOD DLA USCG ...

Passive RFID Purchase Agreement: Unisys ODINtech DOD DLA USCG: Unisys | Unisys and ODIN Win U.S. Department of Defense Passive RFID Blanket Purchase Agreement

... "Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) announced today that the Department of Defense has awarded Unisys a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to connect the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and its suppliers through an integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) infrastructure to track and trace assets. Under the terms of the agreement, Unisys can now be selected by the DLA, or any other agency within the Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard, to integrate passive RFID infrastructure within their supply chain. Unisys will work with ODIN technologies to leverage its industry-leading passive RFID physics expertise. " ...

Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage.

RFID Network Infrastructure Maintenance: Track and Trace

RFID Network Infrastructure: Track and Trace: Unisys: ODIN technologies Deliver an RFID Industry First for Thomasville Furniture

... "Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) and ODIN technologies announced that they have been chosen by Thomasville Furniture Industries Creative Interiors Division, a full-line furniture manufacturer, to maintain its entire Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network and infrastructure. The RFID network and infrastructure provides track and trace capabilities for products sent to Thomasville's large retail customers. " ...

ODIN technologies is the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, deployment and certification. 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, consumer goods manufacturers, United States government agencies and other RFID early adopters. ODIN technologies is privately held and has labs and offices in Northern Virginia and a systems development office in Dublin, Ireland.

Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage.

Thomasville Furniture Industries, a division of Furniture Brands International (NYSE: FBN), is a full-line furniture manufacturer founded in Thomasville, North Carolina, in 1904. Furniture Brands International is the largest furniture manufacturer in the United States. Other FBN brands include: Broyhill, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Lane, & Maitland – Smith.

RFID Electronic Pedigree Pilot ...

SupplyScape RFID Electronic Pedigree Pilot: SupplyScape and Unisys Pilot Pharmaceutical Industry's First Electronic Pedigree System for Commercial Drugs

... "The pilot project is the pharmaceutical industry's first electronic drug pedigree, which is a certificate of authenticity detailing a drug's movement through the supply chain. It will track the distribution of one of Purdue Pharma L.P.'s analgesic products from the manufacturing facility to the seventh largest wholesaler in the U.S., H. D. Smith. Using a universal electronic pedigree model, the system is designed to help reduce the risk of counterfeit medicines being introduced into the legitimate supply chain. The pedigree management system is a first-of-its-kind, open system, with technology designed to certify medicines as legitimate throughout the supply chain. The system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or barcodes to match each medication container with its corresponding pedigree. Without the pedigree, it is difficult to determine where a drug has been and if it is authentic. " ...

Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage. Purdue Pharma L.P. and its independent, associated U.S. companies are privately held pharmaceutical companies known for pioneering research on persistent pain. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Purdue is engaged in the research, development, production, and distribution of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and hospital products. Headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, H. D. Smith is the largest privately held national full-service wholesale distributor that provides a complete line of pharmaceuticals, OTCs, HBAs, surgical supplies, seasonal merchandise and a wide array of marketing programs to retail, hospital and institutional pharmacies. The company has five distribution facilities in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas that service major markets in the west, mid-west, southwestern and northeastern United States, and will soon open a sixth distribution center located in southern Florida that is expected to be fully operational in early 2005.

RFID Wireless Asset Tracking at USPS US Postal Service ...

RFID Wireless Asset Tracking at USPS: ID Systems Chooses Unisys to Help Implement RFID Project for US ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... project management for USPS facility site surveys, systems design and implementation of ID Systems' radio frequency identification (RFID)-based technology. ...

... Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) today announced it has received a subcontract to support prime contractor I.D. Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDSY) with wireless tracking of United Stated Postal Service (USPS) vehicles. I.D. Systems recently announced it had been awarded the USPS contract to implement its Wireless Asset Net(tm) industrial equipment tracking and management systems at postal facilities nationwide. The new system will help the USPS move mail faster through processing centers, enhance equipment safety, afford management greater visibility of asset utilization and location, and create efficiencies in the USPS supply chain. ...

Based in Hackensack, New Jersey, I.D. Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless solutions for corporate asset management. I.D. Systems' customers include 3M Company, American Axle, Archer Daniels Midland, DaimlerChrysler, Deere & Co., Ford Motor Company, General Dynamics, Hallmark Cards, Northrop Grumman, Target Corporation, Walgreen Co., the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Postal Service, and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, among others. Using local area networks, wide area networks, and the Internet, the company's systems enable management to control and track the location and status of their assets - from forklifts and cranes to automobiles and trucks - in real time. Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage.

Additional resources on USPS wireless asset tracking program ...

Postal Service to deploy wireless vehicle-management system: year, $4 million contract to deploy a wireless system for tracking and managing equipment at USPS facilities nationwide. The USPS's Wireless Asset Net system ...

Tracking Postal trucks: ID Systems has demonstrated its wireless radio frequency ... will make a few modifications to their asset management system to meet specific needs of USPS. ...

ID Systems, Inc. Reports Third Quarter: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Wireless Asset Net™ system for tracking and managing ... expand deployment of ID Systems’ Wireless Asset Net technology to additional USPS facilities ...

Microsoft RFID: Unisys and Microsoft Collaborate to Improve Supply Chain ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA  ... Solutions collect, filter and analyze data from a growing number of supply chain data feeds - such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, cellular ...

... Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) today announced an innovative, standards-based architecture designed to address the escalating worldwide need to improve the visibility, security and efficiency of supply chains. Built on the Microsoft Windows Server System, the architecture serves as the foundation for Unisys new Global Visible Commerce Solutions, which the company has tailored to meet the supply chain needs of companies in the retail, life sciences, consumer product and transportation industries. ...

Unisys and Microsoft have collaborated since the early 1980s, and have had a strategic, global alliance since 1997. Unisys is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, and Microsoft is regarded as a premier partner to Unisys, due to the volume of joint customer activity and its growing support for Unisys cross-business unit portfolio.

Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage.