RFID Supply Chain Visibility

Aberdeen Group reports on RFID in the supply chain and provides insights into the use of radio frequency identification among the multiple participants. Aberdeen is seeing disparity among supply chain partners and sees potential for less collaboration. ...

... "Aberdeen Group reveals that RFID costs a distribution company nearly 30% more than it costs a manufacturer and more than twice what the average retailer spends. It is a rare technology that can address the myriad objectives and constraints of a cross-enterprise RFID initiative. " ...

Via Yahoo! Finance: Achieving Total Supply Chain Visibility with RFID ...

DOD RFID Dept of Defense Implementation Enablers

ODIN Technologies shares some of the key ingredients (Accuracy and Implementation Speed) to enabling their successful implementation of RFID technology in the DOD supply chain. The Dept of Defense has strict read rate accuracy requirements that ODIN had to meet with limited technology capabilities at that time. In addition, ODIN perfected an implementation methodology for the DOD that improved the speed of delivery while sustaining performance quality. ...

... "DoD is modernizing its logistics system to better support the warfighter. Passive RFID is at the center of that transformation. It is a core element of the DoD's force transformation initiative designed to create a more agile military. However, if the tags and readers do not communicate reliably, the benefits will not materialize. After years of planning, the DLA needed a highly accurate RFID network established rapidly.

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Accuracy: DoD expected its RFID system to be an order of magnitude more sophisticated than what was currently being deployed. Boundaries relative to read-rates and performance were strict, unlike many retailers who have toyed with trial-and-error methods. Rather than just attempt to read a single pallet tag, the DoD demanded 20 Gen 1.0 and Gen 2.0 RFID tags be affixed to cases and read as they come through a dock door - 100% accurately. This required scientific precision when designing and configuring the RFID network. Each portal was tested 10 times for that performance criteria. The DoD has shown RFID will reduce costs, increase supply visibility and streamline its entire supply chain, from the factory-to-the-foxhole. However, it can only do this if the RFID system is accurate and reliable.

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Implementation Methods and Speed: Eighteen facilities spanning the continental U.S. (CONUS) were evaluated, solutions designed, installed and tested to 100% accuracy in under 130 days. " ...

Via ODIN Technologies: DOD Case Study (PDF) ...

RFID Baggage Management ...

Management of airline baggage using RFID technology is slow to achieve broad adoption. ...

... "The research company believes Asian and European airlines will be the first to start tracking bags, with their hard-up US counterparts hanging back from adopting RFID. " ...

Via Silicon.com: What happened to RFID's baggage-tracking boom? ...

RFID Readiness Conference: Explore Opportunities ...

Upcoming conference at University of Alabama will explore opportunities to leverage RFID technology. ...

... "To help explain what opportunities exist, the Northeast Alabama Regional Small Business Development Center is presenting, RFID: Are You Ready? The daylong conference is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. " ...

Via Huntsville Times: Conference will introduce RFID to area businesses

IBM RFID Pharma: Drug License Plate ...

IBM unveils RFID system that creates a digital license plate for drugs through the pharmaceutical supply chain. The system is comprised of software and services that leverage RFID technology to provide unique identification as the item and sku level. The identifier instantly connects the item to the proper pharmaceutical data. ...

... "The system makes it more difficult for counterfeit drugs to get to market, protecting consumers by helping ensure the drugs they receive match the prescription from their physician. With nearly 8 percent of the world's prescriptions proving counterfeit each year, the US Food and Drug Administration has cited RFID as the most promising technology to ensure that the medicine in the bottle is exactly what the doctor ordered. The global pharmaceutical supply chain is highly complicated. From the point of manufacture to the point of sale, drugs can change hands as many as ten times. IBM's software and services are designed to help manufacturers protect product from theft and fraud and avoid replacement costs for product recalls and tarnished brand value. The IBM RFID system for pharmaceutical track and trace uses blended RFID software and services to automatically capture and track the movement of drugs through the supply chain. RFID tags are embedded on products at the unit, case and pallet level and authenticate the product from manufacturer to wholesalers to hospitals and pharmacies. Each tag contains a unique identifier -- like a license plate -- that can be linked back to descriptive product information such as dosage and strength, lot number, manufacturer and expiration date. " ...

IBM RFID Pharma: Drug License Plate: Via IBM: IBM Taps RFID for Pharma Industry ...

RFID Technology: Surgical Equipment ...

ClearCount Medical Solutions is working on RFID tagged medical equipment to enable detection and elimination of surgical mistakes, from surgical equipment that is left in the body of the patient during surgery, or what they call - a retained surgical item. ...

... "In the latest technique, 10-cm-wide medical sponges were tagged with coin-sized radiofrequency identification tags, of the type increasingly used in security and goods tracking. " ...

RFID Technology: Surgical Equipment: Via Nature.com: Radio tags can expose surgical mistakes ...

Interesting info on retained surgical equipment ...

Chapter 22. The Retained Surgical Sponge: "Retained materials may cause an acute foreign body reaction with local or systemic signs that prompt investigation and reoperation. Alternatively, a fibrinous response may be elicited, and the retained instrument or sponge may become apparent some time after the original surgical procedure either serendipitously, or via fistulization into local structures. "

RFID Definition ...

RFID definition from academia ...

... "Professor Fred Riggins with the Carlson School of Management explained what RFID is: RFID is a tracking and monitoring system that basically consists of three parts. There's the RFID tag that goes on the entity or items that you want to track. There's a reader made of antennae that reads the presence of the RFID tag. And then it's hooked up to a system - a computer system - that has back-end databases and things. " ...

RFID: Via U of M Tech Talk

China RFID Technology: Powers Global Supply Chain ...

RFID technology powers China's global supply chain per Edward Zeng. ...

... "What does RFID mean to China and why is it important for China to take a leading global position on RFID technologies? RFID is integral as the next generation technology in optimizing management and efficiencies in the global supply chain. " ...

China RFID Technology: Powers Global Supply Chain: Via ChinaTechNews: Mastering RFID In China: Edward Zeng, Founder of SparkiceLab ...

RFID Multiple Authentication Factor ...

Encentuate offers multiple methods of authentication through identity form factors such as RFID tags, smart cards, and USB tokens ...

... "Each organization is different, and each situation provides a unique access security challenge, said Peng T. Ong, founder and chairman of Encentuate. What sets Encentuate TCI apart from other solutions is our ability to seamlessly integrate with a number of authentication technologies, from RFID to USB tokens. As a result, we can eliminate an organization’s dependence on weak passwords and ensure secure access to computer systems using a variety of authentication factors. The authentication opportunities are practically limitless and we work with each organization to determine the solution, which is most effective for their requirements. Encentuate TCI’s ability to integrate with a variety of authentication factors provides enterprises a seamless path to strong digital identity without introducing additional complexity, cost or overwhelming deployments.

Encentuate TCI gives organizations a choice of authentication solutions, each of which greatly improves security. With a simple swipe of an RFID badge or a fingerprint scan organizations can strengthen access to computer systems while allowing the staff to quickly access the information they need to be productive on their jobs. " ...

RFID Multiple Authentication Factor: Via Encentuate: Encentuate TCI Delivers Multiple Authentication Factor Support: Company's technology integrates with a variety of multi-function authentication solutions, including RFID, biometrics and USB tokens ...

RFID Development Lab Kits ...

Learn how to track your beans ... BlueBean offers RFID development lab kits for smaller-scale implementations. David Sims provides update on BlueBeans ...

... "BlueBean, LLC, is now offering what the company describes as complete RFID development lab kits for anyone who needs a smaller-scale RFID portal product. " ...

RFID Development Lab Kits: Via TMCnet: BlueBean's DIY RFID: Don't Try This At Home, Kids

BlueBean RFID Company Description: "RFID compliance, in its most basic form, means meeting your client's specifications which allows them to identify and track your beans throughout their entire supply chain. They must be able to know at any given moment exactly where your beans are. "

BlueBean EasyInbound: "BlueBean EasyInBound RFID receiving line only allows one case in the RFID read zone to ensure read accuracy. Your solution is set up for off-site testing and sign off. It is shipped as an assembled kit for easy on-site installation. "

Roadmap to Compliance: "BlueBean follows a strict and proven methodology in creating a Roadmap to Compliance strategy for it clients. The Roadmap provides a compliance scorecard, budgetary costs, technology selection, timetable, software and hardware requirements, high level physical layout and short vs. long term strategies. "

Hospital RFID Asset Tracking ...

Infologix implements RFID asset tracking for hospitals ...

... "InfoLogix, a market leader in Healthcare Information Technology total solutions announces HealthTrax, their new solution for Real-Time Location Tracking and management of medical devices. HealthTrax was developed with InfoLogix partner AeroScout, the leader in the field of Wi-Fi based Active RFID solutions. The first demonstration of the integrated solution will be in San Diego at HIMSS 2006, the top Healthcare Informatics Conference for the year. Also at HIMSS, InfoLogix and AeroScout will discuss performance and ROI of HealthTrax for Asset Tracking and for Patient Location Tracking.

HealthTrax is a complete solution for tracking assets and people within hospitals, and includes both RFID asset tags and enterprise software that can be used with standard wireless networks. The HealthTrax RFID tag is 802.11 Wi-Fi-based and leverages the existing wireless infrastructure; hospitals will not need a separate or redundant wireless network for Asset Tracking. Once the tags are attached to desired items, hospital staff can quickly locate what they need and when they need it on an easy-to-use Web-based electronic floor plan. This tagged hospital equipment can also provide security benefits by triggering an alarm if hospital assets are taken from designated areas. " ...

Hospital RFID Asset Tracking: Via Infologix: InfoLogix Announces HealthTrax RFID Asset Tracking Software for Management of Hospital Mobile Assets in Real Time ...

RFID Wave: Make Business Sense ...

Upcoming RFID event ...

... "Making Business Sense of the RFID Wave: February 23, 2006: Making business sense of the RFID wave will give attendees the opportunity to meet key innovators and leaders of the RFID industry and through a panel discussion, attendees will gain first-hand insight into the technological progress around RFID, where the industry is leading to, what the forecasts are, how can companies make business sense or get ROI from RFID. Panelists will include:

Jamshed Dubash, Director of Technology, Proctor and Gamble (The Gillette Company)
Sanjay Sarma, Professor at MIT and Founder, OAT Systems
Mal Postings, Global Lead for RFID, CapGemini
Robert Steinberg, President, Productivity by RFID
Other speakers expected from Tyco, Think Magic

Time: 6 - 8:30 p.m. Location: Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, World Trade Center West, 155 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA " ...

Via MIT Sloan Alumni: Making Business Sense of the RFID Wave ...

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 ...

RFID Application Results: Positive on Elk Herd Tracking ...

Advanced ID Corporation reports on the results of its RFID applications study with the Colorado Department of
Agriculture with multiple herds and roughly 130 tags and readers in use. Chronic Wasting Disease – CWD is another reason for this pro-active identification effort. ...

... "Scott Leach Chronic Wasting Disease Field Investigator for Colorado Department of Agriculture has roughly 130 captive elk in a current study of the Advanced ID DataTag(tm) and Advanced ID RFID - UHF Reader.

Advanced ID Corp. President & CEO, Dan Finch attended a recent meeting at Top Rac Elk Ranch along with members of Advanced ID and members of Colorado Department of Agriculture. According to Dan Finch, We are very pleased to see our applications used to protect and enhance the value of the ranchers’ stock. This is a good example of what RFID can provide to industry and what our DataTag and the Advanced ID RFID – UHF Reader is all about. We believe our tags and readers will achieve better value for our rancher partners with superior readability and competitive or lower pricing. We currently have tags and readers on ranches in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Taiwan and Thailand mostly in limited release and in practical testing. We are launching the DataTag and the Advanced ID RFID – UHF Reader on a commercial level in the first and second quarter of 2006. " ...

RFID Application Results: Positive on Elk Herd Tracking: Via Advanced ID: RFID Provider, Advanced ID Corp. Advances Colorado Elk Program With Positive Results For Advanced ID DataTag And Advanced ID RFID – UHF Reader New Advanced ID Corp. ultra high frequency animal livestock identification system that provides superior reading distances and greater ease of use for ranchers being used in tracing multiple elk herds by Colorado Department of Agriculture.

CWD: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) affecting elk and deer (cervids) in North America. This degenerative neurological illness has affected both farmed and wild cervids in the US, thus impacting the hunting and wildlife industries as well as domestic and international markets for farmed cervids and cervid products. APHIS' response to this disease includes support of surveillance in both farmed and wild populations and assistance to State agencies for quarantine of affected animals and premises, humane euthanasia, and testing affected and exposed animals. In addition APHIS provides indemnity to animal owners for the value of positive and exposed animals euthanized in disease control efforts. A Herd Certification Program (HCP) is being developed by APHIS in coordination with states, the farmed cervid industry, and the US Animal Health Association (USAHA) to support this effort. APHIS also has assisted, and continues to assist, states with CWD surveillance and management in wild cervid populations. Finally, APHIS is working with the US Department of Interior, Tribes, and States to implement an interagency, national plan to help manage CWD in captive and wild cervids.

Advanced ID Corporation (OTCBB: AIDO) is a complete solutions provider in the radio frequency identification (RFID) market. RFID provides a means for positive identification and trace-back of animals or objects that have been identified with a microchip or RFID tag. The company has realized growth of 62% in the first two quarters of 2005, primarily through the companion animal identification segment; Advanced ID Pet Microchip, the largest provider of companion animal identification in Canada. Since 1994, Advanced ID Corporation has offered a product line of over 100 items comprised of low frequency (LF) RFID microchips, identification scanners, and a proprietary pet recovery network database to the companion animal and biological sciences markets. Advanced ID Corporation supplies over 3,000 organizations such as animal shelters, veterinarians, breeders, government agencies, universities, zoos, research labs and fisheries with LF RFID devices for companion animals, equines, bovines, llamas, alpacas, ostriches, aquatic species, reptiles, migratory and endangered species. Advanced ID Corporation has implanted LF microchips in over 450,000 animals, currently tracks nearly one million animals in a proprietary pet recovery database, and reunites numerous lost pets with their families each month. Since 2001 Advanced ID Corporation has been developing and commercializing its UHF line of food-animal and wildlife identification products and systems. Advanced ID Corporation continues to be actively involved with government and industry livestock identification and trace-back projects and pilots in Australia, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, Taiwan and the United States.

RFID Privacy: Too Paranoid?

Debate rages on slashdot regarding privacy. ...

... "We can also average out a time where Joe starts his car every single day for as long as we'd like using his OnStar information [competitionchev.ab.ca], we can determine a definitive pattern of his daily life with ease. What about the chewing gum?, simple, RFID tags gave us that info. Now this may not be a big deal considering Joe Dogooder is an upstanding citizen so he would have nothing to hide. " ...

Via Slashdot | Such a Thing as too Paranoid About Privacy? ...

RFID Supply Chain Event Management ...

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

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

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

Library RFID: New Zealand Town Leads ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RFID Technology ISO9001:2000 Certification ...

HID achieves ISO9001 certification for the design, manufacture, and distribution of RFID technology. ...

RFID Technology ISO9001:2000 Certification: Via HID: HID Achieves ISO9001:2000 Re-Certification for Design, Manufacture, and Distribution of RFID-Based Contactless Smart Cards and Readers: The Management System Certification Encompasses Excellence Meeting Customer and Regulatory Requirements While Continually Improving HID's Product Performance ...

... "HID Corporation, the premier manufacturer of contactless access control cards and readers for the security industry, announced that is has achieved ISO 9001:2000 re-certification for quality management and its system certification that encompasses manufacturing. HID first received ISO9000 certification on June 1, 1999, ISO 9001:2000 certification on June 1, 2002 and has been continuously certified while they maintain focus on continuous process improvements for the company's entire iCLASS 13.56 MHz, Prox 125 kHz, and Wiegand card and reader technology design, manufacture and distribution processes. To attain ISO9001 certification, all certified companies must be in conformance to the ISO9001:2000 standard that requires companies to do what is needed to fulfill the customer's quality requirements, enhance customer satisfaction, manage the processes or activities and to achieve continual improvement of their performance in pursuit of these objectives. " ...

As the largest manufacturer of contactless access control readers and cards for the security industry, HID has shipped over 250 million credentials to customers worldwide. HID pioneered the development of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for physical access control. Proximity and iCLASS® technologies can be housed on the same credential and combined with other technologies such as magnetic stripe, barcode, or contact smart chip modules. This provides users the ability to leverage their investment in existing systems while seamlessly upgrading to new technologies and adding new applications. For increased security, users can add a photo ID or anti-counterfeiting element such as a hologram or ultraviolet ink. HID’s experience in developing card technologies enables them to play a critical role in the evolution and adoption of contactless smart card technology used for applications such as access control, IT secure authentication, digital cash, the storage of biometric templates, and the storage and retrieval of critical information.

RFID Real-Time Visibility Automotive Industry: TIBCO RFID Software

TIBCO, business integration and process management software company, provides TNT Logistics with complex event processing (CEP) and real-time visibility software for its RFID initiative. This will help prevent interruptions and manual interventions in the automotive supply chain. ...

RFID Real-Time Visibility Automotive Industry: TIBCO RFID Software: Via Tibco: TNT Logistics To Deliver Real-Time Visibility and Synchronized Assembly Processes to Automotive Manufacturers Using TIBCO's RFID Software ...

... "TIBCO's next-generation RFID software solution is able to identify and respond to correlated granular business events occurring at diverse layers within an organization and across the value chain. The solution has the capacity to handle literally millions of micro events and uses highly scalable business rules to suggest real-time corrections for supply chain optimization. This helps to provide end users with real-time insight and context around events and the resulting impact on businesses. " ...

TIBCO Software Inc. is a leading business integration and process management software company that enables real-time business. Real-Time Business is about helping companies become more cost-effective, more agile and more efficient. TIBCO has delivered the value of Real-Time Business, what TIBCO calls The Power of Now®, to over 2,000 customers around the world and in a wide variety of industries.