90% of Manufacturing RFID Projects Will Focus on Data Integration

90% of manufacturing RFID projects will focus on data integration by ZDNet's IT Facts -- 60% of manufacturers surveyed by Datamonitor are already working on RFID projects. 90% of manufacturers surveyed said their next RFID project will be based on systems and data integration. 90% of IT executives surveyed said grid computing was of no relevance anywhere in their product life cycles, and 80% say that utility computing is of [...] Source: ZDNet

RFID is Critical in Supply Chain Strategy

Organisations around the globe understand this mantra of success, and are fast adopting proven, progressive technologies as they strive to attain nirvana—the ability to do business in real-time. One such progressive technology, enabling corporates to evolve into real-time enterprise is RFID or radio frequency identification. This technology is fast revolutionising the process of automatic identification of objects and helping enterprises to enjoy real-time supply chain visibility. Source: Express Computer

California Bill Would Ban RFID Chips in IDs

California lawmakers are joining the national debate on the merit of incorporating electronic identification devices in driver's licenses, student IDs and passports. A bill that would put strict limits on California's use of such devices in all state-issued identity documents is making its way through the state's legislature and was approved this week in a 6-to-1 vote by a senate judiciary committee. It's the first bill of its kind in the nation, said its author, state Sen. Joe Simitian. Source: CNET

High-Speed RFID Secure ID Reader

The French RFID manufacturer ASK has launched a new contactless SafeID high-speed reader for ID documents, offering the same performance levels for both ISO14443 type A and B. The 424 kbps reader is designed for security documents such as passports and visas, and is based upon the generic software and hardware platform common to all of ASK's OEM reader modules. Source: Using RFID

Pentagon To Use RFID Chips

Smart chips are going to war. The Pentagon, which lost track of US$1.2 billion in weapons and supplies in 2002 sent to the front lines of Iraq, announced today that it wants to require contractors to switch from using bar codes to new radio frequency identification chips, known as RFID, on weapons parts and supplies. Source: CRM News

One Inch RFID Adhesive Label

Following a successful market launch in the USA, Paxar's one-inch self-adhesive RFID labels are now launching in Europe, providing the ability to tag smaller items. Source: Using RFID

RFID Not a Replacement for Barcodes?

Although RFID has become a hot technology for inventory control and a supply chain requirement for companies such as Wal-Mart, it's not just an advanced version of bar coding. "The worst thing that ever happened to RFID is that it got called 'bar codes on steroids.' For RFID, people should be looking at applications in which bar codes don't work today, such as chaotic business processes and complex business cases such as serialized invoice reconciliation." Source: AMEinfo

RFID Makes Good Business Sense

RFID has started to succeed in wangling its way into IT budgets by changing its image from a buzzword into a solid business-side technology. Of course, RFID had a little help, with entities such as Wal-Mart demanding their suppliers get involved - but Wal-Mart's CIO didn't have such a mandate to help him make up his mind. We're betting he took the leap because it made good business sense. Source: Silicon.com

Data Logger with RFID

Elpro Services is exhibiting its Hamster-R datalogger, which combines radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with a temperature datalogger, during Interphex 2005, April 26-28, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Source: Control Engineering

Track Prisoners and Travellers with RFID

RFID is being installed in prisons in Japan, where instead of iron griddles, prison windows will be made of tempered glass, and to keep tabs on prisoners they’ll wear a jacket with an RFID tag attached so that security guards can track their whereabouts on a screen. The other bit of news is Japan Airlines’ rollout of the JAL IC Check-in Service, which lets travellers check-in for their flight using either an RFID-chipped FeliCa phone or an RFID card. The service is in some airports already, and will be in some 44 major airports across Japan next week. Source: engadget

Is RFID Good for Security?

Information security officers may have a new wireless worry to add to their lists: an RFID technology that will appear in half of new mobile phones in the United States by 2009. The new technology, called Near Field Communication [NFC], uses RFID chips and readers with short-read ranges, often about 10cm. Source: SearchSecurity

Businesses Misunderstand RFID

Too many businesses are making the mistake of implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology right through their supply chains without looking at where the return on investment is going to come from, a top SAP executive has claimed. Source: SiliconRepublic

Hand-held RFID Readers

Siemens Business Services has selected ACG Identification Technologies' RF PC Hand-held Reader for its project with the Jacobi Medical Center in New York. At the end of 2004, after a successful pilot test, Jacobi Medical Center, the largest public hospital in the Bronx with more than 800 beds, began fitting all patients with RFID enabled wristbands upon admission. The wristbands are embedded with an RFID integrated circuit containing the medical history and unique number for each patient, allowing the hospital staff to identify patients almost instantly, and get online access to a database secured by a PKI infrastructure. Source: Frontline

New RFID Print/Apply System

Avery Dennison Printer Systems has launched a new high-speed RFID print/apply labeling system that aims to prevent mis-shipments due to faulty RFID labels. The system, called the Avery Dennison ALX RFID Print/Apply, encodes and prints unique RFID labels and automatically applies the encoded labels to cartons, cases and pallets. Source: just-style.com

Lessons from 1400 RFID Case Studies

DTechEx has recently celebrated reaching 1400 case studies of RFID in action. This is more than ten times the number of case studies amassed by any other company and it lists technical detail as well as giving extensive commentary and analysis where possible. It spans 68 countries and the activities of 1529 organisations at the time of writing. Source IDTechEx

Solution for Real-Time RFID Applications

Persistent Systems and iSpheres have announced today a highly scalable distributed data management framework and edge application environment for RFID and generic sensor network deployments. These will leverage Persistent Systems' proven distributed data management skills with industry leading event server technology from iSpheres. Enterprises will now have an unprecedented ability to future proof their technology investments as RFID deployments scale up through the years. Source: iSpheres

Feds Rethinking RFID Passport

Following criticism from computer security professionals and civil libertarians about the privacy risks posed by new RFID passports the government plans to begin issuing, a State Department official said his office is reconsidering a privacy solution it rejected earlier that would help protect passport holders' data. The solution would require an RFID reader to provide a key or password before it could read data embedded on an RFID passport's chip. It would also encrypt data as it's transmitted from the chip to a reader so that no one could read the data if they intercepted it in transit. Source: Wired News

New RFID Tracking Technology Unveiled

Dayton, Ohio-based CDO Technologies has introduced a new real-time radio frequency identification product aimed at improving asset utilization, reducing operating and leasing costs and enhancing customer service for the healthcare, consumer products and transportation sectors. Source: Computer Business Review Online

Smart Container Network (RFID)

Using the mobile phone industry as a model, an RFID company is building a network that aims to keep track of precious cargo in shipping containers and help gird the global supply chain against a terrorist attack. Source: Red Herring

RFID Database

ABI Research has developed an online RFID Industry Database as part of its RFID research subscription service. The search tool provides RFID company backgrounds, product and service offerings, regional capabilities, relevant partnerships, customer wins, and the companies' positions relative to competitors, applications and vertical markets. Source: Frontline

RFID to Replace Barcodes

Most manufacturers have become used to bar codes, which come in two types: European Article Number Code (EAN) and Uniform Code Council (UCC). They identify the details of the products. But they require a reader right beside the bar code, plus the printed code is not durable. The potential of RFID is already becoming apparent to retailers, suppliers and distributors worldwide. An RFID tag carries data like a bar code, and acts as a link between a product and information about it. This can include anything, but some uses are to record a best-before date, batch number, storage location, and so on. This information will typically be stored on various databases throughout the supply chain Latest News about supply chain. RFID tags, which actually broadcast their data to readers via their radio capability, will reduce use of the traditional technologies and take over the work of the bar code in as little as three to five years. Their most important use for now will be on products for export, as manufacturers are encouraged to use this new technology for their products. Source: CRM News

Kimberly-Clark Establishes RFID Tech in Europe

Kimberly-Clark is implementing its experience in RFID, radio frequency identification, in Europe. It is introducing this technology, consisting of the use of small transmitter-receivers or labels that can be placed on pallets and boxes, with the German retailer, Metro. RFID scanners on docks, conveyer belts and doors can transmit the information about the products' location to any place. Source: Uni Graphical

"Store of Tomorrow" RFID Systems

Sapago produces Personal Shopper Systems; in-store, self-help sales systems that enable shoppers to research products, read reviews, and to view multimedia presentations and sample digital content. System hardware includes handheld computers and Cathexis Innovation’s IDBlue™, the world’s first Bluetooth® enabled RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) pen reader. As customers shop, they scan RFID tags on items, and product displays using the IDBlue™ handheld device. The system integrates seamlessly with a retailer’s website or store systems for content as well as with loyalty and CRM programs. Source: PR Leap / BuzzWord City

RFID Talent and Career Center Launched

RFID Tribe implemented the job board to help job seekers in the RFID community find new employment opportunities. The new job board allows users a place to post their resumes for free. Along with a resume bank, the job board offers listings of career opportunities in RFID and other related fields. The job opportunities are available for all job seekers to search. Source: Arrive.net

Needed: RFID Subject Matter Experts

We need subject matter experts, RF engineers and others with hands on experience deploying RFID systems, to flesh out the skills that will be tested and develop questions in an industry standard certification test. We have a mix of vendors, systems integrators and training companies on the foundation committee. What we are lacking is input from end users. It's critical that we have this, because the end users know what skills they want in the people they will be hiring. I know RFID project teams are working overtime right now, but what's involved is providing one person for a few days in August to help flesh out the test. Source: RFID Journal

RFID and Privacy

From a distance of tens of feet to tens of yards, your RFID passport would reflect a radar-like ping that announced its presence to those with computer and radio equipment. Up close, it would send more detailed information, including your legal name, nationality, a photo of you and other confidential information. Source: Post-Gazette.com

Learn About RFID

A 570 page report titled "RFID Network Equipment Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2005 to 2010" covering: RFID Network MArket Shares; RFID Network Equipment Market Forecasts; LAN Switching Ethernet and Quality of Service; Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Network Definition; Fixed Wireless Applications; RFID; Middleware Uses; Target Markets; Customer Base; Standards; Business Center Technology; Wireless Enhances Productivity; Wireless Networking; Wired vs Wireless RFID Networks; Fixed Wireless Applications; Metro Groups; Passive, Semi-Passive, and Active Tags. Source: Research and Markets

Report Tracks RFID Growth

With a current global RFID (radio frequency identification) market estimated to be worth $1.94 billion, market research firm IDTechEx believes that massive growth is inevitable in the coming years, but not before some significant teething problems are ironed out, according to FoodProductionDaily.com. The company's report, RFID Forecasts, Players & Opportunities 2005-2015, tracks the forecasted growth of the market over the course of the next 10 years, where the retail sector, together with other areas such as healthcare, passenger transport and access cards for the financial, security and safety markets. Source: Automatic Merchandiser

Food Companies First with RFID

Major food companies are likely to be the first adopters of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in Ireland rather than retailers, according to Jim Bracken of GS1 Ireland. Source: IOL

RFID Network Tracks Ocean Cargo

Active RFID equipment and software in participating ports around the world will provide users with information on the identity, location and status of their ocean cargo containers as they pass through such ports. Shippers, logistics service providers and transportation companies will be able to connect to the network by installing compatible equipment at their own locations to further improve the efficiency, effectiveness and security of global supply chains. Source: Technology News Daily

Real-Time RFID Tracking Solution

CDO Technologies, Inc. a leading integrator of RFID solutions, announced today the availability of ATLAS, a Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) designed to improve asset utilization, reduce operating and leasing costs, and improve employee throughput and customer service in the healthcare, consumer products, and transportation sectors. ATLAS is CDO Technologies' first product offering based on RF Code's TAVIS(TM) unified monitoring platform. The solution will also incorporate RF Code's Mantis(TM) line of active RFID tags and readers, reflecting the comprehensive partnership announced by the two companies in August 2004. Source: CDO Technologies, Inc.

On-Board Memory for RFID Card Readers

Elan's new VMB5000 multi-function bridge chip is proving of significant interest to the RFID market because it offers simple implementation of SD type Flash memory as part of the standard PCMCIA interface function. No significant extra components are involved in this application making it a very economical solution, as the chip itself is low cost. Source: MarketWire

RFID Barking Up Wrong Tree?

Approximately the size of a grain of rice, RFID microchips are implanted in pets to provide a permanent form of identification. But the chips are virtually useless since the US lacks universal readers, making many of the chips untraceable and even undetectable on tagged pets in animal shelters. Source: WirelessIQ

RFID Struggling?

RFID technology is having difficulty gaining wide acceptance despite all the attention it receives, but smart sensors are finding use in diverse and substantive applications, according to speakers at yesterday's Smart RFID Briefing, organized by the Boston University School of Management and Information Gatekeepers. Source: EDN

Victorian Library Adopts RFID

The introduction of state-of-the-art technology means patrons at the new Sydenham Interactive Learning Centre (SILC) won't have to stand in queues waiting for their books, CDs and DVDs to be processed. Through the use of user-friendly technology, patrons will have the most efficient library service available worldwide, at their fingertips. Books are checked in automatically when placed in the returns shoots there is instantaneous identification of non-issued items at point of departure. Source: Supply Chain Review

Passive RFID Tag Powers Sensors, Switches

Instrumentel Ltd., a U.K. company founded to develop a way to monitor moving engine pistons, says it is developing passive 13.56 MHz RFID tags capable of powering sensors and actuating switches as well as holding data. The company claims its prototype tags harvest significantly more power from its readers than other RFID systems operating in 13.56 MHz. Source: RFID Journal

Supply Insight Announces RFID Platform: rPlatform

Supply Insight Inc. announced today their flagship product rPlatform(TM) that offers a comprehensive foundation for integrating RFID technology with the core business of an enterprise. rPlatform is a collection of software, hardware and, services aimed at creating a unique, cost effective value for the customers. rPlatform can be customized to meet the mandates from Department of Defense and retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Home Depot and Wal-Mart. rPlatform(TM) supports EPCglobal standards and is designed to support other evolving standards. Source: Send2Press

First Use of RFID in a German Hospital

On 19 April, the Klinikum Saarbrücken launched a pilot project for patient identification based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). The project, which covers some 1,000 patients and is being run in collaboration with technology partners Siemens Business Services, Intel and Fujitsu Siemens Computers, aims to provide easier access to patient data. At the same time, deployment of the latest IT and RFID technology is expected to help improve safety in drug dosage and administration. Source: Noticias.info

RFID Rides High On Jet Engines

Boeing and Delta Air Lines are testing RFID tags on commercial jet engines to see how well they hold up under the extreme heat and vibrations of an engine environment. Source: Information Week

'Smart' Boxes the Way to Go

RADIO frequency identification (RFID) solutions developer CBS Technology Bhd and manufacturer Public Packages Holdings Bhd will jointly develop and market cartons embedded with RFID chips, allowing these containers to be better managed during delivery or storage. Source: TechCentral

RFID Solution Provider Sees Double Digit Profit Growth

CBS Technology Bhd, which specialises in radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions, expects double-digit growth in profit and revenue this year. Chief executive officer Sun Chee Kong said last year CBS Technology posted a net profit of RM3.52mil, up 23% from 2003. Source: The Star

RFID Expansion at JFK Highlights Issues

The RFID (radio frequency identification) system that tracks and identifies vehicles used to transport aircraft fuel at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York is now being used on hundreds of food-service and employee transportation vehicles at the air traffic hub. To ease runway and facilities access, trucks with airport access are equipped with active radio tags that provide identification and validation when they approach entrance gates. Source: Computer World

Multi-Protocol RFID Printer

ProScan Systems, a leader in barcode, data automation, RFID, wireless networking and mobile technologies, recently introduced a multi-protocol RFID version of its Intermec PM4i smart printer. The PM4i makes it possible for companies implementing many versions of RFID (radio frequency identification) including EPCglobal Class 0 or Class 1, ISO, and upgradable to EPCglobal Generation 2, to have a single printing and RFID encoding platform. Source: itWeb

RFID Privacy Guidance

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has published guidance on the use of EPC tags, basically RFID tags that follow an industry data standard, to reassure consumers that their privacy will be respected. Source: out-law.com

The Nuts and Bolts of RFID

A basic RFID system consists of three components: an antenna, a transceiver, and a transponder that is electronically programmed with unique information. RFID tags can be read through packaging, including cardboard and the plastic wraps used to seal pallets but they are subject to interference, particularly from metal, so potential sources of interference must be identified during system planning. Source: iStart

RFID in China

At a recent conference sponsored by InformationWeek, Addons Wu, the chief information officer for General Motors in China, announced that GM would not implement RFID technology in its assembly and supply chain operations until the Chinese government decides on a standard for RFID tags. "They don't want to support multiple tag technologies for the United States, Japan and the EU and they don’t want a Chinese national standard being foisted on the world." Source: Modern Materials Handling

Prices of RFID tag to Fall

An emerging generation of radio frequency identification tags promises reduced costs for manufacturers that have to put RFID labels on pallets and cases for retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. Source: ComputerWorld

Sun RFID Goes 2.0

Sun Microsystems said its latest Sun Java System RFID Software 2.0 helps reduce network traffic by pushing computing closer to the edge. The latest middleware version adds a Web-based interface for remote management, device-specific service levels and support for next-generation RFID standards. Source: InternetNews.com

Low-Cost RFID Tagging

At the Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society, scientists at OrganicID announced that frequencies of 13.56MHz and above have been achieved using organic transistor based electronic circuits. Not only is this a breakthrough for the organic electronics industry, but it is also a significant step in the development the world's first fully standardized, printable RFID tag. The tag is estimated to cost only pennies per unit and will create significant new opportunities in supply and demand chains. Source: OrganicID

Pharmaceuticals Combat Counterfeit Drugs With RFID

Tagsys USA Inc. will work with West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. to offer a custom technology that provides manufacturers of injectable pharmaceuticals with increased protection against drug counterfeiting and tampering. The new technology, West Spectra, introduced at the Parenteral Drug Association Annual Meeting, uses overt, covert and track-and-trace RFID technologies that help to ensure product authenticity. Source: Frontline

RFID Starter Kit

Catalyst International has introduced scalable RFID QuickStart kits that enable users to quickly comply with RFID standards mandated by major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense. Source: Frontline

New RFID Tools Stress Ease, Savings

With the use of RFID technology taking hold in the enterprise, software vendors are rolling out a slew of new offerings designed to help manufacturers and suppliers get up and running quickly with radio-frequency identification programs, while recouping some of their investments. Source: eWeek

Retail Conference on RFID Technology

The New Hampshire Retail Summit is an annual industry conference in Manchester, NH that helps educate and honor retailers across the state. The keynote speaker this year is Maureen Riehl, vice president of government and industry relations for the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail association. She will discuss radio frequency identification systems (RFID) the next generation of technology to track millions of items sold at retail through tiny transmitters embedded in products and shipping hardware. Tickets are $110 at the door. Event starts at 7:30 a.m. Source: The Union Leader

Experimenting with RFID Technology

In the wake of their agreement on standardizing radio frequency identification (RFID) search code, electronic commerce industry associations in Korea, China and Japan plan to start joint experiments of RFID technologies and tracebility in the first half of this year at the earliest. Source: The Electronic Times Internet

RFID Goes Mainstream

RFID tags generate much more information than bar codes do. RFID readers, which are equivalent to bar code scanners, can simultaneously pull information from many tags, while bar code scanners process items one at a time. In addition, RFID technology breaks through bar codes' line-of-sight limitation. These properties equal untold advantages for many businesses. Source: FCW

Firms Must Prepare for RFID

While radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has yet to really make its mark in the Middle East, analyst firm Gartner is already warning users to start preparing for the next generation of the technology. Companies should start planning for the general availability of G2 equipment in the third quarter of this year, and begin evaluating hardware vendors strategically rather than seeking short-term or interim 'fixes'. Source: ITP.net

Art Gallery Increases Sales With RFID

Littleton, NH-based Granite State MetalWorks art gallery is installing radio frequency i.d. tags next to artworks. Shoppers borrow a handheld computer and a wireless, pen-shaped device to scan the tag. The Sapago Inc. Art-FID system displays detailed information on the artwork and the artist as well as links to similar pieces. Source: InternetRetailer

Printronix Upgrades RFID Printer Platform

Printronix Inc. has upgraded its RFID printing platform architecture. The 5r multi-technology thermal printing platform builds on the company's T5000e and SL5000e printer lines. The new T5000r and SL5000r are complete replacements for the "5e" models providing current customers with a seamless transition. Source: Frontline

RFID Conference, Canada

The second Canadian RFID conference opens next Tuesday in Markham. The conference aims to promote education of RFID technology and its practical applications, and to dispel myths about the technology. Tuesday April 19, 2005 and Wednesday April 20, 2005. Source: Technology News Daily

Las Vegas Casino Goes RFID

The largest casino group in Las Vegas has told silicon.com it is currently running trials with controversial RFID tracking tags and believes at least one of its rivals is on the verge of an even bigger implementation. "If this enables us to staff the casino properly and realise when and where we're under-resourced, then our waitresses aren't killing themselves out on the floor and can earn more tips and our customers are happier." Source: Silicon.com

Transceivers for Global RFID Standard

Texas Instruments and Philips Electronics are bidding to be the first RFID chip supplier to the proposed royalty-free air interface standard known as EPCglobal. Philips aims to do this with its chip, dubbed UCODE EPC G2. Texas Instruments will also have working samples of EPC UHF G2 radio frequency identification (RFID) devices in the second quarter. Source: Electronics Weekly

Interview with RFID Implanter

Makezine interviewed Amal Graafstra about his creepy cool human RFID project. Amal embedded a RFID tag in his hand to easily open his car door, home and to be used as his "password" for a Windows login prompt all by simply waving his hand. Source: MAKE blog

RFID is a Strategic Differentiator

The value proposition for radio frequency identification (RFID) technology deployed in the extended supply chain -- from a strategic perspective -- should be determined on an individual, case-by-case basis, said Shai Verma, IBM Canada's RFID practice leader. Source: eChannelLine

Divining RFID's Need

Where are enterprises with their thinking about RFID? The support of Wal-Mart and the federal government notwithstanding, there seems to be a fair amount of denial, or at the very least, confusion? What do you foresee as challenges for early adopters — the expense, integrating with other systems, security? What about a complete RFID solution, from the tags to the software and scanners needed to read and use the information? Source: IT Business Edge

RFID Secrets

SAP customers who are early adopters of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology are starting to reap the value of the mountains of data being collected, according to an SAP supply chain and ERP expert. Source: SearchSAP

ACLU Fights RFID Globally

Joining with two London-based civil rights groups, the ACLU has formed a coalition focusing on policies being crafted for and by countries around the world under the influence of the U.S. government. One of the most significant issues at hand concerns RFID technologies and how it can intrude on personal privacy. Source: Seattle Post

RFID and the Media Revolution

Renowned futurist Paul Saffo predicts that RFID's biggest impact will come from surprising applications. Over the next 10 years, RFID, wireless communications and robotics will each play an important role in what will be called the 'sensor revolution'. Source: RFID Journal

RFID Solution for Miami Museum of Science

inLogic today announced the success of a RFID solution for the Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium. The solution is designed to create personalized and participatory experiences through the use of RFID readers and antennas positioned throughout the exhibit. Visitors will receive a reusable RFID badge that will track their movements and trigger different multi-media responses at selected stations. Source: eMediaWire

Ryder Opens RFID Test Lab

Ryder System, Inc., a global leader in transportation and supply chain management solutions, today announced the opening of a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology test lab in its 192,000 square-foot, multi-client facility in Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: mysan

Oracle And Intel Collaborate On RFID Applications

Oracle and Intel are working to develop radio-frequency identification technology and sensor-based applications based on a common services-oriented enterprise framework to ease customer deployments. The collaboration will provide users of those technologies with better information management within the enterprise. Source: InformationWeek

Are You Ready for RFID?

At the moment most RFID applications are focussed on tracking products through the manufacturing cycle and then locating them downstream at warehouses and retailers. When RFID tag data is linked to a central system, each product or batch of products can be identified by physical location, manufacturing history and distribution path. The world’s big supermarket chains were not slow to realise the benefits of RFID, and a number of trials took place in the US and the UK in the late 1990s. Then in 2003 US supermarket giant Wal-Mart insisted that its top 100 suppliers use RFID tags to identify their shipments, a move the company estimated would save between US$1.3 billion to US$1.5 billion a year. Source: iStart

Human RFID Implant

David Grober -- Harvard Medical School CIO John Halamka is on the cutting edge of technology, both professionally and personally. Not only does he manage 2 million patients, 3,000 doctors and 150 major applications, he's got an RFID chip implanted in his arm. "I felt the only way to really understand the pros and cons of the technology would be being an early adopter myself," Source: ZDNet

AIM Global Tackles RFID and Privacy

AIM Global, the trade association recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, recently participated in the Congressional Internet Caucus RFID Demonstration in Washington, DC with the purpose of educating U.S. government officials about the issues surrounding RFID and privacy. Although RFID has gained a great deal of media attention within the retail supply chain community, there are many other types of RFID systems that can provide benefits, including: Improve homeland security; Increase the integrity of pharmaceutical and food supply chains; and Enhance the efficiencies of manufacturing logistics. Source: AIM

Sybase Updates RFID Software Lineup

Sybase on Monday released server software tuned to gather data from RFID devices and connect that information to a company's back-end systems. The new RFID Enterprise offering should ease integration of data from RFID readers into the company's other business applications. Source: ZDNet

Ridge Says RFID Boosts Security

Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this week told the manufacturers and users of radio-frequency identification technologies that their work will protect Americans from terrorism. Source: Wired

End-to-End RFID Solution

Blue Vector Systems and Intelleflex today announced an end-to-end RFID infrastructure solution that is deployable in supply chain management, asset tracking, and manufacturing environments, using a distributed networking approach. This solution enables greater diversity of processes, which allows businesses to realize new levels of efficiency in their operations, and provides easy system integration and a low total cost of deployment. The new solution consists of Intelleflex's InfoStructure(TM) semi-active tags and InfoBeam(TM) multi-protocol readers connected to Blue Vector's X-3000 network-based RFID infrastructure appliances configured for asset management applications. Source: Business Wire

Symbol Releases RFID Enabled MC9000-G Pocket PC

Symbol Technologies, Inc. is introducing a new version of its rugged Symbol MC9000-G with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) featuring an integrated multi-protocol Electronic Product Code (EPC) reader/writer. The MC9000-G with RFID handheld is capable of reading all EPC Generation 1 tags, both Class 0 and Class 1, while also offering a firmware upgrade path to EPC Generation 2 (Gen 2) protocols, when available. Source: GeekZone

RFID Solutions

As the "spine" of an RFID infrastructure, the SeeBeyond RFID Composite Application Network offering enables easy bridging to other leading RFID technologies, providing customers with the ability to quickly deploy business-driven composite applications to accelerate ROI from their RFID investments. In addition to its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems and other leading RFID solution providers including sbkLabs and Bent Systems, SeeBeyond has announced alliances with ConnecTerra and Raining Data. Source: Business Wire

Gen2 RFID Is Here

Next-generation Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is beginning to appear. However, research firm Gartner feels that enterprises thinking of implementing RFID must begin to make the transition from tactical to strategic equipment purchases. Source: CXO Today

Sybase Gears up RFID Infrastructure

Enterprise software maker Sybase fleshed out its radio frequency identification (RFID) integration infrastructure by launching a new product which it claims reduces the cost of building, managing and deploying RFID applications. Source: Computer Business Review

SD Card RFID Reader For Handhelds

TradeWind Technologies LLC is pleased to announce the availability of the world's first commercially available RFID reader in the SD card form factor. The patent pending card enables many handheld devices to read or write standard and proprietary RFID 13.56Mhz tags and labels. Source: TradeWind Technologies LLC

RFID Printers

Printronix Inc., the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, today introduced the 5r multitechnology thermal printing platform. The 5r platform, which builds upon the technology innovation of the high-performance T5000e and SL5000e series, further enhances the industry's first commercially available UHF multiprotocol radio frequency identification (RFID) printer for EPCglobal. Source: PR Newswire

Dublin RFID Conference

The RFID - Supply Chain Evolution conference takes place in the Leopardstown Pavilion in Dublin on April 22. Source: IOL

RFID Market to Reach $7.26B in 2008

A new market research report covering RFID from 2005 to 2015, researched by IDTechEx, reveals that this year’s global market for RFID including tags, systems and services is $1.94 billion, but will be driven by demand and new laws to $26.90 billion in 2015. Source: IDTechEx

RFID Passports Planned

A government plan to embed US passports with radio-frequency chips starting this summer is meeting resistance from travel and privacy groups who say the technology is untested and could create a security risk for travelers. Source: SAP Info

The Latest RFID Technology in IP's 'Area 51'

Inside International Paper's Smart Packaging Division testing center, in a small space one employee calls the company's "Area 51," sits an old-fashioned forklift equipped with the latest Radio Frequency Identification technology. The RFID equipped forklift, which can be used with any existing RFID system, can identify and track products from loading to unloading and help cut down on time and lost shipments. Source MSNBC

Chicago RFID Conference

How to deploy RFID technology to create the greatest business value is the focus of RFID Journal LIVE!, (www.rfidjournallive.com) taking place April 10-12 at Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. This is the only executive conference that offers an in-depth look at the current state of RFID and EPC technology and its future direction in a broad array of industries. Source: RFIDJournalLive

RFID and the World Cup

Conspiracy theorists in Germany are wondering why all 2.9 million tickets now on sale for next year's FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in Germany include an embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) smart tag that will allow entry to the games. Source: SAP Info

IBM Chips Away at RFID

Within the next decade radio frequency identification (RFID) will become as common as barcodes on everyday items, says a researcher with IBM. With chip costs roughly halving every 18 months, RFID tags will cost only a few cents within three to five years. IBM is hoping to use more organic materials in the chips, which will also reduce costs. Source: STUFF

High-Tech RFID Passports Stir Privacy Concerns

The State Department is ready to roll out a new high-tech passport. Some privacy advocates are worried the system, which ustilizes RFID technology, may allow others to retrieve personal data from a distance. Source: NPR

P&G Fund Awards Academic Grant for RFID

The philanthropic arm of CPG-maker Procter & Gamble provides $150,000 to Indiana University to develop its RFID lab and curriculum. Source: RFID Journal

An Easy Way To Implement RFID Technology

For companies that want to implement RFID capabilities but aren't ready to replace their established supply chain systems, Manhattan Associates, Inc., an Atlanta-based logistics solutions provider, released an enhanced version of its EPC Manager solution. Through the use of RFID functionally customers can achieve greater visibility and improved security in their supply chains while ensuring regulatory compliance. Source: IndustryWeek

Suppliers Eye RFID Data, Search for Potential Uses

Early adopter retailers, most of whom do not use the 'slap-n-ship' method, are being aggressive in trying to use RFID-generated data to improve their business processes. Source: CRM News

Common RFID Mistakes

The three most common pitfalls of RFID implementations today are overestimating the RFID’s benefits; adopting a "slap and ship" implementation of RFID; and expecting RFID to be a magic bullet. Source: RFID Journal

New RFID Systems Offer Global Interoperability

-RFID pioneers Intermec Technologies Corp. and Impinj Inc. today announced a technology collaboration designed to bring the business benefits of EPCglobal Generation 2 RFID (radio frequency identification) to industries worldwide. Source: Business Wire

ThingMagic's EPC Gen 2 Mercury4 RFID Reader

ThingMagic LLC, a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID), sensing and embedded computing technologies, today announced that five of its partners will offer demonstrations of ThingMagic's Mercury4 RFID reader reading EPCglobal Generation 2 RFID tags during the RFID Journal Live! conference in Chicago next week. Source: Business Wire

RFID: Many Problems, Little Public Discussion

The many issues associated with RFID: serious privacy threats, potential health risks, a big security hole, many technical problems, lack of interoperability among vendors, and potentially high operational costs make the use of RFID at the Berkeley Public Library a potentially bad idea. Source: Berkeley Daily Planet

DoD, Not Wal-Mart, Driving RFID

Most of the public attention given to RFID has focused on the retail supply chain, especially Wal-Mart's mandate to its top 100 suppliers. But the U.S. Department of Defense is also mandating its use this year - to all of its 43,000-plus suppliers. Source: Circuits Assembly

Paxar Guarantees RFID Supplies

Paxar Corp., a provider of bar code, radio frequency identification (RFID) and identification technologies for the retail supply chain, today announced its smart label performance guarantee. Source: Supply & Demand Chain

3M Introduces RFID Solution for Managing CDs and DVDs in Libraries

3M announces a new radio frequency identification (RFID) solution to simplify check-in, checkout and circulation management of CDs and DVDs. New 3M CD8 RFID tags, coupled with special software and standard 3M D8 RFID tags, link CDs and DVDs to their jewel case as a "set." Source: Business Wire

IntelliTrack Releases "RFID Slap & Ship" Software

Key features of the system include the ability to generate EPC compliant Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN), easy integration with existing pack, ship and putaway processes, and RFID tag validation to insure that any defective tags are caught prior to shipment. Source: Khalsa News Network

First RFID Smart Label for Laser Printers in Sheet Form

Worldlabel.com is a leader in the converting of RFID Smart Labels and laser and inkjet labels. We are proud to be the first to develop and bring to market RFID Smart Laser Printer Labels. We are positive we can embed any inlay into a paper labels and produce a rolls or sheets of Xtrack™ RFID Smart Labels 100% readable with our method of converting. Source: Khalsa News Network

RFID Policy Panel Raises Privacy Concerns

Radio frequency identification technology has many benefits, but U.S. policy-makers need to be aware of its potential privacy and security problems, a privacy advocate and a security expert said yesterday. Source: IDG News Service

RFID Adopters Struggle with Deployments

Early adopters of radio frequency identification (RFID) are bargain hunting for specialized vendors to meet compliance deadlines, but major software vendors like SAP will likely be the choice once the technology matures, according to a report from Boston-based AMR Research Inc. Source: SearchSAP.com

WITRON to Use RFID for Major Project in Spain

Witron Logistik + Informatik GmbH will use RFID-tags within the dry, fresh and frozen goods areas of the new logistics center near Madrid that the company is implementing for the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona. Source: Witron Logistik + Informatik GmbH

RFID Labels Test 100% Readable by RFID Alliance Lab

Worldlabel.com shipped a roll with 105 pieces of 4” x 6” Xtrack™ RFID Smart Labels to the RFID Alliance Lab for testing. The tags embedded were a Rafsec dipole design with EPC UHF Ucode 1.19 chip. Tests were performed at the University of Kansas under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Deavours, Director of Research at the RFID Alliance Lab and Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas. Dr. Deavours issued the following statement on behalf of the RFID Alliance Lab. “On December 14, the Lab tested all 105 labels with a ThingMagic Mercury 4 reader. The Lab observed that all 105 labels were readable”. Source: Khalsa News Network

Aerospace and Defense Need RFID

"With the DOD, RFID is not about business models: it's about improving military operations efficiency in acquiring materiel from suppliers and making sure it gets to units in the field. These are massive, aggressive and very complex initiatives that will be major factors driving RFID's adoption." Source: Business Wire

SENSE Holdings Develops International Dealer Channel in RFID Tracking Sector

SenseTag RFID technology tracks people, places and things so you know who, what and where in real time. The Bozeman airport has purchased the SenseTag system for perimeter gate access of employees and access for preauthorized vendors at the airport. Source: PR Newswire

SSA Marine Uses RFID Cut Cargo Transit Time

One of the world's biggest cargo companies will begin using a new generation of container-tracking technology at several West Coast ports later this year. WhereNet, the Santa Clara, Calif., company that developed the system, estimates the application which utilizes RFID tages will cut the transfer time from ship to truck trailer by at least half. Source: RFID Journal

RFID has Potential for Retailers

Gillette, Kimberly-Clark and others explain how RFID can balance inventory levels, meet customer demand and reduce the shrink rate. Source: ITBusiness.ca

AVANTE To License and Deploy Its RFID Cargo Seal to Secure Container Shipping

AVANTE has developed the long-sought solution of intrusion detection by placing active tags (ZONER(TM)) inside the container. ZONER(TM) differs from traditional tags by emitting a burst of 433 MHz signals at several discrete power levels every few seconds. An RF network of readers (RELAYER(TM)) outside the containers constantly monitors the signal changes. Intrusion through any surface on the container will cause a distinct change in the discrete signals received by the monitoring network. Redundancy is built-in to minimize any false alarms that have plagued e-seal technology. Source: BusinessWire

RFID Tags May Replace Vehicle Inspection Stickers

A Texas legislator has filed a bill that would, in part, call for the state to replace vehicle inspection stickers with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, otherwise known as transponders. Source: ComputerWorld