News and Information from the Radio Frequency Identification World
"Radio frequency identification specialist IconNicholson has formally joined the Symbol PartnerSelect program as an RFID partner, and the two companies are currently incorporating Symbol's XR400 reader into IconNicholson's Center of Excellence, which showcases technologies for improving supply chain and customer-facing operations." Source: sdcexec.com
"The Black Hat conference - an annual event where security professionals get in touch with their inner hacker and vice versa - has for nine years been a stage for detailing new security exploits and sharing visions of the future. Among the darker demonstrations, Kevin Mahaffey, director of development at Flexilis, operated a radio-based voltage-controller oscillator that acted as a disrupter that could shoot a frequency beam at an RFID reader. As it emitted a shrill whine, the RFID disrupter jammed the reader or eliminated a comprehensive reading of RFID tags, which in actual use could play havoc with supply-chain operations using the tags." Source: networkworld.com
"About 3,000 hackers, privacy advocates and other cyber-activists gathered for the three-day What The Hack, a self-styled computer-security conference dealing with such issues as digital passports, biometrics and cryptography. But the chatter was hardly your pop fare - 'Politics of Psychedelic Research' and 'Fun and Mayhem with RFID', which stands for radio frequency identification tags." Source: asia1.com.sg
"Escort Memory Systems, a global leader in providing industrial RFID (radio frequency identification) solutions, today announced the immediate introduction and immediate availability of the HS500E integrated RFID antenna/reader. The HS500E is the first industrial RFID integrated antenna/reader offering single point, high speed access to industrial and commercial broadband networks." Source: automation.com
"An A&E doctor and CIO who has had an RFID tag implanted into his arm on which his medical reference number is encoded has expressed concerns about lack of privacy standards and erosion of his anonymity. John Halamka, chief information officer at Harvard Medical School, had the VeriChip tag encased in an unbreakable glass capsule and implanted in his arm at the end of last year. The chip contains a code that can be inputted into a website, where his medical records and GP contact details can be found." Source: e-health-insider.com
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is taking the controversial US-VISIT program high-tech. Several Canada-U.S. land ports will use RFID technology to monitor visitors who want to enter the U.S. The technology is part of US-VISIT, a billion-dollar anti-terrorism initiative launched in December. As part of the program, U.S.-bound landed immigrants, or any other non-Canadian citizen who requires a temporary VISA to enter the U.S. for business or pleasure, would have to undergo biometric digital photographs when they cross the border, as well as finger scans at a secondary inspection centre on subsequent visits." Source: todaystrucking.com
"Electronic anti-theft devices have been installed in vehicles cars for years -- such as the LoJack, which gained fame during countless TV commercials. Soon, similar technology will be used in the clothes you and your children wear. A fashion designer in California is debuting sleepwear for small children that contains RFID -- Radio Frequency Identification -- tags, providing some peace of mind to parents, who might fear that their young ones may be abducted while they sleep." Source: wpherald.com
"Startup RFID provider Alien Technology announced the completion of a $66 million round of financing, led by SunBridge Partners. The $66 million funding round is among the largest that EE Times has seen since the introduction of the venture capital counter (VCC) in January 2004. It is also the eighth, or H, round of funding that Alien Technology has received, bringing the total capital invested in the company to more than $200 million. Alien Technology (Morgan Hill, Calif.) said it would use the funding to continue expansion and drive new market opportunities in the face of accelerating global demand for RFID technology." Source: eet.com
"As part of the U.S. Government's initiative to improve efficiency and inventory asset management, Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company which designs and manufactures RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems, has been awarded a Blanket Purchasing Agreement to provide passive RFID technical engineering services to support the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. This award is the third AIT RFID award group resulting from a government request for quotation issued in December 2004. Earlier this year Intermec was granted BPAs to provide RFID tags and readers." Source: Intermec via businesswire.com
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will install radio frequency technology at five border posts with Canada and Mexico to track foreigners driving in and out of North America. In its ongoing efforts to tighten border security and monitor possible terrorist and criminal activity, Bob Mocny of the Department of Homeland Security said the wireless chips for vehicles would become mandatory at designated border crossings in Canada and Mexico as of next Thursday." Source: informationweek.com
"VeriChip Corp, a company that is pioneering the use of radio frequency identification for people-tracking, will later today introduce a new range of access control and security systems that can detect RFID tags that are either worn as a wrist or ankle band, or injected under the skin." Source: cbronline.com
"These case studies detail a very wide range of benefits that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is bringing to hospitals, nursing homes and care in the home. Uses include error and crime prevention, cost reduction, removing tedious procedures, avoiding infection and providing computer evidence in court that correct procedures were carried out. In these examples RFID also provides more freedom for the blind and the disoriented elderly. Staff, patients and new born babies are tagged as are laundry, fixed assets, drugs and blood." Source: reasearch and markets via businesswire.com
"SAMSys Technologies Inc., an international provider of RFID hardware solutions, will supply its MP9311 RFID UHF reader module for use in all RFID label printers manufactured by Datamax Corp. The MP9311 module supports the new EPC Generation 2 tags. It can handle all tag protocols and global frequencies in a single SKU, simplifying product development for printer manufacturers. Datamax will use the MP9311 module as a component of its I-Class RFID printers, a family of combined bar code printers and smart label encoders." Source: frontlinetoday.com
"Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c21581) has announced the addition of Active RFID and its Big Future to their offering. In RFID form, SALs potentially reduce the cost of some active RFID systems by 20% or more and they will create large new markets. We discuss active RFID infrastructure - currently the main component of cost until SALs become popular - and how these systems are transforming such things as the speed of response of military forces and safety in hospitals, the efficiency of production lines and the cost and response of supply chains." Source: reasearch and markets via businesswire.com
"SACO is in a unique position to offer a one stop shop for the middleware which connects Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers to the company management information system (MIS). SACO is a resource management system supplier, supplying the complete solution, including consultation, installation, commissioning, training and support." Source: cbn.co.za
"IconNicholson, a pioneer in RFID solutions and integration, and Symbol Technologies, The Enterprise Mobility Company, a worldwide leader in RFID readers, antennas and tag inlays, announce that IconNicholson has formally joined the Symbol PartnerSelect program as an RFID partner. IconNicholson and Symbol are currently incorporating Symbol's XR400 reader into IconNicholson's Center of Excellence, which showcases the most compelling technologies for improving supply chain and customer-facing operations." Source: morerfid.com
"Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c21429) has announced the addition of Smart Labels Analyst to their offering. Smart Labels Analyst is the first to concentrate exclusively on responsive labels, whether electronic or non-electronic. The biggest opportunity for these is radio frequency identification (RFID) but we also cover anti-theft tags, disposable timers and other labels for brand enhancement and diagnostics." Source: forbes.com
"The Relizon Co. has partnered with Intermec Technologies Corp. to incorporate both companies' radio frequency identification and automatic identification technology. Relizon has been reselling the company's technology for more than five years. Through Intermec's Honours Partner Program, Relizon now will work with the company to incorporate both companies' radio frequency identification and automatic identification technologies." Source: dayton.bizjournals.com
"Nashua Corp., manufacturer and marketer of labels, thermal specialty papers and imaging products, will begin making Printronix certified radio frequency identification labels. Printronix Inc. an integrated supply chain printing solutions manufacturer, along with Nashua, announced the agreement Monday. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed." Source: nashuatelegraph.com
"ThingMagic, Inc. (www.thingmagic.com), a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID), sensing and embedded computing technologies, today released MercuryOS 2.2 Shannon, a major software upgrade to its Mercury4 line of RFID readers. Shannon significantly increases security and scalability for the world's most advanced RFID readers, and further advances Mercury4 interoperability with a range of RFID tag variants. Mercury4 is the only RFID reader to offer such advanced security features." Source: ThingMagic via businesswire.com
"If you were to borrow a book from the library and then walk into the a store a block away, the readers in the security gates at the door will read whatever information is on the microchip that is embedded in your library book. Privacy, health, labor and costs issues come with the application of RFID in libraries." Source: berkeleydaily.org
"TIBCO Software, which has made a name for itself by providing integration capabilities to the financial industry, is adding new radio-frequency identification functionality to its portfolio. TIBCO on Tuesday announced TIBCO RFID Interchange, an RFID infrastructure that transforms and routes RFID data into back-end applications and then provides context around that data. Essentially, what RFID Interchange does is incorporate event data gleaned from edge devices—RFID printers and readers—into business processes. It then provides users with relevant information around the data." Source: eweek.com
"Line56.com reports that there is a lot of spending internationally this year, with mainstream adoption expected by 2008. Average budgets are rising, but actual deployment still low." Source: istart.co.nz
"Miami-based IT consulting firm Neoris sees radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions becoming an important part of its revenue in Latin America in two years' time, Neoris chief technical officer Lionel Carrasco told BNamericas. According to Carrasco, the demand for RFID is higher in Latin America than in the US, however, the pressure to implement it is still stronger in the US." Source: bnamericas.com
"Ship2Save has deployed an Radio Frequency Identification enabled infrastructure for Liaison Can/Us Courier and its fleet of trucks. Liaison Can/Us Courier has used Ship2Save integration and consulting services to develop and deploy an RFID infrastructure that will enable them to provide RFID powered transportation services throughout North America. The model and its underlying RFID hardware network will help improve internal productivity and provide an additional value tool for their customers." Source: ship2save via przoom.com
"The Government last week confirmed that the UK's planned ID card is intended to operate as a 'passport lite' that could be used for travel within the European Union, and signalled that Home Office thinking may be moving towards the use of a PIN as a common mechanism for verification. The card's operation as a passport, said Under Secretary of State Andy Burnham, dictates that it will need to use ICAO standard RFID contactless reader technology, while use of chip and PIN would allow it to be compatible with banking and retail systems." Source: theregister.co.uk
"While retailers like Wal-Mart are forcing their suppliers to use radio frequency identification (RFID), many are reluctant to jump on the technological bandwagon due to the high costs involved according to a new survey." Source: foodproductiondaily.com
"Radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled data collection systems have been widely described as the next big thing for supply chain management and the likely replacement of bar coding systems. However, a local RFID solution vendor has warned business against being misled. "Although RFID has enormous potential for automating processes, business needs to be aware of the technology's limitations," says James Briggs, SCM Solutions director." Source: itweb.co.za
"This report details the business benefits of the "tag everything" scenario and explains the imminent transformation of postal, military, healthcare and other operations. Item level RFID will save millions of lives, reduce sickness and accidents and enrich the retailing and Information Technology (IT) industries and others. It will revolutionise the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and healthcare industries by making them far more efficient but also capable of new things. For example, counterfeit pharmaceuticals kill tens of thousands yearly and 125,000 US patients die every year from taking their medication incorrectly." Source: Research and Markets
"TIBCO Software Inc. (Nasdaq: TIBX - News), a leading business integration and process management software company that enables real-time business, today announced TIBCO® RFID Interchange, a comprehensive new solution designed to transform, enrich and route Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) edge events for easy integration with enterprise applications performing tasks such as order fulfillment and warehouse management. Users of TIBCO RFID Interchange will streamline operations and create business value by enabling timely insight into orders, lead times and inventory at each stage in the supply chain process." Source: TIBCO Software Inc. via Yahoo
"An emerging technology called RFID - or Radio Frequency Identification - is generating a lot of buzz worldwide. Neptune Orient Lines has launched a S$2.7 million technology centre to simulate a "live" supply-chain environment so as to evaluate and test RFID technologies and its uses for customers. But getting producers and retailers to say "yes" requires more convincing because the technology is still seen as too expensive." Source: channelnewsasia.com
"Dutch internet bank Rabobank has deployed an RFID-based cash-in-transit solution in 200 of its branches in the Netherlands. The application, a first of its kind on the market, will enable Rabobank to conduct person-independent cash delivery. Historically, the transfer has required a personal transaction between a Rabobank agent and cash-in-transit employee. With Rabobank’s deployment of item-level RFID infrastructure provider Tagsys’ RFID-based systems, used in conjunction with Capture Tech’s Seal Track software, the need for physical interaction during a cash delivery is eliminated. This allows for a handover during the day, with minimal intervention required by bank employees." Source: DMeurope.com
"RFID deployment budgets are small, but more than two-thirds of respondents to an AMR Research survey said they plan to evaluate, pilot, or implement RFID this year." Source: informationweek.com
"RFID tags are still expensive. For the technology to become pervasive, the prices will have to come down to as low as Rs 5 to 10 per tag. That said, Indian companies aren’t letting it deter them from piloting the technology, says Sushma Naik as she talks to organisations in fields as diverse as apparel manufacturing and brewing." Source: expresscomputeronline.com
"Tags and readers are often thought of as the "business end" of RFID-where product data is stored and collected. But in reality, the business end of RFID is deep inside the enterprise. The raw data is of little value until put to use in an organization's operational machinery. Increasingly, attention is turning to the software that enables RFID data use within the enterprise. New initiatives are flying thick and fast, says ABI Research." Source: frontlinetoday.com
"Two innovative technology companies have joined a research and development consortium initiated in October 2004 by Headwater Technology Solutions Inc.'s Delfour Supply Chain Division to focus on RFID solutions for temperature controlled warehouse environments, it was announced today by Dale Castle, Director, Product Strategy at Headwater Technology Solutions Inc. The consortium's Phase I goal is to be in full compliance with the Wal-Mart initiative in summer, 2005." Source: businesswire.com
"You know a technology is hyped to the hilt when pundits call for a shakeout before the market has even had a chance to build. Such is the case with RFID, or radio frequency identification. Two research firms say that customer mandates to adopt RFID have caused a premature rush to market, which has resulted in overly bullish spending forecasts and failed expectations." Source: forbes.com
"Companies are increasingly moving beyond retailer compliance mandates and considering Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) initiatives for competitive advantage, says an Infosys (NASDAQ:INFY) survey of executives from high tech manufacturing, consumer product goods, logistics and pharmaceutical industries. While RFID adoption continues to be driven primarily by retail mandate compliance (45%), competitive advantage came in a close second (38%). More than half of the respondents believed that their RFID initiatives have significant implications on cost reduction and asset efficiency improvements in their supply chain." Source: infosys via businesswire.com
"So there’s no shortage of mirror TVs out there, but Hitachi’s doing one on steroids, that’s more of a computer display than a television-like device. It’s half mirror, half diffusion film and will display digital information on the surface via LCD projector. The technology, dubbed Miragraphy, integrates sensors, RFID readers, barcode readers, and cameras so it can automagically respond to people presence and act accordingly to personalize its digital content display based on their identities. This would place the device squarely into the “cool, yet kinda creepy” category. Should be out in Japan (of course) on September 30." Source: engadget.com
"CDO Technologies, a provider of RFID-EPC, bar code, wireless and data collection solutions, today announced the award of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) from the Army Contracting Agency (ACA) Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), for passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Electronic Product Code (EPC) -1 Technical Engineering Services." Source: rednova.com
"Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c21176) has announced the addition of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2005 to 2010 to their offering. RFID markets at $503 million in 2004 are anticipated to impact multiple market segments including tracking cases and asset management. These applications are anticipated to drive market growth for radio frequency identification technology at an average of 67 percent to more than $3.8 billion in 2011. Major initiatives relate to retailer ability to use electronic tags to track inventory from warehouses to stores." Source: Research And Markets via businesswire.com
"Texas Instruments Inc. and Moore Wallace on Thursday said they have formed a multiyear agreement to offer electronic product code tags used in Radio Frequency Identification tags. Under the terms of the agreement, which extends a seven-year collaboration between the companies, Dallas-based TI will supply ultra-high-frequency tag technology to Moore Wallace, one of the world's largest label converters in North America." Source: dallas.bizjournals.com
"Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has long had the potential to revolutionize the supply chain, but it didn't come front-and-center until Wal-Mart, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and other high-profile retail organizations mandated it for their suppliers. Driven by those mandates, suppliers have been working (some would say struggling) towards RFID compliance. 2005 was a key year in many of the mandates, and new research from AMR shows that RFID adoption is consequently spreading." Source: line56.com
"Weber Marking Systems' RFID Ready program makes it possible for companies to obtain Weber label printers and printer-applicators that can be upgraded to include RFID technology in the future. RFID Ready models, which include stand-alone printers and Weber's Model 5200 printer-applicator, can be modified for easy upgrade to multi-protocol encoders that support EPC-compatible and other ultra-high-frequency standards. Those encoders will support protocols that are the most current at the time of conversion." Source: frontlinetoday.com
"The world market for RFID middleware totaled $23.39 million in 2004, and could reach $220.43 million by 2011, according to new research from Frost & Sullivan. As more companies face mandates to use RFID tags within their supply chains, the volume of data from those tags will increase. RFID middleware is one solution to the data challenge, and provides a way to integrate legacy warehouse management systems (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with RFID. " Source: frontlinetoday.com
"RFID can provide companies with an unprecedentedly high level of information accuracy and real-time visibility across the supply chain. This capability of RFID has major implications: It will allow companies to redefine the fundamental assumptions upon which today's supply chain management policies, practices and software systems are based." Source: wisetechnology.com
"The many potential uses of RFID are expected to produce massive amounts of data that, once analyzed, could be a gold mine of useful information, says database guru Michael Stonebraker." Source: informationweek.com
"One key issue surrounding RFID adoption is the global infrastructure needed to make them universally accepted and useful. Despite efforts by major global retailers such as Wal-Mart to accelerate adoption of RFID by requiring passive RFID chips on cases and pallets, key challenges remain to make this technology as ubiquitous as bar codes have become." Source: bangkokpost.com
"RFID tags need to reach the five-cent-per-chip price point, which is considered to be the threshold where RFID will really take off. Integration is the biggest concern for RFID buyers, and as a result customers tend to rely on trusted traditional technology partners rather than approaching niche specialists." Source: researchandmarkets.com
"ABI Research believes that the RFID Industry is primed for a shakeout in the coming six to nine months. There will be rollups, acquisitions and consolidation, as the need for more focused RFID-related software and applications grows." Source: ABI Research via businesswire.com
"Despite a renewed industry push behind RFID technologies, one vendor has warned high costs could prohibit large-scale rollouts for up to seven years. RFID has been criticised by standards and privacy advocates, but its chances of making inroads into corporate Australia received some boosts this month." Source: zdnet.co.uk
"SkyeTek, Inc. today introduced ReaderWare(TM), an open-architected software suite that unlocks the traditionally black-box nature of RFID reader hardware. ReaderWare is available for both HF and UHF reader designs, including the SkyeTek M8 UHF reader module which has sold out of its initial inventory of developer kits." Source: skyetek via businesswire.com
"Experts agree, however, that despite the decrees, RFID is still struggling to gain a foothold. Reasons for the sluggish adoption range from pure technology issues to questions about whether there really is a business Sprint has the infrastructure in place to meet all your business communications needs. From one company. Today. Click here and see how Sprint helps business. case for RFID tags when widely used barcodes (which store less information than RFID tags) work so well. One of the main stumbling blocks to moving forward with tag adoption is not the tags or the readers, but the middleware Discover a better way to manage the business of IT with IBM Tivoli solutions. Latest News about middleware that links those pieces of hardware to an enterprise's various IT systems." Source: crmbuyer.com
"Last January, Wal-Mart launched a new era in supply chain management when 100 or so suppliers began shipping cartons and pallets tagged with radio frequency identification tags (RFID) to a few distribution centers in Texas. We have learned: within certain limitations, the technology works; it pays to define goals and expectations going into an initiative like this; this is difficult stuff; Wal-Mart is committed to RFID." Source: mmh.com
"Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are rapidly exploring ways to adopt Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for customer applications, especially as the new technology gains acceptance nationally at the medical enterprise and chain-store retail level, according to the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA). ITSPA is a national, non-profit alliance that helps SMBs understand how technology and local technology providers can help them succeed." Source: ITSPA via businesswire.com
"A Québec construction firm recently adopted radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to speed up, simplify and streamline tracking of its power tools on job sites. The firm, he says, has around 300 permanent employees, and also uses contract staff for long-term jobs. Tracking tools used by workers at job sites was a very cumbersome task. Moreau Construction’s RFID installation cost about C$25,000, which included software, tags, readers, and implementation assistance." Source: techworld.com
"SAMSys Technologies Inc. says it has signed a contract to supply its new MP9311 radio-frequency identification ultra-high frequency reader for use in all RFID label printers manufactured by Datamax Corp. Datamax intends to use the MP9311 module as a component for its I-Class RFID printers, a family of combined bar-code printers and smart-label encoders. The MP9311 supports the Electronic Product Code, or EPC, Generation 2 RFID specification, as well as other standard protocols and frequencies around the world. The MP9311 also supports EPC Class 0 and 0+, EPC Class 1, ISO 18000-6A, ISO 18000-6B, Philips UCODE 1.19, EM 4222, and Intellitag protocols." Source: informationweek.com
"Cinram, leader vendor of pre-recorded CDs and DVDs, and Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) have jointly implemented an RFID (radio frequency identification) solution in the UHF (ultra high frequency) range. To optimize supply logistics, two loading doors at the incoming goods area of Cinram's central materials warehouse in Alsfeld near Cologne, Germany have been equipped with the new Simatic RF 600 RFID system from Siemens." Source: physorg.com
"AXCESS International Inc., a leading provider of Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, held its Shareholders Meeting in New York City on Tuesday, July 12th. At the meeting, President, CEO, and board member Allan Griebenow delivered the Management Report providing an overview of the Company's key markets and solutions based on its battery-powered "Active" RFID technology." Source: telematicsjournal.com
"Technology to replace barcodes with radio-sensitive identity tags is being hampered by widespread scepticism among suppliers, according to Wal-Mart and other leading users. The development of radio frequency identification (RFID) was billed as one of the biggest leaps forward in the global logistics industry allowing retailers and their suppliers to track goods precisely throughout the supply chain." Source: ft.com
"VeriChip Corporation, a subsidiary of Applied Digital (NASDAQ: ADSX), a leading provider of security and identification technology, announced today that its "Hugs" RFID infant protection system has prevented the abduction of a baby at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina." Source: businesswire.com
"The GMB is calling on the European Commission to legislate to outlaw the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) and GPS satellite linked wearable computers to tag and track workers in the workplace." Source: personneltoday.com
"SAMSys Technologies Inc., an international provider of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) hardware solutions, today announced a contract to supply its new MP9311 RFID UHF Reader Module for use in all RFID label printers manufactured by Datamax Corporation. The MP9311 is the first RFID solution of its kind that supports the new EPC Generation 2 tags. It is also the only module that can handle all tag protocols and global frequencies in a single SKU, greatly simplifying product development for printer manufacturers." Source: newswire.ca
"So far, RFID adoption has been driven mainly by mandates from Wal-Mart, the Department of Defense and others, according to William Blair analyst Jeff Rosenberg. Suppliers will struggle to achieve a return on their investment in RFID for at least the next couple of years, he said. Wal-Mart's suppliers have complained about the additional cost burden. "Tag costs are paramount, because we are in a very low-margin business," Tyson Foods Chief Technology Officer Gary Cooper said." Source: chicagobusiness.com
"WOOLWORTHS has put radio frequency identification (RFID) work on the backburner, saying other e-business initiatives take priority." Source: australianit.news.com.au
"By applying RFID and barcode technology in labeling drums, pallets, bins, and RPCs that are used in transporting foods, fruits, and vegetable crops, ScoringAg’s Internet-based databank is able to maintain a complete, Point-to-Point Traceback™ transport record in real time. Accessing the information stored in the RFID and barcode label and the associated Web-based databank enables positive identification of the container’s contents, source, destination, handlers and shippers, and other data required to maintain security and proper schedules for these critical entities." Source: eMediaWire.com
"RFID is regarded by many in the IT industry as the next big thing. Already, many British supermarkets are considering using the system for stock control and automated checkout facilities. Rivals such as IBM and Fujitsu are also developing RFID systems, but Mr Wendling is confident that 3M will be a leader in the field. "We have got some really advanced systems. This is a big growth area. But I really can't comment further as it is very confidential." It is thought that 3M is developing RFID products for use in the office." Source: news.independent.co.uk
"The Automation Group of Tyco Electronics has announced that it has been awarded an Advanced Packaging Award in the category of Specialized Advanced Packaging Equipment & Materials for its unique Reel-to-Reel RFID Line." Source: emsnow.com
"Leading airline of the world based in Dubai, Emirates will deploy radio frequency identification tags to ensure smooth passage of cargo. Plans are afoot to introduce active tagging system, which will track unit load devices (ULDs), pallets and other assets, and then gradually bring in passive UHF tags on cargo. Called SkyCargo, Emirates' freight division has its cargo information system hosted by SITA, which provides telecommunications and other services to the air transport industry." Source: fibre2fashion.com
"Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that has been around since 1920. It is a technology that is delivered by means of small microchips called “tags.” These small objects have an adhesive sticker attached to or incorporated into the product. RFID tags use antennas which are used to receive and respond to frequency emitted by RFID transceivers. Radio frequency uses the method of remotely storing and retrieving data using RFID tags or transponders. These tags can be read by electronic scanners." Source: expresscomputeronline.com
"MPI Label Systems, based in Sebring, Ohio, has long been a pioneer in the development of RFID and digital label production and application technology. Within the last year, use of the technology has exploded. The significant increase in RFID usage can be attributed to the January 1, 2005 Wal-Mart RFID mandate for the company’s top 100 suppliers and the January 1, 2006 deadline approaching for the next 200 largest suppliers. With other retailers following suit, RFID is here to stay. The question for many companies now becomes: What level of RFID integration do I need, and how do I make it work? MPI understands these concerns and works personally with each customer to address its needs through MPI’s full line of RFID equipment and services." Source: mmh.com
""The problem we see in spades in California is legislators don't know the technology nearly as well as you do," said Dan Caprio, the Department of Commerce's deputy assistant secretary for technology policy and chief privacy officer. Caprio was referring to the audience, which included representatives of technology companies. The panel, hosted by the American Electronics Association, was designed to address the outcry from "Luddite privacy people who don't like this new technology," said Robert Atkinson, director of the Progressive Policy Institute's Technology and New Economy Project." Source: SAPinfo.net
"The technology group Siemens is aiming to achieve global market leadership in the radio tags (RFIDs) business. "We are aiming to become market leader," the head of the information technology solutions business unit of the group division Siemens Business Services (SBS), Winfried Holz, told the German financial news agency dpa-AFX in Munich in between events of a conference. "At present we are one of the leading players in terms of the number of projects and business volume," he added." Source: heise.de
"Hasty laws drafted by technologically impaired politicians could stifle the promise of radio frequency identification tags, U.S. government officials and policy analysts said on Thursday. RFID tags, which broadcast a unique ID through radio frequencies, have been hailed as a breakthrough that will allow retailers to track inventory more closely and, like bar codes, result in lower prices and more choices for consumers. But some politicians and liberal groups have been attacking the tags on privacy grounds, which has led to proposals like one in California last year to levy onerous regulations on RFID technology." Source: ZDNet.com
"3M has been awarded a five-year schedule contract from the General Services Administration (GSA) for 3M RFID File Tracking Systems. The GSA contract allows 3M to offer federal agencies a simplified process for obtaining its latest RFID (radio frequency identification) tracking products and systems for tracking physical files, at the lowest possible price. These products are listed under GSA contract number GS-25F-0033R." Source: businesswire.com
"Savi Technology, Inc., a leading provider of active RFID supply chain solutions, recently signed a series of partnership agreements with regionally based companies to support Savi's marketing and sales efforts in geographically targeted locations outside the United States. The "regional partnerships" are with services and solution providers based in Australia, India, Israel, and Saudi Arabia." Source: businesswire.com
"Pharmaceutical companies can now sell their drugs with radio labels, hence making them counterfeit-proof. Together with the packaging manufacturer Limmatdruck/Zeiler, Siemens is offering a solution that involves sticking an RFID chip (Radio Frequency Identification) either to the outer packaging or the individual product. The solution covers consulting, IT integration, RFID read devices and packaging with RFID chips." Source: noticias.info
""I have developed a man-overboard alarm for use on small boats," said an inventor from southern California. "Occupants, particularly children and the otherwise at-risk, wear a small active RFID tag around their neck or pinned to their clothing. An alarm is triggered when the tag's distance from the onboard central unit exceeds about 100 feet."" Source: CRMbuyer.com
"A plan to install radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in materials at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) has been rejected 4-1 by the Budget Committee of the Board of Supervisors. San Francisco and Berkeley have been the epicenter of citizen activism about library RFID, as critics are concerned the RFID system could compromise privacy—a position disputed by library vendors and librarians with RFID systems in place." Source: Library Journal
"Media reports that Microsoft Corp is working to integrate RFID programs into the Windows operating system were inaccurate, Microsoft said yesterday. The reports misstated Microsoft group product manager Scott Woodgate's comments about the company's upcoming RFID software working on - and not in - Windows, said Steven Martin, a Microsoft group product manager who works with Woodgate." Source: CBRonline.com
"A consortium of RFID hardware vendors, including Philips Semiconductors and UPM Rafsec, yesterday launched ultra-high frequency RFID products for retail and supply chain applications in Europe." Source: CBRonline.com
"NYK Logistics Inc., a third-party logistics provider, has expanded its deployment of WhereNet Corp.'s RFID-based real-time locating system for yard management to its new transload facility in Norfolk, Va. The system will help expedite shipments for Target stores, one of NYK's major customers." Source: Frontlinetoday.com