RFID Label Systems At 20–30 Cases Per Minute
"RFIDirect includes either the 360RW RFID applicator, which will validate, write and affix RFID labels in a single process, or the 3600RW RFID label printer/applicator, which is the print and apply unit that eliminates the need for pre-printed RFID labels. Both can be incorporated in a scalable and modular conveyor loop system that is customized to fit each customer’s existing space configurations and can achieve speeds of 20 to 30 cases per minute." Source: thomasnet.com
Active RFID Becomes Big Business
"With a new initiative projected to sell one billion active RFID tags -- tag with a battery -- in the next five years the active RFID market looks set to increase massively before the end of the decade. By adding sensors, long-range communication, and other exciting technologies to RFID and short-range communications, there is an opportunity to achieve improvements in a wide range of industries such as real time tracking of items and remote diagnostics. According to the IDTechEx RFID Knowledgebase (www.rfidbase.com), the number of case studies involving active RFID has risen 3% in the last year but this disguises the fact that the best selling type -- car clickers -- shows marginal increases but other applications have grown strongly. Last year's 121 applications have now risen to 210 and the rapid growth continues." Source: integratedmar.com
First Gen 2 RFID Forklift Reader
" Intermec Technologies Corp. today announced the first-ever EPCglobal Generation 2 (Gen 2) RFID vehicle-mount reader. The new multi-protocol Intermec IV7 Intellitag® vehicle-mount RFID reader reads Gen 2 tags from multiple manufacturers in mixed populations of tags based on all major global RFID standards, including EPCglobal Gen 2, Gen 1 and ISO 18000-6b, with a migration path to the emerging ISO 18000-6c standard." Source: automation.com
RFID Cards & Security Poll Results
The last Web Poll on the AIM Global and RFID.org websites asked visitors their views on potential privacy threats posed by RFID-enabled ID cards. The response was overwhelmingly negative -- only 31% felt they posed little risk -- but the comments are more telling than the results.
How much of a security/privacy threat is posed by the use of RFID technology in state - or federally - issued ID Cards?
Unacceptably high: 40.85%
Quite a lot: 16.20%
Somewhat: 10.56%
Not Much: 14.79%
Virtually none: 16.20%
Source: aimglobal.com
Maritime Market Embraces RFID
"In the maritime market, RFID is proving useful in tracking containers on ocean voyages providing real-time location. RFID is also assisting in product flow through customs as well as reducing demurrage according to "RFID for Maritime Report" a study released by ChainLink, a Cambridge, Ma.-based research firm." Source: industryweek.com
RFID and the Manufacturing Sectors
"‘RFID In Manufacturing Sector ( 2005 )’, a recent market research report by RNCOS, a renowned market research firm, has revealed that manufacturing executives are now more focused on deploying RFID technology based on its potential benefits, rather than retailer mandates. This change in focus — on ways to realize a strong return on investment from RFID initiatives, is predicted to result in phenomenal market growth. The market is now estimated to approximately reach $3 billion worldwide, by 2007." Source: i-newswire.com
U.S. Army Includes Zebra Technologies Partners in Seven RFID Purchase Agreements
"Zebra Technologies, a global leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business improvement, announced that its radio frequency identification (RFID) printer/encoders have been included in seven new Group 3 blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) issued by the U.S. Army Contracting Agency (ACA) Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4). Each BPA allows each partner to sell an indefinite quantity of electronic product code (EPC)-compliant printer/encoders to the Army. The BPAs last for two years. Several models of Zebra RFID printer/encoders are included." Source: prnewswire.com
Wisconsin's Lab Tackles RFID Technology
"University of Wisconsin's RFID lab, which formally opened this month, will help companies use the new technology to manage their supply chains and look for other potential uses. The technology is being used to track pallets and boxes through the supply chain. Researchers say RFID could be programmed to detect bacteria and recall tainted food, prevent errors in blood transfusions and ensure drugs are not counterfeit. Critics say it will be used to track humans and erode privacy." Source: duluthsuperior.com
RFID Systems Integrators Looking to Make Tag Information More Meaningful
"RFID is no longer just about tags and reader hardware, says Erik Michielsen, director of RFID and ubiquitous networks at ABI Research. Now it's about RFID systems integration -- building scalable, high-volume, high-value integrated solutions that use RFID to collect information, then putting that information into very well-designed enterprise infrastructures where it can be used to drive more agile and informed business decision-making." Source: tekrati.com
AIM Global Announces RFID Software Initiative
"AIM Global, the trade association recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, today announced that the RFID Experts Group (REG), will form an action group to provide guidance related to RFID middleware, application software, and hybrid AIDC management tools. The work group will operate within the structure of the RFID Experts Group and will be led by Dr. Nissim Ozer, CTO and Executive Vice President of RFID platform vendor RF Code, Inc. of Mesa, AZ. Dr. Ozer is an IT industry veteran with development and executive experience in automatic data collection, client/server systems and artificial intelligence markets." Source: aimglobal.org
RFID in Garment Manufacturing
"RFID automates textile-handling operations, ensuring 100 percent reliability, significant labour savings and a dramatic reduction in the number of customer complaints." Source: expresscomputeronline.com
Zebra Technologies Expands RFID Smart Label Business
"Zebra Technologies , a global leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business and process improvement, has added converting equipment for smart labels to its Greenville, Wis. supplies facility. With in-house production, Zebra now provides one of the broadest selections of high quality, cost-competitive smart labels to meet different application needs. A smart label is created by embedding a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and antenna within the label material. Zebra is working closely with chip providers, such as Alien Technology, to ensure the quality and performance of each tag. With its expanded RFID label converting capabilities, Zebra can offer a wide range of high- and ultra-high frequency inlays to meet a variety of application needs as well as customized label facestocks, adhesives, sizes and formats." Source: tmcnet.com
HP To Invest $150 Million In RFID
"HP is dedicating the bulk of a September technology forum to demonstrating RFID chips it is developing with partner Hitachi, giving attendees a first-hand showcase of the next-generation bar coding technology. Guests will experience everything from retrieving assignments from interactive kiosks to embedded chips in their event badges, the company said. The company will spend $150 million over the next five years enhancing its capabilities in RFID. That's a tiny chunk of HP's $80 billion in annual revenue and about 1% of its annual R&D budget. Still, Lanza believes that's enough to make the company competitive against the likes of Sun Microsystems and Symbol Technologies for leadership in the space." Source: forbes.com
RFID Tested In Fresh Produce Supply Chain
"Publix Super Markets here is participating in a University of Florida radio frequency identification (RFID) research pilot called Visibility Validated (V2), according to RedTail Solutions, Westborough, Mass, which announced its own participation in the pilot yesterday. V2 will measure the impact of improved supply chain visibility between suppliers and retailers when it comes to distributing fresh produce." Source: freshplaza.com
Efficiencies Drive RFID Adoption
"Process efficiencies are taking the lead over retailer and government mandates in driving RFID technology adoption, according to a new study entitled "Analysis of RFID Adoption and Workforce Issues in North America." The study was conducted by market research firm Frost & Sullivan and commissioned by CompTIA, a not-for-profit IT trade organization that provides certification testing." Source: rfidjournal.com
End-to-end RFID Payment System Launched
"A new suite of RFID-based contactless payment systems has been launched by transaction management systems provider Accelitec Inc., with the aim of providing consumers with fast, secure and convenient payments while offering merchants a platform for other applications, such as loyalty programmes." Source: thewisemarketer.com
Active RFID Becomes Big Business
"With a new initiative projected to sell one billion active RFID tags in the next five years the active RFID market looks set to increase massively before the end of the decade. The IDTechEx RFID Knowledgebase (http://www.rfidbase.com) gives unique insight into major changes in the RFID market. The number of case studies involving active RFID has risen 3% in the last year but this disguises the fact that the best selling type - car clickers - shows marginal increases but other applications have grown strongly. Last year's 121 applications have now risen to 210 and the rapid growth continues." Source: prnewswire.com
Virgin Atlantic Airways Tests RFID for Part Tracking
"Virgin Atlantic Airways is piloting RFID to track parts used for aircraft maintenance and repairs at its Heathrow Airport warehouse. Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (TCS) and Oracle installed the system, which will use RFID and sensor-based solutions to manage the consignment, storage, and dispatch of parts. The system will be used in tandem with process reviews and Virgin's current materials management software, Ultramain. Tata will develop the solution on Oracle Fusion Middleware, RFID-enabled applications and Oracle Database 10g." Source: frontlinetoday.com
Survey: RFID Use in Hospitals to Rise Despite Obstacles
"Uncoordinated efforts between hospitals, vendors, shippers and suppliers are keeping RFID out of hospitals, concludes a new report by Spyglass Consulting Group. Nonetheless, a few applications are poised to become mainstream. Ten percent of HCOs (health care organizations) in the survey use RFID to track expensive mobile equipment. However, 45 percent of those interviewed expected to have such systems in place by the end of next year." Source: eweek.com
RFID Interchange Improves Supply Chain Process
"TIBCO Software Inc. has launched TIBCO RFID Interchange, a comprehensive new solution designed to transform, enrich and route Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) edge events. The technology will make integration easy, with enterprise applications performing tasks such as order fulfillment and warehouse management. Users of TIBCO RFID Interchange will streamline operations, orders, lead times and inventory at each stage in the supply chain process." Source: ferret.com.au
Options Thinking RFID Strategy Recommended to Achieve Maximum Long-term ROI
"Manufacturers should focus on the true business value of radio frequency identification (RFID) rather than the cost of compliance, and executives should treat their RFID business case as a living document identifying the company's RFID opportunities (options), according to a new report from technology advisory firm Manufacturing Insights." Source: sdcexec.com
HP Highlights RFID With Hands-on Experience and Training at HP Technology Forum 2005
"HP today announced that it will offer an interactive experience based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology at the inaugural HP Technology Forum 2005. The program will allow attendees to get "tagged" with a personal RFID badge and experience in real time one of today's highest-profile emerging technologies. HP Technology Forum 2005, the company's largest technical training venue and product solution showcase in North America, will be held from Sept. 12 - 15 in the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. HP and Hitachi created "Mission RFID: Get Connected" so attendees could have a hands-on experience of how RFID is being applied to meet today's business challenges. Conference-goers who choose to participate will receive an RFID-tagged event badge and pick up their assignment at interactive kiosks in the "RFID Connection Zone." By performing a number of "missions" over the course of the week, attendees have an opportunity to learn the power of RFID technology. " Source: HP via businesswire.com
Australian Defence Force Selects Savi Technology to Build RFID-Based Consignment Tracking Network
"Savi Technology Australia Pty Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of RFID supply chain solution provider Savi Technology, today announced an initial U.S. $10.1-million contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to provide a consignment management solution enhanced by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies. ADF selected the Savi solution to improve the real-time visibility and accountability of military supply consignments both in-country and of joint-force operations into international theaters of operations." Source: Savi via businesswire.com
Case Study: TNT Thinks RFID Is Dynamite
"TNT is using Tibco RFID Interchange software to integrate the technology with its supply chain applications. In a first phase that TNT completed within about 90 days, the company installed RFID readers at two loading dock bays and installed tags on the reusable containers used to transport parts to the manufacturer's assembly line. TNT plans to work with the customer to extend RFID more deeply into the manufacturing process. For example, as the returnable containers are emptied and moved back to the plant loading dock, it could automatically trigger a pickup and preparations for the next shipment back at TNT's warehouse." Source: intelligententerprise.com
RFID Yields ROI Over Time
"Manufacturing organizations need to rethink the business value of RFID technologies when considering ROI strategies, according to Manufacturing Insights' report, "RFID Investment: Cost of Compliance or Strategic Business Benefit?" The cost of RFID tags is the short-term concern for executives, but long-term issues include integration, process, and technology. "Waiting for RFID to become 100 percent proven, understood, and standardized may seem to be a safe decision on the surface, but it's a losing strategy," says Mike Witty, program director of demand management strategies for Manufacturing Insights and author of the report. "In general companies have focused too much on the cost of compliance and not enough on the business value of RFID."" Source: desinationcrm.com
RFID in Maritime and Container Security: a Growing Market
"RFID is being increasingly used not just for port and container security, but also in a myriad of other innovative uses in the Maritime industry, according to a research study on the application of RFID in the Maritime market, just released by ChainLink Research. RFID is being used to track containers as they move across oceans, provide real-time location of containers in maritime yards, help product flow through customs, reduce demurrage, and increase the throughput of our constrained ports, according to the report." Source: Chainlink via businesswire.com
Columbitech Wireless VPN Now Secures RFID Readers
"Wireless security software developer Columbitech today announced wireless VPN support for securing radio frequency identification (RFID) readers. This update contains security framework enhancements that provide specific protection for wireless communication with application systems. With the solution and the open architecture of many RFID readers, users can easily implement third-party applications and rapidly develop new, application-specific, user-driven applications to better satisfy business goals and client mandates. In short, the Columbitech Wireless VPN provides flexibility by offering expanded functionality such as filtering and management capabilities. Accurate data capture and long read ranges in installations where multiple antennas and readers are deployed in close proximity can now be ensured and secured." Source: columbiatech via businesswire.com
Government May Soon Track You by Your License Plate
"The reason for the concern in the legal and privacy-rights communities is that e-plates may expand the ability of police to track individuals by the movement of their vehicles. A single RFID reader can identify dozens of vehicles fitted with e-plates moving at any speed at a distance of about 100 yards." Source: technewsworld.com
RFID LTD. Announces Acquisition of Packaged RFID, Inc.
"The boards of directors of RFID, LTD. (Pink Sheets: RFDL) and Packaged RFID, Inc., a leading integrator of RFID technology for the retail and defense sectors, today announced that they each have unanimously approved a definitive agreement for RFID, LTD. to acquire Packaged RFID through merger to form a new, stronger market leader in RFID integration for small to medium-sized Wal-Mart, Target and Department of Defense (DoD) suppliers." Source: mmh.com
Real Assets: RFID Experts
"Companies need to develop in-house experts with a good grounding in the fundamentals of RFID, which is why training programs and certification are becoming so important." Source: rfidjournal.com
How RFID Can Help Optimise Supply Chain Management
"RFID promises to revolutionise supply chains and usher in a new era of cost savings, efficiency and business intelligence. The potential applications are vast as it is relevant to any organisation engaged in the production, movement or sale of physical goods. This includes retailers, distributors, logistics service providers, manufacturers and their entire supplier base, hospitals and pharmaceuticals companies, and the entire food chain. It has the potential to improve efficiency and visibility, cut costs, deliver better asset utilisation, produce higher quality goods, reduce shrinkage and counterfeiting, and increase sales by reducing out-of-stocks. It can even help improve the safety of the food and pharmaceuticals we buy." Source: ameinfo.com
Tracking Is Best Business Case For RFID
"The real business case for radio frequency identification technology is in closed end loop applications, or for tracking assets, according to a panel of US experts. Examples of RFID being used in Australia to track pallets and cases are few. International RFID Business Association president Harry Pappas says each organisation needs to find the business value of RFID and in many cases it will be for tracking assets." Source: australianit.news.com.au
Pantaloon's Experiment With RFID
"Pantaloon Retail (India) has piloted an RFID project at one its warehouses in Tarapur using 1,000 RFID tags. Pantaloon is starting from where it matters the most-the real advantage is to implement this technology at the warehouse and then extend it to branch offices or retail outlets. Says Chinar Deshpande, CIO of Pantaloon, "We want to use IT as a strategic tool to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace with new initiatives such as the RFID project." Source: financialexpress.com
New Age Technologies in RFID Are Real
"There are some new-age technologies: SAW-based (Surface Acoustic Wave) chipless tags or (chipless) tags using nanotechnology, genomics, etc, or SAL (Smart Active Label) technology in IC-based tags etc. Now, these technologies are real but some time away before adoption. Their adoption will first require the mass penetration of RFID as a technology first. Some of these technologies, such as nanotechnology, are currently being considered to design and develop low-cost tags." Source: financialexpress.com
RFID Investment: Cost of Compliance or Strategic Business Benefit?
"Manufacturing Insights, an IDC Company, today announced the availability of RFID Investment: Cost of Compliance or Strategic Business Benefit?, a new report to educate manufacturers on the current state of RFID initiatives and provide insight on the value of an options thinking RFID investment strategy in place of traditional ROI strategies. According to Manufacturing Insights, manufacturers should focus on the true business value of RFID, rather than the cost of compliance. Manufacturing Insights encourages executives to treat their RFID business case as a living document - identifying the company's RFID opportunities (options), investing in a scalable RFID platform, and empowering management with the flexibility to make the needed adjustments to best leverage identified options." Source: Manufacturing Insights via businesswire.com
Automotive, Consumer Goods and Transportation Industries Leading RFID Push
"The automotive, consumer goods and transportation and logistics industries will lead the way in implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology solutions over the next year, new research commissioned by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) reveals. Just over one-half of more than 500 organizations surveyed in North America have either completed RFID implementations or plan to do so within the next 12 months. This includes companies that are evaluating, pilot testing, implementing, or currently using RFID." Source: CompTIA via businesswire.com
Microsoft Pushes RFID
"Microsoft has created radio frequency identification (RFID) software with a vertical application in mind -- postal services. Most immediately, Microsoft is trying to woo Taiwan's post office with this technology, which was just marketed at a stamp exhibition in that country. The application is package tracking, with Microsoft contributing not just the middleware but a tie-in to the MSN Messenger instant messaging (IM) service to let individuals and businesses knew the status of packages in transit." Source: line56.com
Handheld RFID Computer Solution
"Two Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of the JETT•RFID+ to their line of customizable hand held computers. Along with its powerful Microsoft® Windows® CE .NET 4.2 operating system and Intel® XScale™ Technology processor, the JETT•RFID+ features an HF 13.56MHz reader/writer that fully supports MiFare ( ISO 14443A ), MiFare ( ISO 14443B ), MiFare UltraLite tags as well as ISO 15693 tags from all major manufacturers. The new mobile computer can read tag IDs, read and write data blocks, as well as authenticate and encrypt data to and from compatible tags." Source: i-newswire.com
RFID-Based Payment Solutions
"Accelitec, Inc., a leader in Transaction Management Systems (TMS), today announced the availability of PayPilot, a comprehensive suite of RFID-based payment solutions to automate and enable faster, more secure and convenient payment methods, including Automated Clearing House (ACH), credit and prepay. PayPilot is the first contactless payment system that includes credit, ACH and prepay features that reduces transaction costs and gives retailers greater control." Source: businesswire.com
UPS Invests in RFID, Wi-Fi Combination
"UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund, a private-equity strategic investment arm of UPS Inc., has provided Series A funding to G2 Microsystems Inc., which makes radio-frequency identification chips for managing and tracking mobile devices using Wi-Fi networks. Mobile-resource management lets businesses track assets worldwide and monitor their environment and security. G2 Microsystems is developing an ultra-low-power, active-asset tracking-system-on-a chip product line, called SmarTag, for location-based service applications that tap into Wi-Fi networks." Source: eet.com
Savi Technology Brings RFID To The Battlefield
"Savi Technology Inc., a company using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to manage supply chains, Tuesday introduced an RFID system that can be used to track military supplies on a battlefield. The Sunnyvale company released a portable deployment kit (PDK) that can be set up on short notice in a remote area to track supplies directly to "the last tactical mile" of a field of operations." Source: bizjournals.com
RFID: The Future Is in the Chips
"RFID technology can generally be broken down into two categories: hardware, such as readers and tags that collect information, and software that stores data and puts it to use. Hardware represents a more developed category. Investors will be hard-pressed to pinpoint a leader in RFID software." Source: wired.com
SATO Announces RFID Gen 2 Interoperability with CLe Series Printers
"SATO Asia Pacific., a global leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, today demonstrates RFID Gen 2 interoperability with its CL408e/CL412e RFID-enabled thermal barcode printers. The demonstration was conducted in SATO's RFID testing labs and is the latest development in SATO's continuing commitment to provide reliable and innovative RFID products based on customers' demand. The SATO CL408e and CL412e printers offer the latest in UHF RFID multi-protocol technology by supporting Class 1 and Class 0+, as well as ISO 18000 standards, which have been widely adopted throughout Europe." Source: morerfid.com
Zebra Technologies First Company to Successfully Demonstrate Texas Instruments' RFID Gen 2 Technology
"Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business and process improvement, recently collaborated with Texas Instruments and ThingMagic to demonstrate EPC Gen 2 tags from Texas Instruments in a Zebra printer/encoder during the EPCglobal Fast Moving Consumer Goods Business Action Group meeting in Houston, Texas. Zebra is the only company to successfully demonstrate printer/encoder communication with Gen 2 inlays from several leading suppliers." Source: prnewswire.com
RFID Must Be Done In a Holistic Manner
"Implementation of RFID must be done in a holistic manner if the efficiencies and controls the technology offers are to be truly realized, attendees at Friday's premiere of UW-Madison's RFID lab heard. "Any time you have an industry where there's chaos, there's calamity, there's confusion — and nothing is more indicative of that than the RFID industry — you need a trusted source," Patrick Sweeney said." Source: wistechnology.com
Former Bush Secretary Endorses Verichip
"President Bush's former health secretary Tommy Thompson is putting the final touches to a plan that could result in US citizens having a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip inserted under their skin. The RFID capsules would be linked to a computerised database being created by the US Department of Health to store and manage the nation's health records. It could be the precursor to a similar scheme in the UK." SOurce: bloggernews.net
RFID Heals Hospital’s Inventory Problems
"The King's Daughters Medical Center (KDMC), in Ashland, Ky., has begun using an RFID system to track the addition and removal of cardiac medical devices from a storage cabinet, and to assist with billing and the tracking of patient care. The system can monitor which devices are still on the shelf, which have gone to what patients, and when they were provided. The system went live this month." Source: rfidjournal.com
RFID LTD. Announces Acquisition of Packaged RFID, Inc.
"The boards of directors of RFID, LTD. (Pink Sheets: RFDL) and Packaged RFID, Inc., a leading integrator of RFID technology for the retail and defense sectors, today announced that they each have unanimously approved a definitive agreement for RFID, LTD. to acquire Packaged RFID through merger to form a new, stronger market leader in RFID integration for small to medium-sized Wal-Mart, Target and Department of Defense (DoD) suppliers." Source: businesswire.com
Zebra Technologies Supports New RFID Research Center
"Zebra Technologies has joined a growing roster of leading technology providers in supporting the RFID Research Center at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Launched in June, and sponsored in part by Wal-Mart, the center focuses on research in RFID technology deployments, data analytics and RFID business cases. The center provides academic research and hands-on experience to students, as well as testing for companies seeking to implement RFID applications in their organizations. Zebra is the only printing solutions provider to supply RFID printer/encoders to the center." Source: morerfid.com
RFID Chips Track License Plates
"The e-Plate, developed by the British firm Hills Numberplates, is a license plate that also transmits a vehicle's unique identification via encryption that can be read by a small detector, whose output can be used locally or communicated to a distant host. A single RFID reader can identify dozens of vehicles fitted with e-plates moving at any speed at a distance of about 100 yards. The e-plate looks just like a standard plate, but it contains an embedded chip that cannot be seen or removed. It is self-powered with a battery life of up to 10 years." Source: physorg.com
Group Proposes RFID Patent Pool
"The purpose behind the RFID Consortium is to provide a structured approach for holders of essential RFID patents to receive fair compensation for those patents, at a reasonable cost to the end-user, thus promoting rapid adoption of RFID. The consortium would offer patent holders an efficient patent management approach and provide manufacturers and end-users convenient access to RFID patents." Source: aimglobal.com
RFID National Short Courses
"APICS 3.5 hour Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) short course being held in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Perth will provide an introduction to the technology everyone is talking about in an informative and educational environment." Source: ferret.com.au
Automation Controller Software Manages RFID For SAP Users
"PEAK Technologies has launched its new Automation Controller software, an internally developed radio frequency identification (RFID) device controller solution for SAP users. The software, delivered on the SAP NetWeaver platform, is designed to further leverage existing infrastructure and skill sets of SAP customers." Source: logisticsmgmt.com
Delhi Cows Tagged With RFID Chips
"Delhi authorities, sick of stray cows littering the streets, have begun to tag the troublesome-but-holy creatures with RFID tags. Rakesh Mehta of the local municipal corporation told the BBC that the chips will determine whether the cows brought in are stray or not. Over 40,000 cows are currently roaming the streets, according to officials." Source: theinquirer.net
Vendors Form RFID Consortium
"A group of 20 companies that develop RFID-based products—chips, tags, labels and readers—announced an intellectual property licensing consortium Tuesday to ease the pain that is becoming increasingly associated with both hardware and software development. The goal of the group is twofold: to offer an efficient patent management system for those companies applying for an RFID (radio-frequency identification)-based patent; and to provide access to RFID patents for manufacturers and users." Source: extremetech.com
Truckers hit the road with RFID
"European logistics company Christian Salvesen is to fit a radio frequency identification (RFID) location tracking system to its distribution trailers. The company, which already has sophisticated satellite tracking technology installed in the cabs of its lorries, needed a more cost-effective way of tracking the 1,500 transportation trailers used to transfer goods between its 45 UK depots." Source: vnunet.com
New RFID Center Shows Customers How Solutions Lead to Business Value
"Xterprise Incorporated, the leading solutions provider for the “RFID Enabled Supply Chain,” announces its new, custom-designed headquarters, where the company recently hosted a multiday open house for customers. More than an expanded headquarters, the facility is home to a 6,000 square foot state-of-the-art RFID Solution Center. The center gives Xterprise an operational warehouse/manufacturing environment to showcase its complete suite of solutions that it has deployed around the globe." Source: emediawire.com
RFID Tags To Be Tested On License Plates
"The British government is preparing to test new high-tech license plates containing microchips capable of transmitting unique vehicle identification numbers and other data to readers more than 300 feet away, Wired reported." Source: sapinfo.net
Cost-Effective RFID Tags with 256 Bytes of FRAM
"Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) today introduced the newest member of its FerVID family of RFID tags, the MB89R119, which incorporates 256 bytes of FRAM and operates at approximately 50 times the speed of tags that use EEPROM. Designed to use the 13.56MHz frequency, the MB89R119 costs about the same as EEPROM RFID tags, but provides significantly faster read/write operations. It can complete write operations at roughly double the speed of an EEPROM-based tag. The memory uses proprietary Fujitsu commands issued by the chip, resulting in read operations that are approximately twice as fast as conventional products." Source: newswire.ca
Infineon Spins Out RFID Software Operation
"Infineon Technologies AG has transferred its RFID software solutions group to a Graz, Austria -- based management buy out dubbed RF-iT Solutions GmbH. The new company would focus on establishing the You-R OPEN RFID operating environment as a de facto standard in the market." Source: eetimes.com
Companies Plan RFID Consortium
"A group of radio frequency identification (RFID) providers will form an RFID Consortium. The goal of the consortium is to form an RFID intellectual property (IP) licensing group to offer an efficient patent management approach for patent holders, as well as convenient access to RFID patents for manufacturers and end-users. It intends to provide a structured approach for holders of patents to receive fair compensation at a reasonable cost to the end-user, thus promoting rapid adoption of RFID in the supply chain, the companies said." Source: logisticsmgmt.com
RFID's Second Wave
"It used to take seven workers to unload materials at Boeing's Auburn (Wash.) plant where the aircraft maker builds parts for its planes. Now the only worker needed to move the parts is the supplier's truck driver who delivers the goods. Boeing has no employees of its own working the door. What happened? In three words, radio frequency identification (RFID)." Source: businessweek.com
Ofcom Makes RFID Less Expensive
"Ofcom is making the wireless bandwidth used by radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment available free of charge. The move is part of a Europe-wide recommendation by the Conference of Communications and Postal Administrations (CEPT) to make RFID technology easier to implement." Source: vnunet.com
Major Players Team Up For RFID Standard
"Industry leaders team up to drive standardisation and ensure worldwide interoperability of ultra-high-frequency Electronic Product Code RFID standard. Two of the leading radio frequency identification (RFID) semiconductor manufacturers, Royal Philips Electronics and Texas Instruments Incorporated , announced an agreement to cooperate on conformance testing for the technical interpretation of the EPCglobal Inc™ Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) Generation (Gen) 2 RFID standard." Source: supplychainreview.com.au
All-Plastic RFID Tags Get 50MHz Diode Boost
"Belgian research organisation IMEC has produced 50MHz polymer rectifier diodes, jumping another hurdle on the way to all-plastic RFID tags." Source: electronicsweekly.com
Startup Combines Predictive Analytics And RFID
"There's a new player in the market for predictive-analytics software with designs on using RFID and predictive analytics to improve inventory controls. TrueDemand Software Inc. is building a set of applications for the retail and manufacturing sectors to work with supply chains that use radio-frequency identification, with the goal of helping companies reduce out-of-stock and excess inventory. The startup recently secured $6 million in round A funding from Mayfield Venture Capital and Bay Partners." Source: informationweek.com
RFID Expert Joins Sunshine Technologies
"LEADING RFID expert Gerry Wind has joined the team at Sunshine Technologies to head their RFID in logistics and supply chain solutions. As the man responsible for one of the largest RFID implementations in a warehousing environment in Australia, it is fitting that he has partnered with the ever-growing Sunshine Technologies group." Source: ferret.com.au
Oracle, Tata Consultancy, Virgin Atlantic Team on RFID Project
"The solution would be developed and implemented by Tata Consultancy Services on Oracle Fusion Middleware, RFID-enabled applications and Oracle Database 10g. "This pilot will help Virgin Atlantic Airways further utilize its existing Oracle infrastructure to achieve even greater real-time visibility," Nigel Woodland, RFID Director, Oracle said." Source: technewsworld.com
RFID Technology at Land Borders Q&A
"If you enter through a port with the RFID readers, can you exit through another port? Yes. Visitors can exit from whichever port they choose, however, the RFID technology test will only occur at this time at the five locations we have indicated." Source: dhs.gov
RFID Journal Announces Training Program
"RFID Journal announced that it has partnered with OTA Training, the leading provider of vendor-neutral RFID training, to provide RFID Journal University training courses. Four programs will be run this fall in leading commercial RFID test centers around the country. More..." Source: rfidjournal.com
RFID and China
"China is the manufacturing capital of the world and the largest market for technology. Currently, the country is home to 95 million Internet users. With usage growing faster then 20 percent a year, China will have more Internet users than any other country by 2006. It already has the largest installed base of both landlines (314 million) and mobile telephones (334 million). Within this economic framework, China lays claim to being the largest potential RFID market in the world. And since the standards bearer holds an economic advantage, Chinese political officials have stated that their nation needs to be involved in the setting of RFID standards." Source: rfidjournal.com
Backends support RFID
"As organisations pilot RFID, database vendors have jumped into the fray providing solutions to enable this technology, says Sushma Naik. Like most technologies, RFID has its good side and its share of bad news. The sunny side is that RFID tags can collect lots of data. The challenge is to manage and utilise this. RFID goes beyond substituting for bar codes. A company planning to deploy RFID will need definitely more than tags and readers. Backend support at the database level is required to complete the cycle. Database vendors and system integrators have realised this and are gearing up to meet this challenge." Source: financialexpress.com
Edward Zeng’s RFID Strategy
"Now, in what Mr. Zeng hopes will be Sparkice’s final and greatest iteration, he intends to turn the company into the corporate lynchpin of a China-based RFID (radio frequency identification) empire—China’s own “Internet of Things,” with its own national coding standard, air interface, frequency, and information servers that will track the data broadcast by billions of tiny antennae-equipped chips, or RFID tags, that will one day track everything from laptops to livestock. “We want to be the VeriSign of the Chinese Internet of Things,” says Mr. Zeng. “The Internet of Things will be 10 times the size of the Internet in China. And Sparkice will be at the center of this.”" Source: redherring.com
U.S. Army Selects BearingPoint for Passive RFID Technical Engineering Services
"BearingPoint, Inc. , one of the world's largest management consulting and systems integration firms, announced today that it has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) by the U.S. Army to provide passive RFID technical engineering services. The contract was awarded by the Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), and is designed to provide RFID technical services, data integration software, and passive RFID middleware to meet Department of Defense (DoD) requirements." Source: rednova.com
RFID Chip Boycott
"Aside from a pretext to the war on terror and the war in Iraq, the events have since been used to instill a sense of fear in the American people, and are being used to create a Police State in America, circumventing the constitution, and using RFIDs, VeriChip, and security cameras to keep track of every person." Source: theregister.co.uk
Human RFID: Medical Gain or Privacy Loss?
"Human RFID implantation can save time and reduce medical errors by providing an individual's indentity and medical history. Doctors can scan and retrieve critical data even if a patient is unconscious or unable to communicate. Unresolved privacy and data security concerns continue to hinder wider acceptance of this technology." Source: toptechnews.com
RFID Adopters Discuss States of Deployment
"At an Alien Technology conference, leaders from Gillette and the U.S. Department of Defense shared updates on their RFID efforts. he rate of Electronic Product Code technology adoption is not meeting expectations, but its benefits to the supply chain are real. That's what more than 70 Alien Technology customers and partners heard on Tuesday from two leaders in RFID adoption: Gillette and the DOD" Source: rfidjournal.com
RFID Suppliers Focus On Costs, Faster Tags
"Radio frequency identification (RFID) that can be turned off, faster read tags and falling prices are factors that could revive the enthusiasm for the new generation of the technology coming on line." Source: foodnavigator-usa.com
RFID Adoption Still Driven by Compliance, Not Business Case
"Compliance with customer mandates remains a key driver of RFID implementation, according to a new report from AMR Research Inc. In a recent survey, the research concern found that 69% of respondents plan to evaluate, pilot, or implement RFID in 2005, with an average budget of more than $548,000. Average RFID budgets are expected to increase to $771,000 by 2007. Among manufacturers, customer compliance was the leading driver of RFID adoption. Among process manufacturers, 53% identified customer compliance as the top reason for deploying RFID; 31% of discrete manufacturers were driven by compliance issues." Source: frontlinetoday.com
The RFID Grid Architecture
"We can envision an RFID controller that would support a coverage area composed of grid readers -- readers that, like the Aruba grid points, could be plugged into Ethernet jacks that are in proximity to places where the tagged objects are likely to be located. This arrangement is in contrast to placing portal readers in places where the objects pass on their way to an uncertain resting place." Source: frontlinetoday.com
Dallas RFID Test Center
"CAPE Systems Group, Inc. (OTCBB:CYSG), a leading provider of software technology for packaging design, pallet optimization, RFID Asset Tracking, inventory and warehouse management, supply chain execution and order fulfillment, today announced that it has established an RFID Test and Integration Center at CAPE's Dallas facility as part of its strategy to provide geographically convenient RFID testing and integration support to its clients across North America." Source: Primezone.com
Mandated RFID Compliance Limitations
"The key to getting value from RFID Compliance projects is to regard the current data model as a temporary stepping-stone to future process improvements. The coupling of an EPC code to an ASN is a necessary first step in the compliance process -- but it is not the end game. Companies can give themselves a competitive edge by considering other uses for the data on RFID tags." Source: industryweek.com
Lockheed Martin Chooses Zebra for RFID Label Printing
"Zebra Technologies, a global leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business improvement, has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin Corp. to provide radio frequency identification (RFID) label printer/encoders, media, and printer management software. Lockheed Martin, the largest U.S. defense contractor, will use Zebra equipment and supplies to create smart labels for items it ships to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), to satisfy the DoD's RFID requirements. Zebra is the first printer manufacturer to earn a contract to supply Lockheed Martin with RFID products. Zebra will provide Lockheed Martin with RFID printer/encoders, smart label media, and ZebraNet Bridge software for printer management." Source: Zebra Technologies Corp via Yahoo
RFID Tracks Aircraft Parts at Heathrow
"Virgin Atlantic will take delivery of the next-generation Airbus A380 in 2008, and the project will assess how RFID technology, which is used during the aircraft's manufacture, could also help to improve maintenance." Source: computerweekly.com
Reconsidering RFID
"What, we should ask, is the advantage of using RFID tags and their system for reading and tracking? The economic benefit, according to manufacturing consultancy AMR Research, is a 20% savings in labour, a 25% cut in inventory levels, a 3% to 4% increase in sales and an 80% reduction in theft and fraud." Source: Forbes via vnunet.com
Extension to ISO RFID Standards
"The Smart Active Label Consortium (SAL-C), a non-profit group that promotes the benefits and uses of Smart Active Label technology, today announced that the global standards body ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has authorized a new work program based on SAL-C's contributions. ISO's IEC JTC1 SC31 committee, the body responsible for the creation of the RFID air interface and data structure standards used in supply chain and asset management, approved a work program that will add battery assist and sensor functionality to the existing ISO 18000 series of RFID standards. The new initiative is a direct result of SAL-C's input to SC31 describing the benefits of this functionality to the RFID community, together with a Technical White Paper outlining how the extension could be achieved." Source: businesswire.com
RFID Data Handling Upgraded
"TrueDemand Software Inc., a Los Gatos, Calif., company that's been in stealth mode for the past year, launches this week with an application suite that uses supply chain planning and radio-frequency identification data to provide predictive analysis. In addition, TIBCO Software Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif., last week unveiled RFID Interchange, an infrastructure that transforms and routes RFID data to back-end applications and then provides context about that data." Source: eweek.com
RFID and the Defense Logistics Agency
"The Department of Defense has awarded Unisys Corporation a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to connect the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and its suppliers through an integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) infrastructure to track and trace assets. The DLA’s global supply chain provides worldwide logistics support to U.S. military departments and selected government agencies. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies are used to track and trace assets. Active RFID tags are self-powered, while passive RFID tags contain no power source and are read as they move through the electromagnetic field of RFID readers." Source: technologynewsdaily.com
RFID at the North Pole
"The RFID project being tested here by graduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the potential to revolutionize retail product inventory and accountability, or "supply-side chain management." It involves tracking and monitoring items by placing a tag which contains a computer chip and copper wire antenna on an item. Each tag's chip is encoded with a unique number. As the tag passes through sensors, the number is recorded, thereby allowing the item's whereabouts to be monitored." SourceL cbs11tv.com
2005: A Pivotal Year for RFID
"The majority of respondents are planning to evaluate, pilot, or implement RFID in 2005. While it is a pivotal year for RFID, moderate spending through 2007 means that, like many emerging business technologies, RFID will take its time to evolve and be broadly deployed." Source: AMRResearch.com
Intermec Lands Federal RFID Contract
"ntermec Technologies, a maker of RFID equipment in Everett, Wash., has won a big contract with the U.S. Department of Defense and the Coast Guard, the company reported on Friday. Under the agreement, Intermec will provide the agencies with "RFID technical engineering services." The company won a separate contract earlier this year to supply the government with RFID tags and readers." Source: ZDnet.com