RFID Gazette

In what seems to be a step in the right direction, RFID dealers have formed an association. It would primamrily look in to the patenting and licensing of products based on the technology. It is believed to be on the lines of the organisation formed by the DVD and MPEG -2 players manufacturers.

The vision of the group is increased appeal and cost effectiveness for the technology.The business model RFID follows as of now is not the best in terms of structure. The association aims at an organised approach which would ensure fair pay packets to RFID patent holders. This would in turn enable the latter to sell them at lower prices to the end users. It also believes in amagamating RFID with low cost technologies to bring down the overall cost. Mobile Health Data reports:

The consortium's goal is to offer a structured approach for holders of RFID patents to receive fair compensation for them so they can offer reasonable prices to users.

Read more: RFID Vendors Form Consortium

The research database of IDTechEx on RFID, has hundreds of cases and companies' data. The findings have thrown light on some interesting market trends.

With around one thousand companies across the world doing business with the technology, it is has been growing at an exponential rate in the last decade. While USA and UK are leading the way, important nations across Europe are not yet eager to bite the RFID pie. Smaller nations like Holland and Asian giant China are rapidly moving up the RFID ladder.

The IDTechEx research provides insights as to who the main stalwarts of the technology are. It also acts as a guide for future investments and risk management while dealing with the technology. The strength of the research is that it constantly keeps itself abreast with modern trends in the industry with new and updated cases. CNWreports:

By collating this database of case studies, IDTechEx is able to present a
wealth of RFID knowledge to tell you who the main protagonists are, what
technologies they are using, what status their projects are and if they
succeeding?

Read more: More Revalations from the World's Largest RFID Database

When it comes to RFID there are various groups of people with different schools of thought. The RFID legislation that came into being in California recently might be a step by such a group which wants the technology to be vetoed without weighing its pros and cons. True, like any other technology it has its share of trepidations, however it has been here for sometime now and has never failed to bring excitement in the scientific circles.

Automated tracking of various goods and humans across industries has been its key feature and it has found pioneers in companies like Metro, Wal-Mart, Tesco and has been used extensively by the US Department of Defense for supply chain adoptation. The legislation came into being because some Californian legislators felt that there might be security issues with the technology being used for licenses and identification cards and wanted an outright ban.

The first part of the California state bill offers some insights on  management and protection while using RFID in indentification cards, however further it goes on to disallow its use in four broad areas for the next three years. This might hamper the positive talks that were going on for best practices with RFID. AIMglobal reports:

RFID should not be immediately adopted in driver licenses, identification cards, library cards, health insurance and benefits cards or student identification cards but legislation such as CA SB 682 will effectively "pause" the educated dialogue that is needed to formulate the guidance and best practices where the technology can offer benefit as well as the guidance on where it does not make sense for privacy or business reasons.

Read more: Editorial: RFID Legislation -- Protection or Pause Button?

Following directives issued by major retailers, Target and Wal-Mart, and the US Department of Defence several organisations are implementing RFID. While this is proving to be extremely efficient in monitoring supply chains, the technology is a cause of bafflement to most managers. With an object to clarify the issues surrounding the technology, leading executives are gathering at the Chicago Omni Hotel in the first week of October. Larstan Business Reports is producing the two-day conference, which is entitled “RFID: Focus on the Future”. The industry's most brilliant are expected to be at the conference, and it is anticipated that the discussions, that will ensue, will provide in-depth practical knowledge and shatter coventional wisdom. Inside Collin County Business reports:

“RFID: Focus on the Future” will tackle the data management challenges inherent to RFID.

Read more: Executive roundtable to confront RFID challenges

US based RFID solutions provider, Savi Technology, is to supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with battery-powered RFID tags. With a view of improving supply chain visibility, the Australian troops in Iraq will use RFID tags starting February next year. In addition to the RFID tags, the ADF is also putting to use ‘contact memory buttons’. The buttons are capable of storing as much as 8MB of data. This could prove useful as the buttons could hold information on how to repair the object which accompanies it. The tags will store identification and license data, and can transmit to a reader hundred meters away. The Iraq project accompanies the wider In-Transit Visibility project, which will integrate RFID with ADF's transport, distribution and inventory management systems. Silicon.com reports:

In order to improve visibility of supplies in the network, pallets and containers in Iraq would be RFID-tagged from February, Brigadier David McGahey, its director general of material information systems, told ZDNet Australia.

Read more: RFID to track military supplies in Iraq

RFID Ltd. has bought over Packaged RFID, Inc., in view of providing RFID integration for small and medium businesses supplying Wal-Mart, Target and Department of Defense. Packaged RFID and Independent Professional Management (IPM) have also formed an alliance, establishing IPM as part of Packaged RFID’s initiatives. Packaged RFID, Inc. consists of two businesses. RFID compliance case studies, implementation and RFID solutions for small to medium sized businesses are Package RFID’s fields of specialization. The second business unit, RFIDBrains, is involved with scouting and recruiting RFID talent. Additionally, Packaged RFID has existing ties with IBM, HP and Microsoft to assist in implementing RFID for retail suppliers. Frontline reports:

"The merging of RFID, LTD. and Packaged RFID will create the broadest portfolio and the most experienced leadership team in the RFID integration industry who are focused fully on delivering value to customers, partners and shareholders," said Betty Chavez, Packaged RFID Inc. chair and CEO.

Read more: RFID Ltd. Acquires Mid-Marked RFID Integrator

ETILUX, a European company, has developed a new website on RFID. Featuring an intuitive design and navigation system, the website targets not only professionals but also the nonprofessional. The site offers interactive case studies of the applications of RFID in different environments, and general information on the technology for beginners. ETILUX, recently certified as a Value Added Solutions Provider by Alien Technology, has launched its own encapsulated RFID as well. Etitag, the RFID solution from ETILUX, offers added features to the tracking of pallets, carriers and other containers. Detailed information of the product as well as all Alien Technology products is available at the new website. ETILUX’s marketing team in collaboration with Globule Bleu, a digital media agency that developed the engaging and stunning Interactive tutorials, designed this website. MoreRFID reports:

ETILUX, a leading European provider of data capture and label automation/dispensing/printing solutions, is proud to announce the unveiling of their new RFID website, designed to optimally address the needs of current and potential customers.

Read more: ETILUX Systems announces launch of New RFID website

Alien’s ALR-9800 reader, designed primarily for EPC Class I Gen 2 compatibility, has cleared a major obstacle -- its compliance with Microsoft’s RFID technology. Microsoft’s RFID infrastructure is based on the ubiquitous .NET Framework and includes event- and device-management layers. It is designed to enable the deployment of RFID capabilities across the enterprise. Alien Technology’s ALR-9800 fosters enterprise scaling by reducing cost of implementation, integrating with major enterprise applications, and allowing large number of readers to operate in close proximity. Compatibility of Microsoft’s RFID infrastructure with Alien’s ALR-9800 spells out great success and a new promise for the future of RFID technologies. MRT reports:

Alien Technology and Microsoft have achieved compatibility between Alien’s ALR-9800 enterprise radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and Microsoft’s RFID infrastructure, both of which will be supported by Microsoft’s RFID technology.

Read more: Alien RFID reader now compatible with Microsoft infrastructure

Universal Guardian Holdings, Inc. (UGHO), a company leading the world market in non-lethal protection products and security systems, has announced the release of its ISR Systems’ Trusted Shipper platform. The platform has been specifically designed to protect inter-modal worldwide transportation. Developed in over a period of four years, ISR Systems’ Trusted Shipper platform provides visibility and security throughout the whole of the global supply chain. The costs borne by companies to comply with directives issued by the government concerning RFID can be converted into profits using the new platform. The Guardian GPS/GPRS enabled container tracking system, a part of the package, achieves the task. ClickPress reports:

Today, less than five percent of containers are inspected. The Department of Homeland Security and ISR Systems have devoted their efforts to developing a multi-tier system that will track, monitor and secure cargo from the source to the final destination.

Read more: UGHO RFID tracking and tagging technology breaking news!

A panel of experts from various fields will share their insights on Electronic Product Code (EPC) and RFID implementations at the upcoming EPCglobal US Conference. Scheduled to take place at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, from September 13 to 15, old hand ABC and MSNBC news anchor, Forest Sawyer, will moderate the conference. Mike Meranda, president of EPCglobal US believes that the only way to learn more about EPC and RFID is by interacting with leading individuals in the industry. He further claims that the panelists are the best in their particular fields, and conference attendees will gain valuable tips, apart from indispensable information, which, when applied to supply chains, will generate efficiencies. The EPCglobal US Conference 2005 is indented to be an authoritative source for information regarding EPC, the EPCglobal Network, and emerging global standards. Business Wire reports:

Subscribers, end users, solution providers, and industry leaders are already registering for the conference at a rapid pace. Conference organizers attribute this year's high level of interest to the growth of the EPCglobal US subscriber community, the ratification of new standards such as UHF Gen 2, and the development of new support programs.

Read more: Industry Panelists Named for EPCglobal US Conference