RFID Gazette

NDSU Teams with Alien Technology and Tessera Technologies in RFID Research

According to IN-FORUM:

"'We're looking at combining our technology with readers, making RFID smaller and more cost effective,' said Bruce McWilliamson, chairman, president and CEO of Tessera Technologies Inc. of San Jose, Calif.

"McWilliams was the keynote speaker Thursday as more than 500 business, government and academic leaders gathered at the Fargodome for R&D Showcase III. [...]

"Tessera's McWilliamson said his company was made aware of Fargo and Alien Technology's RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology work at NDSU by U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D." Read more

California Senate Bill Would Limit RFID Use

According to Information Week:

"California's state Senate gave its stamp of approval Thursday to a bill that would place limits on the use of radio-frequency identification technology in stores and libraries. However, the bill faces what's expected to be more-heated debate before the state Assembly's Business and Professions Committee.

"SB 1834, introduced by state Sen. Debra Bowen, seeks to prevent stores and libraries from using RFID to collect any information beyond what a customer is buying, renting, or borrowing." Read more

Wal-Mart Begins RFID Tracking Today

RFID Journal reports:

"Wal-Mart today begins receiving cases and pallets of product with RFID tags carrying Electronic Product Codes (EPCs) at a distribution center in the Dallas/Fortworth area as part of a test being conducted with eight suppliers. The tagged goods will be tracked to the back of seven Wal-Mart stores in Texas.

"Wal-Mart is billing this as a trial, but Simon Langford, Wal-Mart's manager of RFID strategies, told RFID Journal that this is the beginning of the company's planned roll-out of EPC technology." Read more

IBM's Cheryl Shearer Strikes Back Against RFID Critics

ZDNet Australia reports:

"A leading IBM executive has described critics of radio-frequency identification technologies as confused and described their push against the technology as masking an 'anti-retail' thrust.

"Dr Cheryl Shearer, Big Blue's global leader, business development for emerging markets, told ZDNet Australia in an interview this week 'I think the RFID privacy movement is primarily an anti-retail movement, because no one is discussing this at all in manufacturing process control or its use in libraries.'

"Shearer added that much of the confusion was generated because individuals mistook the capabilities of RFID for those of location-based services." Read more

Retailers: Ride the RFID Horse Now

According to ZDNet:

"The overwhelming message from the world's biggest retailers and RFID--fans to their suppliers is--don't wait to be told to use RFID, start your projects now. The only problem seems to be that suppliers are less than clued-up when it comes to the supply chain chips.

"Speaking Wednesday at a conference organized by not-for-profit RFID standards organization EPCglobal, both Wal-Mart and Tesco were encouraging their suppliers to adopt the tracking technology now." Read more

Denmark's Legoland Uses RFID for Child Security

According to Information Week:

"The Danish amusement park lets parents tag their children and track their whereabouts wirelessly.

"Parents visiting Denmark's Legoland amusement park are signing away their privacy rights for a little peace of mind. Legoland, one of Europe's largest amusement parks, has bridged the great divide to deploy a Wi-Fi-based wireless security and location RFID technology in the 2.5 million-square-foot park for its annual 1.6 million visitors." Read more

Massachusetts state Sen. Jarret Barrios Introduces RFID Legislation

Massachusetts state Sen. Jarrett Barrios is working on a piece of legislation that would regulate the use of RFID technology. There is also legislation under review in California and Utah.

According to Information Week:

"Barrios says his bill probably will contain three similar points: that consumers have a right to know RFID is being used, that consumers can opt out of using the technology at the point of purchase, and that consumers can deactivate that RFID tags at the point of purchase.

"Privacy concerns regarding RFID shouldn't be rooted in outlandish conspiracy theories, Barrios says, but at the same time, 'dismissing everybody's privacy concerns is too easy and would be a long-term disadvantage to all of us.'

"Barrios also says he expects RFID legislation to begin at the state level but ultimately should be handled by the federal government, much like spam legislation has moved from states to the federal government."

Maxell Announces Coil-on-Chip RFID Technology for Life Sciences Market

Business Wire reports:

"Maxell Corporation of America today announced a significant market expansion into the life sciences industry, with new customer engagements and the launch of its RFID-embedded test tube form factor. The new customers and product developments leverage Maxell's highly successful Coil-on-Chip RFID tags that are ideal for applications where size and writable memory are critical engineering considerations.

"Maxell's unique Coil-on-Chip architecture, where the antenna is directly mounted on the surface of a tiny 2.5mm silicon wafer, brings the benefits of industry standard 13.56 MHz RFID technology in a miniature platform to the life sciences market." Read more

DoD Boosts RFID Effort

According to Tech News World, the Department of Defense is stepping up its RFID effort:

"'The way we fight wars is changing. We need to keep abreast of changes in the way that we do logistics in order to maintain the support that our forces deserve,' says Alan Estevez, assistant deputy under secretary of defense for supply-chain integration. 'We feel that the use of RFID technology is critical to doing that.'" Read more

NZ Startup Sandtracker Announces Low-Cost, Low-Silicon RFID Tag

According to COMPUTERWORLD:

"Start-up venture Sandtracker claims to have cracked the $US0.05-per-tag barrier for RFID with a radically different technology which 'doesn't need silicon in quite the same way other tags do,' according to one of Sandtracker's backers.

"Jan Hilder, of financial services software firm Tacit Group, says the breakthrough stems from a "laterally different" idea from other RFID implementations.

"'The competition has concentrated on getting better and better at pursuing the same path. We've taken a completely different path.'" Read more

IBM to Set Up RFID Tracking for International Mail

According to inSourced:

"An electronic watchdog system will soon take a bite out of slow international mail. IBM Business Consulting Services is working with International Post Corporation, (IPC), a cooperative association of 23 national Postal operators from major countries. Together, they’ll set up and manage UNEX, an Internet-based quality measurement system of postal service around the world." Read more

RFID World Conference Opens

According to Yahoo! Finance:

"Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) mandates made by Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense take center stage at RFID World 2004, April 21-22, at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Denver. In its second year and already the largest U.S.-based RFID conference, RFID World offers solutions to companies looking for a solid business case for RFID implementation and looking for answers to technology challenges. Shorecliff Communications has assembled leading experts in a number of industries who are available to speak with the media on practical, in-depth strategies for deploying RFID and EPC solutions within the following topics." Read more

Psion Teklogix and SIRIT Technologies Deliver RFID-Enabled Hand-Held Computer

TMCnet reports:

"Psion Teklogix Inc. (LSE: PON), a global provider of solutions for mobile computing and wireless data collection, today unveiled an integrated dual-mode RFID and barcode reader from SIRIT Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIRIT Inc. (TSX: SI), for its rugged 7535 hand-held computer. This new capability on the proven 7535 provides Psion Teklogix customers with additional data collection options. [...]

"'Wireless technology in the warehouse is constantly evolving and Psion Teklogix developed the new 7535 with RFID capabilities to meet the growing demand in the market' said Peter Morley, senior product manager, Psion Teklogix."

Agility Healthcare to Provide RFID Tracking for Bon Secours Richmond Hospitals

TMCnet reports:

"Agility is providing tracking and management services for critical mobile medical equipment for three Bon Secours Richmond hospitals under a five-year service fee arrangement. AgileTrac, Agility's comprehensive mobile medical equipment management program, will be fully operational this spring, said Fran Dirksmeier, Agility chief executive officer. [...]

"Jerrold Maki, Bon Secours Richmond's chief administrative officer, said, 'Agility has been able to quantify our total mobile equipment costs and streamline our equipment management processes.'"

Is Item-Level RFID Tagging Bad for Retailers?

Using RFID reports on a white paper by Wireless Healthcare:

"While much controversy over personal privacy issues surrounds the deployment of consumer-facing RFID technology, there is also a hidden threat to retailers employing the technology in the store-front, according to consultancy firm Wireless Healthcare." Read more

Philips Semiconductors and Texas Instruments Push for New RFID Standards

According to Information Week:

"Thirteen companies have collectively suggested a radio-frequency identification standard for tracking and tracing material through the supply chain. EPCglogal Inc., an arm of UCC.EAN charged with establishing electronic-product-code standards, is reviewing at least three proposed standards and is expected to settle on one by this fall."

"Among the 13 are Impinj, Intermec Technologies, Philips Semiconductors, Rafsec, SAMsys Technologies, Texas Instruments, and Zebra Technologies. "

"Their proposed EPC UHF Generation 2 RFID standard meets international standards, provides a path to low-cost RFID tags and readers, and adheres to user requirements outlined by retailers and the Department of Defense, says Tony Sabetti, global business manager for Texas Instruments RFID Systems, who says there are at least two competing proposals." Read more

Meta Group Survey: Half of RFID Pilots Fail

According to ComputerWeekly:

"Despite being heavily promoted as the next big technology in supply chain and retail, investment in RFID will actually drop next year as companies pause to re-evaluate the true potential of the technology, the analyst firm said.

"Retailers such as Tesco, Wal-Mart and Metro Group have been leading the charge on RFID, but many firms are hanging back and waiting for issues such as technology standards and the type of signals used to be resolved, Meta said."

Philips Develops RFID Tag with 8-Meter Range

Philips has developed a tag with an eight-meter range, as opposed to the standard one-meter range.

Read more at Electronic News:

"Philips said its chip is the first to operate in the UHF band while conforming to the standards of the EPC global standardization organization. The device, which has a 256-bit memory capacity, is aimed at packing case and pallet identification."

Xerox Develops Semiconductive Ink with RFID Applications

According to Techworld:

"A team of researchers at Xerox has discovered a way to print plastic transistors using a semiconductive ink, paving the way for flexible displays and low-cost RFID chips.

"Other companies are working on ways to print chips using inkjet printing technology or other methods of depositing liquid on a surface. Most of those techniques have required manufacturing environments at high temperatures or high pressures, but Xerox has developed a way to print transistors at room temperature, said Beng Ong, a Xerox fellow." Read more

New Version of mySAP Adds More RFID Functions

According to InfoWorld:

"This means that retailers will be able to react in a matter of hours to unusually high demand for products brought on by a change in the weather, said Roland Edwards, a spokesman for the Walldorf, Germany, company. For example, sunny weekends early in the summer often prompt consumers to fire up their barbecues, sparking unexpectedly high demand for steaks, he said: If a supermarket inventory system can spot this trend early enough in the day, fresh stock can be ordered up from the warehouse in time for dinner."

RFID Semiconductor Market to Be Worth $2.3 billion by 2010

According to Future Horizons, $900 million was spent on RFID usage in the last year and $2.3 billion will be spent by 2010.

silicon.com reports:

"Key retailers such as M&S, Tesco and, in particular, Wal-Mart of the US are pushing ahead with roll outs that will end up affecting thousands of suppliers. So too is the US Department of Defense."

Salta, Argentinia Orders 100,000 RFID Tags for Cattle Tracking

The state of Salta, located in the northern region of Argentinia, has ordered 100,000 RFID cattle tracking tags from Advanced ID Corporation.

UsingRFID reports:

"The Salta Government aims to eliminate the transportation of cattle infected with foot and mouth disease from northern border countries, and to ensure the health of its own cattle population."

Wireless Healthcare Paper on RFID

Food Production Daily reports:

"RFID has the potential to provide customers with more product information than ever. But a new report claims that food manufacturers and retailers will have to be careful that the technology is not used against them, writes Anthony Fletcher.

"The paper, published this week by Wireless Healthcare, identifies a number of customer services, such as dietary guidance and food allergy alerts, that could use RFID tags." Read more

RFID Plans Unclear for Many Companies

With the January 1, 2005 deadline looming large for Department of Defense and Wal-Mart suppliers, many still are uncertain about RFID.

CNET News reports:

"Finding a company willing to admit where it stands with RFID is often an exercise in listening to dead air.

"With retail giants such as Wal-Mart Stores, Target and German retailer Metro Group, along with the U.S. Department of Defense, requiring their suppliers to use RFID, the technology has rapidly progressed from buzzword fodder to a serious business issue. [...]

"Tom Pounds, vice president of product strategy at RFID hardware maker Alien Technology, in Morgan Hill, Calif., said that of the 100 suppliers working with Wal-Mart, few really understand RFID." Read more

HP Expects RFID Chip to Cost Approximately $0.05

Lucien Repellin, Hewlett-Packard's representative for RFID technology and solutions, said that as more suppliers begin to implement RFID, the price of chips should decrease approximately $0.20 from the current levels of $0.25-$0.35. Eventually, the price should hit an equilibrium at around five cents.

According to DigiTimes (Taiwan):

"HP plans to establish a local RFID solution center in Taiwan, called the Center of Excellence, to help local companies introduce the technology. [...]

"Forrester Research predicts that 25% of global suppliers will use the RFID standard by January 2005."

LogicaCMG: RFID Will Be Ubiquitous for Retailers in 2005

According to silicon.com:

"More than half the companies in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium said they rated the technology as a high priority in their IT spending and are planning or currently involved in roll-outs of the trials this year, according to research from LogicaCMG. [...]

"'With all new technology, there's always issues. With RFID, there are still some weaknesses... but these are well-known,' [a spokesman for LogicaCMG] said. 'With the supply chain, everything is related. If a retailer starts using RFID, they force its adoption... You set the way RFID will be introduced.'"

ACNeilsen Opens RFID Learning Lab

ACNielsen has announced today the opening of an RFID learning lab in Schaumburg, Ill.

Business Wire reports:

"According to Ted Fichuk, senior vice president, Retail Measurement Services, ACNielsen Global Marketing, 'RFID technology has the potential to bring many positive changes to our industry. We're taking a proactive stance, making sure we'll be ready to process information generated by the technology should it gain widespread acceptance. We also want to serve as a source of information about the technology for our clients.'"

EM Microelectronic's New RFID IC Is Readable at More than 15m

EM Microelectronic has developed a new RFID integrated circuit chip that can avoid collisions and is readable at greater than 15m distances.

EDN reports:

"The EM4223 chip targets use in UHF passive, read-only transponder applications, such as security and access control, supply-chain management, anticounterfeiting, parcel and baggage tracking, pharmaceuticals, biologistics (such as animal ID), and toll-road collection. The 128-bit, read-only UHF circuit is frequency-agile across 800 MHz to 2.5 GHz for RF-propagating field applications. It complies with worldwide radio regulations and can read tags at distances greater than 15m when using an optimized transponder antenna." Read more

Apriso Adds RFID to FlexNet Suite

According to ebiz:

"Apriso Corporation, a provider of real-time, event-driven enterprise applications software, has announced what it says is 'major, new functionality for its FlexNet 2003 suite that provides enterprises with the world’s first turnkey platform for integrating radio frequency ID (RFID) and electronic product code (EPC) capabilities directly into existing or new real-time operational processes.' [...]

"'The true promise of RFID technology comes from its capability to precisely report not only the unique identification, but also the physical location of any tagged item in inventory,' said Nelson M. Nones, CPIM, vice president and chief products officer of Apriso Corporation. 'Being able to sense the location – and with event-driven applications software such as FlexNet – the real-time movement of any desired asset or piece of inventory in the supply, production or distribution network not only gives an enterprise unprecedented visibility and control of its operations, but also the opportunity to implement entirely new, high-leverage processes that were previously inconceivable.'" Read more

EPCglobal President Resigns

The RFID Journal reports:

"EPCglobal, a joint venture between EAN International and the Uniform Code Council, has revealed that Margaret Fitzgerald has decided to step down as president of EPCglobal 'for compelling personal reasons.' Mike Di Yeso, the chief operating officer president of the Uniform Code Council, will be the acting president until a replacement can be found." Read more

e.center to Launch Network of RFID Support Services

According to inSourced:

"A much-needed network of support services to promote the widespread development of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies will be launched at a special conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London on April 28 by e.centre, the UK arm of not-for-profit standards body, EAN International.

"'April 28 will be a pivotal day in the development of RFID - a sound support structure with a clear path for standard developments is essential for driving uptake of the technology,' said e.centre chief executive, Steve Coussins. 'The standard we are working towards will make it easier and more economic for suppliers and retailers alike to take advantage of the benefits of RFID - smoother, more manageable and profitable supply chains.'" Read more

Nokia Unveils RFID Phone

Red Herring reports:

"At a trade show in Germany last month, Nokia unveiled its first GSM phone with RFID, as an optional accessory for its 5140 phone. The phone is “designed for professional field service type workers or people that have to prove their attendance” at work, says Peter Wakim, director of new business development for Nokia’s Americas division.

"A security guard making his rounds could use an RFID-enabled phone to send confirmation to security headquarters that he checked certain locations." Read more

Alien Technology's RFID Trial with Navy a Success

According to Business Wire:

"Alien Technology(R) Corporation announced today it has successfully completed a trial using its EPC Class 1 tags and readers at the Navy Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Norfolk Military Ocean Terminal for the Department of Defense. The focus of the trial was to increase outbound shipment accuracy through the use of RFID, as well as measure RFID technology capabilities." Read more

Amtel Joins EPCglobal in Developing RFID Standards

According to Yahoo! Finance:

"'We are excited to announce that Atmel will shortly submit a proposal for the standard,' said Michael Fislage, Atmel's RFID Marketing Manager. 'This proposal will address the requirements and performance needs of the retailers and manufacturers implementing EPC in the supply chain, and will provide EPCglobal users interoperability, read/write field programmability, unique performance and global use.'" Read more

Yankee Group Makes RFID Road Map for Suppliers

According to ComputerWeekly.com:

"Yankee Group analysts have predicted that by 2008 $4.2bn will be spent on radio frequency identification technology services, and warned that enterprises should ready themselves for the technology.

"There are three RFID strategies for enterprises to take, said senior analyst Michael Dominy, who defined these three categories as compliance, conservative and committed." Read more

Suppliers, Wal-Mart Not in Agreement

A new Forrester Research study shows that while Wal-Mart may think that implementing RFID is the next logical step in supply chain efficiency, many of its suppliers disagree. The suppliers claim that RFID will still not help them match supply to demand.

Food.com reports:

"The consensus among the manufacturers interviewed, it seems, is that production networks still suffer from a lack of visibility with customers and suppliers, and it is this that results in mismatches between supply and demand.

"'The problem that we have is that the vast majority of retail clients don't have ways to manage their store inventory, so they walk around the store trying to find the voids,' said a food manufacturer. 'Once, we visited one of their stores, which had stock-outs for their most profitable, best-selling item. We went back and realized that they weren't ordering that product; they were ordering the wrong stuff.'" Read more

RFID to Bring Greater Safety to U.S. Roads

According to the RFID Journal:

"With government funding and access to a large swath of radio spectrum, four RFID developers are starting work on a new generation of RFID products aimed at bringing greater safety and new wireless applications to U.S. roads. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has called on Mark IV Industries, Raytheon, SIRIT and TransCore—companies that supply systems for the largest RFID toll deployments in the U.S.—to jointly develop dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) technology systems for a trial as part of the agency’s efforts to cut road fatalities in the U.S. by 50% within 10 years.

"The goal of the group and its government backers is to use DRSC to enhance the safety and the productivity of the nation's transportation system." Read more

IDC: Understand RFID Before Implementing It

The International Data Corp. outlines what suppliers need to do to make RFID implementation successful.

According to searchMobileComputing.com:

"A technology expert says it's a bad idea for a company to stick radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on its products just because its biggest customer wants it that way. A company must first understand the specifics of how RFID can provide technological and financial gains.

"This was the advice offered by International Data Corp. analyst Christopher Boone during an RFID presentation at IDC's Directions 2004 conference last week." Read more

RFID Survey Results

UsingRFID.com reports on a Packing Strategies/CGE&Y survey of 275 attendants at the Packaging Strategies Summit Conference:

"According the survey, more than half (54%) of conference attendees believe that Wal-Mart's 2005 supplier mandate will be a catalyst for the evolution of RFID adoption in the industry, compared to less than one in six (15%) who feel it is overrated.

"Furthermore, half of the respondents (51%) either believe that RFID is a major business driver for 2004, or are initiating an RFID programme and action plan in 2004." Read more

RFID Journal Launches New Searchable RFID Vendor Database

The RFID Journal has launched a new searchable RFID vendor database.

RFID Journal:

"The database can be searched by type of company (for example, reader manufacturer, middleware provider and so on), by type of product (finished RFID labels, RFID consulting), by type of technology (active or passive, low frequency or ultra-high frequency) or by the type of application (access control, payment system, supply chain management and so on).

"'More than 10,000 people a month have been perusing our vendor directory,' says Mark Roberti, RFID Journal's founder and editor. 'The directory was useful, but the new database will make it easier for our readers to find the vendors they are looking for.'"

UPS Tests RFID

Bob Nonneman, an industrial engineering manager at UPS, says that the company has begun to rollout RFID pilot test.

According to InfoWorld:

"In one pilot, Nonneman says, passive RFID tags are replacing bar codes on reusable fiberboard tote boxes used to shuttle packages through UPS’s automated facilities. The goal is to extend the life of the tote boxes and to reduce the read-failure rates of the barcodes, which tend to wear off over time. In another pilot, RFID tags have been attached to UPS trucks in an effort to cost-effectively monitor vehicle activity moving on and off the property at three different locations." Read more

Choosing the Proper RFID Tag

Wireless NewsFactor reports:

"Right now, suppliers are being challenged to identify the RFID tag manufacturer most likely to give them an edge when rolling out the new technology next year.

"'Companies must be cautious when selecting a tag vendor,' said [Mike] Dominy [senior analyst at the Yankee Group]. 'Making a very low-cost tag is one thing. But making a low-cost tag that meets all the specifications of EPCglobal and delivers acceptable read rates is another.'" Read more

DoD to Host RFID Meeting with Civilians

According to Federal Computer Week:

"The military will host a meeting in upcoming months with officials from civilian agencies so the government can achieve a consistent policy regarding the use of radio frequency identification devices.

"An intergovernmental meeting will let military and civilian agencies know the commercial RFID technologies used by one another and in development by industry, said Alan Estevez, assistant deputy under secretary of Defense for supply chain integration." Read more

RFID to Give Consumers More Power

The Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory in Tokyo demonstrates that RFID tags on products in stores can bring to consumers a wealth of information.

The San Jose Mercury News reports:

"Web discussion sites have already become a major tool for customers, before and after the purchase.

"But the increasing power of handheld devices, combined with pervasive wireless data networks, add new elements. Once we can identify what we're looking at or holding, untethered to our personal computers, the information balance shifts further in our direction." Read more

Omron and ThingMagic Strike RFID Reader Deal

According to the RFID Journal:

"ThingMagic, Cambridge, Mass.-based developer of multifrequency, multiprotocol RFID readers, has won another major customer for its designs. Japanese industrial automation giant Omron will use ThingMagic’s licensed designs in its planned RFID reader-writers that will work in both 915 (UHF) and 13.56 MHz (HF) frequency bands. The Omron will be capable of communicating with EPC and ISO (18000-6, 18000-3) tags." Read more

AirGate Technologies Opens RFID Testing Lab

According to Yahoo News:

"'The work we are doing in our lab is an effort to resolve many industry-wide questions about tag design, a tag's orientation on the "package" (case or pallet), and its readability by various readers. Our engineering team is working with antennas, their placement, and "tuning" of tags where required.'

"AirGate's development team is made up of engineers experienced in network integration and control systems, VoIP, database development and major application development in Windows and Unix environments." Read more

DoD Clarifies How it Will Use EPC with UID

The U.S. Department of Defense has clarified its stance on the standard Electronic Product Code numbering system versus its own Unique ID numbering system. According to Ed Coyle, the chief of the DoD Logistics Automatic Identification Technology Office, in most cases the EPC would be accepted instead of UIDs.

The RFID Journal reports:

"So companies, such as Kraft Foods and Coca-Cola, which will be shipping cases and pallets with EPC tags to Wal-Mart, can use the same types of tags to satisfy the U.S. military's requirements.

"Military suppliers that won't be using EPCs can continue using UIDs. The UIDs can be put on RFID tags that communicate with readers using the EPC air interface protocol—the method that EPC tags and readers use to communicate."

RFID Tag Choice Crucial for Suppliers

According to CRM Daily:

"Right now, suppliers are being challenged to identify the RFID tag manufacturer most likely to give them an edge when rolling out the new technology next year.

"'Companies must be cautious when selecting a tag vendor,' said [Mike] Dominy [senior analyst at the Yankee Group]. 'Making a very low-cost tag is one thing. But making a low-cost tag that meets all the specifications of EPCglobal and delivers acceptable read rates is another.' Read more

Is RFID All Hype?

According to IT News:

"Merrick Spain, general manager at newly spun-off reseller Mobile Data Systems, said that hype around RFID was proving ill-founded for some early adopters.

"'In some areas, you will get your return. But for the mainstream, we are probably two to three years off large-scale deployments in RFID,' he said." Read more

Privacy Concerns over Premature RFID Push

From Government Computer News:

"Although the military logistics program itself does not threaten individual privacy, Katherine Albrecht, director of CASPIAN (Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering), called the mandate worrisome, because it is pushing the potentially invasive technology at a critical point in its development.

"Privacy organizations worry that small, identifiable tags on consumer goods could let businesses track and gather data on individuals. These databases also could be made available to government." Read more

UK Retailer Woolworths Delays RFID Implementation

According to vnunet:

"Woolworths has delayed plans to introduce radio frequency identity (RFID) tagging after deciding it can achieve better returns from other investments. The retailer has been testing RFID since 2002, tagging about 16,000 components through its supply chain to improve stock visibility as goods are delivered.

"Geoff O'Neill, Woolworths' head of central logistics for ecommerce, says the trial was a success, but it was put on hold in February for the foreseeable future." Read more

DoD Pushes for Single RFID Standard

The U.S. Department of Defense is coordinating with other government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, General Services Administration, and Postal Service and Transportation Administration, to develop a single set of RFID standards. This is according to Ed Coyle, chief of the Defense Logistics Agency’s Automatic Identification Technology Office.

Government Computer News reports:

"DOD wants to play a strong role in directing development of RFID technology to ensure that its specifications will be compatible with those used by the private sector.

"'We are getting involved now because we want to make sure the technology as it evolves will meet our needs, too,' Coyle said. 'We do not want to be unique.'"

ABI Research: There Are Bigger RFID Issues than Compliance

ABI Research points out that having a five-cent RFID tag for compliance is not one of the big issues surrounding RFID technology. Cheap RFID hardware means very little without proper planning and commitment.

Per Business Wire:

"Non-RFID compliance with Wal-Mart's January 1, 2005 deadline is not a win-lose scenario. RFID is not Y2K. Recent pro-compliance concerns from Deloitte, IBM, and others have merit in that they promote RFID understanding; however, pro-compliance efforts for the sake of compliance alone may prove more hurtful than helpful in forging a stronger relationship with Wal-Mart and other retail giants. 'Commitment trumps compliance,' adds [Erik] Michielsen [ABI Research principal analyst covering RFID]."

RFID Solution to Bolster Security at U.S. Ammo Depots

Savi Technology and SAMSys Technologies have delivered a passive RFID tracking solution (named Check-It-Out Key Management System) for the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command.

TMCnet reports:

"The implementation of Check-It-Out at just one U.S. Army depot in Utah, which consists of more than 1,200 buildings and 2,500 keys, has successfully reduced the number of hours required for manual check-in and check-out procedures by 25 percent, said Mazie Angus, JMC's Inventory Team Leader. Our employees are working more efficiently and productivity has increased. We are very pleased with this solution and look forward to working with Savi in the future." Read more

Aberdeen Group: Manufacturers Should Implement RFID Now

In a new report, the Aberdeen Group, a leading research and consulting firm for the corporate technology world, urges manufacturers with the January 1, 2005 deadline to begin implementing RFID systems now, as opposed to waiting for others to pass on knowledge.

According to Business Wire:

"Many manufacturers are delaying RFID implementation, and doing only the minimum possible, concerned about margin erosion caused by the process. However, evidence reveals manufacturers that embrace the technology now will reap the most significant benefits. Because this kind of RFID is new in scale and scope, manufacturers must be willing to work through the challenges of a new technology, anticipate setbacks, and manage roadblocks."

Waiting any longer, however, will make it much more difficult to be compliant by the deadline.

Jeff Richards of R4 Addresses RFID Conference

According to Business Wire:

"Jeff Richards, president and CEO of R4 Global Services(TM) (www.r4gs.com), a leading solutions provider of RFID-enabled technology and services, presented a front-line view of the issues facing suppliers and the overall RFID technology market during his keynote speech at the recent Lazard Freres U.S. Equity Research 'RFID Hype & Realities' conference. At the conference, R4 also unveiled R4 Accelerate(SM), a packaged services offering for suppliers seeking to take the right steps towards RFID planning, architecture, and compliance efforts.

"'R4 has established a leadership position in the RFID space, and Jeff's perspectives were extremely valuable to our audience of investors trying sort out "hype" versus "reality" with respect to the RFID marketplace,' said Erick Brethenoux, vice president of Lazard Freres." Read more

RFID Partnership Formed to Improve Food Traceability

Franwell, a U.S. technology firm that has produced software solutions for food processors, and the University of Florida announced a partnership to develop the use of RFID technology in the food industry. By next year, the EU is requiring that processors be able to trace food processes throughout the supply line.

Food Navigator reports:

"This could have a dramatic impact on the industry. Escalating costs could drive some out of business, force some smaller companies to merge with larger ones and complicate the issue of EU accession for those countries whose systems are not yet up to scratch.

"But despite this, Mark Baillache, a partner at consultancy firm KPMG responsible for the UK food sector, believes that the move towards greater traceability in the food chain is something that, by in large, should and will be welcomed by the industry." Read more

HP to Have Suppliers, Distributors RFID-ready by End of Year

According to PC Pro:

"HP will implement the RFID standards worldwide to meet the requirements from the US retailer giant Wal-Mart and US Department of Defense (DOD), [Ian] Robertson [director of HP's RFID program] said. ...

"HP will require its Taiwanese suppliers of printers to attach a RFID chip on the outer package of each product starting May and then expand the program to include notebook suppliers in August, the Chinese-language newspaper Commercial Times quoted Robertson as saying. ...

"As Taiwan is one of the key production bases for IT products in the world, HP is considering establishing a local RFID application centre to help the island's companies introduce the technology, Robertson said."

RSA Security Unveils Prototype RFID Blocker Tag

Privacy advocates fear that future widespread use of RFID tags could allow marketers or governments access to personal information by some day being able to read tags in consumers' homes. Businesses should also be aware of privacy concerns: RFID technology could open up a whole new frontier of corporate espionage.

RSA Security has unveiled a tag that would essentially block unauthorized readers from obtaining information from certain RFID chips.

From Australian IT:

"At the very least, customers risk inadvertent exposures of private information if sensitive purchases, such as medication, are intercepted.

"'In a naive, RFID-enabled world, there's a risk that sensitive information will be secretly visible to anyone with a suitable scanner,' says Burt Kaliski, chief scientist of RSA Laboratories, RSA's research arm. ...

"This work is important, Kaliski says, because RFID technologies will struggle for acceptance until the security challenges are resolved."

epcSolutions Releases RFID Solution

According to Wireless IQ:

"epcSolutions, Inc., an industry leading EPC/RFID middleware provider, announces the release of ThingsNet, an integrated solution for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). epcSolutions has delivered the first solution that enables enterprises to reduce the time, cost and effort of their implementation of RFID projects.

"ThingsNet links the EPC-enabled RFID data from EPC compliant readers, like those developed by companies such as MATRICS (http://www.matrics.com/ ), with any back-end system thus creating tremendous new business benefits, including better asset management, more accurate and efficient supply chain execution and speedy, automated payment transactions." Read more

Microsoft RFID Council Formed

The big talk in the RFID industry today has surrounded Microsoft's new RFID Council. The Microsoft RFID Council is comprised of independent software developers and end-users. Announced by Microsoft today, the council members include Accenture, GlobeRanger, HighJump Software, Intermec Technologies, Manhattan Associates and Provia Software.

According to internetnews.com:

"Microsoft wants to be the platform for partners to create RFID offerings, and the Redmond, Wash. giant provides many technologies that can collect and manage data from RFID implementations, including Microsoft Windows CE, SQL Server and BizTalk Server, while Visual Studio is used by ISVs such as GlobeRanger to develop RFID applications.

"'The formation of the Microsoft RFID Council is part of our commitment to continue to work closely with our customers and partners to ensure they receive the greatest value and opportunity when building their RFID solutions with Microsoft technologies,' Javed Sikander, program manager for RFID strategy at Microsoft, said in a statement." Read more

Alien Technology Tests Trama Patient Tracking with RFID

Per Business Wire:

"Alien Technology Corporation, a leading provider of reliable, high-volume Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products, announced today the successful completion of a trial to ascertain the feasibility of using RFID to track trauma patients as they move through the trauma care process at the Trauma Emergency Department at the Shelby County Regional Medical Center (the "MED") in Memphis.

"The trial, funded by a grant from the Robert Woods Johnson foundation to a multidisciplinary research team at the University of Memphis's FedEx Center for Supply Chain Management, monitored patients in the trauma center to determine how long they were at each location in the facility. Patients were informed of the purpose and nature of the trial, and were enthusiastic to participate in improving the MED's processes and services." Read more

Data Security an Issue for Suppliers

Wal-Mart suppliers admit that securing the data encoded on RFID chips may be difficult. How easily it would be for hackers to gather the information is unknown at this point.

According to SearchSecurity.com:

"Hackers may try to access RFID-derived data with their own readers, or attempt to tap into XML databases containing item and manufacturer data, said some at the meeting, RFID Journal Live, in Chicago.

"'Frankly, we haven't done a good job of defining the problem,' said Mike O'Shea, director of corporate Auto-ID and RFID strategies and technologies at Kimberly-Clark. 'We need to define the security requirements.'" Read more

Microsoft Enters RFID Arena

Later today, Microsoft will announce that it has joined EPCglobal and that it has formed the Microsoft RFID Council that will study how Microsoft can equip its software with the ability to process RFID data.

According to InfoWorld:

"'This data needs to be stored and managed,' said Javed Sikander, program manager for RFID strategy at Microsoft.

"'The goal of the council is to identify RFID requirements for the Microsoft platform,' he said. The council also will hone a consistent message on business opportunities pertaining to RFID and ponder mandates. " Read more

Wal-Mart's New Deadline for Pharmaceuticals: June 30

Despite the setbacks of RFID regarding both cost and readability of tags on cases inside of pallets and through metals and liquids, Wal-Mart is confident that all 18 of its pharmaceutical suppliers will be RFID compliant by the end of the second quarter.

Computerworld reports:

"But the missed deadline [March 31] highlights the challenges that all suppliers face as they try to adopt RFID technology. And the compliance delays may not be the only ones Wal-Mart encounters as its leading suppliers strive to fully meet the RFID directives it set last year, predicted analysts at Forrester Research Inc., Gartner Inc. and five other market-research and consulting firms." Read more

Privacy Advocates Concerned about RFID's Surveillance Potential

Procter & Gamble and other companies would like for RFID tags to remain active after consumers have gone through the checkout line, so as to monitor consumer preferences. The United States Department of Homeland Security, too, has an interest in keeping RFID tags alive for the purpose of investigating potential terrorists. But privacy lawyers are pushing for laws to avoid post-checkout surveillance using RFID technology.

According to Wired News:

"But the companies, led by Procter & Gamble, are opposing RFID legislation, and want consumers to allow them to keep RFID tags active after checkout, and to match shoppers' personal information with particular items. ...

"'The surveillance potential for RFID is huge,' said Scott Blackmer, a lawyer and board member of the International Security, Trust and Privacy Alliance. ...

"Investigators in divorce cases and criminal investigations already regularly subpoena E-Z Pass automatic toll records, which come from RFID readers, to figure out where an individual's car was at a particular time." Read more

RFID Reality Check: Deadline Quickly Approaching

A report on Information Week analyzes the Forrester Research study that was published last week:

"Companies are scrambling to figure out how to pay for and implement radio-frequency identification technology in order to comply with mandates from some of the world's largest retailers, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp., as well as the Department of Defense. But the rush is hitting some serious speed bumps."

The article also breaks down Forrester's $9.1 million dollar RFID startup cost. $7.6 million would be spent on tags alone in the first year. Read more

Oracle Unveils RFID Software Solutions Package

According to Network World Fusion:

"Dubbed Oracle Sensor-Based Services, the new offerings include an RFID pilot kit and software for checking system compatibility with retailers' RFID specifications. The tools are designed to help users capture, manage, analyze and respond to data collected by remote sensors, such as RFID tags and readers, Oracle says." Read more

Impinj to Ship Reusable Long-Range RFID Tags in June

"Zuma," which will ship in June 2004 is the name of the new re-writeable RFID tag being developed by Impinj, Inc.

According to UsingRFID:

"Zuma enables RFID users to write data to tags at long range, enhancing the functionality and value of RFID deployments in the supply chain. ...

"'The Zuma system will turbo-charge an already exciting market,' anticipates Dimitri Desmons, Impinj's director of RFID products."

MIT Prof Suggests RFID Usage in Credit Cards

BBC News reports:

"A leading professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has suggested using radio tags in credit cards as a kind of virtual signature.

"Professor Ted Selker said the way someone moved their finger over the card would alter the radio transmission, producing a signal unique to that person. ...

"The idea of putting radio tags in credit cards is not as far-fetched as it sounds. Mastercard has been experimenting with the technology, known as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)." Read more

Delta Airlines Begins Second RFID Test to Track Luggage

In the final quarter of 2003, Delta Airlines began implementing RFID technology to track 40,000 pieces of passenger luggage. Typically, with bar code scanners, Delta's success rate was 80% - 85% accuracy. Last December, however, Delta announced that the RFID-tagged baggage received accuracy levels of anywhere between 96.7% - 99.9%.

Today, Delta, with cooperation from the TSA, began its second test of RFID-tagged luggage.

Computerworld reports:

"The tags operate at a frequency of 915 MHz, the same frequency that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to use in its supply chain. ...

"RFID bag tracking offers a 'significant ROI' for Delta... [said Pat Rary, manager for baggage planning and development at Delta]. He declined to provide details, except to say the airline spends 'tens of millions of dollars' in locating 800,000 misdirected bags a year." Read more

TSA Considers RFID-tagged Boarding Passes

The Transportation Security Administration is considering using airline boarding passes that would carry RFID chips. Anthony Cerino, communications security technology lead at TSA, claims that the boarding passes with these RFID tags would enable a customer designated as a "registered traveller" to quickly pass through a special lane when boarding an aircraft. Privacy advocates, however, are concerned about the consequences of RFID-tagged boarding passes.

Computerworld reports:

"Under the registered traveler program, frequent fliers would provide the TSA with detailed personal information that would be correlated by a background check. Privacy advocates said they believe the RFID boarding pass would then serve as an automatic link to the registered traveler database. ...

"The RFID boarding passes would let security personnel 'know people's whereabouts,' Cerino said."

RFID Could Aid Homeland Security Department

According to Washington Technology:

"Widespread use of radio frequency identification technology throughout commercial industry could help the Homeland Security Department do its job better, a department official said today.

"When companies use RFID to improve their supply chains, Homeland Security gains greater confidence in those supply chains, 'thereby lessening the need for us to come in with some kind of one-size-fits-all regulatory structure,' said Stewart Verdery, assistant secretary for border and transportation security policy and planning." Read more

Alien Technology Cuts RFID Tag Price

The price of EPC tags has been cut to less than 20 cents on all orders of over 1 million by Alien Technology, an RFID technologies pioneer.

The RFID Journal reports:

"According to the company, the cut is key in the acceptance and adoption of EPC technology. 'Users need to see that there is a roadmap toward the 5-cent tag, and step by step our volumes and production costs are going the right way to pass savings onto our customers,' said Stav Prodromou, CEO at Alien Technology, which is based in Morgan Hill, Calif. 'Other companies will have to either follow our pricing lead or cede the market to us.'" Read more

RFID World Convention April 21-22

PR Newswire:

"Shorecliff Communications, a leading producer of technology conferences, trade shows, magazines and Web sites, today announced the conference agenda and speaker lineup for the Second Annual RFID World, April 21-22, at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Denver, Colorado. Featuring keynotes from Texas Instruments Inc. and Microsoft Corporation, the program is devoted to assisting companies in all industries with practical, in-depth strategies for deploying RFID and EPC solutions."

Additional companies attending include BearingPoint Inc., Checkpoint Systems Inc., Delta Airlines, GlobeRanger Corporation, International Paper, Manhattan Associates, Matrics, Inc., McKesson Corporation, RedPrarie Corporation, Retail Forward, Inc., Savi Technology, PeopleSoft, Inc., Provia Software, Sun Microsystems, and VeriSign, Inc.

Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, will be the featured guest speaker. Smith will discuss how RFID technology is used to verify authenticity of sports memorabilia.

Future Store in Germany Uses RFID

Metro AG, one of Europe's largest retailers, has set up Future Store in Reinberg, Germany that currently employs smart shevles as well as smart carts equipped with personal shopping assistants, which automatically tally up the price of the items in a customer's shopping cart. The entire store is covered by a wireless local-based network and is serving as a test lab for Metro, as well as approximately 40 hardware and software partners.

IEEE Spectrum Online reports:

"Almost all products are labeled on the shelf with liquid-crystal display labels, so that store managers can change prices effortlessly via the network. Large plasma screens allow product promotions to be managed quickly and selectively from a central point.

"Probably the most talked-about technical novelty of the store is its use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagging. The technology is a high priority for Metro and several other big European retailers, including Tesco PLC in the United Kingdom and Carrefour SA in France—all seeking ways to reduce theft and improve inventory control."