RFID Gazette

New Plug-n-Play RFID Readers from Sirit

Sirit Inc., has launched the Sirit Plug-n-Play product line - Secure Digital (SDIO) and USB based multi- protocol 'plug and play' products, which support a wide range of RFID applications.

The readers utilize industry standard SDIO and USB interfaces and integrated readers and antennas.

According to the company, Sirit's Plug-n-Play RFID products enable virtually any device with an SDIO or USB slot to effortlessly become a multi-protocol, high frequency (13.56 MHz) RFID reader and writer,

Via [MoreRfid]

New Intermec RFID Purchase Programs Increase Accessibility to Gen 2 Technology

In a bid to help companies worldwide obtain the superior business benefits of Gen 2 RFID equipment and technology, Intermec Inc. has launched two ambitious RFID purchase programs.

The purchase program runs through Aug. 30, 2006. Moreover, the Eligible Intermec Gen 2 equipment includes the PM4i printer, IF4 or IF5 fixed reader, IV7 vehicle reader and IP4 handheld reader.

A per-unit rebate of up to $650 will be available to customers who trade in their Gen 1 RFID readers and printers when they purchase a comparable quantity of Intermec RFID Gen 2 readers and printers and a three-year Medallion service contract. Customers will also receive 20 cents per tag with a a maximum limit of 5,000 tags. Customers will also receive one day of site analysis and one day of installation services, valued at more than $6,400.

Customers can also participate in an Intermec tag purchase program. Companies that purchase 50,000 or more Intermec RFID Gen 2 labels and a one-year Medallion service contract on a Gen 2 PM4i printer or Gen 2 IF5 reader will receive the printer or reader free. There is no quantity limit in this case.

Both programs are also offered through Intermec's authorized RFID partners.

Via [MoreRfid]

CompTIA Survey finds we need more RFID talent

In a new survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) released during  the RFID World 2006 conference, it was revealed that deployment of RFID technology lacks speed  because of  a shortage of individuals skilled in the technology,.

Seventy-five percent of the technology companies interviewed in CompTIA's survey admitted they do not believe there is a sufficient "pool of talent" in RFID technology to hire from. Whereas, in 2005, 80% of respondents said there was a shortage of RFID talent. This is the tiniest of improments, indeed.

This requires urgent attention by training institutions and government bodies everywhere.

Via [MoreRFID]

SkyeTek's RFID Reader Technology enables Consumable Authentication

SkyeTek, Inc., the developer of ReaderWarehas tasted success with enthusiastic market adoption of its consumables authentication solution. This solutions helps companies in healthcare and other industries prevent counterfeiting of branded consumables. It ensures that the products their customers buy and use meet the original manufacturer's standards for quality and safety.

Here's how it works: First, the manufacturer tags consumables that interface with the product, with a passive RFID tag that is read and authenticated by a reader embedded in the product. Thus the reader does accept counterfeits because they lack an authenticated tag, and reused consumables are recognized by the reader as having been previously used.

Via  [dallas.dbusinessnews]

SkyeTek's RFID Reader Technology enables Consumable Authentication

SkyeTek, Inc., the developer of ReaderWarehas tasted success with enthusiastic market adoption of its consumables authentication solution. This solutions helps companies in healthcare and other industries prevent counterfeiting of branded consumables. It ensures that the products their customers buy and use meet the original manufacturer's standards for quality and safety.

Here's how it works: First, the manufacturer tags consumables that interface with the product, with a passive RFID tag that is read and authenticated by a reader embedded in the product. Thus the reader does accept counterfeits because they lack an authenticated tag, and reused consumables are recognized by the reader as having been previously used.

Via [Dbusinessnews]

Now RFID in Alaska

State of Alaska Department of Commerce has decided to use Universal Guardian's RFID Container Tracking System.

It is a part of a pilot program, the Alaska Food Aid project, conducted by the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, the Cordova District Fisherman United group as well as Franwell Inc. The pilot program will track a shipment of RFID tagged wild Alaska canned salmon from Seattle to the Country of Guatemala – food for deprived children there.

The authorities decided to implement RFID tracking because each year huge amounts of charitable aid from the

United States

is lost.  Sometimes, it is stolen by criminal, others times, it is logistic. The shipment goes somewhere else.

Via [Lbszone]

German hospital uses RFID to track blood

Blood bank supplies at Saarbruecken Clinic from now onwards will be equipped with RFID chips so to prevent any confusion or mix ups in regard to blood transfusion and blood treatments. In a joint effort Siemens, Intel, Fujitsu and IMP Computersysteme will continue with the research at Saarbruecken Clinic. In the first phase, almost thousand bags of bloods are being labeled. The solution makes it sure that correct blood is given to each patient. Siemens is acting as the major contractor for the project.          

Via [RfidJournal]

Roex and Pro-X partner with ODIN technologies for RFID Deployment

Roex Incorporation, one of world’s fastest growing nutraceutical companies and Pro-X Pharmaceuticals (a division of Roex Inc.) have partnered with ODIN Technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, solution and deployment.      

Roex's founder and CEO Rod Burreson commented, “We were impressed with ODIN's RF physics expertise, knowledge of RFID systems architecture and unrivaled client list. It was clear to me and my team that ODIN technologies had more experience and more expertise than any other RFID integrator."

Bret Kinsella, ODIN technologies Chief Operating Officer says, "Roex is a leading nutritional company with a large, loyal customer base and Pro-X contract manufacturing is growing rapidly to meet the needs of other nutritional companies. Both organizations view RFID as a strategic investment enabling them to more efficiently grow the business and provide better service to customers.”

Via [MoreRfid]

RFID to monitor pills in bottles

Now by using Radio Frequency Identification the bottles of pills can be exactly monitored in the whole production chain. Earlier Cardinal with Alien Technology worked on a pilot project for RFID tracking of each pill bottles, which were than supposed to aggregate into cartons and onto pallets by EPC technology. Now, Finnish-Swedish Stora Enso along with Finnish pharmaceuticals company Orion Pharma are going to test smart card packaging where RFID tags are fixed to pill bottles. If the test goes on properly which is first of its kind in Europe will be launched in pharmacies in Turku, Helsinki and Tampere in Finland as well as in Estonia. The companies hope that this will cut down drug forgery significantly. 

Via [E.Finland]

HP is ready with Gen 2 RFID Switch

This April Hewlett-Packard & Co will transit to a next generation RFID technology better known as EPC (electronic product code) Gen 2. HP has been using RFID technology to identify and track pallets and boxes of various products that shipped to select Best Buy Inc., Target Corp., and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. distribution centers. By ably applying tags to inkjet printers The Memphis, Tenn., facility will make the transition first. The Sao Paulo, Brazil center will then follow the suit in sometime during May where HP produces, assembles, ships, repairs and recycles inkjet printers.

Via [Networkcomputing]