It is yet another achievement of RFID. The Australian Defense Force (ADF) has embraced RFID technology to track the supplies it delivers to the Middle East countries and also in its own country. According to media reports, the ADF has shipped its first active RFID-tagged cargo from Sydney’s Mascot Airport on airplanes destined for Iraq and Afghanistan. These supplies will be automatically tracked by interoperable RFID networks built for coalition forces including USA, UK and NATO. Lockheed Martin-owned Savi Technology will develop the networks and provide RFID supports for the implementation and execution of Track and Trace System that uses RFID tags to track supplies delivered by ADF. Savi also provides its RFID solutions to the coalition forces. Based on ISO 18000- 7 standards, the Savi RFID technologies are widely used for the interoperability of RFID-tagged consignments pass through diverse networks. ADF hopes this system will provide real-time information about the consignments until they reach their destinations.
Axcess International debuts ActiveTag RFID, an automatic personal identification solution
By admin | Filed in RfidblogsA leading provider of Dual-Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) solutions, Axcess International Inc., has launched Active RFID identification system, which provides an automatic personal identification solution. The solution combines hands-free access control with a automatically monitoring ability for the movements of people through the facility. The ActiveTag RFID identification system is based on patent ActiveTag RFID technology, which offers a variety of advantages like magnetic strips or proximity card readers. The technology allows users to read tags at distances over 35 feet. The ActiveTag RFID identification system supports many communication protocols, including including serial (RS-232), network (Ethernet TCP/IP) and Wiegand (SIA 26-bit standard). The ActiveTag AVI system provides multi-tag read features, which allows users to simultaneously read multiple personnel tags. The system includes following components, which are given below: Personnel Credential Tag: The personnel credential tag provides convenient, hands-free identification of personnel for access control, people tracking and resource management applications. Antenna: It has different antennas for different applications. Each antenna is directly connected with the activator to create coverage zones for a variety of applications including asset and personnel tracking. Activator: The activator is a stand-alone transmitter, which directly connects an application specific antenna to provide a low frequency activation signal. Then the activator writes its location ID to the tag, which is then re-transmitted along with the unique ID for providing precise location at the time of activation. Network Receiver: It has serial receiver for network-capable general purpose, which detects tag signals, and convert them into data. Even it also forwards the information to a controller or host application. Image Credit : Time Access Via: Ferret
Omron debuts 50 percent smaller size aluminum HF band RFID Inlay
By admin | Filed in UncategorizedA new half size aluminum RFID inlay would be available in next month, according to Omron Corp, one of the global leader in automation, sensing and control technology. The new half -size HF (13.56MHz) aluminum RFID inlay is approximately 50 percent smaller than its current card sized product. The second product is based on Omron’s V730 HF aluminum range and it is compliance with ISO/IEC 15693 standards. Omron’s existing card-sized HF aluminum inlay is slightly smaller than an average business or credit card. The extension of aluminum coil antenna RFID inlays includes two HF types and three UHF band types. Initially, Omron has launched aluminum based inlays to complement its copper based products. Now, both aluminum and copper-based RFID inlays are available in card size as well as half size formats. The HF RFID inlays are used in library management systems, where they are used in labels attached to books. While the card sized labels are used in Europe and Japan, and half size labels are used in some parts of Asia Pacific. The company is cooperating with other companies to provide converted products, including laminated inlays and plastic tags. Additionally, the company is committed to respond flexible customer requests for aluminum-based inlays in formats and shapes other than card-size and half-size.
Mirror mirror, show me the truth and give me suggestions on how to look good! We have been witnessing RFID tags for some time now. But the thrilling news is that the RFID reader on a mirror in the trial rooms not only track the cloths that have been brought out from the warehouses but also they can suggest us what other clothing would match it. Isn’t it slightly spooky as well? The Galeria Kaufhof, a German department store, in Essen, is using this new technology, not only to track the clothing but also to suggest the customer other matching attires. This technology runs on the permutation and combination theory. The system uses a combination with smart shelves and compares with the in stock materials and show choices to a customer. The Metro retailing group stated that the RFID readers are installed in men’s cloth section. Now it’s for us to see how far this technology helps this group in enhancing their business and sorting out customers’ major problem, picking up the right garments, as well.
An RFID data management middleware solution has been developed by RFID which enables companies to gather and analyze data collected by RFID tags from different locations. Called the WebSphere RFID Premises Server V6.0, it is aimed at distribution, retail and pharma industry. One of the notable features is that it can be gelled with corporate data such as ERP systems and billing to offer a single view of business trends for the company. With it one can also manage data and RFID reader devices. Companies such as Arcom, Intermec, Tagsys, Motorola and a host of other companies have entered into an agreement with IBM to make their hardware compatible with the WebSphere Premises Server. With the new product the company has ended the problems faced with regards to incompatible RFID readers. You can avail it as software, vendor solution or customized solution channel. Via echannelline
Are you worried whether your child is in school or not? Now, RFID technology will tell you the whereabouts of your child inside a school. UK has just undertaken a pilot project, in which school children are tagged with RFID chips. According to the Information Week, Doncaster-based Hungerhill secondary school has introduced RFID to keep track on the children as an effective step to control behavior of the kids and enhance attendance. The RFID chips are being attached in the school uniforms. The project has been introduced as an experimental basis involving ten students who wear RFID-enabled uniforms. If the project proves successful, then it will be extended to all the students and perhaps to other British schools. As we have often argued that human tagged is not acceptable under any conditions due to the privacy factors. The same logic is also applicable here. A children’s advocacy group, Leave Them Kids Alone has sharply criticized the recent move taken by the Hungerhill School. It’s founder David Clouter strongly noted, With pupils being fingerprinted and now this it seems we are treating children in a way that we have traditionally treated criminals.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed a Bill that bars forceful implantation of RFID tags into human skins. The Bill will come into force from January next year. The newly enacted legislation restricts companies from forcing their employees to wear RFID tags. The governor signed the debatable Bill this week. No such technology has faced fierce pubic debate than RFID in recent years due to its shocking privacy concerns. States like Wisconsin and North Dakota have already introduced similar kind of Bills that forbid human tracking through RFID technology. Joe Simitian, who introduced the RFID Bill in the Silicon Valley observed that forceful implantation of RFID tags in human skins, is just plain wrong as it breaches privacy of the individual, though the government may consider the implementation of this technology in official documents. He has aptly said, RFID technology is not in and of itself the issue. It is a minor miracle, with all sorts of good uses. But we cannot and should not condone forced ‘tagging’ of humans. It’s the ultimate invasion of privacy. The Bill may put the companies like VeriChip into trouble. The company got governmental nod for human implantation three years ago. More than 2,000 people have been tagged by VeriChip chips last year. The Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs argued that RFID devices evade privacy and security as the information kept in the tag can be easily read by the third party with a low cost reader.
Tracking inmates inside a prison or jail is always a daunting task. It has been a tough challenge for the jailers to monitor the movement of the prisoners and keep them away from inmate-fights that cause an unwanted noisy atmosphere in a jail. Thus, it is more or less apparent that the modern jails have failed to create a strong security system despite implementing best practices methods and precautions. To get rid of these problems, the Minnesota Department of Corrections is adopting an inmate-tracking system in one of the states security correctional facilities. The tracking system is developed in line with active RFID tag technology that keeps a vigilant eye on the inmates and alerts if any unprecedented incident is occurring inside the jail. The 1,300-inmate facility will implement equipment from Alanco Technologies and the task of deploying the RFID has been given to Crowley Co. Under the new system, the inmates will be provided RIFD-attached wrist straps and guards pager like devices. The RFID tag sends radio signal in every two seconds to antennas positioned within the facility. In this way, both inmates and guards will be tracked in real time. For more read this article. Image:
We are still reluctant to admit that RFID technology has gone mainstream. However, T3Ci’s achievement may change our perception. T3Ci has scripted a glorious record by completing the billionth RFID tag read in the month of February this year. Processing billionth tag read is certainly a landmark achievement for T3Ci in particular and RFID industry in general. T3Ci, which has pioneered itself in areas of RFID analytics and applications, required three years to process the first billion reads for its 30 customers who reap the benefits of RFID technology in their respective fields. The company says its customers have snowballing revenues of more than $700 billion. The company claims, We’re no longer working only on pilot projects with our customers; we have proven the business case for RFID, and we are focusing on rolling out scalable programs that become business-as-usual for our customers. T3Ci uses RFID technology to analyze the data from product manufacturers and their retail partners. It increases productive of the companies.
A leading provider of RFID enabled asset management and supply chain solutions; Fluensee has launched the latest version of browser based yard management solution, named Fluensee Yard solution, which boasts enhanced planning, management and RFID visibility capabilities that makes easy for companies to manage the largest and most complex yard environments. The new RFID enabled Fluensee Yard software consists an enhanced user interface, which provides a new level of visibility into yard and labor productivity. The comprehensive management software enhances RFID and real-time locating technology to find and manage trailer movements around the yard. Yard comes with RFID readers, on-board computers with GPS, which allows users to capture real-time trailer information and conduct drive by inventories and instantly communicate the information to the server. The features of Yard are given below: Real-Time Locating System: It uses RFID and RTLS technology to locate and control trailers and containers to eliminate manual data capture at the gate, yard and remote locations. Gate Processing and Security: The yard uses RFID technology to support the receipt and exit of equipment into the yard. It reduces check-in and check-out times and also improves security. Scheduling and Task Management: The software will dynamically assign to work across all current and future jobs through on-board terminals to the optimal yard trucks based on real-time yard conditions and priorities. Yard Planning and Modeling: The software provides a graphical interface to assist with building effective yard plans. It also enforces rules and streamlines overall yard operations. Reporting: It provides a variety of management and operational reports, including inbound/outbound shipments, carrier performance, dock productivity, yard utilization, etc. Image Credit: Market Wire & Fluensee Via: Managing & Automation