 | Monday, January 9, 2006
Issue 272 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
 | Strategies focused event discussing the impact
of new technologies to optimise and maintain
European supply chain productivity.
April 6th - 7th, Amsterdam -- Register Here. |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is Pfizer's launch of its Viagra-tagging initiative.
Also, Texas Instruments has announced the sale of its Sensors & Controls business to Bain Capital for $3 billion in cash. Such a sale had been expected, as reports of acquisition talks surfaced late last year in a number of financial news outlets. But here's the surprise: while its RFID business is part of the Sensors & Controls business, and was therefore expected to be part of the sale, the press release says explicitly that "the sale will not include the radio frequency identification (RFID) systems operations, which will remain part of Texas Instruments." This is of course a very strong affirmation of the company's faith in the RFID market opportunity.
Avery Dennison and the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) have co-launched an "RFID $avings Program" whereby AAFA members can receive a specially-negotiated discount on purchases of 5,000 or more Avery Dennison RFID labels (Gen1 or Gen2).
Lastly, note the new classified listing below for the ISCEA Supply Chain Conference being held in Las Vegas from May 22nd through 24th. |
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Pfizer Shipping RFID-tagged Viagra
One of the pharmaceutical industry's most significant announcements with respect to RFID came Friday afternoon as drug giant Pfizer announced that is has begun shipping RFID-tagged bottles, cases, and pallets of Viagra. The drug's popularity makes it a lucrative target of counterfeiters (think about all the Viagra spam you receive) and therefore a ripe opportunity for RFID-based counterfeit prevention.
Pfizer's system works as follows. Wholesalers and pharmacists equipped with RFID readers will scan the EPC (electronic product code) and chip ID encoded on a Viagra bottle's RFID tag, then enter that information into a web-based system. The EPC and chip ID will be sent securely over the internet to Pfizer's database, where the pairing will be authenticated (much like a username/password combination in typical login systems). The validation of authenticity will be sent back to the pharmacist or wholesaler in real-time, offering essentially immediate verification of the drug's integrity. The web-based system is a subscription service called RxAuthentication and provided by SupplyScape of Woburn, Massachusetts. The bottle tags are provided by France's Tagsys, while the case and pallet tags come from Silicon Valley-based Alien Technology.
Pfizer has reportedly invested several million dollars in the initiative, which it is calling an industry first. According to the press release, "Pfizer is the first pharmaceutical company to put in place comprehensive program of this type focused on EPC authentication as a means of deterring counterfeiting." The system is not a track-and-trace solution, which would allow the company to track a bottle or case of Viagra through all points in the supply chain. Nor is it an e-Pedigree system, which saves and verifies the route of transit a bottle of drugs took through the supply chain. Such capabilities would require coordination and investment from all of the many discrete partners throughout the chain. Those hurdles notwithstanding, track-and-trace and e-Pedigree are indeed potential end goals toward which Pfizer will work in 2006 and beyond.
The new RFID packaging (see it here) will be phased in over the course of the next three months; 100% of bottles are expected to be tagged by the end of March. In addition to an RFID tag, the new packaging will include a barcode as a means of redundancy and backup should the tag become damaged. Literature by Pfizer about the initiative is quick to preempt consumer pushback based on privacy concerns: "Pfizer's application of RFID also does not allow for the collection of any patient information."
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| Converting & Labels | Lowry Smart Trac Labels: Depend on 100% Good Labels
Lowry provides a comprehensive range of UHF and HF labels. With innovation and investment in the RFID marketplace, Lowry offers more than label conversion. Lowry's RFID Lab assists with inlay selection and label materials to deliver optimum performance. Rely on Lowry's experience and quality commitment. 1.800.733.0210 x 312 or visit www.lowrycomputer.com | Monarch RFID Labels: Guaranteed With 100% Refund!
Monarch RFID supplies from Paxar are factory tested twice and guaranteed! You receive a 100% refund for any returned, failed Monarch label (110% if used in a Monarch printer/encoder). Paxar has supplies for all printers, using all major inlays, including Gen 2, and comprehensive lab support. Call 1-800-543-6650, #2717 or visit www.paxar.com | Nashua Corporation: EPC RFID Label Transponders
Nashua SmartLabels brand of converted RFID label and tags combine a variety of printable facesheets and specialty adhesive with EPC Class 1, UHF Gen 2 and Class 0+ inlays from leading inlay manufacturers. Nashua SmartLabels are offered in standard and custom label form factors. All Nashua SmartLabels ship "100% tested-good." www.nashuasmartlabels.com | | | Products & Services | SimplyRFID.com: No nonsense DOD mandate solutions
SimplyRFID's Pro-Tags are pre-programmed with your CAGE information, shipped overnight via FedEx and ready for immediate slap-and-ship on DoD RFID-Mandate shipments. SimplyRFID Pro-Tags: Instant DoD RFID compliance -- no hassles. | SupplyInsight - Buy MandatePLUS 1.0 Slap&Ship
MandatePLUS 1.0 solution for mandates from DoD and Retailers like Wal-mart, Best Buy is ready for shipping. MandatePLUS Slap&Ship edition is packaged with RFID compliance server, RFID printer, one day RFID training, one week professional services and integration to Retail links and WAWF. Buy from SupplyInsight.com. | BuyRFID.com: RFID Equipment Superstore
BuyRFID.com has everything you need to fully integrate RFID technology. We have development kits from ThingMagic, SAMSys, Alien, Symbol and Feig to get you started with your evaluations or implementations. We also supply readers, tags, antennas along with other RFID equipment. Buy RFID Equipment | | | Upcoming Events | Become a RFIDSCM at 2006 ISCEA Conference for Free! Las Vegas
Attend the ISCEA Supply Chain Conference, May 22-24, Las Vegas, NV and take the RFIDSCM (Certified RFID Supply Chain Manager) Exam for FREE! Network with ISCEA RFIDSCM's at a special event. RFIDSCM Prep workshop by American RFID Solutions! For more information or to Register, call 800.817.9083 or visit www.iscea.com | European Supply Chain & RFID Congress, 6-7 Apr, Amsterdam
Oxford International's 3rd annual European Supply Chain & RFID Congress is a strategy focused event, discussing the impact of integrating new technologies within the supply chain, offering attendees the opportunity to optimise and maintain supply chain productivity. Secure your place by emailing: congressmarketing@oxfordint.co.uk. More information at: www.supplychaincongress.com | 4th Annual Global RFID ROI Summit | 30-31 Jan | ExCel London
The world's foremost gathering of RFID practitioners. World class speakers from Wal Mart, Purdue Pharma, Ford, J.Crew, Rolls-Royce, Hong Kong Airport and many more. The event features the 'Speed Dating for Business' one-to-one meeting model. Full programme, speaker and delegate lists at www.rfid-roi.com. | Food Traceability 2006, Feb 1-2, Dallas, TX
This event explores the background, legislation and needs for food traceability, covering experiences from international case studies and the latest progress. Save 20% with the discount code 'rfidupdate' -– register today! | | | Employment | RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting
Whether your company is looking for the best RFID talent or you have the best RFID talent and are looking for the best RFID employer, RFID Recruiters offers the most focused approach to your objective. To learn how the RFID industry and the RFID job market are evolving, visit www.rfidrecruiters.com | | | Research & Knowledge | Have RFID questions? Ask the RFID Talk experts
A proud partner of RFID Update, RFID Talk is the industry's leading discussion forum. Join thousands of users at RFID Talk and stay on the forefront of technology, deployment, standards, specifications and more. Free, quick registration - Sign Up Now! |
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About RFID Update - Launched in early 2004 to provide timely analysis of RFID industry news, RFID Update publishes editorial briefings every weekday for the growing ranks of top level executives involved in the deployment of RFID projects. Each issue distills the impact of global RFID developments by providing an analytical summary of news and matters pertinent to successful RFID implementations. Free for RFID executives and professionals.
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