 | Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Issue 844 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is an implementation by the postal system in Finland. Passive RFID readers at its 11 postal distribution systems will be deployed to track, time, and analyze the flow of 7,000 to 8,000 sample pieces of mail with embedded RFID tags that will be placed into the system monthly.
The Polish military is deploying an RFID solution by Savi to support its NATO-related objectives in Afghanistan, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary has announced. Poland's is the eighth defense force to deploy the Savi solution, after those of NATO itself, the US, the UK, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, and Spain. It is also the second largest NATO-related installation of the solution. The Polish Ministry of Defense will use it to track and trace materiel en route to troops and personnel.
Lastly, TriQuint Semiconductor has completed its acquisition of WJ Communications. Recall that WJ Communications manufacturers RFID semiconductor technology, such as chips that power handheld readers. The company had a relatively small presence in the RFID industry, but was usually in attendance at major shows and periodically announced new RFID technology solutions. TriQuint also produces RF semiconductor technology. The acquisition, valued at around $70 million, was originally announced in March. |
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| Training & Certification | | - CORFIDA sponsors OTA's RFID Training, June 3-6 - Denver, CO (site) | | | RTLS & Active RFID | | 
Sponsored by Ekahau | |
| | - Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how! (site) | | | Products & Services | | - PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks (site) | | - Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers (site) | | | RFID Tags & Labels | | - Ferroxtag HF tags: Smart on Metal! (site) | | | Employment | | - RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting (site) | | | Upcoming Events | | - AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL (site) | | - AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China (site) | | - SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China (site) | | | Research & Whitepapers | | - RFID Marketing Strategies Report (site) | |
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In Finland, Your (RFID) Chip's in the Mail
By John Burnell
Finland's postal operator will soon begin mailing 7,000 to 8,000 envelopes a month with passive RFID tags inside to trace the flow of mail through the system. Itella, a private company that operates the Finnish postal system, has completed installation of RFID readers at three Finnish distribution centers and plans to have all 11 DCs in the network equipped by the end of September.
"This will be an ongoing effort. The RFID system is a performance measurement tool that Itella will use to locate and track the delivery of postal items," Bill Allen of Sirit told RFID Update. Sirit's INfinity 510 Gen2 RFID readers were selected for the system. A total of 24 readers, each supporting four antennas, will be installed at the 11 distribution centers.
The readers will identify pieces of mail that have RFID tags inside. The trace mail will not be identifiable to postal workers. Itella will use the read data to measure velocity of mail through the system, analyze flow, and to measure its performance against benchmark levels of service.
Allen said the application is technically challenging because handling systems can operate at high speeds, and item orientation is inconsistent. Itella previously used active RFID technology to track mail. The passive system is less expensive to operate, in part because tag costs are significantly lower.
"One of the key areas that was of most interest to Itella was the ability to read an individual piece of mail buried deep within a tote," said Allen. "They did quite a lot of testing of different tags, readers, and tag placement orientations before making their decision."
Itella has also applied passive RFID tags to 650,000 reusable totes used to move mail, and may tag more, according to Kari Hanninen of Finn-ID, which is the system integrator for the project. There are no current plans for widespread use of RFID to track individual pieces of general mail.
Postal operators worldwide have used RFID for a variety of operations, from track-and-trace operations like Itella's to reusable container tracking and other asset management. In ten years postal operators will buy $2.5 billion worth of RFID equipment and services and tag ten trillion items annually, international market research firm IDTechEx predicted in a recent report.
See Sirit's announcement of the Itella deployment.
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| Training & Certification | CORFIDA sponsors OTA's RFID Training, June 3-6 - Denver, CO
The Colorado RFID Alliance (CORFIDA) has partnered with OTA Training, LLC. to address the statewide shortage of RFID trained workers. The two entities have arranged a series of training sessions to be held at Sun's APT test lab from June 3rd through June 6th. Learn more. | | | RTLS & Active RFID | Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how!
Ekahau RTLS (Real-Time Location System) automatically tracks assets and people via your existing Wi-Fi network. Control costs and improve asset management with Ekahau. For more information, visit us at www.ekahau.com. | | | Products & Services | PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks
Off-the-shelf solution provides automated real-time visibility and complete electronic pedigree for traceability on parts and WIP providing real-time dashboards, alerts and reports for shop-floor management. The pedigree information is automatically programmed into Texas Instruments' RFID tag for access to critical data without the need for connection to a back-end database. Learn more. | Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers
the American Management Association reports. 95% of businesses are victimized by employee theft. Managers are reluctant to ask questions, because trusted employees may feel offended, leaving business owners in a difficult situation. What can you do? Nox: Intelligent Perimeter Defense from Simply RFID provides advanced security and protection for business assets. | | | RFID Tags & Labels | Ferroxtag HF tags: Smart on Metal!
Ferroxtag is a new family of HF RFID tags suitable for operation on metallic surfaces. Ferroxtag's special ferrite antenna was developed using Ferroxcube's years of experience in ferrite technology. The high performance antenna means longer read range with a smaller tag. Visit www.ferroxtag.com | | | 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 | | | Upcoming Events | AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL
AWA is organizing the Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008 on September 11-12 in Chicago, IL. The event includes presentations and panel discussions with brand owners, legal authorities, associations, converters and suppliers; also networking sessions, a supplier forum, a social program and more. Find more on the program here. | AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China
AWA presents the Asian Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008, to be held on 4 & 5 December in Hong Kong, China. PABS08 Asia focuses on the threats specific to the Asia Pacific region, various elements of IP Theft, and leading-edge solutions. Find more on the program here. | SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China
As one of the earliest, most specialized and authoritative exhibitions in China, approved and supported directly from State Ministry, the 8th SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008 will present you the impressive up-dated development and market of RFID technology in rising China. To know more, please go to www.scan-china.com. | | | Research & Whitepapers | RFID Marketing Strategies Report
Thirty-nine pages of original research on RFID audience perceptions, including 30+ figures of tactics, content & messaging, and recommendations to guide marketing strategy. Also, Top-10 RFID company rankings based on 550+ survey respondents. View the executive summary free, with Top-3 sample rankings. Only $495 Individual License or $795 Corporate License. Available now |
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RFID Update is the RFID industry daily. 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. Each issue delivers the breaking news and analysis most pertinent to successful RFID implementations, allowing readers to understand global RFID developments as they happen.
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