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Editor's Note: Today's top story is the new pro-privacy RFID tag announced this week from RFIDsec.
Silicon Valley-based supply chain software provider InSync Software has secured $7.5 million in Series A funding from Rustic Canyon Partners and Intel Capital. The company’s applications add sense and respond capabilities to existing supply chain and asset management solutions leveraging the internet and technologies such as RFID and sensors. Read the funding announcement.
RFID hardware provider Sirit this week has won a $5.9 million contract from California's Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) for toll tags, including packaged tags that will be available at retail locations. The BATA has ambitious plans to increase usage of the FasTrak toll lanes across the area's seven state-owned bridges, and this new contract is a follow-on to a similar deal signed with Sirit last October. Details here.
Omron RFID has signed an agreement to resell its tags and readers through the web-based channel RFIDSupplyChain.com.
Lastly, RFID4U and ODIN technologies have teamed to offer RFID+ certification training to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The first training classes will be held August 22nd through 25th at ODIN’s headquarters in Dulles, Virginia. More details. |
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RFID Tag Balances Privacy and Retailer Interests
There has been an ongoing challenge confronting retailers and consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers: how to balance consumer privacy protection with the benefits of post-purchase RFID tagging. It is very appealing that an RFID tag store relevant information accessible in the event a consumer returns a tagged item. All sorts of possibilities arise for improved warranty and service processing, recall management, and returns handling. But to privacy advocates (and indeed much of the public), the idea that a purchased item would carry a live, readable RFID tag is objectionable. The Gen2 protocol allows for "kill" functionality, which permanently disables a tag at the point-of-sale. This addresses the privacy concerns but means that the retailers and CPG manufacturers lose the aforementioned post-purchase benefits of RFID tagging. In recent months there have been a number of solutions presented to the market that aim to overcome these challenges, including IBM's clipped tag and SmartCode's push-button tag.
The most recent comes from a Danish company called RFIDsec headquartered in Copenhagen, which has developed an RFID tag-software system that employs a number of techniques to protect privacy without handicapping valuable functionality. Rather than "killing" a tag forever, the RFIDsec solution "silences" it so that it can be reawakened later by an authorized party. Thus, when a customer purchases a tagged item and leaves the store, the tag is put into "silent mode", rendering the data totally unavailable for reading. Furthermore, the tag doesn't even respond to signals from unauthorized readers, so beyond just data protection, the very presence of the tag is hidden; it essentially becomes invisible.
Encryption is a key enabler of the technology. Specifically, the company developed a proprietary encryption method called the RFIDSec Secure Protocol (RSP). In addition to the silencing functionality, RSP allows all data passed between the tag and reader to be encrypted. Segmentation of the tag's memory area is also supported, so that certain sections are only accessible to certain parties. This could allow Company A to read and write sensitive information to a tagged item that is then passed to Company B without concern that Company B could read the data. All of this rich functionality is made possible by RFIDsec's accompanying software application, the Access Management Software Platform, which manages the security features of the tags and interfaces with the RFID readers.
Currently, RFIDsec is offering HF versions of the tag, though a Gen2 compliant UHF version is expected next year. The company's business model is built firmly around partnerships which will see systems integrators and RFID solutions providers developing customized solutions for their clients using RFIDsec technology. RFIDsec does not offer off-the-shelf or turnkey solutions. The company is led by CEO Henrik Granau, who was a director at Hitachi Data Systems Denmark & Norway for ten years, and before that managing director for Texas Instruments in Denmark.
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| Upcoming Events | Emerging RFID Technology & Applications | Aug. 4 | Nebraska
Don't miss the Emerging RFID Technology & Applications 2006 Conference & Exhibition, Aug. 4 in Bellevue, Nebraska, near Omaha. Featuring cutting-edge talks by RFID leaders, including Denton Clark of Lockheed Martin, plus software and hardware exhibits. Cost is only $49 or $25. For more information and to register: www.bellevue.edu/rfidnebraska | RFID for Pharmaceuticals, August 1-2, Philadelphia
RFID for Pharmaceuticals will feature keynotes from Pfizer and Purdue Pharma and case studies from companies that have reaped benefits from RFID. For more information go to www.aliconferences.com or call 888-362-7400. Register before June 30 and save $400. | IDGA presents Military Logistics Summit 2006
At the Military Logistics Summit hundreds of senior-level attendees will converge to share case studies, view new and emerging technologies, network with their peers, define challenges and benchmark progress with military logistics experts. Registration Information: To register attendees can call 1-800-882-8684 or 1-973-256-0211, email info@idga.org, or visit the website | | | Products & Services | RFIDSupplyChain.com: Save on RFID Tags, RFID Readers & More
Looking to comply with RFID mandates or implement RFID in your business processes? RFIDSupplyChain.com -- a leader in RFID hardware, software, services and solutions -- provides the latest RFID tags, readers, antennas, smart labels, printers and portals from Alien, Symbol, Intermec, Omron, Printronix, Zebra and BlueBean. Purchase RFID Technology Solutions | SimplyRFID Pro-Tags: Instant DOD.
Peel - Stick - Ship. Pro-Tags provide instant DOD RFID compliance for as little as $.81 cents per custom tag. SimplyRFID also offers high-performance Zebra RFID solutions capable of over 2,000 RFID tags per hour from $4,199. Order now - ship tomorrow. | | | RFID Readers | Ensyc Technologies: $395 UHF Desktop Reader
The RFID Block reader is powered by a simple USB connection, works with EPC Class1 Gen1 or Gen2 tags and makes it easy for your business to meet mandates or simply investigate the potential of RFID. Developers will also find the RFID Block a useful tool for application testing. Visit: www.ensyc.com | AWID -- Gen 2 Certified
AWID is a founding member of EPCglobal; a founding member of the RFID IP Patent Pool & participates in the Intermec RFID Rapid Start licensing program. AWID has been a trusted name in RFID technology since 1997. In 2004 and 2005, over 100,000 AWID readers were put into production systems. http://gen2.awid.com | MTI Wireless Edge: high-quality low-cost panel antennas
* Covering all applicable frequency bands for Passive and Active RFID * Various mechanical configurations for Indoor and Outdoor applications * Single or Dual Polarities * Linear or circular polarities * High robustness and endurance * Field proven in harsh environments * Enhancing system performance * Solutions tailored to customer needs: www.mtiwe.com | RFID/Wi-Fi Handheld Interference Analysis
Bumblebee is a calibrated spectrum analyzer measuring Wi-Fi & RFID frequencies 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz from one handheld unit. Features include 3 waveform traces, peak hold, peak search, spectrogram, histogram and packet/interference triggers. BumbleBee supports direction finding antennas for pinpointing interference sources, hackers and adjacent networks. www.bvsystems.com | | | Research & White Papers | 2006 RFID Marketing Strategies Report from RFID Update
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 | | | Training & Certification | Enroll in the two day Alien RFID Academy today!
Need to absorb RFID systems fast? Enroll in the Alien RFID Academy. In a two day seminar we'll share our practical expertise in RFID Tags, Antennas, Readers, Frequencies, Systems, and Protocols. The Alien RFID Academy is a hands-on immersion into the workings, uses, and challenges of RFID technology. Click here to register for dates in June and July. | | | 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 | | | RFID Tags & 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 | CCL Label - Your Global Partner for Labeling & Packaging
CCL Label is North America's leading full-service provider of pharmaceutical and healthcare labeling and packaging solutions. CCL incorporates the latest RFID technologies into it's labels to provide our customers with labels that are smarter with broader applications. CCL Label puts the Power Behind Your Brand. 609.433.3700 ext.127 or visit www.ccllabel.com | MPI Label Systems: A Full-Service RFID Provider
Leader in providing RFID labels to CPG, DoD, and Pharmaceutical industries. Labels and tags are inspected prior to shipping to ensure 100% readability. We offer stock programs, various inlays, custom materials and adhesives. MPI also offers full line of RFID equipment (printers, readers, and automatic applicators). Call 1-800-837-2134 (RFID sales) www.mpilabels.com | RxTrackNSecure cGMP printed RFID Labels, 100% Readability
New Jersey Packaging offers a full range of pre-printed, die-cut pressure sensitive cGMP compliant labels incorporating RFID tags. Featuring 100% readability, the RFID tags are delivered ready to use for a wide range of individual item, case, and pallet applications. Complete implementation support available. E-mail RxTrackNSecure@newjerseypackaging.com, call (973) 808-8107, or visit: www.newjerseypackaging.com | Repacorp Smart Labels: 100% readability guaranteed!
Repacorp offers RFID enabled pressure sensitive labels and tags. Our RFID labels are available in a wide range of sizes and 100% tested prior to shipment. Best of all, our inlay insertion process is flexible, frequency-neutral, and is compatible with most EPC/ISO compliant transponders. Certified Alien Converter. 1-800-323-4415 or visit www.repacorp.com |
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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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