 | Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Issue 877 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is the introduction by Time Domain of version 2.0 of its PLUS ultra wideband (UWB) real-time location system (RTLS). The company said this is the first time UWB has achieved cost parity with WiFi-based RTLS technology.
For those readers who couldn't register for SkyeTek's MetaFi webinar this morning, the issue has been addressed. You can still sign up for tomorrow's webinar here.
InSync Software has announced its selection by network security appliance manufacturer SonicWALL for the deployment of an RFID-based supply chain system that provides supplier performance metrics and visibility into those suppliers' inventories.
Lastly, Australia's Savcor has acquired RFID tag antenna manufacturer Intune Circuits. The acquisition is meant to "accelerate its growth in the RFID technology market." |
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UWB RTLS Vendor Improves Sensitivity, Lowers Cost
By John Burnell
Ultra wideband (UWB) real-time locating systems (RTLS) provider Time Domain has improved the system it introduced last December to work better for organizations with more sensitive item location needs -- and for those with sensitive budgets. The Huntsville, Alabama-based company said the PLUS 2.0 system it announced today is sensitive enough to locate items within 12 inches, can track items to a specific floor of a facility, and costs less than its previous-generation system.
Time Domain says the PLUS 2.0 system costs about the same as WiFi RTLS technology. WiFi RTLS systems provide less precise location data than UWB systems, but are popular because they can leverage legacy wireless LAN access points to provide coverage.
"Price is always the first question you get when you talk to customers about RTLS systems. They want to know how much the tags cost, and how much the readers cost," Time Domain vice president of worldwide sales and marketing Greg Clawson told RFID Update. "The system we introduced last December required 20 to 30 percent more reader coverage than a WiFi system, and cost about 50 percent more. We've improved our reader performance by 50 percent. Now customers can get UWB performance at a WiFi price."
The cost reductions came from a combination of more production-friendly product designs, reduced manufacturing costs, and a decision to target a lower price point, according to Clawson.
PLUS 2.0 has a range of up to 150 feet per reader and can report an item's location within 12 inches, according to Time Domain. Significant new performance features in this version include "2.5-d" tracking, which provides the ability to determine what specific floor a tag is on, a feature Clawson said is lacking in other RTLS systems. The Nesconset Nursing Center in New York implemented the PLUS 2.0 software and 50 readers in June. The system monitors activity on two floors, according to Clawson, providing precise patient location data on one floor, and working in "proximity mode" on the other to track assets.
System software can also track items in one or two dimensions. Two-dimensional tracking on the X-Y axes is traditional for RTLS systems. One-dimensional tracking is beneficial for determining where an item is on a production line and for other linear operations, according to Clawson. Tracking in one dimension requires fewer readers to cover the area.
"A factory doesn't really need an X-Y location. They need X, but the data has to be precise enough so they know exactly where it is on the line, such as the specific manufacturing cell," Clawson said. (See Thousands of Auto Parts Verified with RFID and UWB for details about a recent UWB work-in-process tracking trial.)
The PLUS 2.0 system also requires no "reference tags" to be left behind after installation. Facility location data is stored in the system software, so no permanent-location tags are needed to recalibrate the system after a power outage or other failure.
Clawson said healthcare is the largest market for the company's UWB RTLS solutions, but interest has been growing most rapidly in manufacturing. Time Domain plans to introduce a new manufacturing product line by the end of Q3, he said. The company introduced its first commercial product line last December (see Time Domain to Release UWB-based RTLS Products). The company champions UWB as the most precise RTLS technology, but has struck deals so its systems can be integrated with WiFi and passive RFID systems (see New RTLS Solution Combines WiFi, UWB, and RFID).
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| Webinars | Leveraging RFID to Optimize Field Inventory Management
You are invited to a live webinar on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 1 pm EST for SkyeTek's MetaFi, a turn-key, mobile solution that automates the process of managing remote inventory. MetaFi significantly increases data accuracy, and eliminates the need for manual counts thereby reducing out-of-stocks/shrinkage. Register here. | | | Upcoming Events | RFID Executive Forum - Impact RFID, October 15, 2008 at UCLA
UCLA WINMEC will host its 2008 RFID Executive Forum. This Forum will bring academics, industry practitioners to discuss industry-specific modality of use of RFID and the application of RFID in their industry. For more information, please visit: www.winmec.ucla.edu/rfid/2008 | RFID World | Sept 8-10, 2008 | MGM Grand | Las Vegas, NV
Now in its 6th year, this industry leading event is recognized as the gathering place for the builders, buyers and sellers of RFID and other Auto-ID technologies. Registration now open! Special Early Bird Savings: Save $300 off registration. Offer ends July 31st. Don't miss out! | 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. | | | 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 | | | Products & Services | Real-Time WIP Visibility Appliance from Omnitrol Networks
Meet the industry's most innovative award winning RFID solution that enables complete work-order traceability in manufacturing. Real-time web-based dashboards and multi-site monitoring for work-order pedigree and traceability, including proactive bottleneck management and real-time performance analytics optimizing shop-floor efficiency. All at the lowest TCO in the marketplace. www.omnitrol.com/WIP. | 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. | | | 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. | | | 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 & 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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