 | Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Issue 888 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is the new UHF RFID read/write device from iDTRONIC that comes in a USB stick form factor. The USB Stick can be plugged into PCs, laptops and other devices with USB ports to give them RFID read/write ability. The device has significantly less range than most fixed-position UHF readers and has been envisioned for use in offices.
Apparel company Jones Apparel Group has announced the launch of an item-level RFID pilot at select Nine West locations. Few details were announced, though vendors were named: Vue Technology, Motorola, Avery Dennison, inCode Wireless (owned by VeriSign), and RFID Sherpas.
Lastly, AeroScout has announced the deployment of its solution at Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center to track patients. AeroScout WiFi-based tags are attached to patient chart-holders, which are always located in whichever room the patient is. |
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"USB Stick" RFID Reader Debuts
By John Burnell
The new USB Stick from iDTRONIC Electronic Identification gives any device with a USB port, including laptops, PCs and printers, the ability to read and write Gen2 and ISO 18000-6 standard passive UHF tags. The product is believed to be the first UHF read/write device in a USB stick form factor.
The device measures 120 by 34 by 15 millimeters and draws its power from the device it is plugged into. It complies with ISO 18000-6 Part B and C and the EPCglobal Gen2 standards for use in North America, Europe and Asia. However, it does not match the read range of common fixed-position passive UHF readers, which is often 20 feet or more. iDTRONIC says the maximum range for the USB Stick is 80 cm (approximately 31.5 inches).
"We're in the zone between higher-end industrial readers and lower-end mobile devices," BrightCard founder and president David Finkelstein told RFID Update. BrightCard is iDTRONICS' exclusive U.S. distributor. "The USB form factor starts giving us the ability to bridge between handheld mobile devices and laptop and PCs."
BrightCard and iDTRONICS have each developed RFID readers in different form factors, including Compact Flash (CF) and solid state disk (SSD) products that are integrated into other devices. They also offer USB-based readers for low frequency (125 kHz) and high frequency (13.56 MHz) RFID technologies.
There is no clear immediate market for the UHF USB read/write device, according to Finkelstein. Today UHF technology is commonly used for industrial and supply chain operations, often in warehouses, distribution centers, factories and yards, where general-purpose laptops and PCs are not widely used. Finkelstein expects the market for USB UHF devices to emerge as the overall UHF market continues to mature and organizations develop new processes.
"Once people start using RFID they tend to start thinking about new use cases," he said. "We provide the ability to extend the reach of RFID to the office environment more easily. Wherever there's a warehouse, there's also an office or a back office." Finkelstein also said the USB UHF peripherals could catch on in healthcare relatively early. "Healthcare is a segment where we are seeing a growing interest for a diversity of form factors."
The USB Stick will be available within the month and will come with software necessary for PCs, laptops and other devices to accept RFID data. A software development kit is also available. See the iDTRONIC announcement here.
UHF connectivity options continue to grow. Last month ThingMagic introduced a UHF antenna with WiFi connectivity and Power over Ethernet (POE) options (see New ThingMagic RFID Reader Cuts Cost, Size, and Power).
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| Upcoming Events | North Texas RFID Happy Hour at the MGM - September 9th, 2008
The September North Texas RFID Happy Hour will be held in conjunction with RFID World at the MGM Grand Hotel Conference Center. Sponsors of the RFID Happy Hour will be handing out RFID tagged swizzle stick invitations, which will give the holders a chance to win a Free Drink. www.northtexasrfid.com | RFID Health Care Industry Adoption Summit, Nov 16-18, D.C.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) are pleased to co-sponsor this comprehensive overview of RFID and track-and-trace operational and implementation strategies for the healthcare supply chain. For more information, or to register, please visit -- http://meetings.nacds.org/rfid/2008/registration.cfm | 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! | 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 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
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