www.hightechaid.com

August 2004

From the editor's desk!

Welcome to the latest issue of the High Tech AIDCourier.

Another month has flown by and we are late again. That means another bumper issue as we try to keep up to date with everything that is happening.

I wrote an editorial piece on the facts about RFID and issues that are facing us. The piece is available at http://www.hightechaid.com/tech/rfid/rfid_facts.htm. Shortly after I wrote this piece we heard the news that a hacker had spoken at the Black Hat conference about how easy it is to fool RFID tags.

At the conference, a gentleman gave a paper stating how easy it is to counterfeit RFID tags. His premise was that he has been able to build some equipment that reads the number in the tag and then re-writes a different number. His argument was that in the EPCglobal™ world, it will be possible to renumber items on a shelf and hence buy the $50 item for $5.00.

He demonstrated this using a 13.56 MHz tag that he had available. He has no knowledge of the security systems in place on the current EPCglobal™ tags (currently a write once technology or locked after encoding), or on the work that has gone in to the Generation 2 tags to prevent such abuse.

Yet this "news" was picked up by most of the major news sources and echoed around the world, proving again that there is a lot of mis-information out there and that the only way to get to the truth is to find someone who really knows what is happening.

Make sure you have someone supplying you with information that really knows what is happening out there. High tech Aid has the real information!

As always, providing this newsletter is just a part of what we have to offer here at High Tech Aid. When your problem needs have you overwhelmed, then you need to get help and that is why we are here. We specialize in education, but the spectrum of services is much greater than that. Call or email us for more information. Visit the web site www.hightechaid.com for more information on basic technology details as well as many other things. 

E-mail me at news@hightechaid.com and tell us what you think. Don’t forget to send this issue to your friends so that they can sign up for their own issue of the free newsletter at www.hightechaid.com. If you have news to share or info you need, let me know at news@hightechaid.com.

Technology News Briefs

Events

A quick summary of important events.

Frontline Solutions 2004

Join me for the RFID Fast Track sessions on Monday or Tuesday morning. http://www.frontlineexpo.com/frontlineexpo2004/V40/index.cvn?id=10057&p_navID=5

RFID Pro to Pro Forum - Update on EPC

A teleconference with me in the hot seat. http://www.insightu.org/proforums

AIDC 100 "Truth in Technologies 2004: RFID & Bar Codes"

A good place to get the facts from those that are in the know. http://www.aidc100.org/Truth_in_Technologies_
Conference.280.0.html

Radio Frequency Identification

Chipped and kidnapped

Mexico's attorney general has had an RFID chip implanted in his arm to help prevent being kidnapped. Or is it so that his kidnappers can send his arm in as evidence that they actually have him? http://www.electricnews.net/news.html?code=9543297

Reader for active and passive RFID

Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a reader to read both active and passive tags. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23901171

So who invented RFID?

After reporting last month about the "father of RFID" it seems there is some contention about this statement. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/
9183581.htm

433 MHz gets a boost

First the FCC and now the State Radio Regulatory Commission (SRRC) of China are allowing more data transfer at this frequency. http://www.startmag.com/web/article.asp?article_id=1312

DoD RFID software

WebMethods has won a contract to supply middleware to the U.S. Department of Defense as part of the RFID initiative. http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-5275439.html

Australian sheep to be tagged

Animal tracking is becoming a focus as more countries realize the problems of animal diseases. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040720005255&newsLang=en
http://www.statpub.com/stat/open/101443.phtml

Pharmaceutical companies move ahead

Several companies are testing RFID as a means to better control drug distribution. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23902997

Wal*Mart and RFID

Wal*Mart have confirmed their intent to take RFID implementation to the next level and recently detailed the next steps. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23903251

RFID and Intellectual Property

The five cent tag has been the goal for some time. Now with the realization that there is IP out there that may require royalties, where does that leave us. Intermec has announced their plans, but what about all the companies that do not belong to EPCglobal™ that may own IP? http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/dailyarchives.jhtml?articleId=23901998
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/20040818/tc_zd/133652

Microsoft enters the fray

Looking at making RFID-enabled a part of the standard product, Microsoft has entered the arena with its eyes on the pot of gold. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23901978
http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/dailyarchives.jhtml?articleId=23902032

Microsoft and RFID

After announcing the Microsoft RFID Partner Advisory Council, now Microsoft has stated that it intends to RFID enable all its products. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23900236

And should we tag animals in the U.S.?

It seems that not everyone agrees that we should used RFID to help protect our investments in animals and our health. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0719/web-cattle-07-23-04.asp
http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/26855-1.html

Should we tag humans?

This is becoming a very controversial subject as we see more people showing interest in it. It raises more questions about the privacy of RFID. http://news.com.com/2100-7337-5285815.html
http://news.com.com/Human+chips+more+than+skin-deep/2009-7337_3-5318076.html?tag=nefd.lede

Hacking RFID!

Now the hacker world has turned to RFID tags as its target. Unfortunately, the hacker shows a complete lack of knowledge about RFID in general and the EPCglobal™ system in particular (see editorial above). But that didn't stop the discussions. http://news.com.com/RFID+tags+become+hacker+target/2100-1029_3-5287912.html
http://news.com.com/2102-1029_3-5287912.html?tag=st.util.print
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1628696,00.asp
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/29/0321219&tid=158&tid=172
http://www.forbes.com/home/commerce/2004/07/29/
cx_ah_0729rfid.html

A cheaper tag?

Infineon Technologies have announced a manufacturing process for RFID tags that could significantly reduce their cost. http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa001&articleID=0003874C-DE1C-10FA-89FB83414B7F0000

RFID Statistics

The RFID market is set to hit the big time starting in 2006 according to ARC Advisory Group, and should hit $4 billion by 2007. http://www.manufacturing.net/scm/index.asp?layout=document&doc_id=134535&industryid=2380&nid=
2184&rid=802863875

More statistics

This time showing that investment in the RFID industry is likely to rise to $1.3 billion by 2007. Research and Markets is the company with the facts. http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=j20765cx225zq

Korea announces UHF frequencies

The South Korea's Ministry of Information and Communication says that it will allow RFID systems to operate in the 908.5 MHz to 914 MHz band. http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/1069/1/1/

Metro moves ahead

November is the month when 20 consumer products suppliers will begin to use RFID on pallets. http://www.manufacturing.net/mmh/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA442459&nid=2096&rid=802863875

China is looking at RFID

Warning that China is not just a manufacturing Center, Deloitte Research says that China will become a major factor in standards. http://www.line56.com/articles/default.asp?ArticleID=5859
http://www.manufacturing.net/pur/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA438532&pubdate=7%2F23%2F2004
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040804/nyw129_1.html

DoD releases final policy

The U.S. Department of Defense has released their final RFID Policy document detailing how the DoD will use the technology. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0809/web-rfid-08-11-04.asp
http://www.dodait.com/rfid/RFID%20Frequency%20Identification%20(RFID)%20Policy.pdf

Tagging vehicles made easier

WhereNet has recently released their new VTMS system to make the tracking of vehicles much easier. http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/08/09/HNwherenet_1.html

U.K. to tag rubbish

Well not exactly tagging the trash, but tagging the trashcan and putting a reader on the cart to detect what sort of trash you have. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/10/uk_gov_dustbin_tags/

The connected world

Is RFID just another tool in this world that will lead to truly ubiquitous computing with everything connected to everything else? http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,95179,00.html?nlid=MW

Now Sybase commits to RFID

Adding its name to the growing list of companies who want some of the ever growing pot of gold, Sybase announced that it is committed to the technology. http://www.computer-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=05FF93C1-A691-4808-80B6-64730B1C60E1

First Wal*Mart, now ???

With the news that the current mandates are progressing well, several new companies are starting to announce their own versions of the mandate. Kroger and CVS seem to be the first to the line. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1637597,00.asp

Disposable tags?

Swedish company Cypak has received $4 million in funding to create a disposable security tag. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/emergingtech/
0,39020357,39164244,00.htm

RFID security

Recognizing that the large number of containers that are shipped around the world are part of the security threat to a country, here's a review of a potential solution. http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040812-125438-8829r

RFID alternative

A startup company in Germany has developed what may be an alternative to RFID. http://www.eetimes.com/sys/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=26805561

RFID watch

An RFID reader disguised as a watch was unveiled in Japan. http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/asabt/news/319395

Medical waste tracking

Japanese company Kureha Environmental Engineering Co. Ltd. have announced a test using RFID. http://www.linuxelectrons.com/article.php/20040714101727502

Where is RFID?

And where is it going? Just how many RFID tags do we see everyday? http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/9183953.htm?1c

Data, data, data

We have been saying for a long time that the handling of data is going to be key in an RFID application. http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3382621
http://www.line56.com/articles/default.asp?ArticleID=5762

DoD and data!

And how will the U.S. Department of Defense manage the data it will get from its RFID deployment. http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3383131

Red Prairie supports Wal*Mart supplier

Bruce Foods has chosen Red Prairie to help integrate RFID into the suppliers supply chain. http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news-NG.asp?id=53662

Is NFC the way to go?

Near Field Communications (NFC) is being used in RFID today. Take it one step further and you could have a short range communications system. http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1265854,00.html

RFID in hospitals …

A New York hospital is using a Siemens wristband with RFID to help track patients. http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/07/23/HNrfidimplants_1.html

… and on drugs

Using RFID to secure the pharmaceutical supply chain may help to prevent counterfeit drugs. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=25600213&tid=5978

Korea, China and Japan

Are looking to create compatible standards for RFID. http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200407/
200407260034.html

Iraq war and RFID

While the RFID tags on the containers may have worked fine, the communications systems did not, resulting in many problems for the forces in Iraq. http://www.computerworld.com/industrytopics/defense/story/
0,10801,94768,00.html

Where are we going?

What are the implications of the Wal*Mart and others mandates for RFID? http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=629

NASA tests RFID

Entry to the space agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama will be controlled with an RFID access card. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=26100614

Tracking prisoners

Ohio intends to put an RFID tag on all prison inmates. Do they have privacy rights? http://networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39122811,00.htm

Japan to charge for RFID?

In a departure from other country's regulations, Japan is looking at charging the users of UHF RFID for the spectrum. http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/asabt/news/323743

Some thoughts

An article that poses questions as well as gives facts. http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040805-085127-3396r

The push for RFID

Could an organization less than Wal*Mart of DoD push RFID so hard? http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/20040809/tc_zd/132703

Target's plans

Target Stores have met with suppliers to outline in more detail its plans for the deployment of RFID. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=26806887
http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2004/08/09/
daily22.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Does RFID make sense

Although an older article, this interview (first reference below) of some top execs shows that deploying RFID is not a slam dunk. Others seem to agree. http://www.optimizemagazine.com/article/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=26807002
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1634129,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000605
http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=
26800089

Promoting RFID

Victoria, Australia has set up an industry cluster to promote and encourage RFID. http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,10419046%5e15306%5e%5enbv%5e,00.html

Internet of Things?

The original MIT concept is still out there and some are saying we are on the right track to achieve it. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/
0,10801,95179,00.html?SKC=erp-95179

Tags on cars?

Soon you may need an RFID tag on your car to get into London as the right to drive in the city is regulated even more. http://management.silicon.com/government/
0,39024677,39123236,00.htm

Gen 2 specification on track

Modern Materials Handling is reporting that the Generation 2 UHF specification for EPCglobal™ is on track for approval by the end of September. http://www.manufacturing.net/mmh/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA437535&nid=2331&rid=802863875
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,10298874%5E24170%5E%5Enbv%5E24169,00.html

Verisign at Metro

Verisign has announced that it will demonstrate its EPC Network Services in conjunction with Metro. http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=v96824dx206zl

Symbol buys Matrics

In a deal that surprised many, Symbol Technologies announced that it has purchased Matrics for $230 million. http://washingtontimes.com/business/20040727-093703-5568r.htm
http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/wallst/35391.html

Open source RFID

Looking for an "open-source" RFID application to kick start your EPCglobal™ application. This may be the solution. http://www.radioactivehq.org/

RFID Standards

Some great news this month on many fronts. First ISO. All the parts of ISO/IEC 18000 have now been approved as International Standards. We are currently waiting for ISO to get them published and out in to the hands of the many people who want them.

On the EPCglobal™ front, things are also moving fast. As you will read elsewhere, the Generation 2 (Gen2) specification is moving very fast towards completion. The technical aspects are nearly done, and the review process has begun. The stated goal is to get the specification completed in October 2004. Then the RFID manufacturers can start the work of creating product.

Back to ISO and a new work item has been started that will allow EPCglobal™ to provide the Gen2 document as a working draft into ISO for standardization. This will hopefully answer all the questions about ISO vs. EPCglobal™.

If you want more information on ISO standardization or on any issue of RFID standardization, then email steve@hightechaid.com.

Biometrics

Fingerprint technology is OK …

A study of fingerprint technologies conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology has shown that the technology is basically an accurate and reliable technology. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0719/tec-fingerprint-07-19-04.asp
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23901120

… but other biometrics may not be

Reports saying that biometric technology is not reliable are beginning to emerge. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/35633.html

Fingerprint technology is growing

AuthenTec, Inc. has announced that it has shipped 3 million Fingerprint Sensors. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040817005234&newsLang=en

Fingerprinting is a problem

Traditionally the law enforcement offices have provided fingerprinting services for immigration and other needs. Now with the advent of biometric standards, the law enforcement agencies do not have the technology. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0816/web-dlea-08-19-04.asp

Eliminate those passwords

Do you have problems managing all your passwords? Then maybe biometrics are the key to your problems. http://www.reed-electronics.com/electronicnews/article/CA436019?spacedesc=news

Olympic fingerprints

The German Olympic team is using fingerprint technology to protect the athletes during their stay in Greece. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/
0,2000061744,39156062,00.htm

Biometrics are everywhere

Access your hotel room door, open the lockers at the Statue of Liberty. They all use biometric technology. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040812/ap_on_hi_te/biometrics_emerging_1

Pay your bills

Discover card has announced that they will use fingerprints as a payment vehicle as well as credit cards. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/20040819/tc_zd/133773

U.S. Marine's try biometrics

In a test at the Quantico Marine Corps base, a biometric enabled contactless smart card has been given a workout as the ID card. http://www.secureidnews.com/library/2004/08/24/us-marine-corp-base-successfully-trials-biometrics-and-contactless-for-access-control/

Bar Code

Invisible bar code

Looking for invisible bar codes? Then Korean scientists may have the answer for you. http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news/2004/08/14/209084.html

ID Cards

DoD common access card

Xacta have been awarded a $100 million contract for the common access card. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0719/web-xacta-07-20-04.asp

U.K. goes ID

The report from the Select Committee says it is not a good idea, but the U.K. will issue an ID card anyway. Several factions weigh in with comments. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/30/id_card_report/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/13/cbi_id_scheme_critique/
http://www.silicon.com/management/government/
0,39024677,39117088,00.htm
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/12210825?source=Evening%20Standard
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/
0,11026,1271351,00.html

Philly smart cards

An implementation of smart cards to ease the parking system in Philadelphia has hit a few bumps in the road. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040721005315&newsLang=en

Chip and PIN

The U.K.'s card program faces some up-hill battles as people have no idea how to use the technology. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/13/clueless_chip_and_pin/

Wireless Computing

Eliminating theme park lines

A device like that used in restaurants can tell you when to appear at the roller coaster of your choice. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=8&u=/ap/20040719/
ap_on_re_us/theme_park_lines

Room to roam

WiMax puts citywide wireless broadband in sight. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0809/feat-roam-08-09-04.asp

Healthcare and Wi-Fi

A new report by The FocalPoint Group suggests that the healthcare arena will favor Wi-Fi as its technology of choice. http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/3393751

Here comes ZigBee

Short range wireless technology is set to rapidly spread and ZigBee looks like the technology of choice. http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/04/08/
wo_brown081904.asp?trk=nl

Is 3G here?

AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile have announced separate plans to launch 3G services by the end of the year. Is this technology for real? http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1624675,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000605
http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/July2004/8087.htm

Wi-Fi alliance steps in

Saying it will pull the Wi-Fi logo from companies whose products offer extensions that are not compatible. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1624990,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000605

Roaming agreements

The rush to get agreements that allow roaming across networks continues. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040720005236&newsLang=en
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,95447,00.html?nlid=MW
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nf/20040823/tc_nf/26511

Symbol wins award

Symbol Technologies has won $26 million in a patent dispute with Proxim. http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Symbol-Technologies-Wins-----Million-Award&story_id=26094

Tracking with Wi-Fi

National Scientific has developed a means to track items using a Wi-Fi network. http://www.commsdesign.com/news/tech_beat/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=26800195

FCC unburdens wireless

The FCC is looking at ways to make the delivery of broadband communications easier. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/35515.html

Wi-Fi won't last

Wi-Fi hotpots are on their way out according to a report issued by Gartner. http://www.vnunet.com/news/1157087

Small transceiver

Researchers at Michigan-based universities have succeeded in integrating an antenna and resonator onto a chip to make a single chip transceiver. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,46566342,935,f/

When 54 isn't big enough

The IEEE has started work on creating specifications for a higher speed wireless network. Looking at speeds up to 540 Mbps, 802.11n is the next step. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/35607.html
http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/wifi/
story/0,10801,95206,00.html?f=x10
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/zd/20040813/tc_zd/133454

Looking smaller?

Are you a road warrior that is frustrated by the wired links in hotels? Maybe this is your solution. http://www.internetweek.com/breakingNews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=28700233

Blue TOOTH

No kidding, here is a Bluetooth enabled tooth that is actually a hard drive! http://www.mobile-weblog.com/archives/bluetooth_stuff.html

Wireless nets?

Millenium Net is preparing its ZigBee offering to solve the need for wireless nets. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,47836635,1917,f/

Homeland Security

CAPPS-II dies! …

Even though $100 million had been spent the controversial screening system has fallen foul of privacy concerns and is likely to be scrapped. http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040715/6367163s.htm
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,64201,00.html

… or does it live?

Even though it will be overhauled it looks as if a major part of the program will be retained. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0712/web-cappsII-07-16-04.asp
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23901115

U.S. delays biometric passport …

Congress approves delaying both the U.S. implementation of biometric passports and the requirement for foreign visitors to hold one by a year. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&e=1&u=/ap/20040723/ap_on_go_co/
biometric_passports
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/1090591816

… but is the world ready

The U.S. will host a testing event for technology associated with the new passports. But is the world really ready - even with the one year delay? http://www.eet.com/sys/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=23901849&_loopback=1

US-VISIT still growing

A biometric exit will be added and the government has issued more than $23 billion in contracts in the second quarter of 2004. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0802/web-usvisit-08-03-04.asp
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0726/web-input-07-28-04.asp
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0802/web-usvisit-08-03-04.asp

Biometric security a must

Says the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as it introduces legislation to require the use of biometrics at U.S. airports. http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=91054

Frequent travelers

The test is underway and it seems to be working. A background check and recording your fingerprint and iris scan allows you to bypass all the random security checks at some airports. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-07-27-registered-traveler-extension_x.htm

Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC)

Looking at five different card technologies for access control at airports, seaports and other U.S. facilities may find the best solution. http://securitysolutions.com/mag/
security_twic_pilots_launched_2/index.html

New passports

There is a recognized need for a more secure passport, but what should it be? The International Civil Aviation Organization has its ideas. http://news.com.com/E-passports+to+put+new+face+on+old+documents/2100-7337_3-5313650.html

Privacy

No U.S. law needed

A U.S. House subcommittee were told that a law to enforce privacy regulation for RFID is not needed. http://www.net-security.org/news.php?id=5618
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,94543,00.html?nlid=AM
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=33283
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/ericjsinrod/2004-07-14-sinrod_x.htm

FTC workshop on RFID

The Federal Trade Commission held a one day workshop to explore both current and anticipated uses of RFID as well as the associated consumer privacy and security concerns. Papers are available. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/rfid/index.htm

Hacks and privacy

Will RFID give away our freedom? Here are some slightly more down to earth looks at the situation. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/20040802/tc_zd/132254
http://www.nypost.com/business/28313.htm
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/
0,289142,sid14_gci999990,00.html

General Technology

DoD goes U.P.C.

The military has started to receive goods tagged with a U.P.C. for the first time. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0816/web-uid-08-19-04.asp

Plastic transistors

The future of many technologies will lie in our ability to reduce the cost and plastic technology is one of those that will help. The IEEE has just completed a standard for the testing of plastic transistors. http://standards.ieee.org/announcements/pr_1620.html

Eco-friendly circuits

A new process for etching circuits is eco-friendly and should help reduce the cost of circuits. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3860229.stm

More smart dust

This ubiquitous computing device will soon be everywhere. http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/
RTGAM.20040722.gtdust0722/BNPrint/Technology/?mainhub=GT

UltraWideBand

Learn about this emerging technology and why it will soon be a common word everywhere. http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3383381
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0%2C4902%2C94896%2C0.html?nlid=EMC
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,94896,00.html?nlid=MW
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,94868,00.html?nlid=MW
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,94889,00.html?nlid=MW
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,94895,00.html?nlid=MW

FCC approves first chipset for UWB

Freescale Semiconductor's XS110 chipset has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) for commercial multimedia use. http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3392771
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1633841,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000605

Intermec is doing OK

In its latest financial report Unova (parent of Intermec) is quoted as showing a profit for the latest quarter compared to a loss last year. http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2004/07/26/
daily2.html?jst=m_ln_hl

PR continued

Softbank BB's RFID Tag Adopted for Large-Scale Rock Music Event

August 4, 2004 (TOKYO) -- Softbank BB Corp provided its radio frequency identification (RFID) system for the inspection of attendees at the "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '04," an open-air rock music festival staged July 30-August 1. http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/
leaf/CID/onair/asabt/news/323506

Savi Technology Appoints Mary Ellen Genovese as CFO; Seasoned Executive To Lead Financial Team as Company Prepares For Next Stage of Growth

SUNNYVALE, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 9, 2004 -- Savi Technology, Inc., the leading provider of RFID networks for real-time supply chain visibility, asset management and security, today announced the appointment of Mary Ellen Genovese as Chief Financial Officer. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Aug/1063511.htm

World's First ``Hybrid'' Self-Checkout Installed in METRO Group's RFID Innovation Center -- NCR FastLane Self-Checkout System Reads RFID Tags and Bar Codes

DUESSELDORF, Germany & ATLANTA --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 9, 2004 -- METRO Group, one of the world's largest retailers, has installed a self-checkout from NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR) that reads radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, as well as bar codes, in the newly opened METRO Group RFID Innovation Center. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Aug/1063810.htm

LogicaCMG and Airbus Reach New Heights in RFID

LONDON, August 10 /PRNewswire/ -- LogicaCMG announced today a new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) collaboration with Airbus, at the Global Aviation RFID Forum taking place in Hong Kong 10 - 11 August. LogicaCMG, a silver sponsor of the forum, will be collaborating with Airbus on a fully integrated RFID solution for wireless tracking and tracing of spare parts, tools and instruments that enables Airbus to generate significant cost savings and improve security. http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=128042

eSmart Source Announces RFID Made Easy Training Program

Sunnyvale, CA (PRWEB) August 10, 2004 -- eSmart Source Inc. a leading system integrator of RFID-enabled solutions and a member of EPCglobal US today announced technology training program in RFID to help technical executives and project managers to get up to speed quickly on RFID.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/8/prwebxml147836.php

Intelleflex Announces 'Series A' Funding From Alloy Ventures, Selby Ventures and Woodside Fund

$11.3M Investment to Accelerate Development of Long-Range, High-Reliability RFID Products

SAN JOSE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 08/10/2004 -- Intelleflex Corporation, a San Jose-based supplier of radio frequency identification (RFID) products, announced today the closing of their $11.3 million 'Series A' investment round. The round was co-led by early-stage investment firms -- Alloy Ventures, Selby Ventures and Woodside Fund. http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=71156

Checkpoint Systems Grows RFID Library Market Share; 10 New Customers Opt for Company's RFID Library Solution

THOROFARE, N.J. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 19, 2004 -- Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CKP), the leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to libraries, has continued to expand its commanding share of the RFID-driven library marketplace with contracts to install its Intelligent Library System(R) (ILS) in 10 academic and public libraries in nine states. More than 30 years of technology development has earned Checkpoint the leading position as a provider of RFID-based solutions to libraries.
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2004/Aug/1066833.htm

Research and Markets: Saving Cash: RFID - What Does It Bring to the Table; Significant Saving Potentials as Well as Opportunities and Risks in RFID Projects

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 2004--Research and Markets has announced the addition of Saving Cash: RFID - What does it bring to the table to their offering.
 http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040823005341&newsLang=en

Mitsui USA Makes Strategic Investment in Savi Technology; Companies Will Work Together to Extend Real-Time Logistics Solutions to Global Markets

NEW YORK & SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2004--Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. (Mitsui USA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Japan (Nasdaq:MITSY), one of the world's most diversified trading and service enterprises, and Savi Technology, Inc., a leading provider of real-time networked solutions for the management and security of supply chain assets, co-announced today that Mitsui USA has invested in privately-held Savi Technology, through a $10 million investment in Infolink Systems, Inc, a holding company and parent of Savi Technology.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040825005207&newsLang=en

Matrics Announces The Industry's First RFID Reader With An Upgrade Path To Gen 2

Rockville, Maryland - July 13, 2004 - Matrics Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacture of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, today announced that the company will soon begin shipping "Gen 2-ready" AR 400 RFID readers. The AR 400 already operates in a multi-protocol mode, which includes Class 0, Class 0+, and Class 1 protocols.  http://www.matrics.com/news/releases/20040713.shtml

Group of RFID experts to tackle international implementation issues

Warrendale, PA, 28 June 2004 - A group of RFID (radio frequency identification) expert advisors initially chartered by the U.S. Department of Defense will become an expert advisory group within AIM Global, the industry trade association for RFID and the automatic identification industry said today. http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/aimpress.asp?
articleid=159&zoneid=1

TAGSYS Takes Quantum Leap In Tripling Its RFID Tag Production

July 26th, 2004 - TAGSYS, the premier supplier of global RFID solutions for item level tracking and authentication, today announced that it has acquired state-of-the-art high-performance RFID tag assembly equipment to increase its Folio™ tag production capacity by over 300%. http://www.tagsys.net/
rfid_topic-3-2-1.html

Press Releases

A regular feature of HighTechAIDCourier will be a review of interesting press releases from around the world. Please send your press releases to news@hightechaid.com, but do not forget to include a URL to the full release on your web site. Here are this month’s selections:

Frontline 2004 -- Set to Be the Largest Event for Supply Chain Vendors' Latest Real-World Solutions

IBM, Intermec, Philips Semiconductor, and More Than 120 Leading Suppliers Will Demonstrate RFID, Auto-ID, and Mobile Solutions September 13-15 in Chicago

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2004-- Advanstar Technology Group, a division of Advanstar Communications, Inc., will bring together the best-of-breed automatic identification (Auto-ID) and supply chain organizations at this year's Frontline Solutions 2004 conference and exposition. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040727005619&newsLang=en

eSmart Source Announces Partnership with SATO America for RFID Printers

Sunnyvale, CA (PRWEB) July 14, 2004 -- eSmart Source Inc. a leading system integrator of RFID-enabled solutions and a member of EPCglobal US today announced they have entered into a product partnership agreement with SATO America, a leader in barcode printing since introducing the first thermal transfer barcode printer in 1979, under which eSmart Source will sell multi-protocol EPC-compliant RFID printers from SATO America. http://www.prweb.com/releases/
2004/7/prwebxml140909.php

Socket Communications Acquires Bar Code Scanning Patent from Khyber Technologies; Patent Strengthens Socket's Intellectual Property for its Bar Code Scanning and RFID Products

NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 2004--Socket Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCKT) today announced it has acquired U.S. Patent number 5,902,991 entitled Card Shaped Computer Peripheral Device from Khyber Technologies, Inc. The patent is a basic patent covering the design and functioning of plug-in bar code scanners, bar code imagers and RFID products.  http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040721005315&newsLang=en

Zebra Technologies Announces 32% Growth in Net Income on 25% Sales Growth to New Records for the 2004 Second Quarter

VERNON HILLS, Ill., July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zebra Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: ZBRA - News) today announced net income for the second quarter that ended July 3, 2004, increased 32.2% to a record $29,428,000, or $0.61 per diluted share, from $22,262,000, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. This acceleration in quarterly earnings growth accompanied higher profitability and 25.4% growth in net sales to a record $162,830,000 from $129,863,000 for the same period in 2003.  http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
040728/cgw015a_1.html

Drexler Technology Reports Results for FY05 First Quarter

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 2004--Drexler Technology Corporation (Nasdaq:DRXR), the world's leading manufacturer of multi-biometric ID cards, today announced the financial results for its fiscal 2005 first quarter ended June 30, 2004.
 http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040802005914&newsLang=en

Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Reaches Settlement in ID Security Systems Canada Inc. Lawsuit; Revises Second Quarter 2004 Financial Results

THOROFARE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2004--Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CKP) today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement in the antitrust, tortious interference and unfair competition lawsuit brought by ID Security Systems Canada Inc. (ID Systems). http://www.manufacturing.net/mmh/
index.asp?layout=article&articleid=
NEb0805059.6sw&industry=
Automatic+Data+Capture&
industryid=21966

Advanstar Communications Appoints Mary LaSelva as New Group Director of the Frontline Solutions Conference & Exposition; Proven Leader to Build Upon Event's Strong Presence in the Market

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 2004--Advanstar Technology Group, a division of Advanstar Communications, Inc., today announced the appointment of Mary LaSelva as group director of the Frontline Solutions Conference & Exposition. With nearly 20 years experience in technology marketing, LaSelva brings excellent leadership and a proven track record in events management to the Advanstar team. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040810005547&newsLang=en

TI Extends Biometric Industry's Most Flexible Development Platform with Fingerprint Sensors from Atmel, AuthenTec and Fingerprint Cards

New Development Kits Leverage Real-Time Capabilities of TI DSPs to Make Assessing Multiple Sensors and Evaluation Algorithms a Snap

HOUSTON, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- To enhance the range of easy-to-use, affordable development tools for fingerprint-based security products, Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) (TI) today announced the availability of three new, smaller sensors from Atmel, AuthenTec and Fingerprint Cards.  http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/07-13-2004/
0002209221&EDATE=TUE+Jul+
13+2004,+09:14+AM

TSX halts Comnetix, company signs deal to buy International Fingerprinting for $1.6M

Mon Aug 23, 4:22 PM TORONTO (CP) - Biometrics firm Comnetix Inc is paying $1.6 million to buy International Fingerprinting Services Canada Ltd., a private Ottawa company. In a deal announced Monday, Comnetix will pay half the purchase price in cash and issue 624,756 shares to International Fingerprinting's owners. http://news.yahoo.com/news?
tmpl=story&u=/cpress/20040823/
ca_pr_on_tc/comnetix_1

RFID News: epcSolutions Leapfrogs Competitors With Latest Release of Free ThingsNet(TM) RFID/EPC(TM) Middleware

ThingsNet(TM) reaches milestone: 1000 downloads since March, 2004 ... and still climbing

GREAT FALLS, Va., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- epcSolutions, Inc., the industry's leading EPC(TM)/RFID middleware provider, has announced a new release of their freely downloadable ThingsNet(TM) middleware (http://www.epcsolutions.com), a fully integrated, reliable and manageable RFID solution that meets and exceeds the current Wal-Mart, Tesco, Albertson's, and DoD RFID mandates. 
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/
story/07-12-2004/0002208494&
EDATE=

TRAXUS Technologies Introduces EPC Director 2.0; Universal Translator Allows Effortless Addition of RFID Capabilities for Less Than $300

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 2004--TRAXUS Technologies, a leading RFID technology services company, announces EPC Director 2.0, a new software application that provides a universal management layer for the major EPC-compliant RFID readers, interrogators and tags in their own language and translates RFID information into a standard data format for integration into back-end systems. 
http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/altavista/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040713005111&newsLang=en

SAMSys Announces Its New Class 0/0+ UHF Reader

New Reader will support both Impinj and Matrics Class 0 tags

TORONTO, Aug. 9 /CNW/ - SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY: TSX), an international provider of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) hardware solutions and consulting services today announces that it has begun production of its new multi-protocol, multi-regional UHF reader, capable of reading Class 0 and Class 0+ tag protocols.  http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases
/archive/August2004/09/c9549.html

Zebra Technologies Announces Becton Dickinson Joins Alliance Partner Program to Help Reduce Medical Errors and Increase Patient Safety With Bar Code Printing Technology

Bar Code Integration in Patient and Specimen Identification System Increases Accuracy of Specimen Collection and Management, Reduces Potential for Medical Error

VERNON HILLS, Ill., July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business and process improvement, today announced that Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BD), a leader in patient safety and medical device technology, has joined its alliance partner program.  http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin
/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/07-19-2004/
0002212749&EDATE=MON+Jul+
19+2004,+09:37+AM

Zebra Technologies Corporation Announces Three-for-Two Stock Split

VERNON HILLS, Ill., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zebra Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: ZBRA - News) announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized a three-for-two stock split, payable in the form of a 50% stock dividend on August 25, 2004, to stockholders of record on July 29, 2004. Following the stock split, Zebra will have approximately 71,600,000 shares of common stock outstanding. Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
040715/cgth053_1.html

Matrics Establishes Presence in Asia; Company Responds to Strong Market Demand with on-the-ground Presence

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 2004--Matrics Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacture of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, today announced the opening of an Asia Pacific office located in Singapore to enhance services to its growing customer and partner base throughout the region.
http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040722005103&newsLang=en

EasyCoder PM4i Printer Joins Intermec's Existing Suite of UHF Generation 2 Upgradeable RFID Readers

EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2004--Intermec Technologies Corp.:
-- Easy upgrades ensure customers have a complete suite of RFID products compliant with emerging EPCglobal UHF Generation 2 standard
-- Purchase PM4i and Medallion Service(R) contract by Sept. 30 to receive a $2,000 RFID upgrade at no charge
Intermec Technologies Corp.'s popular EasyCoder(R) PM4i bar code label printer has joined Intermec's suite of UHF Generation 2 upgradeable RFID equipment. 
http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/altavista/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040727005243&newsLang=en

EMS Technologies Announces Second Quarter Results

ATLANTA, July 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) today reported earnings from continuing operations of $888,000, or $.08 per share, on revenues of $64.5 million for the second quarter of 2004, and $2.8 million, or $.25 per share, on revenues of $128.6 million for the first six months of 2004. These results are in line with preliminary results announced earlier this month. http://www.primezone.com/
newsroom/news_releases.mhtml?
d=61560

EAN International and Uniform Code Council Name Chris Adcock President of EPCglobal, Inc.

BRUSSELS, Belgium & LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 2004--The Board of Governors of EPCglobal, Inc., the organization that is leading the drive to standardize and commercialize the Electronic Product Code (EPC), today announced that they have appointed Chris Adcock as President of the organization. Mr. Adcock's appointment was also approved by the respective Boards EAN International and the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC), which are co-partners in the EPCglobal joint venture. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040730005096&newsLang=en

Datamax Corporation Offers RFID Print Engine

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 4 /CNW/ -- Datamax Corporation, a worldwide supplier of bar code and RFID printing solutions, today announced the availability of the A-Class RFID printer. The A-Class RFID printer is the latest in a range of RFID and bar code printing solutions available from Datamax, joining the previously released I-Class RFID printer.  http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/
archive/August2004/04/c8350.html

Texas Instruments, Philips Semiconductors and TAGSYS Join Forces to Author RFID White Paper

Doylestown, PA (July 29, 2004) - Texas Instruments, Philips Semiconductors and TAGSYS today announced the release of a joint white paper: "Item Level Visibility in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: A Comparison of HF and UHF RFID Technologies." As established providers of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, the companies combined their expertise to detail the technical capabilities, deployment characteristics, and applicability of passive HF and UHF RFID technology for pharmaceutical item-level pedigree tracking applications. The white paper also highlights some of the existing commercial pharmaceutical and healthcare pilots and implementations. http://www.tagsys.net/
rfid_news-113-2-1.html

RedPrairie Announces RFID VAR Partnership with SAMSys

WAUKESHA, Wis. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 4, 2004 -- Leading Supply Chain Solutions Provider RedPrairie Will Offer SAMSys' Full Line of RFID Hardware and Systems to Customers Worldwide. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Aug/1062891.htm

Acsis Launches RFID Quickstart Program for Consumer Products and Pharmaceutical Companies

MARLTON, N.J. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 10, 2004 -- Complete RFID Vertical Packages Offer Low Total Cost of Ownership for Compliance While Providing a Scalable Platform for Enterprise-Wide Integration. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Aug/1064255.htm

Multispectral Solutions, Inc. Announces Release of Version 3.0 of its Ultra Wideband Precision Asset Tracking and RFID System

GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 2004--U.S. technology firm Multispectral Solutions, Inc. (MSSI) today announced the release of Version 3.0 of its FCC-certified, PAL650(TM) ultra wideband (UWB) Precision Asset Location and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system. Using patented short pulse UWB techniques, PAL650 provides sub-foot localization and remote tag identification even in the presence of severe multipath as encountered in hospitals and industrial facilities.  http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/altavista/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040810005541&newsLang=en

AXCESS Increases RFID Focus on Supply Chain Logistics With Addition of Jim Ferguson as VP - Strategic Sales

DALLAS, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AXCESS International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI), a leading provider of RFID and video surveillance systems for physical security and supply chain management, today announced today the hiring of industry veteran Jim Ferguson to the newly-created position of Vice President of Strategic Sales. 
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/
story/08-11-2004/0002229574&
EDATE=

Sirit Announces Strong Q2 2004 Results

Company continues to execute on strategic plan, quarter highlighted by supply chain management revenue growth

Toronto, ON - August 11, 2004 - SIRIT Inc. (TSX: SI), a leading developer and manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, today reported its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004. All amounts are noted in Canadian Dollars.
http://www.sirit.com/downloads/
Q2-04.pdf

Identix Reports Fourth Quarter Results; Announces More Than $5 Million in New Orders for Biometric Products

MINNETONKA, Minn. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 12, 2004 -- Cash and Marketable Securities Balance Unchanged at $45.4 Million; Expects 30-45% Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth in Fiscal 2005. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Aug/1064869.htm

SIRIT Inc. Named to Microsoft Canada's RFID Partner Advisory Council

Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation : TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 2004--SIRIT Inc. (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) reader technology, announced today that it has been named to Microsoft Canada's new RFID Partner Advisory Council. SIRIT is one of the seven founding partners of the Council, which was formed to look at RFID requirements and how to take advantage of today's technology to make it easier for Canadian retailers and manufacturers to reduce inventories, improve product availability and track and ship merchandise. http://www.manufacturing.net/mmh/
index.asp?layout=article&articleid=
NEb0709019.1sw&industry=
Automatic+Data+Capture&
industryid=21966

Savi Technology Names Key Executives to Bolster Information Technology Infrastructure and Manufacturing Operations

SUNNYVALE, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- July 13, 2004 -- New VPs Reinforce Savi's Network Capabilities to Meet Growing Demand for RFID-Enabled Supply Chain Management and Security Solutions. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Jul/1056138.htm

ETRI Joins Smart Active Labels Consortium; First Asia-Pacific Member Debuts at Group's Solution Demonstrations Event in London

WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2004--ETRI, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute of South Korea, has become the newest member of the Smart Active Labels Consortium (SAL-C), the group has announced. ETRI was introduced at SAL-C's June 28 event in London, "Smart Active Labels: Demonstrating the Potential of Active Solutions."
http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040714005217&newsLang=en

Paxar's Q-Service For RFID Delivers Compliant Smart Labels

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- (Business Wire) -- July 14, 2004 Paxar Corporation (NYSE: PXR), a global leader providing bar code and identification technologies for the retail supply chain and the supplier of Monarch(R) brand products and services, today announced that its Q-Service(TM) for RFID--the industry's first RFID service bureau--has started production.  http://new.stockwatch.com/swnet/
newsit/newsit_newsit.aspx?bid=
U-b005641-U:PXR-20040714&
symbol=PXR&news_region=U&
name=Paxar+Corp&title=Paxar

SAMSys Announces Production of Its New Multi-Protocol, Multi-Regional Reader

SAMSys MP9320 V2.7 Reader ramps up reader production for US and European regulatory standards

TORONTO, July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY: TSX), an international provider of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) hardware solutions and consulting services today announces the introduction of its new MP9320 V2.7 multi-protocol UHF reader which meets FCC and both current and proposed European ETSI regulatory standards. 
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/07-15-2004/
0002210913&EDATE=THU+Jul+
15+2004,+08:31+AM

Socket Releases Industry's First RFID Development Kits With CompactFlash RFID Readers For Pocket PCs

NEWARK, Calif.--July 21, 2004-- Socket Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCKT), the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, announced the availability of SocketReader(TM) Development Kits for its Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) product line as part of an ongoing strategy to help value added resellers (VARs), systems integrators (SIs), and Auto ID software developers implement RFID technology into their mobile solutions using Pocket PCs.  http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/
news/2004/jul/21/news1.html

Capgemini Unveils First Pharmaceutical RFID Center of Excellence Focused on Anti-counterfeiting -- Capgemini Teams with SupplyScape to Combat Drug Counterfeiting

PARIS & NEW YORK --(Business Wire)-- July 27, 2004 -- Counterfeit drugs in the global supply chain cost the pharmaceutical industry between US$50 and $100 million annually per company in lost revenue and brand reputation damage, and present potentially serious risks to patients in need of the actual prescribed medication. In response to this growing threat, global consultancy Capgemini has created the first Pharmaceutical RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Global Center of Excellence to provide pharmaceutical firms with an integrated solution to help pilot drug pedigree technology and eliminate counterfeit drugs. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit
/2004/Jul/1060263.htm

WJ Communications Announces $2 Million Stock Repurchase Program

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2004--WJ Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:WJCI), a leading designer and supplier of high-performance RF semiconductors and multi-chip modules (MCM), reported today that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $2 million of the Company's common stock. The new program is effective immediately. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040727005911&newsLang=en

Incucomm Offers Free RFID Market Research

Incucomm announced today that it would provide its recent RFID market research at no cost. The latest research is from a series of publications released by Incucomm. It marks the first time an Incucomm research article has been made available to the public. The research will be helpful to those considering compliance with supply chain mandates such as those from Wal Mart, as well as those who have a more general interest.
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) July 28, 2004 -- "Because of the extraordinary interest in RFID, we decided to provide this new work free, to those who want to download it from our site," said Steve Roemerman, Incucomm CEO. "We wanted to offer this work to people and companies who might be able to use it."
http://www.emediawire.com/releases
/2004/7/emw144419.htm

RFID Developer AirGATE Testing Surface Acoustic Wave Technology in Harsh RFID Environments

DALLAS, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology is commonly used in the electronic circuitry of everyday appliances like mobile phones and televisions, where the waves are used to filter frequencies. But RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) developer AirGATE Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of the X-Change Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: XCHC) , believes SAW technology may provide a way to solve deployment problems facing companies that have been unsuccessful in deploying common RFID technology to identify, track and catalog tagged items in "harsh" environments. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Jul/1060434.htm

Alien Technology Starts Up Next Generation High-Volume RFID Tag Manufacturing Line

MORGAN HILL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2004--Alien Technology Corporation, a leading provider of reliable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and reader products, announced today that volume production is underway on its second generation Fluidic Self-Assembly (FSA(R)) manufacturing line. The state-of-the art line, located in Alien(R)'s Morgan Hill facility, has been fully qualified. It will soon replace the first generation FSA process, which Alien has used to assemble ten million units that it has shipped over the past two years.
http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/altavista/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040803005252&newsLang=en

Mikohn's TableLink Technology Adoption Continues to Increase

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2004--Mikohn Gaming Corporation (Nasdaq:MIKN):
-- Four Additional Contracts Awarded

Mikohn Gaming Corporation (Nasdaq:MIKN), a leading provider of diversified products and services used in the gaming industry worldwide, announced today that it has been awarded four additional contracts for its innovative TableLink(R) table games management technology. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20040803005370&newsLang=en

EnXnet, Inc. Announces Filing of Electronic Radio Frequency Identification Device Activated by Radiant Means Design Patent

TULSA, Okla. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 3, 2004 -- EnXnet, Inc. (OTCBB:EXNT) announces it has filed for Patent rights covering its design for Electronic Radio Frequency Identification Device Activated by Radiant Means (ARFIDTag) Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/
2004/Aug/1061993.htm

The Final Comment

We always try to find something to keep away those boring evenings while you wait to get back to work. This month is no exception, try these:

A new way to look at air traffic: Selected airports but interesting to see all the traffic http://www.passur.com/sites.htm

For ketchup lovers only http://www.ketchup.wonderland.org/

Help stop shopping cart abuse http://www.shoppingcartabuse.com/

Want to know how stuff works? http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Word Origins http://www.wordorigins.org/

What's Your Phobia? http://phobialist.com/reverse.html

There oughta be a law - NOT. http://www.dumblaws.com/

Off to the Lawn Mower Races: http://www.letsmow.com/

Good Stories about Bad Management: Ever wonder why the software industry is so ... inefficient? http://www.softwarereality.com/
truestories/index.jsp

The Fine Print

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