www.hightechaid.com

April 2006

From the editor's desk!

Welcome to the latest issue of the High Tech AIDCourier.

A short issue this month is caused by two issues, my travel schedule and a software crash as I was putting the newsletter together. What! I hear you say – don’t you back up – well yes I do thank you, but the timing was such that I was about to on the road again and access to the backup wasn’t going to be simple. We should be back to normal next month as my travel schedule quietens down after this trip.

It has been a provocative month with some interesting news. We see Alien Technology has announced an IPO. The market is buzzing as we wait to see what will happen. There are other RFID companies waiting in the background to see what will happen as a forecast for their own offering. We have also seen RFID company SamSys get into financial trouble and get swept up by rival Sirit.

The travel schedule has been grueling this month with several standards meetings; including two important EPCglobal™ meetings; one to discuss item level tagging, the other to discuss the needs of the Healthcare and Life Science group. If you are not involved, you should be, there are some very interesting things happening.

Don’t forget to send the newsletter to your friends and encourage them to sign up. Just forward this issue to a couple of your colleagues and suggest they sign up on the web site.

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

RFID Standards

As mentioned above this has been another busy month for standards. Meetings of the AIM RFID Experts Group (REG), and ANSI MH10.8 provided a lot of information for those interested in standards. The REG group covered many items that AIM is currently working on in the RFID world. The MH10.8 group spent a lot of time looking through five standards underway at ISO. The 17363-7 standards are titled “Application Requirements: Supply Chain Applications of RFID”. The MH10.8 committee is responsible for reviewing these documents in the U.S. and each document was checked for issues during the DIS ballot currently underway. (for more details on the standards see http://www.iso.org/iso/en/CatalogueListPage.Cata
logueList?COMMID=3293&scopelist=PROGRAMME

Several EPCglobal™ meetings were held his month. One of the two really important meetings was the first meeting of the Air Interface WG after the Technology Demos held last month. Several journalists have highlighted the fact that the demonstrations were setup to identify the true capabilities of RFID and they certainly did. The demos have intensified the issues surrounding item level tagging, with the HF (13.56 MHz) and near field UHF (860 – 960 MHz) technologies showing their stuff. The follow up meeting began to quantify the demonstrations and create a plan to move forward.

The second meeting was the Healthcare and Life Sciences Business Action Group where we heard many of the issues that face the use of RFID in this arena. Subjects from ePedigrees to Medical devices to tagging drugs were covered and discussed illustrating how the industry can move forward.

If you need more specific information on any of this work, let me know.

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

Radio Frequency Identification

EC should extend privacy regs to RFID

The organization that runs bar code system numbering has backed the extension of EU privacy rules to cover RFID technologies. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/22/
gs1_rfid_privacy/

RFID gains global momentum, privacy concerns linger

Despite privacy concerns, RFID technology is affecting a broad range of industries worldwide. http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=
902934E6-508A-46D4-8F4C-2584977F9057

HID introduces multiple frequency reader

HID Corp. introduced a card reader that combines proximity and contactless smart card capabilities into one device. http://www.cardtechnology.com/article.html?id=
20060306OE7W53J0

Sun updates RFID middleware stack

Sun Microsystems Inc. announced the second update to its RFID middleware stack since it first launched more than two years ago. http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=
099EE8E4-D234-4C99-922E-307198C120D9

ARS and Broadcom team on WiFi RFID

Active RFID Systems Inc said it is working with mobile chipmaker Broadcom Inc to develop and jointly sell WiFi-enabled RFID tags. http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=
55060C29-2BC4-407D-A6F4-1ACE027B746B

Skills shortage hampers RFID in America

A dearth of skilled RFID workers has hindered the deployment of RFID systems in North America, according to a new survey by an industry trade association. http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=D604372E-A967-46AF-B63F-05D6DF8CCF62

RFID technology goes mainstream

Widespread use of RFID technology is gaining ground, with retailers including Wal-Mart Stores and Tesco PLC utilizing RFID technology to track packages and prevent theft. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/04/technology/
techspecial4/05radio.html?ex=1146196800&en=380d6549bd34451c&ei=5070

Alarm over shopping radio tags

Concerns have been raised over the planned widespread roll-out of RFID tags in supermarkets in Europe. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/click_online/4886598.stm

RFID: THE NEXT GENERATION

For the rest of the world, complying with Wal-Mart's RFID mandate was challenge enough. So why did TI raise the bar? http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20060401/
specialreport.cfm

Study uncovers RFID vulnerabilities

Generation 1 RFID tags may be susceptible to denial of service type attacks if equipment is overloaded with data, Australian researchers found. Tags are vulnerable, researchers say, because unlike readers, they cannot hop frequencies if interference is encountered. http://www.nytimes.com/cnet/CNET_2100-7349_3-6061081.html

Static over RFID

A key patent holder wants royalties. If that starts a trend, adoption of the wireless tagging technology could suffer. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5357189.html?tag=zdnn.alert

Airline looks at RFID

Virgin Atlantic is now considering whether to extend the RFID aircraft part-tagging trial which has been underway since November. http://www.vnunet.com/computing/news/2153968/
virgin-pilot-leads-way-rfid

HF vs UHF

A recent benchmark by ODIN technologies and Unisys evaluates the performance of UHF and HF technology at the item level for pharmaceutical tracking. http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?id=1083

Wal-Mart firmly in UHF item-level camp.

The change in CIO at Wal-Mart does not seem to have changed the company’s view of UHF. http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/
navigate.do?catg=512&contId=6136
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1035_22-6063099.html?
tag=zdnn.alert

Tech industry attacks state anti-RFID laws

Proposals to curb use of the radio ID technology are too broad and rife with unintended consequences, companies say. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-6062985.html?tag=zdnn.alert

New RFID patent aims to change customer interaction

Freshpatents.com lists this new RFID patent that supposedly aims to change the manner in which customers interact with the inventory. http://www.freshpatents.com/Customer-interaction-with-
inventory-via-rfid-dt20060420ptan20060085297.php

BEA Systems and HP Tag-Team on RFID-Enabled Solutions

BEA Systems and HP announced new radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions for enterprise. http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/
060418c.html

G2 release Wi-Fi-based System-on-a-Chip RFID solution

G2 Microsystems has released an RFID solution they says will result in at least a 75 percent reduction in total cost of ownership. http://www.supplychainreview.com.au/index.cfm?li=displaystory&StoryID=26521

RFID: Prepare to be carded

Difficult decisions still lay ahead for the Homeland Security Department in integrating, particularly for border crossing, RFID applications and standards into a single document or card, government officials and IT experts said. http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/21_6/
homeland/28257-1.html

All Ready For RFID Roll-Out

Marks and Spencer is now reading more radio frequency identification tags in its food business than barcodes, as retailers gear up for a full roll-out after extensive trialing. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/04/19/
1586953.htm

NTC Lays Out Rules On RFID Use

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has released the final rules on radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment and devices, thus paving the way for commercial use of RFID in the Philippines. http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=
1&story_id=73089

No Business Case For Item-Level RFID Tags

Tesco has dropped plans to introduce item-level radio frequency identification tagging following a pilot scheme. It will focus instead on pallet-level tagging. http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2006/04/19/
215425/Nobusinesscaseforitem-levelRFIDtags
unlessdonebysuppliers%2CTescotrialfinds.htm

UHF RFID growing because of retailer pressure and standardization

Symbol says that UHF is beginning to replace older, HF-based RFID technologies, and the increasing necessity for companies to use RFID means growing opportunities for the channel. http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?
item=20652

Animal ID

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns released a government road map that would see most farmers voluntarily tag their animals with wireless radio chips by 2007 as part of an ambitious electronic disease control system to prevent outbreaks of hoof and mouth disease and avian flu. http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,70716-0.html?
tw=wn_index_1

RFID faces adoption challenges

RFID systems spending for retail in-store applications reached nearly $88 million globally in 2005, according to a report by Venture Development Corp. http://securitysolutions.com/news/
RFIDRetailChallenges/

Item-level-tagged book store opens in Holland

A suburb of Amsterdam in Holland has staked its claim as home to the world's first fully automated item-level RFID tagged store. http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/rfidww/
rfidww20060426/rfid_bookstore.cfm

RFID controls semiconductor industry?

A real-time identification and localization system that uses RFID and ultrasound sensor technologies to improve materials tracking in a wafer fabrication clean room may be the wave of the future. http://dsonline.computer.org/portal/site/dsonline/
menuitem.9ed3d9924aeb0dcd82ccc6716bbe36ec/
index.jsp?&pName=dso_level1&path=dsonline/2006/
03&file=b1thi.xml&xsl=article.xsl&

EPCglobal™

Alien Technology files for IPO

Radio frequency identification chipmaker wants to offer its stock on the Nasdaq under the symbol RFID. http://news.zdnet.com/2110-1035_22-6061244.html?tag=zdnn.alert
http://www.alientechnology.com/newsevents/
2006/press_041306.php
http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?id=1044

Doubting Alien Technology's potential

There is an interesting article in the Mercury News, which takes a critical look at Alien Technology's IPO plans and potential. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/
business/14415510.htm?source=rss&channel=
mercurynews_business

Wal-Mart to Buy 15k RFID Readers; Albertsons 5k

In addition to the Alien IPO, the industry has been buzzing about two large RFID reader buys, the first from Wal-Mart, the second from grocery chain Albertsons. http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?id=1097

TI and Smurfit-Stone demonstrate RFID Straps

Texas Instruments and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, the industry’s leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging, demonstrated Gen 2 RFID strap-on-box applications. http://www.logisticsit.com/absolutenm/templates/
article-datacapture.aspx?articleid=1923&zoneid=6

CDO Technologies sweeps competition with RFID contract awards

CDO Technologies announced that they were the only company to win all 5 awards under a Blanket Purchase Agreement from the U.S. Department of Defense. http://www.itrportal.com/absolutenm/templates/
article-datacapture.aspx?articleid=1956&zoneid=6

Bradshaw International Achieves Wal-Mart's RFID Pilot Compliance

Bradshaw International has announced the successful deployment of an Electronic Product Code (EPC) solution that addresses Wal-Mart's Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) initiative. http://gourmetretailer.com/gourmetretailer/headlines/
article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000838422&imw=
Y&imw=Y

New CIO at Wal-Mart Throws Support Behind RFID

The new CIO at Wal-Mart, Rollin Ford, announced his plans to show his support for RFID at Wal-Mart at the same level that the previous CIO did. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1949396,
00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
http://www.line56.com/articles/default.asp?articleID=
7528&TopicID=2
http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/
navigate.do?catg=512&contId=6136

Who is Driving the Adoption of RFID?

This tutorial discusses the emerging EPC Gen2 RFID Standard and is part 3 of a six part tutorials series. The tutorial series is based on the transcription of a presentation by Mark Roberti, Founder & Editor of RFID Journal, during the RF Summit at NIWeek 2005. http://zone.ni.com/devzone/conceptd.nsf/webmain/
D7849ABAF948BBB78625714D0068BCAB

GMA Unveils New RFID Proposal

Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has unveiled its new proposals to speed up the adoption rate of the EPC and RFID. http://progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/
headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002313040&imw=Y

TI releases white paper on Gen 2

Texas Instruments has published a white paper titled 'Maximizing RFID Performance on Consumer Cases and Pallets' that is available for download. This paper discusses how to maximize the performance of RFID Gen 2 EPC tags in real life applications in the supply chain by careful selection of tags, packaging and other considerations. http://www.ti.com/rfid/docs/customer/sku-form.shtml

AWID Issues Statement on FCC Compliance

RFID reader manufacturer Applied Wireless ID, widely known as AWID, has issued a prepared statement from its interim CEO Larry Kellam. The statement indicates that some AWID products do not comply with FCC equipment rules, noting specifically that certain products lack FCC certification. http://www.awid.com/news.aspx
http://www.rfidsb.com/email.php#mess

Biometrics

British national ID card project draws U.S. firms

More than a dozen U.S. IT companies are interested in bidding on the United Kingdom’s proposed biometric national identity card scheme. http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/1_1/
daily_news/28001-1.html

Biometric ID cards scheduled for 2007

The U.K.’s first biometric identity cards will be issued in 2007, after the government’s victory in the House of Commons. http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/
2150323/biometric-id-cards-scheduled

Face recognition for Japanese cell phones

Vodafone's Face Sensing Engine uses a 3.2-megapixel camera to authenticate a user's facial features and eliminate the need for passwords or fingerprint verification. http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.j
html?articleID=181401624&subSection=
Breaking+News

Biometrics use to accelerate in 2006

Unisys says the adoption of biometric technology is likely to rise after its use in passports has been proven. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6034384.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnet

ID Cards

U.K. ID card scheme gets green light

The U.K.’s national identity cards scheme has now been given the green light to progress, albeit with a small concession from the Government. http://www.securitydocumentworld.com/public/
news.cfm?m1=c_11&m2=e_0&m3=e_0&m4=
e_0&subItemId=473

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Band Bunch Silent On RFID

The U.K.'s National Patient Safety Agency is developing a standardized specification for wristband design in the NHS but seem more worried about color schemes than RFID technology. http://www.wirelesshealthcare.co.uk/wh/news/
wk17-0002.htm

Patients want RFID tagging in hospital

Patients are asking to be tagged with RFID tags because it makes them feel safer, says EMT surgeon David Morgan from Birmingham Heart of England NHS Trust. http://www.e-health-insider.com/podcast/index.cfm?ID=6

RFID Technology Holds Promise And Perils In Healthcare Applications

GlaxcoSmithKline, Inc., the pharmaceutical giant announced that encouraged by the FDA, it has begun inserting passive RFID devices in bottles of its antiretroviral Trizivir. http://hollandhart.typepad.com/healthcare/2006/03/
rfid_technology.html
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/14161191.htm

VeriChip Corporation's VeriMed Selected by 13 New Hospitals

VeriChip Corporation, a subsidiary of Applied Digital , announced today that 13 additional healthcare facilities have agreed to implement the VeriMed System for patient identification. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060424/
20060424005525.html?.v=1

Bayer wins contract to distribute microchips for pets

Bayer HealthCare's Animal Health Division has received U.S. distribution rights for a new line of microchips and scanners aimed at reuniting straying companion animals and horses with their owners. http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/
2006/04/10/daily28.html

RFID Chips and Tags for Healthcare Products

RFID technology is being implemented in the supply chain of many businesses. http://www.priorartdatabase.com/IPCOM/000135390/

RFID in Health Care

Can RFID prospects in health care mirror those of the large technology picture? http://medicalconnectivity.com/categories/
companyProfiles/2006/04/03.html#a656

Emerging Support For Healthcare Market

In the 21st century medical delivery system, RFID technology has a very important contribution. http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/
view_press_release.php?rssID=12774

Locating systems

As Volumes Grow, Shipping Line Turns to RFID to Accelerate

WhereNet installation at APL's Global Gateway South terminal is the largest RTLS deployment in the world. http://www.sdcexec.com/article_arch.asp?article_id=8536

2 Million RTLS Tags Shipped in 2010

Market research firm In-Stat of Scottsdale, Arizona, this week released a report covering the WiFi segment of the overall RTLS market. http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?id=1091
http://www.tekrati.com/research/News.asp?id=6779

Trolley Scan launches RFID-radar system

Trolley Scan (Pty) Ltd, a Johannesburg, South Africa based developer of RFID technologies has announced the delivery of the first commercialized version of "RFID-radar". http://nandanbisht.blogspot.com/2006/04/
latest-on-rfids-courtesy-csoonline.html

AeroScout And IQ Deploy Indoor And Outdoor Real-Time Location

Holmgrens Bil, one of the largest automobile distributors and dealerships in Scandinavia, has installed the AeroScout Visibility System to track and manage over 1000 vehicles and other equipment. http://www.rfidsolutionsonline.com/content/news/
article.asp?DocID=%7B612AEB8B-FF6F-4833-8686-
A18F7F9F8EDC%7D&Bucket=Current+Headlines&
VNETCOOKIE=NO

Tube Lines trials RFID as part of Underground overhaul

Tube Lines, the tube maintenance company for London Underground, is halfway through a trial of RFID technology to help engineers pinpoint their exact location when working in the capital's network of tunnels. http://81.144.183.106/Feeds/RS/Articles/
2006/04/04/215174/TubeLinestrialsRFIDaspartof
Undergroundoverhaul.htm

Successful RFID Container Tracking Trial

OxLoc meets with success in global tracking of hazardous material containers using RFID asset management system. http://www.oxloc.com/news/
GlobalContainertracking.pdf

RTLS Provider Ubisense Lands $3M Funding

Ubisense, a maker of high-precision RTLS solutions, yesterday announced $3 million in funding. The investment marks the first round of private equity for the Cambridge, England-based company. http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/
index.php?id=1084&from=rss

Wireless Computing

EC to eliminate rip-off roaming rates

The European Commission is to introduce new regulations that will force mobile operators to make it cheaper for consumers to use their mobile phones while abroad. http://www.electricnews.net/news.html?code=9676959

Patent spat breaks out in Wi-Fi security

Two young Wi-Fi intrusion prevention system vendors have come to blows over their patents, setting the stage for a messy intellectual property dispute. http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=
281C3A6B-09C3-4E00-94D1-FC1C340B
CD3E&z=rc_Security

Dust: A ubiquitous surveillance technology

Many years ago an idea started about dust, a technology for a ubiquitous surveillance technology. http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/02/19/
111529.php

Tech CEOs call for spectrum reform

With praise for Congress, FCC and Bush administration, policy group says much more still needs to be done. http://www.internetnews.com/
bus-news/article.php/3587071
http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/315615/
406208/10035/0/

Ultra Wideband rivals woo Bluetooth

Two competing technology standards offer connectivity at speeds high enough to replace USB connections for PDAs, Blackberries and even monitors. http://www.internetweek.cmp.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=180207141

Wireless USB in September

Wireless USB will run at the full USB 2.0 speed of 480mbps when within 10 feet of the base. Once past that limit, the speed drops to 110mbps with a maximum range of 30 feet. http://news.com.com/Wireless+USB+devices+arriving+
by+September/2100-1041_3-6046560.html

Man builds 60' wireless Internet tower in yard to get past church spire

A man whose wireless ISP's signal was blocked by a nearby church spire built a low-cost, 60-foot-tall tower in his yard and mounted his antenna atop it. http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/03/
man_builds_60_wirele.html

Linksys Jumps On Faster Wi-Fi Bandwagon

Linksys introduced three products based on a draft of the IEEE 802.11n standard, which would enable high-definition video streams throughout a typical home. http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/460885/
1396066/16790/2/

Is Wireless Hazardous To Your Health?

No one knows for sure, but Craig J. Mathias has seen no evidence that using cell phones causes cancer. Nevertheless, when it comes to your health, it's wise to be cautious. http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/447610/
1396066/16448/2/

Homeland Security

RFID and GPS

RFID and GPS (Global Positioning System) are two emerging technologies in today's business world. http://unfblogexam.blogspot.com/2006/03/
rfid-and-gps.html

France Launches Electronic Passports

France has begun issuing electronic passports that will allow its citizens to travel to the United States without a visa, according to Amsterdam-based Axalto. http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/435615/
406208/15775/2/

Passports to get RFID chip implants

The State Department says tiny tracking chips will be put in passports starting next year, despite concerns over privacy. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5913644.html?tag=zdnn.alert

U.S. issues first e-passports to diplomats

The United States government plans to begin issuing e-passports – a new version of the passport containing a contactless chip and biometric security -- to the American public at the end of 2006. http://www.secureidnews.com/library/2006/04/20/
us-issues-first-epassports-to-diplomats-citizen-
issuance-to-start-later-in-06/

New RFID travel cards could pose privacy threat

A forthcoming federal travel ID may be implanted with an RFID chip that can be read up to 30 feet away. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-6062574.html?tag=zdnn.alert

DHS moves to deploy transportation ID cards

Department has announced a timetable for issuing tamper-resistant, biometric-based identification cards to millions of workers at US transportation facilities. http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=c7c8c0e74ef83caf&cat=b580ed40e5e1483a

UWB Soap Opera

Techworld nicely sums up the soap opera being played out in the UWB forum. http://witopia.blogspot.com/2006/04/uwb-soap-opera.html

Privacy

HID collaborate with MIT

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and HID have announced a joint effort to provide a public forum to discuss RFID and public policy, and to explore innovative RFID uses for personal identification that enhance privacy and security. http://www.securitypark.co.uk/article.asp?articleid=24986&CategoryID=1

In electronic ID tag game, when will you be it?

1st chips implanted in U.S. workers; experts say not wave of future. http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/
13909447.htm

Tech industry attacks state anti-RFID laws

In at least a dozen states, the electronics industry has been waging a battle against a rash of proposed laws aimed at limiting--and in some cases outlawing--use of electronically readable chips in personal identification documents. http://news.com.com/Tech+industry+attacks+
state+anti-RFID+laws/2100-1028_3-6062985.html

Alarm over shopping radio tags

Supermarkets are now introducing a new technology that some say threatens a fundamental invasion of our privacy: the RFID tag. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/
4886598.stm

Defining Strong Privacy for RFID

This paper proposes a simple, formal definition of strong privacy useful for basic analysis of RFID systems, as well as a different (weaker) definition applicable to multi-verifier systems. http://eprint.iacr.org/2006/137

Bar Code

RFID vs Bar Code

See the real answers to the RFID vs. bar code debate. http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/61/0c03d361.asp

MEMS technology: The new class of bar code

Bar code technology users no longer need to choose between the reliability provided by solid-state CCD readers and the speed associated with laser scanners.http://www.barcoderesellers.com/pr/5909

Smart tag set to outstrip humble barcode

In a step that indicates a growing area of Irish expertise in RFID, IBM officially opened the doors of a new research and development centre for RFID technology in Dublin this week. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/24/
1486146.htm

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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:

Progressive Gaming International Completes Minority Investment in Magellan

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2006--Progressive Gaming International Corporation (NASDAQ: PGIC - News), (the Company) a leading provider of diversified technology and content products and services used in the gaming industry worldwide announced today that the Company has completed its minority investment in Magellan Technology Pty Ltd of Australia (Magellan), an affiliate of Siemens Venture Capital GmbH., Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon), Inc. and other Australia-based investors. Infineon, who manufactures Magellan's microchip, is a global leader in RFID microchip manufacturing. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060425/
20060425006390.html?.v=1

Progressive Gaming International Signs Key Contract with Ameristar Casinos; Intelligent Table System to Be Installed in 4 Ameristar Properties

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006-- Progressive Gaming International Corporation (NASDAQ: PGIC), (the Company) a leading provider of diversified technology and content products and services used in the gaming industry worldwide announced today that the Company and its product and marketing partner have signed a key contract with Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA) to install the Intelligent Table System (ITS) in four key Ameristar properties in North America, representing over 200 tables. This marks the first large ITS corporate contract for the Company.  http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=79441&p=
irol-newsArticle&ID=846736&
highlight=

NCR Acquires IDVelocity

Move provides superior RFID infrastructure platform, strengthening end-to-end solutions portfolio
DAYTON, Ohio – NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), a global leader in end-to-end RFID solutions, today announced it has acquired the assets of IDVelocity LLC, a privately held company based in Greensboro, N.C. http://www.ncr.com/en/media_infor
mation/2006/apr/pr041006.htm

Sirit Inc. Announces New Board Appointments

Howard Johnson to lead audit committee; Art Mesher appointed chairman
TORONTO, April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Sirit Inc. ("Sirit") (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, today reported the election of a new Director to the Company's Board at the Annual General Meeting, held on Thursday, April 20, 2006. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=
/www/story/04-24-2006/00043
45947&EDATE=

Former Procter & Gamble Executive and EPCglobal Thought Leader Joins Vue Technology Advisory Board

Steven Rehling Brings Standards and CPG Expertise to Item Level RFID Leader
LAKE FOREST, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/24/2006 -- Vue Technology, Inc., the leading provider of item-level RFID solutions, today announced the appointment of Steven Rehling, former Director of Information & Decision Solutions for Procter & Gamble, as Vue Technology's newest advisory board member. After leading P&G's global RFID program and spending two years at the helm of EPCglobal's Software Action Group, Rehling joins Vue Technology to offer his industry insights as the company continues to roll out breakthrough solutions for item level RFID. http://www.marketwire.com/mw/
release_html_b1?release_id=
124428&tsource=3

ARC Advisory Group Ranks Savi Technology the No. 1 'Leading Supplier of Trade Visibility Solutions'

Savi Networks Singled Out for Its RFID-Based Information Services That Improve the Efficiency and Security of Global Ocean Cargo Container Movements
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Savi Technology garnered the No. 1 ranking among the world's "Leading Suppliers of Trade Visibility Solutions" in a recent ARC Advisory Group Report, which singled out managed information services provided by the company's subsidiary, Savi Networks. The Boston-based industry research firm's report, entitled, "Global Trade Management Solutions Worldwide Outlook: Market Analysis and Forecast Through 2010," analyzed more than 20 leading solution providers in several segments of the rapidly expanding GTM solution market. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
060424/sfm102.html?.v=41

WhereNet's Active RFID Marine Terminal Solution Helps APL Realize Productivity Gains at One of the Largest Container Terminals

Global Container Shipping Leader Uses WhereNet Wireless Location System to Manage Growing Volume of Imports at the Port of Los Angeles
SANTA CLARA, Calif.—April 18, 2006—WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today that APL, the global container shipping line, has realized productivity gains as a result of using the WhereNet® active RFID, real-time locating system (RTLS) and marine terminal software to help manage its 292-acre Global Gateway South terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. http://www.wherenet.com/
pr_04_18_2006.shtml

AIM Global Elects New Members to Board of Directors

Professional High-Tech Association Taps Five Industry Leaders
Warrendale, PA – April 25, 2006 – AIM Global, the professional association recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, today announced the election of five members to its 16-member Board of Directors. New board members are Ron Caines of Psion Teklogix, Hugh Dayton of Paxar Americas, Jan-Willem Reynaerts of Philips Semiconductors, and Mike Wills of Intermec Incorporated. Chuck Biss of Hand Held Products was re-elected to a second term. http://www.aimglobal.org/members/
news/templates/aimpress.asp?
articleid=1110&zoneid=1

Reva Systems Named ''Top 10 Start-Ups to Watch'' by Network World

Award Recognizes Companies Poised to Make a Difference in Enterprise Networks
CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006--Reva Systems®, an emerging company focused on delivering network-intelligent products for radio frequency identification (RFID) installations, today announced it has been named as one of the "Top 10 Start-Ups to Watch" in 2006 by Network World Magazine. The Network World "Top 10" list is a prestigious annual ranking of innovative new networking companies and entrepreneurs. Companies are selected based on criteria that include technology advancement, potential market opportunity, founding vision and effectiveness of the executive team, as well as funding success. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060424/
20060424005074.html?.v=1

ODIN technologies and Unisys Research Reveals RFID HF vs. UHF item-level performance leader for Pharma

The item-level pharmaceutical RFID debate is answered in the scientific Benchmark Report, "Pharmaceutical Item Level RFID: Battle of the Frequencies"
March 29, 2006 Dullas, VA – ODIN technologies and Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today unveiled the results of the Pharmaceutical Item Level RFID: Battle of the Frequencies, the first ever scientific HF vs. UHF RFID evaluation geared specifically toward the pharmaceutical industry's stringent requirements for serialized item level product tracking. Unisys and ODIN technologies collaborated on this research to inject scientific facts into the long-running debate over which frequency is best for the pharmaceutical supply chain. http://www.odintechnologies.com/
news.php?t=1&a=0&aid=65

Boeing Selects Intelleflex for RFID Labels on 787 Dreamliner

SEATTLE, April 03, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has selected Intelleflex Corp. to provide silicon chips to enable radio frequency identification (RFID) "smart labels" on maintenance-significant parts of the 787 Dreamliner.
Smart labels use radio frequency technology for enhanced data storage and collection, and offer significant advantages over bar coding - no line-of-sight requirement and a dynamic read/write capability. Smart labels contain part identification as well as maintenance and inspection data in accordance with Air Transport Association standards. Intelleflex will provide the largest memory available in the industry with a 64-kilobit ultra high frequency (UHF) silicon chip for use on the 787. http://www.boeing.com/news/
releases/2006/q2/060403b_nr.html

Sirit Introduces its INfinity Micro

TORONTO, April 4 /CNW/ - Sirit Inc. (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, introduces the latest member of its INfinity line of embedded RFID modules, the INfinity Micro. Derived from the architecture of the Plug-n-Play high frequency (HF) modules launched in early March 2006, the INfinity Micro is designed to address the increasing trend of mass market devices towards smaller and thinner form-factors. http://www.sirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=
view&id=151&Itemid=144

Datalogic Becomes Intermec RFID Rapid Start Participant With the Acquisition of PSC

Bologna, 4th April 2006. Intermec Inc. said today the Datalogic Group, with headquarters in Bologna, Italy, has become a member of Intermec’s RFID Rapid Start program following its acquisition of PSC Inc., an original RFID Rapid Start licensee. The Datalogic Group is a leading manufacturer of CCD and laser-based bar code readers, mobile computers and RFID systems. The Intermec Rapid Start program, which concluded Aug. 31, 2005, provides participants access to various portfolios of the intellectual property encompassed within Intermec’s 150+ RFID patents. Although the Intermec Rapid Start Program is now closed, Datalogic’s acquisition of PSC triggered various provisions within the Rapid Start license agreement. As the parent of PSC, Datalogic now becomes an Intermec RFID licensee. http://www.datalogic.com/_vti_g2_
prArt.aspx?idA=373&rpstry=18_

Sirit Inc. Completes Acquisition of TradeWind Technologies LLC

TORONTO, April 5 /CNW/ - Sirit Inc. (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition of Tennessee-based TradeWind Technologies LLC, a developer and manufacturer of RFID readers and technology with an emphasis on high frequency (13.56 MHz) operation. In accordance with the terms of the agreement as announced on February 27, 2006, Sirit acquired TradeWind for aggregate consideration of approximately CDN$1.7 million including US$0.6 million cash and 3,000,000 common shares. http://www.sirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
id=152&Itemid=144

Sirit Inc. to Acquire Assets of SAMSys Technologies Inc. Through Receivership Process

TORONTO, April 6 /CNW/ - Sirit Inc. ("Sirit") (TSX: SI) a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, announced today it has entered into an agreement with SAMSys Technologies Inc. ("SAMSys") and the holder of its outstanding secured debentures to acquire through a court appointed receivership process, all of the assets and undertaking of SAMSys. http://www.sirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
id=153&Itemid=144

Sirit Inc. Completes Acquisition of SAMSys' Assets

TORONTO, April 13 /CNW/ - Sirit Inc. ("Sirit") (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology today confirms the completion of its acquisition of the assets and undertaking of SAMSys Technologies Inc. ("SAMSys") out of the court appointed receivership proceedings. Sirit paid $4.0 million, exclusive of deal costs, for the assets of SAMSys which included cash resources of $2.5 million. http://www.sirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
id=154&Itemid=144

Smartcode Corp. Announces UHF EPC Gen 2 For Item Level

SmartCode Corp.'s new Near Field UHF tags provide a standard based EPC UHF solution for Pallet/Case Level and Item Level in the same product architecture.
New York, NY.
April 06, 2006. SmartCode Corp. - The RFID Company™, the recognized global leader in low cost, high performance RFID solution announced today its new UHF EPC Gen 2 tags specially designed for Item Level tagging. http://www.smartcodecorp.com/
newsroom/06-04-06.asp

TrenStar Secures $10 Million in Funding and Increases Executives’ Roles

DENVER — April 7, 2006 — Mobile asset management specialist, TrenStar Inc., announced that the company has received an additional $10 million of equity funding. The funding was provided by its existing shareholders Trencor Ltd. and The Carlyle Group. http://www.trenstar.com/resources/
pr_funding_execs.asp

Spectrum Marketing & Communications and Zigzag Net, Inc. Form Strategic Marketing Alliance

- Companies to provide integrated marketing solutions to suppliers of RFID, sensors, biometrics and e-Commerce technologies –
Whitehouse Station, NJ and Philadelphia, PA − April 11, 2006 − Spectrum Marketing & Communications and Zigzag Net Inc. today announced the formation of a strategic marketing alliance. Working together, the companies will combine their market experience and expertise to provide its customers with an expanded selection of marketing communications products and services. The companies will focus their combined efforts on the radio frequency identification (RFID), biometrics, sensors and e-Commerce market segments. http://www.zigzag.net/news/
press.html#

Datalogic and Vanderlande Industries Further Extend Cooperation

Datalogic Benelux has received a large order of more than Euro 600,000 from Vanderlande Industries to provide bar code scanners for baggage handling systems in several airports worldwide.
Bologna, 11th April 2006. Vanderlande Industries has recently signed a contract with Datalogic for the supply of a large number of fixed position laser scanners. Vanderlande Industries is one of the largest worldwide suppliers of automated material handling systems for the handling of baggage at airports and goods in distribution centres, express parcel sorting facilities and the manufacturing industry. http://www.datalogic.com/_
vti_g1_prArt.aspx?idA=376

ASURYS™ and RFID4U™ Partner with Integral RFID to Share RFID Best Practices

[MEMPHIS, Tenn. – April 11, 2006] – International Paper ASURYS and RFID4U – partners in CompTIA RFID+™ certification training – have joined forces with Integral RFID, a consulting and innovations company, to train students on the best practices of using RFID to tag products. http://www.internationalpaper.com/
packaging/Packaging%20Stand%
20Alone%20Pages/ASURYS/
News_%26_Events/ASURYS_RFID4U
_Integr.html

Datalogic Sales Revenues € 95 Million as of 31st March 2006

Consolidated sales revenues of € 95 million (mn) in the 1st quarter of 2006 (1Q06), up by 159% from €36.6 mn for the same period in the previous year (1Q05).
Bologna, 18th April 2006. The Group’s consolidation area has changed since 2005. 2006 revenues in fact include sales of the US corporation PSC, acquired at the end of last year and consolidated from December 2005. In addition Informatics, the other acquisition, completed in March 2005, was consolidated as of the 2nd quarter of 2005. http://www.datalogic.com/_vti_
g1_prArt.aspx?idA=379&rpstry=16_

IPICO Inc. Shares Begin Trading on TSX-V

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/18/2006 -- Accelerating Commercialization of Proprietary IP-X™ RFID Technology
IPICO Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RFD) ("the Company") is pleased to announce that its shares have begun trading on the Toronto Venture Exchange under the symbol "RFD," the latest step towards commercializing the Company's unique proprietary RFID technology platform, IP-X. http://www.marketwire.com/mw/
release_html_b1?release_id=123651

ODIN technologies joint venture to open in Budapest

ODIN, Swiss firm MTS and Hungarian Government Agency jointly invest $4.2 million in lab and RFID implementation services business
April 25, 2006 Budapest, Hungary – ODIN technologies today formally announced the formation of ODIN Budapest. ODIN Budapest is a joint venture between ODIN technologies, Swiss firm MTS and the Hungarian government Agency. While ODIN technologies of Dulles, VA has been serving European clients from its U.S. offices for the past two years, the growth in the European RFID market now requires a local presence to meet demand and provide high service levels for which ODIN is widely known. ODIN Budapest is being capitalized with US $4.2 million and will represent a joint investment and commitment by ODIN, MTS and the Hungarian government Agency. http://www.odintechnologies.com/
news.php?t=1&a=0&aid=66

New ‘Savi Knowledge Center’ Delivers State-Of-The-Art, World-Class RFID Training On-Site Or Online

Upgraded Showcase Instructional Facility and ‘Virtual’ Courses Provide Hands-On, Skills-Based Education for Customers and Partners
SUNNYVALE , Calif. – April 27, 2006 – Leveraging more than 16 years of proven, real-world expertise, the Savi Knowledge Center recently opened its doors as a new showcase facility providing on-site and online instruction on how best to deploy Savi Technology’s portfolio of successful Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) supply chain solutions. Savi Technology already has trained for more than 1,000 customers and partners, and participants now have the advantage of learning about RFID and Savi’s widening range of real-time solutions for defense and commercial organizations in an upgraded, world-class learning environment designed for hands-on, skills-based instruction. http://www.savi.com/news/2006/
2006.04.27.shtml

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:

Want to know how the cost of living compares in other places? http://www.homefair.com/
homefair/calc/salcalc.html

Universal Currency Converter http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Dancing Llamas http://www.frolic.org/

Remove those stubborn stains http://www.chemistry.co.nz/
stain_frame.htm

Seen it all? How about a Feng Shui Motherboard? http://www.bbspot.com/News/200
4/07/feng_shui_motherboard.html

Have a ball with your PC http://www.directron.com/
ballpc.html

Space from A to Z http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/
h2g2/A642160

Movies in 30 seconds, re-enacted by bunnies. http://www.angryalien.com/

Please tell us what extra you want from the newsletter and don’t forget to tell your friends to subscribe. You can forward your ideas to news@hightechaid.com. No part of the newsletter may be reproduced without written permission. No liability is accepted for any action arising from the contents of the newsletter; readers are advised to seek professional opinion on the use of any products described. Opinions expressed in any article by an outside contributor are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers of the newsletter. 

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