www.hightechaid.com

November 2006

From the editor's desk!

Welcome to the latest issue of the High Tech AIDCourier.

We must be nearing the holidays as the amount of news this month seems to be much less than in previous months. However, the beat continues and we are still seeing a lot of coverage on RFID in particular, and AIDC in general.

We apologize for the brevity of this newsletter. A software upgrade in the news reader we use caused us to lose the links to several articles.

Since last month’s newsletter we have seen progress in the world of standards (see below) and we have had an election day in the U.S. For many of us, that meant new electronic voting machines and all the problems and benefits that they bring with them. At my voting station, the machines took an extra 45 minutes to come on line and people had to be turned away until they were working. In Denver, 70,000 absentee ballots were misprinted with bar codes that would have simplified the counting system. I guess technology and ballots have still got some way to go!

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

In the EPCglobal™ world the work is moving on at quite a pace. New specifications are being worked on and new requirements being defined for the use of RFID tags. Work includes areas such as active tagging, the addition of sensors and batteries to passive UHF tags, the need for extended memory, item level tagging, data exchange using the EPCIS, to name just a few. These projects are all at various stages in the standardization program and involvement in the work of EPCglobal™ is a must if you want to be current.

In the ISO world, things are also moving ahead. In the air interface work (ISO 18000) several things have moved on. A new work item based on the iPico Tag Talks Only iPX protocol was not approved due to concerns that it may interfere with other UHF systems. The concerns were addressed by iPico and we expect that a new version of the protocol with Tag Only Talks After Listen will be submitted in the future.

Another new work item for an HF air interface using 18000-6C (EPCglobal™ Gen2) command codes is currently in ballot.

The committee is also working hard to agree the best way to allow the use of sensors and battery assist with passive tags and hopes to have a completed working draft for UHF at the next meeting in January.

Outside of the air interface, there is also work underway to revise ISO/IEC 15961 RFID Data Protocol: Application Interface with the standard being broken into three parts. A new work item is ISO/IEC 24791 RFID For Item Management - Software System Infrastructure – with 6 parts defined as: Part 1: Architecture; Part 2: Data Management; Part 3: Device Management; Part 4: Application interface; Part 5: Device interface; Part 6: Security.

And finally ISO/IEC 24729 RFID for Item Management – Part 1: RFID-enabled labels; – Part 2: Recyclability of RF tags; – Part 3: RFID interrogator/ antenna installation is progressing with parts 1 and 2 already past first ballot.

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

A year in RFID since Gen 2

Important trends have emerged.
http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6384371.html

Gen II tags: No surprises here

No surprise to RFID vendors
http://mmh.com/article/CA6364965.html

ABI Research study

Shows MRO as an area of particular promise.
http://www.abiresearch.com/abiprdisplay.jsp?pressid=753

RFID Strategy -- RFID And The 'Network Effect'

What your partners, competitors and customers do drives your RFID strategy.
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=129
65

Cargo container industry embraces RFID

GS1 EPCglobal has initiated program to improve sea container visibility.
http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/rfidww/rfidww20061101/rfid
_container.cfm

Largest Government RFID Deployment for DLA

Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) expanded RFID infrastructure.
http://www.psionteklogix.com/public.aspx?s=us&p=News&POi
d=2558

US.gov tunes out scathing RFID privacy report

DHS committee study 'disavowed'
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/02/rfid_study_disavow
ed/

IBM finds OEM for tearable RFID tag

Helps ensure consumer privacy.
http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=4E64EA7F-D
FA3-4FCE-997F-95558FB3A524

Rocket develops "paper battery"

For use with RFID, cosmetics
http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/13/rocket-develops-pape
r-battery-for-use-with-rfid-cosmetics/

The Path to Positive ROI from an RFID Initiative

10% of companies have had RFID for over five years.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,
17849.shtml

Wireless Dynamics and ACG

Join Hands to deploy NFC/RFID SD cards
http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=2312&display=R
FID

RFID revolutionizes warehouse management

It has been selected by TOSHIBA
http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=2255&display=RF
ID

Printronix has field-upgradeable RFID printer

Gives companies ability to tag with bar code or RFID
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/brief.cfm?item=13723

RFID Proposed to Ease Border Crossings

DHS proposes to expand the use of RFID
http://www.swtexaslive.com/node/1613

ID Cards

Federal employees begin receiving new ID cards

But it will be several years until all government workers have them.
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=35363&dcn
=e_gvet

GSA changes strategy for ID card contracts

Will not exercise remaining options.
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=35382&dcn
=e_gvet

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Microchip Technology is setting up a Medical Products Group

To work on low power devices for the wireless medical market
http://www.wirelesshealthcare.co.uk/wh/news/wk45-0001.htm

Drug wholesaler to pilot RFID drug-tracking effort

AmerisourceBergen will use IBM's Track and Trace for Pharma system
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9005020&source=NLT_A
M&nlid=1

Cardinal Health Releases RFID Pilot Results

Test data shows promise and gaps of the technology
http://www.cardinal.com/content/news/11142006_91731.asp

Locating systems

RTLS Provider Ekahau Secures $16m to Fund Growth

$12 million of which represents a Series B round of venture capital
http://www.ekahau.com/?id=20060

Nanotron Technologies Launches Precision Positioning Chip nanoLOC

Applications include logistics RTLS / active RFID
http://www.industrial-embedded.com/news/db/?4431

Active RFID Duals WiFi for Healthcare RTLS Supremacy

Survey from ABI says
http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?id=1231

European 3PL Turns to RFID for Container Tracking

Deployment for Austrian logistics provider Jobstl
http://www.rfidupdate.com/articles/index.php?id=1229

Wireless Computing

FCC Seeks Comment

On an ultrawideband waiver proposal for spectrum below pre-approved levels.
http://www.bennetlaw.com/rss.php?vol=12&issue=44#article4

UWB Nearly There

Report on UWB from News.com
http://wifinetnews.com/archives/007062.html

Homeland Security

DHS announces

24 of the 27 Visa Waiver Program countries meet e-passport deadline
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1161876358429.shtm

DHS committee study 'disavowed'

Highly critical report against RFID
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_advcom_r
pt_rfid_draft.pdf

State Department proposes $20 RFID passport cards

Homeland Stupidity
http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/10/20/state-department-proposes-20-rfid-passport-cards/

Privacy

Extreme Big Brother fears to become a reality

Britons will be tracked by RFID tags
http://www.electricnews.net/news.html?code=9840936

How we are being watched

This RFID tag may be watching you
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6110866.stm

Britain is 'surveillance society'

UK has sleepwalked into it
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6108496.stm

Q&A:

Radio-frequency ID tags
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6055296.stm

Trust warning over personal data

Information commissioner is horrified
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5172890.stm

Is business the real Big Brother?

Monitoring and surveillance commonplace
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5015826.stm

Bar Code

GSM aims for world's biggest bar code

It’s a record attempt that you wouldn't normally think of attempting.
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?sectionid=1299&articleid=1862863

Migration of 1D to 2D Barcode Scanners Market in North America

Will produce revenues of $968.2 million by 2012
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/10209/

Sponsored by:

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:

Magellan Technology opens European offices

Magellan Technology (Europe) Ltd. will support all Customers and Partners in EMEA

Sydney, Australia - Thursday, November 16, 2006

Magellan Technology Pty Ltd (Magellan) announces the official opening of its fully owned European subsidiary Magellan Technology (Europe) Limited. Magellan Technology (Europe) Ltd will provide direct sales and engineering support to licensees, systems integrators, strategic partners and customers based in EMEA. Magellan’s RFID product portfolio complies with ISO/IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2 and includes chips, inlets and readers.
http://www.magtech.com.au/16-
november-2006-magellan-techn
ology-opens-european-offices

Gaming Partners International Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2006

Monday November 13, 5:45 am ET
Third Quarter Revenues of $20.1 Million, a 50% Increase over 2005
Net Income Increases 314% Year-over-Year to $1.0 Million
Company Declares Cash Dividend of $0.125 Per Share

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gaming Partners International Corporation (Nasdaq: GPIC - News), the leading worldwide provider of casino currency and table gaming equipment, today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/06
1113/nym152.html?.v=76

TAGSYS Shatters Performance Levels for Textile Rental RFID Tags

New ARIO 370-DL Tag Reads Faster and Lasts Twice as Long as Closest Competitor
Cambridge, Mass. November 13, 2006 -- TAGSYS, the global leader in item-level RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) infrastructure, today announced the availability of the company's newest tag for the textile laundry market. The TAGSYS ARIO™ 370-DL is designed to exceed the demanding performance, durability and size requirements of the market and meets ISO15693 standards. TAGSYS currently has 200 textile rental customers in 20 countries.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/
2006/11/prweb477157.htm

Hand Held Products(TM) Launches Dolphin(R) 7600 Mobile Computer

PRNewswire WARRINGTON, England November 6
- Mobile Computer Sets a New Standard for Combining Small Size and Affordability in a Full-Featured Terminal
Hand Held Products, the global leader in image-based linear and 2D data collection solutions today announced the latest mobile computer in its Dolphin 7000 series - the Dolphin(R) 7600.
http://media.netpr.pl/notatka_6
6943.html

Escort Memory Systems and KNAPP Complete RFID Sale for Pharma Applications

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA, Oct 20, 2006 —In a joint statement, KNAPP Logistics & Automation, Inc. and Escort Memory Systems announced today the sale of another group of integrated RFID controller/reader units plus additional tags, network interfaces and cabling for use in an advanced automated prescription pharmacy system for a mail order pharmaceutical company.
http://info.ems-rfid.com/mainm
enu1/home/index.html

TrenStar Ranked Number 93 Fastest Growing Technology Company in North America on Deloitte’s 2006 Technology Fast 500

Attributes its 2,389 % Percent Revenue Growth to Innovation and Expertise in Auto ID-Enabled Asset Management Solutions
DENVER – October 23, 2006 — Mobile asset management specialist,TrenStar, today announced that it ranked 93rd on Deloitte’s 2006 Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in North America. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over five years, from 2001–2005. TrenStar grew 2,389 percent during this period.
http://www.trenstar.com/resource
s/pr_fast500_2006.asp

Sirit's Automatic Vehicle Identification Solution Chosen by a Major Automotive Company

TORONTO, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - Sirit Inc. ("Sirit") (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification ("RFID") technology, announced that it has signed a contract with a major automotive company to provide Sirit's IDentity MaX portfolio of readers and customized software suite to identify, track and secure its vehicles.
http://www.sirit.com/index.php?o
ption=com_content&task=view&id
=171&Itemid=144

Shaw Industries Selects ODIN for RFID Supply Chain and Compliance Pilots

Shaw's Concurrent Projects focus on Supply Chain Efficiency and Wal-Mart Compliance

Dulles, VA, October 25, 2006 – Shaw Industries Group, Inc., the world's largest supplier of carpets and rugs, selected ODIN technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID deployments, testing, and optimization software to design, and install an RFID system for supply chain optimization and to also comply with Wal-Mart's mandate. Shaw is part of the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio and plans on leveraging RFID technology to solve multiple business issues.
http://www.odintechnologies.com/
183/newsarticle.html

SAVI TECHNOLOGY’S ACTIVE RFID SUPPLY CHAIN PRODUCTS APPROVED FOR USE IN CHINA

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Nov. 2, 2006 – Savi Technology, a leading provider of RFID-based supply chain solutions, received official approval this week from the China State Radio Regulation Committee (SRRC) to use its family of active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products throughout the country. Savi Technology’s tags and readers approved by SRRC, a division of the China Ministry of Information Industry, are compatible with the ISO 18000-7 (International Standardization Organization) standard for active RFID products operating at the 433.92 MHz radio frequency band. http://www.savi.com/news/2006/
2006.11.02.shtml

METRO Cash & Carry selects Checkpoint Systems as their exclusive shrink management global partner

METRO Cash & Carry to improve customer service through sophisticated shrink management solutions from Checkpoint Systems

THOROFARE, N.J. - November 6, 2006 - Checkpoint Systems (NYSE: CKP), the global leader in product identification and shrink management solutions, has been selected by METRO Cash & Carry to launch a global shrink management and source-protection program in Europe, Asia and Africa. The strategic agreement, which includes worldwide store installation of NDRF (New Digital Radio Frequency) technology and source tagging, will help METRO Cash & Carry to minimize shrinkage and reduce operational costs by using only one supplier, Checkpoint Systems, and implement source tagging, with the ultimate aim of improving their customers' shopping experience.
http://www.checkpointsystems.co
m/default.aspx?page=news&idne
ws=239

Razor USA LLC Selects ODIN technologies for RFID Design Services

Maker of the wildly popular Razor® scooter chooses ODIN for Physics expertise
Dulles, VA, November 6, 2006 – Razor USA LLC has selected ODIN technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID deployments, testing, and optimization software to design, and install an RFID system for supply chain optimization and to create an efficient Wal-Mart compliance solution.
http://www.odintechnologies.com
/184/newsarticle.html

AIM Global Announces RFID Training at 2007 Showcase

One-Day RFID + Certification Offered

Warrendale, PA – November 7, 2006 – AIM Global, the professional association recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, today announced that a session of Fast Track CompTIA RFID+ Prep Training will be offered on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007 during AIM's Annual Showcase and Channel Forum in Tampa, FL, USA. http://www.aimglobal.org/memb
ers/news/templates/aimpress.a
sp?articleid=1862&zoneid=1

Sirit Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2006

Company achieves strong revenue growth across all application areas

TORONTO, Nov. 15 /CNW/ - Sirit Inc. (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2006. All amounts are stated in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise noted.
http://www.sirit.com/index.php?o
ption=com_content&task=view&id
=172&Itemid=144

Sirit Takes Actions to Align with Current Market Outlook

Company remains focused on core technology offerings and key markets
Toronto, ON – October 19, 2006 – Sirit Inc. (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, announced today that with the goal of being cash flow neutral in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company has undertaken action to align its organizational structure with expected revenue levels and market opportunities.
http://www.sirit.com/index.php?o
ption=com_content&task=view&id
=170&Itemid=144

Intermec Announces Restructuring Plan

EVERETT, Wash. – November 16, 2006 – Intermec, Inc. (NYSE: IN) today announced a restructuring plan to reduce costs, streamline global operations and drive profitability. The restructuring will align global functional activities to improve productivity, focus on customer facing programs to facilitate growth, and control discretionary spending.
http://www.intermec.com/eprise/
main/Intermec/Content/About/N
ewsPages/pressRelease?&pressID=725

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:

3D doodling
http://www.squidsoup.org/doodle/

Transit of mercury on spaceweather
http://spaceweather.com/

For those that “love” Brussel Sprouts
http://www.eyegas.com/xmas05/

Need training on bar code technology?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFjG7oqmmZA

How to draw animals from the Harry Potter books
http://www.drawfluffy.com/

Looking for that elusive book?
http://www.bookfinder.com/

The nights before Christmas (many variations on a theme)
http://www.beforexmas.com/

Latest computer viruses
http://www.virushumor.com/

The Front Page News around the world
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfr
ontpages/

Need an obscure patent?
http://www.delphion.com/gallery

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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