by Jack Tay

There is little question that RFID is fast becoming a critical component in the new world of supply chain management, especially in fast growing Asian economies. This is especially so for Asian companies that do import and export business with large Western nations such as the United States and greater Europe. However, even as RFID is necessary, it is important to determine carefully just what needs to be done, and who can help make RFID a success within the company.

When the crucial steps of an RFID implementation project have been carefully integrated, the reliability of system performance can be guaranteed. A dynamic "feedback loop" approach is essential to any ability to provide such guarantees. RFID-services vendors with the requisite experience and expertise to take this approach will have no difficulty offering a performance guarantee with the systems they implement.

Automotive manufacturing and RFID

Increasingly, Asia Pacific is fast becoming the new automotive region, given that manufacturing and labor costs are far lower than the United States and Europe. For example, region-specific models of Chevrolet are manufactured in South Korea (such as the Optra), while Volkswagen and Skoda now has shared manufacturing in China, catering specifically to the mainland Chinese market with the popular VW Passat and Skoda Octavia (and now Superb) models. Even mainstream Japanese car manufacturers are relocating some of their manufacturing of region-specific models (such as Altis and Corolla) to lower-cost locations such as Thailand.

Some manufacturers have used RFID to keep track of the most critical (and sometimes most expensive) item of a car, the engine block. RFID tagging can help reduce misplaced engines (which must be scrapped due to the sensitivity of such products). It is possible that RFID tagging can become important in keeping track of major parts within a car, including the drivetrain assembly, in the near future.

Recommended approach to implementing RFID

Before implementing RFID, it is important to conduct a feasibility analysis of the supply chain environment. Setting out to do a conceptual model, with the right definitions, you should then analyze the process within your entire supply chain (all the way to your ultimate customer and include all stakeholders).

After creating a budget with an invitation to your vendor for demonstrations and any small scale tests, you need to conduct an analysis of your sites, and then have some of your personnels to gauge the usability of the RFID system.

You should attempt to launch your RFID installation in phases, with a test or pilot site, running for perhaps a reasonable length of time, to iron out any kinks in the system. Once you are assured that it will work enterprise-wide, then roll out the system to the entire site. It is also important to re-visit every step of this process of implementation, to ensure that you can improve or tweak the system as necessary.

Outsourcing to a partner

In an ideal scenario, or at least a very small implementation, it may be possible to roll out your RFID system entirely by your in-house team. However, there may be a wisdom to outsource the implementation to a professional services partner, to reduce possible problems during implementation, and also to create accountability and reduce your own exposure to risk. Why is it so?

Researchers have advised that unless you happen to be a data integration specialist, it is entirely possible that your information architecture will break, or affect the corporate ROI.

RF is also an esoteric science whereby specialized skills may be needed to diagnose the RF environment for a site, and to install readers and testing tag performance.

And since RFID expertise is usually not in-house, it may require an outside professional to ensure a solid hardware configuration that will provide better reliability and performance. Nothing beats real world deployment experience, and so for good professional services partners, they would bring to the table real experience that can solve deployment problems, even for pilot runs. Of course, it is important to ensure that your potential partner does indeed have such real world experience, and not simply a portfolio of clients who were "sold" the RFID hardware and other third-party software.

The writer is the Regional Marketing Manager of Intermec Asia Pacific.


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by Jack Tay

While RFID (radio frequency identification) technology is no longer a new or emerging technology, its adoption in Asia Pacific is sporadic, with pockets of accelerated adoption in certain economies, and certain industries. Against the backdrop of regulatory requirements and internal audit controls which put more stringent demands on operating enterprises, whereby more accountability and traceability must be accomplished, the RFID technology adoption situation would theoretically imply that RFID systems would become commonplace everywhere in Asia.

Some countries, such as China, South Korea and Japan, have successful and more widespread adoption of RFID than other countries in Asia Pacific. Many RFID adoptions come from established sites which have other forms of supply chain implementations, and therefore, are considered retrofitted RFID adoptions. While RFID implementations from scratch would be considered the easiest from a technological point of view, we must not discount that many sites would require a phased-in approach of RFID, starting perhaps with test sites to ensure compatibility with enterprise and back-end software.

What makes RFID great for the modern supply chain environment?

Unlike traditional barcode systems, RFID readers do not require a visual line of sight. This can be useful for proximity scanning of RFID tags on tagged items, rather than demanding personnel to be positioned visually within the logistics items to check their availability. Therefore, RFID systems can be extremely useful for supply chain environments that use optimized storage planning, where items can be stacked back to back. And because of proximity scanning rather than line of sight requirements, more data collection along the entire supply chain can be set up easily, without dramatic process changes.

With RFID tags, whether passive or especially active tags, more information can be stored on the tags, compared to traditional barcodes. For active RFID tags, data can be updated enroute (read/write capability), which provide even more flexibility for supply chain backend systems and their interaction.

Increasing adoption of RFID

RFID is also more practical than ever before, with clear business cases being demonstrated for asset management and supply chain operations alike. For example, TNT Logistics reduced its truck load verification time 24 percent by using RFID to automatically record goods loaded onto its trailers. Hundreds of other companies around the world are also implementing RFID-based shipping, receiving and inventory visibility applications.

A sub-trend behind RFID adoption for inventory, warehouse and distribution operations is the use of vehicle-mounted and other mobile RFID readers to enhance or replace stationary models. With a mobile infrastructure, companies don’t need to purchase, install and maintain a separate RFID reader for each dock door. Forklift-mounted and handheld readers can cover multiple docks, and be used in warehouse aisles and elsewhere throughout the facility, further reducing the required RFID investment. Plus, they put information directly in the user’s hands, so they can prevent errors, rather than just record them after they occur.

Container tracking and RFID

With the global struggle against terror or theft, it is imperative that any component of the entire supply chain must be secured, and authenticated, so that there is no breakdown in the process.

With RFID tagging, containers, and pallets, can all be adequately tracked and authenticated, along every step of the process from manufacturing to the ultimate client’s location, however remote the location may be. This is not merely a customer requirement (often to comply with internal controls and procedures), but also increasingly a governmental requirement in many locations (especially in the United States and Europe). With adequate tracking through RFID tags, shippers and manufacturers can account to governments and customers, but also build in a "shield" to protect their brands, given that brands these days can break easily due to some lapses in accountability.

The second part of this article will discuss the RFID adoption in automotive manufacturing and a recommended approach to implement RFID.

The writer is the Regional Marketing Manager of Intermec Asia Pacific.


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by Jack Tay

In Part 1, Jack Tay discussed some of the top 10 trends and technologies impacting supply chain operations. In the second part, he will further explain the rest of the trends spanning production, distribution, retail and remote service, such as 2D Bar Code, RFID, Remote Management and Security.

 

2D Bar Code

There are now auto-focus scan engines that can read linear and 2D bar codes alike from 50 feet away and as close as six inches. Complementary developments in illumination technology enable bar codes to be successfully read in dark environments where they couldn’t be read before. With a scanning infrastructure in place to process all types of codes at multiple distances, companies can start building advanced visibility and traceability features into their legacy production, inventory and distribution operations.

RFID

Hundreds of companies around the world are implementing RFID-based shipping, receiving and inventory visibility applications. A sub-trend behind RFID adoption for inventory, warehouse and distribution operations is the use of vehicle-mounted and other mobile RFID readers to enhance or replace stationary models. Forklift-mounted and handheld readers can cover multiple docks, and be used in warehouse aisles and elsewhere throughout the facility, further reducing the required RFID investment. Plus, they put information directly in the user’s hands, so they can prevent errors, rather than just record them after they occur.

RTLS

Real time location systems (RTLS) allow you to expand your wireless local area network into an asset tracking system. Any device connected to the wireless LAN can be tracked and located. One application is to track forklifts via their vehicle-mounted computer’s radio. The Wireless Location Appliance and supporting software can track the radio’s location in real time to support efficient dynamic storage, routing, monitor dwell time, and gather data for productivity and asset utilization analysis. Many other expensive products and assets can be equipped with an RTLS device for real-time monitoring.

Remote Management

Using wireless LANs to track warehouse and factory assets is an example of how a mainstream IT resource has been adapted to benefit industrial environments. Another example, powerful remote management systems have been developed specifically to configure, monitor and troubleshoot bar code readers and printers, RFID equipment, ruggedized computers and other industrial data collection and communications equipment. Such software is also extremely valuable during rollouts and upgrades, because system administrators can use it to set configurations and install software remotely and across groups of devices, instead of having to handle each device individually.

Security

Stronger security is another mainstream business trend and requirement that is supported in supply chain technology. Mobile computers can be locked down so customer information and other data can’t be accessed if the device is lost or stolen. Rugged wireless computers and data collection equipment also support many of the leading securities used to protect enterprise wireless networks, including 802.11i, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, LEAP, FIPS-140, RADIUS servers, VPNs and more.

Conclusion

Business needs for security, real-time visibility, and up-to-date information don’t stop at the office door. These needs extend throughout supply chain operations, so reliable information systems must extend just as far. Developments in mobile computing, wireless communication, RFID, bar code and other data collection and communications technologies are helping businesses extend visibility and control over more areas of their operations.

The writer is the Regional Marketing Manager of Intermec Asia Pacific.


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by Toni Anwar and Chua Teong Kiat

The digital campus project focuses on the design and implementation of RFID system, which will serve as a guideline for upgrading the Universiti of Sains Malaysia network systems in the future. There are five locations taken into consideration in the RFID design and implementation, which are the library, the health unit (clinic), the entrance/guard house, the hostel, the school and lecture halls.

1. Library

The RFID applications for the library include:
a. Entrance access control - The door will only unlock if it detects correct IDs.
b. Visitors Counter - Automatic counter system to count the number of daily library visitors
c. Anti-theft - Alert system to alarm the librarians if there is any book taken from the library without registration and daily books check-in/out system.
d. Book Location Checking System - Using portable reader, we can set the book's ID we are looking for and set the read coverage to find out the books' location.



Currently USM Engineering Campus library has already had a contactless smart card reader at its counter. When a student library card is pointed near the reader, the reader will get the library ID and transfer it to a host PC to access the database and check loaned book status. At the same time, the profile of the student is also updated.

The benefits from RFID implementation are the followings:
1.Enhance library security
2.Replace the guard's work for checking out book status and counting daily visitors
3.Prevent missing books
4.Find lost books inside library

2. Health Unit (Clinic)

The RFID application for health unit at USM is for medicine monitoring and management. The Auto-ID system will update medicine’s data at an interval of time, to make sure their availability, expiry date and location. It can alert the nurse to process an application form and order a new medicine if there is any shortage of medicine or if the medicine is expired. This system will update the medicine data into database automatically and improve the management system of medicine at health unit. We eliminate the patient tracking application because it is an unnecessary application for health unit in our campus.



Currently, USM Engineering Campus Health Unit has already had a contactless smart card reader at its counter. When a student card is pointed near the reader, the reader will get the student's IC number, transfer the information to host PC, access to student database, then check or update student's clinic record.

The benefit from RFID implementation is improved operations and saving time. Accurate and automatic data capture coupled with intelligent control leads to better security of medicine control.

3. Guard House

The RFID applications for the entrance gate at USM include:
a. Entrance access control - The gate will only unlock if it detects a correct tag ID.
b. Asset/Item tracking and tracing – Anti-theft detects whether an asset or item has an authorization to be brought out of campus. If it is not, several actions, such as guard alert, alarm activation and gate/barrier closing can be performed.
c. Vehicle verification – Unique ID for all students', staff' and visitors' vehicle. If there is any unknown vehicle, the guard can do necessary actions. If any vehicle parks at a forbidden area, the guard can record time, date and location of violation and the owner will get a fine.

Currently, USM Engineering Campus has two formal gates, one main gate and one side gate opened for entrance. There are 2 barriers with contactless smart card readers at the main gate, which function from 10:30 pm until 6:30am. Anyone crossing the barriers needs to confirm ID with a reader. The system replaces manual registration for student or staff at USM with auto-ID data recording to the database.

The benefits from RFID implementation are the followings:
1. Enhance campus security
2. Improve operation and management system for guard
3. Anti-theft, reduce criminal
4. Trace unknown vehicle
5. Fine the vehicle rules breaker effectively

4. School, DU (Main Hall) and DK (Lecture Hall)

At school or lab, we can also implement RFID technology to track and trace assets or equipment for a room or lab, to prevent theft or missing equipment, and improve the registration process.

5. Others
For USM hostel, six engineering schools, DU (Main Hall), and DK (Lecture Hall), RFID application like door lock system and auto attendance record system can be implemented using a contactless smart card system. But it is not a cost-effective application that can benefit much from RFID technology. As a result, we eliminate the RFID application on these locations.

In spite of the current excitement, RFID may not be suitable for everyone. There are some hurdles we need to consider seriously before embarking on a real implementation of RFID network system for digital campus, including:

* Price
* Complexity
* Existing solutions
* Advantages
* Applicability

The current state of RFID technology based on a collection of comments and observations is:
* Confusing
* Lacking of expertise
* Still in learning state

Toni Anwar is the Coordinator for Software Systems Engineering Programme at the Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut Institute Technology North Bangkok (KMITNB), Bangkok, Thailand.

Teong-Keat Chua is a Design Verification Engineer at Spansion Penang Design Center, Malaysia.



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by John Peeters

Radar Response Tag technology is a unique active tag technology that has a long read range, very low power requirements and ability to allow precise geolocation, even inside buildings. There appears to be a significant interest in the technology within the North American and European markets for locating people and cars.

Radar Response Tag technology was developed for the US Military at Sandia National Laboratories by Dr. Mike Lovejoy and his team. The work started in 1990 and Sandia was specifically asked to come up with a technology to complement GPS for those times when soldiers went under the cover of thick foliage, etc. Therefore the original mandate was wide area non-GPS and the technology had to work in buildings.

Dr. Mike Lovejoy showed in the mid 1990s that the original technology could potentially achieve up to 3 ft. accuracy over a distance of 12 miles and also could geolocate inside buildings. The technology has now evolved into allowing "friendly fire" avoidance by the US Military using powerful readers.

What has been released to Gentag, Inc. by the US Government is the non-military or civilian version of the technology. This version allows sensor input, is non-covert and has the 12 mile range and indoor capabilities.

The technology operates at 430 MHz and is an active technology with a small battery. It wakes up upon interrogation and sends out a signal that is then geolocated. The range and precision is due to unique and proprietary hardware and software.

A unique aspect of the technology is to piggyback on GPS for the reader components (external). Using the technology, a single reader, for example, can be placed inside an aircraft and create triangulation coordinates using a stationary GPS satellite as a reference point. This reference point could then be used to track missing children, hikers, stolen cars or boats. Otherwise the technology can be fixed, stationary or hybrid.

Gentag Inc. anticipates that the non-military version of the technology will be developed in three phases:

* Small board level
* ASIC (single chip)
* Integration into cell phones

The wide use of the technology for consumers will occur in phase II (ASIC). At that stage the technology will be credit card size and low cost. It will probably take about 18 months to reach that stage, depending on the funding. Gentag Inc. is currently looking for partners to manufacture and/or license the technology.

The writer is the President and CEO of Gentag Inc.


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by Adi Tedjasaputra

RFID technology has been called and associated with many things: Barcode on Steroids, Next-generation Barcode Technology, The Internet of Things, Big Brother and even Spy Chips. No matter what people say, when RFID project proposals come to the hands of Chief Financial Officers or Finance Directors, RFID will just become the same thing: TECHNOLOGY, with a potential to bring benefits and also costs to organisations. Starting Small with RFID will help decision makers to justify the cost of RFID investment, while still providing an opportunity for organisations to see the real benefits of RFID.

Most organisations contemplating to embark on RFID initiatives will face a challenge to bring most benefits of the technology, while mitigating the costs and risks associated with it. Think Big, Start Smart and Scale Up with Agility is the key strategy for any successful RFID initiative. Using the strategy, decision makers can harness the potential benefit of RFID technology, justify the cost of investment, while still maintaining the flexibility for changes throughout their business process optimization, thus lowering the risks.

One of the key components in the Agile RFID strategy is Start Small. Here are a few tips to Start Small with RFID:

1. Focus on Existing Infrastructure
Reusing the existing infrastructure can deliver benefits at minimum cost in RFID implementation. However, this aspect is often neglected due to the lack of knowledge in the integration capability and capacity between the existing infrastructure and the new RFID infrastructure. By identifying one or more application areas where you can still use the existing infrastructure, you have reduced the time and cost for RFID infrastructure integration, which usually represents the largest cost component. For example, if you want to use RFID technology to enhance the convenience of access to a room or building, you may want to make sure that the new RFID infrastructure can easily be integrated with your existing access control and security systems. If you plan to print smart labels and currently have barcode printers, contact your barcode printer vendors and ask for upgrade options and plans, before buying some new RFID printers.

2. Focus on Scale
Large projects are prone to delay and failure. Whenever possible, break up a large RFID project initiative into some smaller RFID projects. Identify which small project will deliver the most impact for your organisation at the shortest time frame with the least investment. For example, automatic stock counting in a warehouse using RFID technology usually takes shorter time to implement than real-time asset location tracking, but the value delivered by the stock counting application is significant and less costly than the asset location tracking. By executing your plan properly and showing the benefits of RFID technology through your successful small project, it will be easier to convince your Chief Financial Officer or Finance Director about the value of RFID technology.

3. Focus on RFID Core Values
Understanding the power of RFID technology and its limitations is the key to stay focus on RFID core values. Unrealistic expectations from RFID technology are not only misleading, but also reducing the possibility of unleashing its vast potential. In addition, as any other technology, RFID also has its limitations. For example, the use of RFID technology for real-time asset tracking in asset management over continents will require an integration with other technology, such as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). Focusing the use of RFID technology for real-time asset tracking in a limited area such as warehouse usually delivers more value than real-time tracking over a great distance.

The writer is the Founder of RFID Asia - The Prominent RFID Community in Asia.

Reference

Tedjasaputra, Adi (2005). RFID Phased Approach Needs Improvement. RFID Asia. Retrieved on September 3, 2007.


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by Rohisyam Abdul Rahman

Smart Shelf is a device that can pinpoint the exact location of books in a library. The device, communicating in High Frequency (HF) band, can detect whether a book placed in different tier levels is being misplaced, missing or rented. The device was launched on 9th February 2007 at MMU in Cyberjaya. The Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato' Mustapa Mohamed was present to officiate the event, which was attended by librarians from all over Malaysia.

Telekom Research & Development Sdn. Bhd. (TMR&D) has developed a Smart Shelf harnessing the RFID technology working on HF band (13.56 MHz). The Smart Shelf exploits the short-range RFID technology that can automatically identify books within a distance of 30 cm relative to the shelf.

The innovation began in 2005 when we received feedbacks from the patrons of the Multimedia University (MMU) library who faced a difficulty in physically locating catalogued books. The difficulty has prompted the idea to begin with our research on Smart Shelf.

The Smart Shelf research was conducted to facilitate library search and enable multiple book tracking in real time. The RFID tag technology with 128-byte storage capacity has made this goal possible.

At first, we tested the RFID technology working in UHF band to track books on a shelf. We found out that we could not control the signal spectrum to automatically identify books in a pre-defined area. Furthermore, we also found a number of invalid identification.

After we tested the RFID technology working in HF band, we got more accurate results and we only had to tune the strength of signals using a vector network analyzer for achieving a specific working distance from a shelf.

We also learnt that several frequency bands may not be suitable for RFID systems. Any vacant space in the frequency spectrum for wireless systems is limited. In addition, the available license-free or Industrial-Scientific-Medical (ISM) frequency bands vary substantially from country to country in terms of regulations. In our case, the frequency range of 13.553 – 13.567 MHz suits our application that requires a small amount of data reading at low speed over a short distance.

Our Smart Shelf was launched on 9th February 2007 at MMU in Cyberjaya. The Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato' Mustapa Mohamed was present to officiate the event, which was attended by librarians from all over Malaysia.

The writer is Researcher/Project Leader at Telekom Research & Development Sdn. Bhd., a company that provides customized solutions through leading edge designs, fabrication and state-of-art technologies.


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Like any information technology (IT), radio frequency identification (RFID) presents security and privacy risks that must be carefully mitigated through management, operational, and technical controls in order to realize the numerous benefits the technology has to offer.

When practitioners adhere to sound security engineering principles, RFID technology can help a wide range of organizations and individuals realize substantial productivity gains and efficiencies. These organizations and individuals include hospitals and patients, retailers and customers, and manufacturers and distributors throughout the supply chain.

RFID is a form of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology that uses electric or magnetic fields at radio frequencies to transmit information. An RFID system can be used to identify many types of objects, such as manufactured goods, animals, and people. Each object that needs to be identified has a small object known as an RFID tag affixed to it or embedded within it. The tag has a unique identifier and may optionally hold additional information about the object. Devices known as RFID readers wirelessly communicate with the tags to identify the item connected to each tag and possibly read or update additional information stored on the tag. This communication can occur without optical line of sight and over greater distances than other AIDC technologies. RFID technologies support a wide range of applications—everything from asset management and tracking to access control and automated payment.

Every RFID system includes a radio frequency (RF) subsystem, which is composed of tags and readers. In many RFID systems, the RF subsystem is supported by an enterprise subsystem that is composed of middleware, analytic systems, and networking services. RFID systems that share information across organizational boundaries, such as supply chain applications, also have an inter-enterprise subsystem. Each RFID system has different components and customizations so that it can support a particular business process for an organization; as a result, the security risks for RFID systems and the controls available to address them are highly varied. The enterprise and inter-enterprise subsystems involve common IT components such as servers, databases, and networks and therefore can benefit from typical IT security controls for those components.

Source: Karygiannis, T., Eydt, B., et al. (2007). Guidelines for Securing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems. Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST Special Publication 800-98.


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Edited Press Release.

Nokia, Finland - March 26, 2007 – Confidex, a company with expertise in RFID design, manufacturing and engineering, and the Sun Microsystems APT/RFID Test Lab in Longmont, Colorado, today announced that the Confidex Ironside passive UHR RFID Tag has passed the testing requirements for the Aerospace Standard AS5678 specification.

This patent pending tag solution by Confidex, currently in use supporting a number of industrial on-metal applications around the globe, is now available for use in the Aerospace industry.

"The Confidex Ironside Tags have passed all the tests for environmental extremes such as temperature, shock, vibration, pressure, altitude and others as outlined in the AS5678 specification." Said Brian McGrane, Business Development Manager for the Sun Microsystems APT/RFID test lab.

"We are pleased to work with Confidex as they deliver unique tagging solutions that have proven to survive the rigorous aerospace testing requirements we put them through in our lab." "The RFID market has several products offered for on-metal use. With Ironside we want to put a benchmark to the market for an industrial tag that is truly designed for heavy industrial use. The compact IP 68 housing combined with uncompromised read distance of 15 feet helps to find a higher return on RFID investment for on-metal applications", comments Jarkko Miettinen, VP Business Development at Confidex.

In the aerospace industry, passive UHF RFID brings an attractive technology to securely identify metal parts or transit items in an industry known for its extreme environmental conditions and mechanical durability requirements. In addition to Aerospace applications, Ironside's size and performance has received high interest in industrial tracking applications such as transportation and logistics. The product has also been successfully used to identify rail carts, trucks and reusable transit items in motion from arctic to subtropical regions.

For More Information contact:
Jarkko Miettinen
Confidex
+358 3 341 5927
Jarkko.Miettinen@confidex.fi


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by Adi Tedjasaputra

Water and metal objects are the most known factors that can decrease the performance of air interface Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communication between RFID passive tags and readers. Depending on RFID applications, several options to alleviate the material effect include the use of active tags, additional tag spacer or insert material, and specific tag or antenna design.

Two other factors that can also influence the performance of UHF RFID applications, yet less known, are mobility and tagging position. These two factors can be very significant in several applications, such as RFID vehicle and conveyor belt tracking systems.

Mobility is a critical factor for RFID tagged objects or readers that are moving or mobile. Depending on the configuration of a particular RFID system and environment, a significant change in mobility path (direction) and also speed (velocity) within a specified time can influence the successful identification rate of RFID tags.

Tagging position, on the other hand, is related to the position where RFID tags are embedded, attached or injected (in the case of animal or human tagging). In many cases, optimum power from RFID reader is not required to operate passive tags.

However, in cases where the Effective Radiated Power (ERP) level and distance between reader and tags are fixed, such as in manufacturing setting, it is important to know the location in a tagged object where a passive tag can operate optimally. Such location is defined as R-Spot or Resonance Spot.

R-Spot is a location in a tagged object where a passive tag can operate optimally within specified Effective Radiated Power (ERP) level and certain distance from a reader.

During RFID tagging, R-Spots are usually the reference tagging locations where the identification of tags will result in optimum performance.

In some cases, such as pallet and case tagging with different contents and materials, R-Spots are likely to be variably diverse. Such cases may introduce the difficulty in automation, because a fixed tagging location on all tagged objects may become a requirement to achieve an efficient automation. This situation introduces the importance of L-Spot or Live Spot, which is the location in a tagged object where a passive tag can still obtain power from a reader to operate within specified ERP level and certain distance from a reader.

L-Spot is the location in a tagged object where a passive tag can still obtain power from a reader to operate within specified ERP level and certain distance from a reader.

L-Spot includes R-Spots as well, but L-Spot does not always guarantee that the tagging position will result in optimum performance.

The opposite of L-Spot is D-Spot or Dead Spot, where tags can still receive power from a reader, but the obtained power is insufficient to operate tags within specified ERP level and certain distance from a reader, resulting in identification failures.

D-Spot is the location in a tagged object where passive tags can still obtain the power from a reader, but the obtained power is insufficient to operate tags within specified ERP level and certain distance from a reader.

There are still many areas in RFID tagging that are yet to be explored. This introduction to RFID tagging has shown that there is still room for improvement, while the art and science of RFID tagging advances along with the increasing adoption of RFID technology in diverse applications.


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Labels: antenna, d-spot, erp, l-spot, mobile, r-spot, reader, rfid, tag, technology, tracking

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by Adi Tedjasaputra

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has been around for several decades. The technology itself is neither new nor revolutionary. What is fascinating from the RFID technology is actually the innovation around it. A vast array of new emerging opportunities and controversies resulting from the use, or potential use, of RFID technology has shown that there is no limit in RFID technology innovation.

The idea of using RFID technology in Supply Chain Management is made popular by the possibility of gaining global and real-time asset visibility and control. RFID technology is the key enabler for advanced and detailed asset tracking, tracing, monitoring, automatic event logging and triggering throughout global supply chain.

Different organisations have applied different kind of RFID applications for improving the performance of particular supply chain activities and processes. Nevertheless, none of the current RFID applications in supply chain is optimised for global asset visibility and control. The current RFID application focus is only limited to organisational and local real-time asset visibility and control.

The focus on organisational performance consequently requires the use of organisational performance metrics, such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Naturally, scorecards can be used to measure the impact of RFID applications on organisational performance based on the scoring for KPIs.

The most common mistake in implementing KPI scorecards to measure the impact of RFID applications on organisational performance, however, lies in the narrow or limited perspective in defining KPIs. The sole focus on technology and finance, for example, is not only misleading, but also ignoring the contribution of other supply chain stakeholders in influencing the organisational performance. It is worth to be noted that the role and influence of other supply chain stakeholders in organisational performance will increase along with the network effect of RFID technology adoption in global supply chain.

Nonetheless, before a critical mass point of RFID technology adoption in global supply chain can be reached, there are still a couple of issues to be solved, i.e. cost and data. It is a well-known fact that the cost of infrastructure investment for global real-time asset visibility and control is huge. This huge investment requires some robust cost-sharing models and mechanisms that can benefit supply chain stakeholders and justify their investment. In addition, the transition from industrial economy to knowledge-based economy has made data increasingly a valuable asset. For this reason, an agreement on data sharing and storage policies is essential to ensure that the use of data is optimised for the benefit of each global supply chain stakeholder.


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by Adi Tedjasaputra

Going to school may seem to be routine and ordinary for most children. However, a growing number of children (and parents) around the world may not feel the same.

Let's meet Sanami-chan, a 4-year old student from Ayase city, Kanagawa prefecture in the greater Tokyo area, Japan. Her mother, Megumi-san, a 33-year old house wife, usually takes Sanami-chan to her school, Ryounan preschool, located several kilometers from their home.

Since February 2006, Sanami-chan and her mates in the school started to wear some active 300 MHz UHF RFID tags attached to their rucksacks. When Sanami-chan and Megumi-san pass through the preschool's front gate in the morning, the RFID reader installed in the gate will read the identification number stored in Sanami-chan's RFID tag. The reader will then instantly transmit the ID to the school's attendance information system, which then records Sanami-chan's arrival and changes the colour of Sanami-chan's name displayed on a PC monitor from red to green.

Sanami-chan and Megumi-san (fictitious personas) could describe how the children and parents in Japan have taken part in a growing number of RFID projects that involve children.

Children Safety

Several amusement parks, such as Legoland in Billund, Denmark, Dollywood Splash Country in Tennessee, USA and Wannado City, Florida, USA, have started adopting RFID technology mainly for the purpose of tracking and pinpointing children location in the amusement parks. A child safety seat system has been developed to alert drivers if a seat buckle disengages. Children clothes could be embedded with RFID tags with a purpose of triggering an alarm and some alerts when a child wearing such clothes crosses some predetermined boundaries. Various school attendance systems are implemented in various places in Japan and some other countries across Asia.

Despite the tremendous growth of RFID technology applications for ensuring children safety, there is also some opposition regarding the use of the technology on children. The ones who oppose the use of the technology for children safety often argue that the technology application could breach children's right to privacy and dignity, like the opinion expressed by EPIC, Electronic Frontier Foundation and ACLU-Northern California to the Brittan School Board regarding mandatory RFID badge programme for tracking children’s movements in and around the school located in Sutter, California, USA.

Nevertheless, in a different location quite far away, Tanabe city, Wakayama prefecture, Japan, Kinki Bureau of Telecommunications released a report of an RFID experiment on children that draws a different picture through a survey on parents whose children took part in the experiment: 83% of the parents said that the experimental RFID system increased their peace of mind and most of them were willing to pay a monthly fee for this kind of service.

Beyond Safety

Children safety is not the only reason for using RFID technology in the children world. RFID technology has also found its way into the world of children education and entertainment as well.

Embedding RFID into toys for language learning, interactive toy kitchen that can detect and respond to toy food placed on its plate and hybrid gaming system are only a few from many other innovative ideas that have become popular.

If you think that children have already had enough exposure to RFID technology in the world, think again!
There is already a specific lesson designed for children that they can share opinions about the technologies used to identify them and monitor their activities, and then develop plans for new uses of RFID-enabled technologies to share with their classmates, and write essays persuading readers to use their proposed technologies.

Send your comments and discuss.

Labels: japan, privacy, reader, rfid, tag, technology, tracking

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by Adi Tedjasaputra

It is always difficult to digest an opinion or article on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based on incomplete facts and bias, especially when it comes from a company that considers itself as the world's authority in the field of RFID.

About two months ago, we heard about the draft report titled The Use of RFID for Human Identification published by the DHS Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The report recommends a careful consideration whether to use RFID to identify and track individuals.

In about the same period, the CEO of Applied Digital is injecting RFID into the immigration mess, literally, by suggesting the implant of RFID chips manufactured by VeriChip Corp., a subsidiary of Applied Digital, into the arms of registered aliens in the U.S.

While the hype is still fresh in our memory, we heard another story that illustrates how easy it is to "clone" a unique identification number from a supposedly secure implanted RFID chip manufactured by the same company.

What was the reaction of VeriChip?

Interestingly, the spokesman could still argue that: "It’s very difficult to steal a VeriChip … it's much more secure than anything you'd carry around in your wallet".

Another hype that results in another setback for RFID.

Technology, including RFID, is only an enabler.
You still need to consider moral and ethical borderlines in applying RFID technology.


Send your comments and discuss.

Labels: privacy, rfid, security, technology, tracking

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Edited News Release.

Ontario ’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Dr. Ann Cavoukian, yesterday released privacy Guidelines for the growing field of radio frequency identification (RFID).

These Guidelines flow from her earlier work in 2003 when the Commissioner first identified the potential privacy concerns raised by RFID technology. Following a history of ground-breaking work on building privacy into the design of emerging technologies, these Guidelines are a natural progression of this pragmatic approach.

“I have always found it beneficial to assist those working on emerging technologies, and to be proactive whenever possible – to develop effective guidelines and codes before any problems arise,” said Commissioner Cavoukian. “These made-in-Canada Guidelines provide guidance and solutions regarding item-level consumer RFID applications and uses.”

EPCglobal Canada, an industry association that sets standards for electronic product codes, has been collaborating with the IPC in the development of these Guidelines, and will be seeking Board approval by its member companies to signify the association’s endorsement of the Guidelines.

“ This technology offers exciting benefits to consumers and businesses alike. As the trusted source for driving adoption of EPC/RFID technology for increased visibility within the supply chain, privacy is as important as anything else we are doing,” said Art Smith, President and CEO, EPCglobal Canada. “We promote an environment that encourages ongoing innovation while respecting privacy issues.”

RFID tags contain microchips and tiny radio antennas that can be attached to products. They transmit a unique identifying number to an electronic reader, which in turn links to a computer database where information about the item is stored. RFID tags may be read from a distance quickly and easily, making them valuable for managing inventory but pose potential risks to privacy if linked to personal identifiers. RFID tags are the next generation technology from barcodes.

Although RFID technology deployed in the supply chain management process poses little threat to privacy, item-level use of RFID tags in the retail sector, when linked to personally identifiable information, can facilitate the tracking and surveillance of individuals. The goal of these Guidelines is to alleviate concerns about the potential threat to privacy posed by this technology and to enhance openness and transparency about item-level use of RFID systems by retailers.

The Guidelines address key privacy issues regarding the use of RFID technology at an item-level in the retail sector, said Commissioner Cavoukian.

The Guidelines are based on three overarching principles, including:

* Focus on RFID information systems, not technologies: The problem does not lie with RFID technologies themselves, but rather, the way in which they are deployed that can have privacy implications. The Guidelines should be applied to RFID information systems as a whole, rather than to any single technology component or function;

* Build in privacy and security from the outset – at the design stage: Just as privacy concerns must be identified in a broad and systemic manner, so, too, must the technological solutions be addressed systemically. A thorough privacy impact assessment is critical. Users of RFID technologies and information systems should address the privacy and security issues early in the design stages, with a particular emphasis on data minimization. This means that wherever possible, efforts should be made to minimize the identifiability, observability and linkability of RFID data; and

* Maximize individual participation and consent : Use of RFID information systems should be as open and transparent as possible, and afford individuals with as much opportunity as possible to participate and make informed decisions.

A companion piece to the Guidelines – Practical Tips for Implementing RFID Privacy Guidelines, is also being released by the Commissioner to help organizations put the Guidelines into practice.


Send your comments and discuss.

Labels: antenna, business, epcglobal, privacy, reader, rfid, scm, security, tag, technology, tracking

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A simple idea such as button pushing is expected to overcome the privacy issues in using short range RFID solutions such as RFID-enabled ID cards and passports.

This idea was revealed by SmartCode™ Corp. in its recent press release after the DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee of the DHS Data
Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee published a draft report titled “The Use of RFID for Human Identification". The report recommends a careful consideration whether to use RFID to identify and track individuals.


References

(1) SMARTCODE™ CORP. SMARTCODE™ CORP. SOLVES THE PRIVACY ISSUE RELATING to potential unauthorized reading of RFID enabled PASSPORTS AND id cards. http://www.smartcodecorp.com/newsroom/22-05-06.asp (retrieved 25th May 2006)

(2) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Use of RFID for Human Identification. http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interweb/assetlibrary/privacy_advcom_rpt_rfid_draft.pdf (retrieved 25th May 2006)


Send your comments and discuss.

Labels: card, privacy, rfid, security, technology, tracking

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(1) CDT-Led Working Group Releases RFID "Best Practices"

A working group led by CDT and made up of some of the nation's largest companies, public interest and consumer advocates earlier this month unveiled a set of "best practices" designed to promote respect for consumer privacy in the growing use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in commercial applications.

Released at the RFID Journal Live! conference in Las Vegas, May 1, the document offers guidance for companies that use RFID technology to collect data that can be linked to consumers' personally identifiable information. Drawn from widely accepted principles of "fair information practices," the best practices outline how consumers should be notified about RFID data collection, what choice they should have with regard to the uses and sharing of their own personal information, and how that information should be treated by the companies that collect it.

The document is a milestone in the evolution of RFID technology, offering companies and organizations clear guidance on what steps they should take before putting in place RFID technology that can be linked to personally identifiable information.

In addition to CDT, the American Library Association, aQuantive, Cisco Systems, Eli Lilly and Company, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, the National Consumers League, Procter & Gamble, VeriSign and Visa USA all worked for more than a year to develop the document. Elliot Maxwell, an RFID consultant and fellow with the communications program at Johns Hopkins University also worked on the document.

RFID refers to a broad range of technologies that allow users to track and identify physical items using radio waves. RFID "tags" of various types can be placed on shipping crates, livestock, even clothing, where they can be later identified by RFID readers designed to scan the items at a distance. Many of those applications raise no real privacy concerns, but when the data collected from RFID tags is linked to personally identifiable information, privacy issues can arise. The best practices are geared specifically toward those instances.

The best practices described in the document are based on the fair information principles of notice, consent, access, transfer and security.

RFID Privacy Best Practices: http://www.cdt.org/privacy/20060501rfid-best-practices.php

(2) Best Practices Ideal for Evolving Technology

CDT shares the concern of the privacy community that RFID technology deployed without proper transparency and privacy safeguards could undermine consumer privacy. However, CDT does not believe that passing legislation limiting RFID deployment or imposing privacy rules specific to RFID technology are appropriate responses to those concerns. The best practices document offers a means to address legitimate privacy concerns pertaining to RFID, without hobbling the technology.

Government-imposed mandates on specific technologies can be problematic. Technological advancement typically outpaces the legislative cycle, meaning that technology-specific laws can quickly become obsolete, or worse, become impediments to the natural evolution of technology. Those problems are compounded in the case of newer services or devices, like RFID, that evolve at a much faster pace than more mature technologies.

Although technology-specific legislation is probably not the best way to address the privacy concerns associated with RFID, failing to address those concerns systematically would be equally troubling. As RFID becomes increasingly ubiquitous, the potential for the technology to impinge on personal privacy grows exponentially. As RFID sensors proliferate, the abundance of collection points, and the detail of location data that can be gathered, also increases.

If industry adequately addresses those concerns now, before RFID is widespread in consumer applications, companies may be spared challenge of trying to retrofit RFID systems with appropriate privacy protections after the fact. The best-practices document offers companies a blueprint for those considerations. Drawing on fair information principles, the best practices represent a practical response to the privacy issues that arise when personal information is linked to information collected using RFID.

Of course, the real test of any self-regulatory regime is industry uptake and compliance. But the diversity and size of the organizations that participated in drafting the best practices document gives it a solid basis for widespread discussion and adoption. CDT will encourage all organizations planning to deploy RFID in a consumer context to use the best practices as a starting point.

Because the technology continues to evolve, members of the working group dubbed the first public the release of the best practices an "interim draft." As new technological considerations arise, the RFID working group will review the document to determine whether advances in the technology and its applications require changes to the best practices.

(3) Technology-Neutral Consumer Privacy Legislation Still Needed

While CDT believes that it would not be appropriate to enact legislation specially regulating RFID, technology-neutral consumer privacy legislation should require that uses of the technology in conjunction with personal information be bound by fair information practices.

Many of the privacy concerns that arise from deploying commercial applications of RFID would be eliminated or greatly lessened by the existence of a strong, national consumer privacy law. For many years, the multiple laws to protect personal information held by companies have lagged far behind the technological advances that have allowed those companies to collect, store and share ever greater quantities of their customers' personal data.

State and federal lawmakers have traditionally responded to privacy concerns with laws to address symptomatic problems like data breaches and spyware. But the privacy issues that arise when companies collect personal data, create detailed profiles and use those profiles to track their customers' physical or virtual activities are the same regardless of the technology used. The more appropriate and sustainable solution is legislation that focuses on the information collected rather than the technology used to collect it.

In every case, citizens should be properly notified when their data is collected, given more control over how their data is shared, be allowed to know what information a company has on file about them, be allowed to correct inaccuracies, and be assured that the company collecting their personal information is taking serious steps to protect it from being stolen or compromised. Such a law could provide companies deploying emerging technologies with baseline guidance about appropriate data practices, and consumers with a degree of confidence that their information is being collected and handled responsibly.

Congress was nearing passage of a broad, technology neutral consumer privacy measure before the dot-com bust and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Major technology companies including Microsoft, HP and eBay have signaled their support in principle for consumer privacy legislation, and Congress now appears prepared to restart that debate.

If Congress prevails in passing a strong consumer privacy measure, it will address the fundamental concerns privacy advocates have with RFID technology. In the meantime, the best practices provide clear guidance for companies to deploy RFID in a way that protects consumers.

Source: http://www.cdt.org/publications/policyposts/2006/9


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Labels: cdt, privacy, rfid, security, tag, technology, tracking

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by Adi Tedjasaputra

The recent paper titled “Is Your Cat Infected with a Computer Virus?”, published during the Pervasive Computing and Communications Conference 2006 in Italy warns that data from RFID tags can be used to exploit back-end software systems.

One day later, the president of AIM Global, the Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, published an article on his web site that mitigates this issue and criticises the methodology of the particular research in the paper.

Recognising the two extremely different opinions expressed by two respected representatives from the Computer Science community and the RFID community, it is particularly important for both community members to really understand the essential issues beyond the issue of RFID virus.

Analysis
The paper published by the researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has done a good job summarising the common security and privacy threats, i.e. Sniffing, Tracking, Spoofing, Replay Attacks and Denial of Service and demonstrating the possible malware threat for an RFID system by exploiting several possible security holes.

With the increasing number of IT vendors that jump on the RFID bandwagon and the fiercer competition among the vendors that requires shorter middleware's time-to-market, there is a realistic chance that the existing RFID middlewares available in the market are delivered with security holes, independent from the critic uttered by the AIM Global's president that the demonstration system mentioned in the paper was intentionally built with a weakness. Instead of pointing fingers to each other, there is a need for verification from security experts to objectively evaluate the current state of RFID middlewares' susceptibility to malware threats.

On the other hand, some organisations that have implemented some RFID system can still currently sleep without worries, because any exploit using the methodology presented in the paper would require a combination of thorough knowledge in malware production and RFID system design, one or more security holes that match the malware exploit, an opportunity to infect a tag with a proper (relatively expensive) equipment and most important of all an ill intention to sabotage. It is safer to assume that the potential threats coming from internal organisation is more prominent than the external ones.

Reflection
When I explained the possible security threats of using on-line banking facilities to some people who were not aware of the risks in using an on-line banking system, they usually became alerted with the fact that their asset has been vulnerable to various security threats the second they connect to the Internet.

Explaining some security measures that they could perform, I usually added a joke for the ultimate on-line banking security measure: Unplug all the cables from your computer, turn off all your electronic devices and remove any power source elements from your electronic devices for 100% security guarantee.

In reality, there is no 100% security guarantee in this networked world. When you become part of a “network” voluntarily or involuntarily, there is always a chance that your security is compromised. A sensible action you can take is to assess your security state continuously, take several appropriate security measures and prepare for some recovery plans that may arise from any security breach.

End-Note
Your cat may be safe for now, because the current RFID animal tags usually have the Read-only (RO) memory attribute and immune from any change of data. However, the recent natural threats from mad cow disease and avian flu have sparked some interests in using RFID animal sensory tags that can integrate some sensing devices to detect, monitor, measure, record and transmit various environmental and host parameters, such as temperature. A future scenario of recording more data into a Read-Write (RW) animal sensory tag is no longer far-fetched. Your cat may no longer be safe in this future scenario.

The PDF version of this article is downloadable at:
http://www.rfid-asia.info/rfid_security_threats.pdf



Send your comments and discuss.

Labels: privacy, rfid, security, tag, technology, tracking

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From 19th January 2006, the Seoul city government will offer tax benefits for drivers who are willing to participate in "No Driving Day" campaign and attach a sticker embedded with an RFID tag to the front window of their cars.

The idea of using stickers embedded with RFID tags for vehicle identification is nothing new. However, the idea of giving the choice for claiming tax benefits or risking privacy is new.

The bottom line is that 5 percent discount in automobile taxes and a 2.7 percent discount in auto insurance fees will be traded with the requirement to leave vehicles for one day a week and allow the authorities to track their movements and access their personal information.

Labels: privacy, rfid, tag, tax, technology, tracking

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UPM Rafsec, an RFID tag and inlay manufacturer, announced on Monday that it has entered into an agreement with Supply Chain and Logistics Technology Holdings Limited (SCL), a joint-venture of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), to deliver UPM Rafsec Gen 2 RFID tags. UPM Rafsec together with SCL will supply tags to Novetex Spinners Limited (Novetex), a single site woollen spinner, for the project that will mark the first Gen 2 RFID initiative in Hong Kong and the South China region.

The new RFID system being deployed for Novetex by SCL, consultant as well
as hardware & solution provider for the project will touch three different
processes in Novetex’s Zhuhai warehouse - the receiving process, cycle
counting and the delivery process. Novetex expects substantial enhancements in operating efficiency at its warehouse when the project is fully deployed.

Marcus Vaenerberg, Vice President Sales at UPM Rafsec, comments “We’re
extremely excited to be taking part in the first Gen 2 project in the
South China region. The technology is just starting to take hold here.
However this region is very dynamic. Our collaboration with SCL, an ideal
partner for us, will permit us to expand our presence significantly in
this rapidly growing market.”

Novetex’s complete RFID identification and tracking solution will go live
in early 2006.

Labels: china, gen2, inlay, project, rfid, scm, tag, technology, tracking

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Increased security assurance is the main reason behind the plan to introduce RFID-based vehicle tracking at the Indian Secretariat.

All the vehicles entering the Indian Secretariat premises will have to carry RFID tags for identification and tighten the security at those premises. Starting with tagging four-wheelers, the new system will also apply to the two-wheelers after a few months according to the chief security officer B V Ram Reddy told The Times of India on Monday.

The RFID system is expected to transmit vehicle numbers and other data to the security wing more than 200 metres away from their position.

Labels: india, rfid, security, tag, technology, tracking, vehicle

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In a recent survey conducted by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, the lack of commitment in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) adoption due to poor understanding and knowledge of RFID. From more than 2,000 respondents in the survey, less than 10% of the respondents understood the significance of the technology and its potential impact on their businesses.

Additionally, according to another recent survey conducted by Fusion Consulting with 136 international and local manufacturers, buying offices and logistics service providers located in Guangdong and Hong Kong, 94% indicated that they are currently not interested in adopting RFID technology for tracking their merchandise.

Of the 93 companies who had clear reasons for not adopting RFID, the main obstacle is ignorance i.e. "don't understand/not familiar with RFID" (44%). The main reasons given by American or European companies for not adopting RFID are they are "not interested/do not find RFID useful" (19%) and "not popular/wait and see market response" (11%), whereas the main obstacle to adoption for Asian companies is that they "don't understand/not familiar with RFID" (35%).

The Meeting Event
During the RFID Asia 1st meeting, the speakers and attendees will share their knowledge and experience, while networking among the RFID Asia community members and discussing strategic partnerships and alliances to participate in Asian RFID projects.

The event will gather senior management executives from companies and organisations working in the field of RFID, such as RFID component suppliers, RFID hardware and software developers, RFID system integrators, RFID academic and research institutions and RFID technology end users.

As the leading RFID event in Asia, this event will be held from 8th February to 9th February 2006 in Singapore at the UOB Plaza 1.

About RFID Asia
As a global independent and non-profit RFID community in Asia, RFID Asia adopts a vision of becoming the Regional Independent RFID Knowledge Centre in Asia by facilitating a regional RFID community forum for industrial, research and educational institutions and organisations, building and disseminating knowledge on the emerging RFID technological, business and societal issues, promoting regional RFID standards, innovation, venture capital, products, services, solutions, privacy issues and business opportunities.

Meeting Pre-registration
Pre-registration is available on-line and by sending a fax containing name, telephone, fax, e-mail, address and affiliation to:
Fax no. +62-21-4586 5545
Att. RFID Asia Meeting Registration

The number of attendees is limited to 50 persons to guarantee the high meeting quality. The RFID Asia community members automatically get a higher priority in acceptance than non-members.

Labels: business, meeting, partnership, privacy, rfid, singapore, technology, tracking

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Refusing to be tracked during U.N. World Summit on the Information Society, the founder of Free Software Foundation (FSF), Richard Stallman, was held by U.N. security, according to Bruce Perens, vice president of developer relations and policy for SourceLabs.

Stallman's action to wrap his identification badge with alumunium foil was simple, yet effective, to avoid tracking by U.N. security during the summit. This incidence has attracted attention of many due to the public concern related to the privacy issues posed by some applications of the technology.

Labels: fsf, privacy, refuse, rfid, security, tagging, technology, tracking

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DOMINANT Semiconductors announces the release of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to deliver high level of performance in automatic identification and tracking objects.

The total RFID tag production solution provided by DOMINANT covers the converting processes like inlay assembly and the test from raw materials to finished goods such as smart tags. The flip chip technology enables DOMINANT to provide superior RFID tag product quality with competitive pricing.

DOMINANT provides three types of tags classified as per their radio frequency – HF at 13.56 MHz, UHF at 860-960 MHz and microwave at 2.45 GHz.

By adopting RFID technology, companies are able to optimize the accuracy of data collection – something that is not always possible with traditional systems. DOMINANT plays an important role as one of the RFID tag suppliers on a global scale where demand for compliant RFID tag is growing dramatically. The company aims to be the forefront in the RFID market by providing RFID tag products with superior quality in large quantities.


About DOMINANT Semiconductors

DOMINANT Semiconductors is an excellence-driven organization, offering a comprehensive variety of product range and selection for diverse industries and applications. With extensive industry experience and relentless pursuit of innovation, DOMINANT Semiconductors, with its state-of-the-art manufacturing, research and testing capabilities, has become a trusted and reliable brand across the globe. It develops and manufactures high quality RFID (radio frequency identification) tags used in automatic identification, tracking and supply chain management, which are specialized in high quality, high volume production. More information about DOMINANT Semiconductors can be found on the Internet at http://www.dominant-semi.com/rfid. DOMINANT is a QS 9000 and ISO9001 certified company.

Marketing Communication
Tee Mei Ghee
Tel: +60 (06) 2833566 (Ext: 2117)
Fax: +60 (06) 2830566
Email: mei-ghee.tee@dominant-semi.com
Website: http://www.dominant-semi.com/rfid

Labels: dominant, inlay, rfid, scm, tag, technology, tracking

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The project Cows for One Million Families, the Thai government cow loan scheme for farmers, is expected to involve the application of RFID technology.

The technology is expected to ensure the efficiency of the loan scheme through cow tracking and better database maintenance.

Starting early next month, the loan scheme is due to be implemented until 2008.

Source: Bangkok Post

Labels: cow, family, project, rfid, tagging, technology, tracking

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