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RFID Newsletter is published by Information Gatekeepers Inc.

320 Washington St., Brighton, Massachusetts 02135, USA; Fax: (617) 782-5735; Editorial telephone: (617) 782-5033;Circulation telephone: (617) 782-5033, (800) 323-1088 (Outside MA); Email: [email protected]; Web: www.igigroup.comPublisher/Editor: Dr. Paul Polishuk Editor: Hui Pan Managing Editor: Bev WilsonCirculation Mgr: Jaime Perez Subscription rates: $675 per year, US and Canada; $725 per year elsewhere.Discounts available for multiple subscriptions and licenses (see back page).Information Gatekeepers Inc. 2008. All rights reserved. (ISSN xxxx-xxxx)No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a data base or transmitted without prior written permission of the publisher.For photocopying authorization, contact Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 750-8400.

In This Issue...

Vol. 5 No. 7 July 2008

RFIDRadio Frecuency Identtification

MONTHLYNEWSLETTER

COVERING MARKETS,TECHNOLOGY, ANDAPPPLICATIONS

NEW PRODUCTS

Intelleflex and Minds Inc. deliver RFID-enabled telematicssolution for agriculture market

Intelleflex Corporation, a provider of extended-capability RFID, announced a joint solution with Minds Inc.for the automated tracking of crop harvesting. The solutioncombines the best of GPS, RFID, and wirelesscommunications technologies to provide real-time visibility intofield-harvesting activities anywhere, anytime. Using this

Source: ABI Research

3M Library Systems

upgrades ‘basic’ RFID tag

to 1K of memory ........... 3

3M Library Systems

unveils high-speed print

conversion system for

combined RFID and

barcode tag printing with

custom logos ................ 4

Sonoco and IPICO

introduce embedded

identification technology to

the paper industry ........ 5

3M Track and Trace

Solutions installs RFID

tracking system to manage

150,000 medical records at

Fort Hood ..................... 7

Alanco/TSI PRISM

announces new Puerto

Rico prison project ....... 8

Copyright 2008 Information Gatekeepers Inc. 320 Washington St. Brighton, MA 02135 Tel: (617) 782-5033 Web: www.igigroup.com

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RFID Newsletter July 2008

solution, growers and harvesters can track theexact location, timing, and efficiency of eachharvester, as well as the arrival, loading, anddeparture times of crop transport vehicles.

The harvesting of crops is a time-sensitive operation that requires coordinationbetween growers, harvesters, andtransportation vehicle operators to obtain themaximum yield from each harvest.

Reliance on current manual trackingmethods can hinder coordination and slow workflows in the field, adversely affecting productquality.

“In the crunch of harvest time, people arefocused on the task at hand (i.e. the harvestingof crops), and not the tracking, recording andcommunications of operational data. As a result,there is often a lack of the information requiredto ensure the most efficient operation,” saidPierre Vidaillac, president of Minds Inc.“Leveraging our success with Intelleflex intracking hot mix asphalt for the road constructionindustry, we were able to develop a solution thatis specifically designed to track the harvestingof crops in the field.”

“This is a great example of how today’sbusiness needs are driving the usage of RFIDand complementary technologies. While GPSprovided exact location finding capabilities forthe harvester, it did not by itself deliver a cost-effective, event-driven solution to track thearrival and departure of transport vehicles at theharvester,” said Sam Liu, marketing director atIntelleflex.

“By adding our Extended Capability RFIDinto the solution mix, we fill that need, and deliversignificant incremental value.”

Using the Intelleflex and Minds’ solution,GPS units and RFID readers are mounted onharvesters to track their whereabouts in the fieldas well as the arrival, loading, and departuretimes of transport vehicles.

The information is then transmittedwirelessly for immediate access anywhere,anytime — over the Web and mobile phones.

Alien Technology introduces intelligent tagradar software to enable new applicationsfor RFID

Alien Technology, a provider of RFIDultrahigh-frequency (UHF) products andservices, announced the availability of its newIntelligent Tag Radar (ITR) software developedfor the ALR-9900, ALR-9800, and ALR-8800Enterprise-Class reader platform. ITR is the firstRFID reader software to provide comprehensiveinformation about the position and direction ofUHF RFID tags in addition to the contents ofthe tag memory.

The Intelligent Tag Radar reader platformincludes the following:

- ITR-Singulation, a technology thatenables the reader to easily discriminate amongadjacent tagged objects on a conveyor such asitems, cases, or airline baggage, without theneed for specialized antennas, sensors, or near-field equipment;

- ITR-Velocity, which provides real-timeinformation on the speed of a tagged object,enabling discrimination between stationary andmoving objects and automated decision-makingbased on speed and location;

- ITR-Directionality, which identifieswhether an item is coming or going as well asthe direction of the item;

- ITR-Range, which enables thesystem to isolate tagged items to a given zone,with sufficient precision for most applications,but with much lower cost than competitivetechnologies like active and Wi-Fi tags.

“With this new ITR platform, our partnersand their customers can derive new value fromtheir existing investments in RFID,” said ScotStelter, director of reader product marketing withAlien Technology. “This extension of the AlienReader Protocol enables our partners toaddress unsolved business problems usingexisting Alien readers and Gen 2 tags as wellas to expand RFID into new growth applicationsand segments.”

ITR application examples:


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- ITR for airline baggage andmanufacturing — One of the challenges of usingRFID with conveyor belts is the difficulty inisolating individual tagged objects as they passthe antenna. Standard solutions to this problementail reducing conveyor speed or creatinggreater separation between tagged objects. ITR-Singulation enables the isolation of the one tagthat is “top-dead-center” with respect to theantenna. This allows the system to keep trackof the order of the tagged objects and to takespecific action with respect to each one. Aliensubsidiary Quatrotec is using ITR, in addition toits airport RFID solution, in baggage-handlingapplications being evaluated now by severalairports and baggage handling companies.

- ITR for retail — Retail users of RFIDneed to know not only that a given reader hasdetected a certain tag, but in which direction thetag is traveling when it was detected. Knowingwhether a case of product has moved from theback room to the store floor or the reverse helpsprovide more-accurate inventory informationand supplements shrinkage-control systems.Retailers will also be able to discern movinginventory items from stationary ones with ITR-Velocity. This information provides retailers withtimely and specific information on the productthe user is examining, while collecting dataabout how long the customer interacted with theitem. This valuable marketing data will helpretailers to optimize merchandizing displays andto know which products are hot in real time.

- ITR for asset tracking — In manyasset-tracking applications, passive RFID isreplacing the more expensive active RFIDsolution. ITR-Range enables the system toisolate the tag to a given zone, which in manycases is sufficient precision for the user, whoretains all of the cost benefits of passive RFID.Alien developed this application to aid in theloading process for cargo helicopters.

“The availability of Alien’s ITR softwarepoints to continued passive UHF applicationenablement in the industry,” said Michael Liard,

research director for RFID and contactlesstechnologies and markets at ABI Research. “Theability to understand where an item is going,where its exact location is among other items,while on a conveyer or passing through a readzone, opens up the door for application use ofRFID that’s well beyond the supply chain,manufacturing and simple asset tracking.Enterprises such as airlines and airports, largepackage and postal service companies, andothers can benefit from the use of the IntelligentTag Radar.”

Alien’s software for the patent-pendingITR can be downloaded by existing and newcustomers from the Alien Partner Portal. Thenew firmware includes an updated softwaredevelopment kit with sample code for severalof the applications described above. For moreinformation about the Alien reader portfolio andthe ITR software upgrade, including datasheetsand pictures, go to www.alientechnology.com/readers.

3M Library Systems upgrades ‘basic’ RFIDtag to 1K of memory

3M Library Systems introduced anupgraded “basic” RFID tag with 1K of memory,a fourfold increase over the former basic tag, atthe American Library Association annualconference, held at the Anaheim ConventionCenter.

The new tag can be imprinted withcustom logos and barcodes by library staff andis fully rewriteable to allow compliance with afuture ISO tag data standard and country-specific standards. The new basic tag continuesto meet ISO 15693-3 and 18000-3 standards,as do all other 3M RFID tag options.

“The purpose of this upgrade is to provideour customers with peace of mind in knowingthat their investment in RFID technology haslongevity and a better price/value option forlibrary system customers,” said Jacob Haas,market development manager, 3M LibrarySystems.


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“The memory capacity is large enoughfor future applications, and users are providedwith another tag option to meet their price needs.These are very high-value advantages for abasic tag option.”

Added Haas, “This new basic tag optionfits into a complete line of RFID tags (premiumand enhanced) that 3M provides to libraries. Itis part of a complete portfolio of RFID tags thatgives the library a choice of tag options that willbest fit its needs.”

The tags, which are affixed to circulatingitems, are employed in a host of easy-to-use3M Library Systems RFID applications thatboost performance and productivity in circulationmanagement, inventory control, and security.

3M Library Systems’ new basic tag hasbeen accelerated-age-tested and is guaranteedfor the life of the item to which it is affixed. Italso has a “fast-read multiblock” feature thatprovides high performance when multiple tagsmust be read simultaneously. Moreover, theability to custom print on the tags right at thelibrary also enables rapid conversion.

Lem Amen, vice president, 3M Track andTrace Solutions, which include RFIDapplications, says the new 3M basic RFID tag“is another big step forward in helping librariesadopt the productivity enhancing benefits ofRFID.

Libraries face mounting pressures todayto provide more services to growing populationswithout substantial increases in human orfinancial resources. RFID technology is a staff-and-customer-friendly, cost-efficient means offilling the gap.”

3M Library Systems provides security,productivity, and information-managementsolutions that harness technology to enable amore human library, freeing librarians to spendmore time doing what they do best — helpingpeople. 3M also partners with libraries to supporttheir technological advancement and ensuretheir success through numerous industrysponsorships and programs. For more

information about the 3M Library Systems, visithttp://www.3M.com/library.

3M Library Systems unveils high-speed printconversion system for combined RFID andbarcode tag printing with custom logos

3M Library Systems introduced its 3MPrint Conversion System for high-speedconversion to RFID collection managementsystems and subsequent tag printing at theAmerican Library Association’s annualconference.

The 3M Print Conversion System, withits easy-to-use intuitive interface, fast reader,and automatic tag printer, enables staff tosimultaneously print barcodes and custom logoson the RFID tags, while weeding the collectionat the same time.

“The resulting productivity increase andcost savings are substantial,” said Jacob Haas,market development manager, 3M LibrarySystems. “Even after RFID conversion, librarieswant to retain barcodes to have a visible numberon their collection items for various uses, and alogo to identify items that are loaned to otherbranches and libraries.

The 3M Print Conversion Systemhandles all of that in one step, plus weeding.It’s one of the most efficient conversion systemsavailable, and eliminates the cost of buyingbarcodes for future additions to the librarycollection.”

Haas also noted that the 3M PrintConversion System, as with all 3M LibrarySystems RFID products, gives the user accessto 3M Tag Data Manager, which empowers thelibrary to change its data format to ISO tag datawithout changing tags, if future needs make thatdesirable or necessary.

“We don’t lock our customers into ourdata format,” he said. “We want libraries to havethe freedom to make changes as easily andcost-effectively as possible, especially becausean ISO standardized format may be issued inthe not-too-distant future.”


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The 3M Print Conversion System workswith a library’s own PCs so the user can takeadvantage of its advantageously priced PCcontracts and maintain standardized computerusage. The system is available with high-volumeand regular-volume options to suit individuallibrary requirements. It also can reprogram RFIDtags as items change.

“The 3M Print Conversion System isanother important step forward for theproductivity gains that RFID is bringing tolibraries around the world,” said Rory Yanchek,business manager, 3M Track and TraceSolutions. “As the demand for library servicesincreases at a time when budgets are static, atbest, we are making this technology easy to useso that every library staff member can performhis or her tasks with greater efficiency and jobsatisfaction.”

The new workstation meets the EURoHS (European Union’s Restriction ofHazardous Substances) directive. RoHSrestricts the use of certain hazardoussubstances in electrical and electronicequipment, including that sold to the librarymarket. To learn more about how 3M LibrarySystems products meet the EU RoHS directive,visit http://www.3M.com/us/library and clickRecycling/Regulatory.

Sonoco and IPICO introduce embeddedidentification technology to the paperindustry

Sonoco, one of the largest diversifiedglobal packaging companies, and IPICO Inc.announced the availability of the world’s firstRFID enabled core solution specificallydesigned for the paper industry.

Using IPICO’s dual-frequencytechnology, the new fiber cores allow customersto automatically identify, track, and locate paperrolls at any point in the supply chain.

“IPICO and Sonoco have developed aunique process by which RFID technology isembedded in fiber-based cores. Sonoco is using

this process to produce its new Intellicoreengineered carriers which are specificallydesigned to meet the unique needs of papermanufactures,” said John Colyer, Sonoco vicepresident, Industrial Products — North America.“This technology can be read through any sizeof paper roll, which allows for easy managementthroughout the product’s life cycle.”

Sonoco is the world’s largestmanufacturer of fiber-based tubes and cores,many of which are used by companies aroundthe world to package various grades and typesof paper.

“Until now, the paper industry hasn’t beenable to seamlessly provide real time trackingand location for the hundreds of millions of rollsit produces annually,” said Gordon Westwater,president and chief executive officer of IPICO.“Working with Sonoco and using IPICO’s leadingidentification technology, we have created whatwe believe will quickly become the RFIDstandard for the paper industry.”

Leading paper manufacturers have longsought reliable and cost-effective tools to helptheir customers instantly track exact paper rolllocation, recognizing that paper gradeidentification, storage visibility, and wastereduction are key opportunities for cost savingsand profit enhancement.

This new technology shows potential todeliver important financial and environmentalbenefits to customers around the world, and isdesigned as an end-to-end managementsolution dedicated to improving the user’sbottom line.

“The RFID-enabled paper rolls representa step-change in material management for oursite. We have a solution that is actually workingand enables automatic goods receipt andmatching against order and shipping documentwithout any manual intervention,” said MikeRamsay, managing director, Mondi MarchCorrugated Packaging.

“The system gives the site real-time, fool-proof data that enables us to determine exactly


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which reel has been used for each customerproduct. This, for the first time, gives us fulltraceability so that we can guarantee to acustomer that the correct type and source ofpaper has been used.

The technology is so simple to use thatit provides a win-win solution with accurate datareporting and at less cost to acquire throughsavings in labor, waste, stock levels and stockouts.”

CONTRACTS

Oil & Gas RFID Solution Group: Petroleumindustry turns to Texas for RFID

Exceptionally high crude prices andsurging global demand have led the oil and gasindustry to seek out technologies such as RFIDas a means of gaining operational insight withintheir organizations. Everything from streamliningproduct procurement to enhancing safety andreliability of field equipment can be automatedor improved through an RFID technologybackbone.

Leading this wave of industry support isthe Oil & Gas RFID Solution Group, an allianceof subject-matter experts, academicresearchers, and technology providersconsisting of Texas A&M University, Universityof Houston, Avery Dennison, Merlin Concepts& Technology, Shipcom Wireless, Motorola Inc.,and a handful of leading petroleum companies.This multi-disciplinary field of experts is helpingexploration, drilling, and productionorganizations identify, define, develop, anddeploy RFID systems to address fundamentalissues that are inherent to their respective fields.

“The group has been created as a meansto unify the industry’s direction and synchronizeits efforts with respect to product and standardsdevelopment.

Serving as a think-tank and research anddevelopment center to build the next generationof RFID systems for the petroleum industry. Weare here to assist and work hand-in-hand with

the oil & gas market space to achieve successfuland value-added deployment of this technologyby supporting these organizations through ourcomprehensive set of field-experts, our RFIDlab facilities, real-world test environments, andstandards development roadmaps,” said Dr. BenZoghi, director of the Oil & Gas Solution Groupand professor at Texas A&M University.

The solution group offers an arena forthe petroleum industry to communicate theirunderlying needs and align them with thetechnology. It offers petroleum companies theability to voice their requirements for specificapplications of RFID and have the experts inthe solution group deliver on theserequirements. It also offers a way of building aconsolidated methodology of exchanging andinterpreting information related to the collectedRFID data.

“One of the objectives of our group is toprovide a concise and clear direction for howthe petroleum market can use radio frequencyidentification technology. This entails definingbest-practices, operational processes, data-models, and application architectures. Outliningthese steps is a critical precursor to industryadoption.

Building this foundation provides a clearview of where and how RFID technology canbe used,” said Konrad Konarski, a foundingmember of the Oil & Gas Solution Group andvice-president of Merlin Concepts andTechnology.

Standards development can embodydefining the data-schema of an RFID tag, but itcan also involve understanding operationalconditions, for instance, how the cocktail ofchemicals inserted into a drill string affectsreadability and survivability of a tag.Hydrochloric acid for acid fracturing, hydrogensulfide from down-hole corrosive gases, or baritein the drilling mud are all factors that determinehow RFID technology can be used and how itneeds to be designed and developed to workeffectively.


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Understanding these environmentalfactors helps define best practices thatintegrators can use to interpret criticalcomponents of system development andthereby successfully build RFID technologies forthese application areas.

EPC Global, the international standardsboard for RFID technology, is also playing anactive part in accelerating this industry’s movetowards RFID.

The standards board is currently workingin collaboration with the Oil & Gas SolutionGroup to achieve these underlying objectivesand develop the next-generation in RFIDSystems for this industry.

“A thriving [petroleum] market spacebrings with it great complexity. Supplier networkshave become more intricate, drilling locationsmore diverse, and consumer markets morewide-spread. As such, there is fundamentalneed to leverage next-generation technologiessuch as RFID to enhance asset utilization andstreamline operational processes. RFIDtechnology clearly possesses the ability tosupport the industries growth and address someof its critical pain-points,” added Alex Heredia,vice-president of Oil & Gas for Shipcom Wirelessand member of the Oil & Gas Solution Group.

With these new RFID systems capableof storing more information in extremeenvironmental surroundings while being read atlonger distances and maintaining lower pricepoints, the industry is in line for a variety of newand revolutionary application areas of thetechnology.

Current uses of the technology includedrill-pipe validation, circulation subactuation,perforating gun triggering, personnelgeofencing, and supply chain visibility, amongothers. The list will continue to grow, and theadoption rate increase as the Oil & Gas SolutionGroup and others drive RFID as a business toolthat enables process intelligence byrevolutionizing procurement, production, andprocess control.

The Oil & Gas RFID (OGR) SolutionGroup brings together select industry subject-matter experts, academic researchers, andtechnology service providers to identify, define,develop, and deploy cutting-edge solutions forexploration, production, drilling, and productmanufacturing in the oil and gas market. Byeducating and refining the customersunderstanding of what the technology can dofor them and developing systems with the helpof a consolidated effort of oil and gasprofessionals, the solutions group is creatingscalable application systems and datastandards and helping generate understandingand adoption of RFID within the oil and gasIndustry.

For more information visitwww.rfidsolutiongroup.com.

3M Track and Trace Solutions installs RFIDtracking system to manage 150,000 medicalrecords at Fort Hood

3M has completed the development andinstallation of an RFID Smart Shelf System totrack and manage the more than 150,000medical files of US Army personnel and theirfamily members at Fort Hood, Texas. Under theterms of a three-year, $3.76 million contract, 3MTrack and Trace Solutions will provide trainingand maintenance services over the next year.

Fort Hood, situated about 60 miles northof Austin, the state capital, is the nation’s largestactive-duty domestic armed forces facility. Itoccupies 340 square miles.

The custom-designed 3M RFID SmartShelf System is the centerpiece of a pilotprogram that may be extended to other militaryinstallations after a period of evaluation.

The system is intended to substantiallyreduce errors and inefficiencies associated withmanual tracking, retrieval, filing, and file mergingmethods of medical records management atFort Hood, where thousands of files may be inuse at the base’s six clinics during any givenmonth. In turn, such improvement would make


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a positive impact on operational efficiencies inhealth care delivery, the troop deploymentprocess, and the management of medical datacollection.

One of the top priorities of the system isto provide virtually instant accessibility tocomplete medical records for soldiers and theirfamily members requiring intensive and complexhealthcare services.

“The cost-efficiency and far-reachingversatility of RFID is prompting an expandingrange of innovative applications in almost allfacets of society,” observed Lem Amen, vicepresident, 3M Track and Trace Solutions. “As aleader in this emerging technology, 3M is veryproud to help introduce this powerful tool to theArmy.”

The program to track and manage Armymedical records using radio frequencyidentification technology is being led by theTelemedicine and Advanced TechnologyResearch Center (TATRC), a unit of the US ArmyMedical Research and Materiel Command(USAMRMC).

The Army becomes the first branch of theUS Armed Forces to deploy this RFID systemfrom 3M for medical records management.Three other federal government entities areusing RFID systems from 3M Track and TraceSolutions for applications not requiring SmartShelf technology. David Erickson, 3M programmanager for the Fort Hood project, saidapproximately 300 cabinets have been installedwith “smart shelves” to accommodate the morethan 150,000 medical files, whose movementsare continuously monitored.

“The system is designed to provideautomatic inventory monitoring and automaticerror notification, and thereby essentiallyeliminate human compliance issues,” he said.“The problems that arise in manually managingvast numbers of medical records are not only awaste of time and money, but, more important,they can adversely affect the delivery of medicalservices.

And on a major military installation, theycan also have an impact on the timelydeployment of personnel to their assignmentsto other parts of the world.”

Erickson said 3M’s Fort Hood contractcovered the tasks of choosing and optimizingthe best radio frequency technology for thisapplication, developing a cost-effective systemthat includes shelf-based reading capabilitiesand specialized software tailored specifically tomeet the military’s processes and the installationand training of personnel for its use andmaintenance.

Sirit Inc. is providing INfinity 510 UHF tagreaders for the Fort Hood RFID installation.

“This application presented a number ofenvironmental, technological and performancechallenges, and 3M has implemented severalunique concepts to achieve remarkable results,”says Tony Sabetti, Sirit vice president, RFSolutions.

“We are pleased that the IN 510, whichwas selected as the top performing reader inthe ODIN technologies Reader Benchmarkreport, provides the reader managementflexibility, read accuracy, and high tag read ratesneeded to meet the stringent requirements forthe application.”

Alanco/TSI PRISM announces new PuertoRico prison project

Alanco Technologies Inc. announced thatits Alanco/TSI PRISM Inc. subsidiary has beenawarded a contract by the Weil Group Inc. todesign a TSI PRISM RFID inmate trackingsystem for a prison complex located inBayamon, Puerto Rico, operated by the PuertoRico Department of Corrections andRehabilitation. Current project plans call forincorporation of TSI PRISM into one, andpossibly two, 500-bed facilities of similar designand architecture within the Bayamon complex.The Weil Group, a security systems consultingfirm located in Caguas, Puerto Rico, is the primecontractor on the Bayamon project.


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The total value of the project, to beconfirmed in early August 2008 upon completionof the system design, will be in the range of$800,000 for both 500-bed facilities. The projectcontract is anticipated to be finalized andawarded in the August/September 2008 timeperiod.

Greg M. Oester, president of Alanco/TSIPRISM, commented, “Puerto Rico is the fourthcontract awarded to TSI PRISM this year, threeof which have been attained through the effortsof security integrators such as the Weil Group,which provide a high degree of expertise andstrong customer relationships. This newintegrator involvement is indicative ofaccelerated interest and acceptance of RFIDtracking’s value proposition throughout thecorrections industry.”

For more information, please visitwww.alanco.com.

Vail Resorts improves season ski passholder experience with Intermec RFID

Intermec Inc. announced that its CN3mobile computers with IP30 handheld RFIDreaders have been chosen by Vail Resorts, thepremier mountain resort company in the worldand a leader in luxury destination-based travelat iconic locations, for its 2008-2009 season skipasses at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge,Keystone, and Heavenly.

The “easy scan” process makes gettingthrough lift lines easier and more convenient byusing RFID technology to give skiers andsnowboarders holding 2008-2009 seasonpasses the option to keep their passes insidetheir jackets and be automatically scanned bya Vail Resorts employee in the lift line.

“With Intermec RFID readers, we will beable to significantly enhance our guestexperience by making the lift line process easierand more convenient for our guests who havepurchased any of our four season pass products— The Epic Pass, The Colorado Pass, TheSummit Pass or The Heavenly Pass,” stated

Robert Urwiler, chief information officer for VailResorts.

The Intermec CN3 mobile computerswith IP30 handheld RFID readers combine thesmallest, most advanced, rugged computer inthe world with a powerful, modular passive UHFRFID handle.

The modularity of the IP30 and the RFID-readiness of Intermec mobile computers meanthe power of RFID can be literally added in asnap today or at any point in the future. TheIntermec CN3 also integrates GPS andBluetooth to increase efficiency and safety byenabling hands-free turn-by-turn voicenavigation. With 3G WAN and Cisco CompatibleWi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, users are connectedwith voice and high-speed data (GSM/EDGE orCDMA/EV-DO) anywhere they go.

“Vail Resorts is a leader in providingexceptional experiences for their guests,” saidIntermec’s vice president of RFID, Ray Cronin.“We are pleased that Intermec CN3 mobilecomputers with IP30 RFID readers helpcontinue that history of excellence by giving theirski and snowboard guests the kind of easyexperience that will become the future of lift lineprocesses.”

ITG Vista Sorting operates with 3M RFIDtechnology at Lone Tree Public Library

Douglas County Libraries have installedVista Sorting at the Lone Tree Public Library inColorado. Vista Sorting has helped the LoneTree Public Library reach its short-term goal ofreshelving materials within 24 hours of drop-off.The library’s future goal is to r-shelve itemswithin four and a half hours of drop-off. Inaddition, Vista Sorting has also reduced the riskof staff injuries associated with repetitive-motiontasks and heavy lifting.

“We wanted to use an automatedmaterials handling system at our Lone Treebranch, which is smaller than our regionalbranches, but we didn’t want to spend a fortuneon a large piece of equipment,” said Bob


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Pasicznyuk, associate director of virtualservices. “ITG offered the perfect solution withVista Sorting. It fits in small spaces, and it iscost-effective.”

Circulation for Douglas County Librariesexceeded 6 million in 2007, and it is expectedto increase to more than 7 million in 2008. Thelibrary system, which includes three regionallibraries, two neighborhood libraries, two satellitelibraries, and a bookmobile, is one of the firstlibrary systems in Colorado to implement anautomated materials-handling system.

“More and more, libraries must find waysto reduce handling of items and free up staff forother activities. In these tough financial timeswhen staffing budgets are frozen, libraries mustfind ways to get things done without addingadditional people. Automated materials handlingis one of the most effective ways to accomplishthis,” said Amy Thropp, vice president ofmarketing for ITG.

“We have developed a method fortracking our return on investment of theautomated materials handling system, and weare more than pleased with the results,” saidPasicznyuk. “Throughout our library system, wehave been able to reduce the number of timesour staff members have to touch or handle anitem by more than 66 percent.”

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise adoptsTransCore’s eGo Plus RFID stickertechnology

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE),which manages the statewide SunPass systemused on 460 miles of Florida’s toll highways,selects TransCore’s eGo Plus RFID sticker tagto upgrade its current technology that has beenin use since the late 1990s. The paper-thin,batteryless tags will be sold as the SunPass“Mini” and be available summer 2008 at regularSunPass outlets. The multimillion-dollar orderis for 1.5 million eGo Plus tags.

The newer, more versatile, and moreaffordable tags overcome the cost barrier to

widespread adoption of electronic toll-collectiontechnology, making it more attractive to migrateto all-electronic toll roads and increase thenumber of customers who pay tolls wirelesslyversus manually.

The more than 3 million hardcaseSunPass tags currently in use will workalongside the new “mini” tags. Around thecountry, the eGo Plus technology has also beenadopted for high-speed tolling by Houston’sHarris County Toll Road Authority, the TexasDepartment of Transportation, and theWashington Department of Transportation.

As technology continues to eraseboundaries and convenience becomes centralto customer service, acceptance of wirelesspayments systems for other applications suchas paying for parking or access to gatedcommunities has grown. Throughout Florida, theuse and ease of the SunPass system hasspread to airport parking operations with airportsin the midst of deploying interoperable paymentsystems in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando,Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

“Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise continuesto demonstrate its commitment to improvingmotorists’ experience by implementinginnovative open road tolling designs andproviding newer interoperable technology,” saidJohn Simler, president of TransCore IntelligentTransportation Systems Group. “After a decadeof providing SunPass RFID technology,TransCore recognized the need to provide FTEwith next-generation technology to supportevolving transportation needs.”

With the growing interest in “greener”technology, the newer, sleeker, batterylesstechnology provides environmental benefits, aswell. As more customers shift to paying tollselectronically, this reduces congestion andeliminates idle times at toll plazas, significantlyreducing vehicle emissions and improving airquality.

The smaller-profile tag also consumesless petroleum-based raw material to


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manufacture and reduces transportation andshipping requirements. The batteryless designof the tag eliminates the additional cost anddemand for batteries and subsequent storageand disposal requirements.

PARTNERSHIPS

MIKOH and Ship2Save prevent dealershipcar theft

MIKOH Corporation and Ship2Saveentered a partnership to deliver joint solutionsto AVS Key and Inventory Solutions as part ofthe company’s RFID-enabled security systemaimed to prevent car theft from automotivedealerships. T

he solution combines MIKOH’sSmart&Secure tamper evident RFID platformwith custom cabinets from Ship2Save and thecompany’s Operational Management Systems(OMS).

“Car theft is a rising concern fordealerships, mostly due to stolen keys,” saidAnoop Sharma, president of AVS Key andInventory Solutions and a former Toronto policeofficer. “During test drives, thieves switch theoriginal keys with counterfeits, returning a fewhours later to drive the car off the lot and onto awaiting truck. RFID is an ideal security solutionto prevent key counterfeiting and theft.”

AVS Key and Inventory Solutionsapproached MIKOH and Ship2Save to create asecurity solution to prevent car theft due tostolen dealership keys. The keys are stored ina custom Ship2Save cabinet equipped with anautomatic locking mechanism. Employees mustcheck out keys using coded ID cards, but areonly authorized to check out a certain quantityof keys for a limited period of time. If keys arenot returned within that time period, or if morekeys are removed than allowed, the Ship2SaveOMS alerts designated parties within thecompany that the keys are at risk. Thedealership can then move at-risk vehicles tosecure locations to prevent theft.

MIKOH delivers tamper-evidencesecurity with Smart&Secure. Each key isequipped with an RFID tag using theSmart&Secure platform. The RFID functionalityis disabled if the tag is tampered with orremoved. This prevents thieves fromcircumventing the security system.

“Car theft costs dealershipsapproximately $420,000 each year, not includingincreased insurance premiums and lostopportunity costs,” said Aminder Singh, vicepresident products and services for Ship2Save.“The Ship2Save and MIKOH partnershipcreates an obvious solution to enhancedealership security. The addressable market inNorth America alone is more than 10 million tagsannually.” In addition, dealership employeesoften misplace keys or forget to return them,forcing the dealership to order expensivereplacements. Dealerships spend an averageof $2,000 each year in key replacement fees.The AVS Key and Inventory Solutions systemenables dealerships to better manage keyinventories. “AVS Key and Inventory Solutionsperfectly illustrates how RFID can be leveragedto create an innovative solution to a specificmarket need,” said Andrew Strauch, vicepresident of product marketing andmanagement for MIKOH. “The result preventscar theft, saving money for both dealerships andinsurance companies while also saving time andresources for local law enforcementorganizations.” The AVS Key and InventorySolutions system is currently deployed in aToronto-based car dealership, with plans toexpand to eight additional dealerships acrossthe greater Toronto metropolitan area. Futureplans call for product deployments across thewhole of North America.

Hi-G-Tek and Identec Solutions partner tooffer a complete ISO Standard 18000-7 activeRFID solution set

Hi-G-Tek (www.higtek.com), a developerof RFID sensing and control solutions for


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tracking high-value cargo and sensitivematerials, announced a strategic partnershipwith Dallas, Texas-based Identec Solutions(www.identecsolutions.com), a provider ofintelligent wireless identification technology forthe automotive; oil, gas, and mining; defense;construction; and logistics industries. Thispartnership is designed to supply a completemenu of active-RFID solutions based on theInternational Organization for Standardization(ISO) Standard 18000-7:2008 and in responseto a US Department of Defense (DoD) Requestfor Proposal (RFP), termed RFID-III, which isseeking RFID 18000-7 protocol licensees.

The ISO 18000-7 protocol is aninternational standard that operates at 433MHzand is used around the world by the DoD, theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), andvarious military defense systems. Thisfrequency features a low power consumptionthat allows the incorporation of various sensorattributes, including temperature, location, andhumidity. In addition, the 18000-7 standardestablished an automatic identification of assetsat distances exceeding 100 meters.

DoD uses active RFID technology tomonitor, track, and protect cargo in transit acrossthe globe. According to DoD’s Draft RFID-IIIStatement of Work, all RFID-III contracts willprovide integrated ISO 18000-7 compliant activeRFID hardware, software, documentation, andservices.

The primary purpose of the contract is tosupply a universal, integrated platform amonggovernment users of active RFID componentsfor logistics and location tracking and conditionalmonitoring of cargo and assets.

Hi-G-Tek and Identec are blendingcomplementary technologies from thecompanies’ two product lines. Hi-G-Tek’ssolution monitors cargo en route, while alsoproviding real-time conditional monitoring ofassets. Identec’s solution provides asset andbasic sensor tags. The melding of these twoactive RFID capabilities will allow the systems

integrators (Primes) to bid on all aspects of theRFID-III RFP.

“Our experience as the world leader incommercial active-RFID, combined with Hi-G-Tek’s innovative sensor and monitoringsolutions, allows this technology partnership todeliver the most comprehensive and robust setof products and services to DoD,” stated PeterLinke, executive vice president, sales andmarketing, Identec Solutions.

Erik Wood, vice president of businessdevelopment, Hi-G-Tek, said, “We recognizeIdentec Solutions as the world’s leader in high-volume, active-RFID technology, which clearlycomplements Hi-G-Tek’s world-class, premiumfunctionality active-RFID technology. Themarriage of these best-of-breed categories willoffer DoD and NATO allies the mostcomprehensive menu of standards-basedactive-RFID solutions ever seen on the market.”

FINANCING

ThingMagic closes $9.5 million in additionalfunding

ThingMagic Inc. (www.thingmagic.com),a developer of RFID technology, has securedan additional $9.5 million in funding from existinginvestors, including Tudor Ventures, The ExxelGroup, Morningside Technology Ventures, and.406 Ventures.

ThingMagic specializes in thedevelopment of RFID readers, sensors, andembedded RFID technologies including fixedand embedded RFID readers and antennas andembedded and OEM RFID technology, as wellas professional services that facilitate theintegration of RFID into a wide range of industrialand consumer products. ThingMagic’scustomers include some of the world’s largestretailers, consumer companies, automotivefirms, manufacturers, and industrial automationfirms.

“The last two years have broughtsignificant change to the RFID marketplace.


13


RFID has expanded into commercial andconsumer markets and our UHF RFID readermodules, software and design services areenabling our customers and partners to embedRFID into their products and applications,” saidTom Grant, chairman and CEO of ThingMagicInc.

“For a growing range of consumer andcommercial products, such as Ford Tool Linkand Lexmark’s T640rn laser printer,ThingMagic’s embedded RFID readers havebecome the engine in RFID.”

“ThingMagic has witnessed substantialdemand across a wide range of industries andapplications for its embedded RFID moduleproduct line,” said Larry Begley, co-founder andmanaging director with .406 Ventures. “This,coupled with their leadership position in RFIDsupply chain applications, underscores thecompany’s market opportunity and makesThingMagic a compelling investment.”

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

VeriChip completes sale of Xmark to Stanleyfor $47.9 million cash

VeriChip Corporation (the “company”), aprovider of RFID systems for healthcare andpatient-related needs, announced it hascompleted the sale of its wholly owned Canadiansubsidiary, Xmark Corporation (Xmark), toStanley Canada Corporation, a wholly ownedsubsidiary of The Stanley Works (Stanley) for$47.9 million in cash, which consists of the $45million purchase price plus a balance sheetadjustment of $2.9 million.

Under the terms of the Stock PurchaseAgreement between the company and TheStanley Works, the company will use theproceeds of the sale of Xmark to retire all of thecompany’s outstanding debt.

The company expects to realize netproceeds — after retiring its outstanding debt,paying transaction related costs, and othercontractual commitments — of approximately

$24.8 million. Under the terms of the StockPurchase Agreement, $4.5 million of theproceeds will be held in escrow for a period of12 months. The company intends to fund aspecial dividend to stockholders currentlyestimated to be at least $15 million.

Scott R. Silverman, departing chairmanand chief executive officer of VeriChip, said, “Weare pleased to have completed the sale ofXmark to The Stanley Works. We believe thetransaction, which provided an excellentvaluation for Xmark, was in the best interest ofour stockholders.

It will enable us to pay off all of ouroutstanding debt and issue a special cashdividend to our stockholders. Furthermore, thesearch for potential buyers of our VeriMedHealth Link business continues. The Companylooks forward to updating you on the possiblesale of that business or the entire Company andany additional cash dividend that may be paidto stockholders.

“I want to thank Bill Caragol, DanGunther, Mike Feder, the Board of Directors andthe entire VeriChip team for their hard work anddedication,” continued Silverman. “It has beenan honor to work with all of you. You have taughtme a lot and I wish you all the best.”

As previously announced, Scott R.Silverman and the company mutually agreedthat, at the closing of the transaction, Mr.Silverman would no longer be an officer ordirector of the company. William J. Caragolcontinues as the company’s president and chieffinancial officer. Joseph J. Grillo, president andchief executive officer of Digital AngelCorporation, the company’s 48 percentstockholder, has replaced Mr. Silverman aschairman of the company’s board of directors.

Commenting on the transaction and Mr.Silverman’s departure, Joseph J. Grillo, chiefexecutive officer of Digital Angel Corporation andnew chairman of VeriChip Corporation, stated,“I share Scott’s views about the completion ofthe sale of the Xmark business. Not only does it


14


benefit VeriChip’s stockholders but it alsosignificantly strengthens Digital Angel’s balancesheet. I look forward to working with the currentVeriChip Board.

On behalf of both Boards and on behalfof all our stockholders, I want to thank Scott forhis years of service to VeriChip, Applied Digital,Digital Angel and all related companies. Hisprofessionalism, tenacity and perseverance for13 years exemplifies his dedication to thesuccess of these businesses. We wish him thebest of luck.”

Checkpoint Systems Inc. to acquireOATSystems Inc.

Checkpoint Systems Inc., a manufacturerand marketer of identification, tracking, security,and merchandising solutions for the retailindustry and its supply chain, announced that ithas entered into a definitive agreement toacquire OATSystems Inc., a provider of RFID-based application software and middleware. Theall-cash transaction is expected to close withintwo weeks. Checkpoint expects the transactionto be dilutive to earnings per share through 2009and accretive thereafter.

OATSystems’s international client baseconsists of leading companies in the retail,consumer products, consumer electronics,manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, anddefense industries.

Checkpoint and OATSystems offercomplementary merchandise protection andinventory management applications thattogether strengthen their combined presence inthe retail market.

For retail customers, OATSystemssolutions help turn large quantities of data fromRFID hardware into meaningful and actionableinformation.

These solutions enable retailers toenhance operational efficiency by obtainingaccurate perpetual inventory levels, ensuringon-shelf availability of merchandise that isseamlessly integrated within the framework of

existing loss-prevention strategies andpractices.

“With this acquisition, Checkpoint is onceagain redefining the scope of ShrinkManagement,” said Rob van der Merwe,president and chief executive officer, CheckpointSystems Inc.

“The addition of OATSystems buildsupon our previously announced strategy to helpretailers and their suppliers migrate more easilywith our Evolve Electronic Article Surveillanceplatform to Electronic Product Code RFID. Asour industry moves to a common EPC standard,Checkpoint with the addition of OATSystems’capabilities will now be able to offer solutionsthat enable retailers and their supply chains togain deeper inventory visibility — furtherreducing shrink and increasing bottom-lineprofits by enhancing on-shelf merchandiseavailability for consumers.”

Senior management of OATSystems,including Michael George, president and chiefexecutive officer of OATSystems, will continueto operate the business as a division ofCheckpoint.

The company will continue to use anddevelop the OATSystems brand and softwareplatform to serve retail, consumer-products, andindustrial customers.

“This is exciting news for OATSystems,its customers, partners and employees,” saidMr. George. “We will continue our mission withthe agility and technology innovation that hasmade OATSystems the leading provider of real-time RFID solutions. Combined withCheckpoint’s global resources and leadership,we will be better positioned to help customersoptimize their operations and achieve theirgoals.”

“The addition of OATSystems providesCheckpoint with multiple avenues for expansioninto higher growth markets as cross-sellingopportunities are leveraged.

We acted quickly and decisively on theacquisition of this industry recognized market


15


leader,” added Mr. van der Merwe.“The transaction is consistent with our

plans for growing revenue both organically andthrough acquisitions.

Importantly, in acquiring OATSystemswe are welcoming one of the most respectedmanagement teams in the industry and a groupof employees who are second to none. We lookforward to working closely with the OATSystemsteam as we continue our efforts to grow ourbusiness and position Checkpoint for thefuture.”

BUSINESS

4C Controls Inc. announces exclusivetechnology licensing agreement

4C Controls Inc. announced the signingof an exclusive global license agreementacquiring technologies in the field of intrusion-detection systems, radar systems for borderand pipeline surveillance, RFID, and RTLS formonitoring and surveillance.

Key features of the acquiredtechnologies include cost-effective use ofoperations-proven commercially available oroff-the-shelf component items, scalability,expandability, and high-performing architecturein terms of response time, image quality, datavolume and throughput, and service availability.The company intends to apply for patents inEurope and the USA on these technologies.

The licensed technologies have beendeveloped and improved by Professor RiccardoMaggiora, an active member of the faculty atPolitechnico di Torino (“Polito”), one of theleading European technology and scientificresearch institutes, who is an internationallyrecognized authority in radar and image-processing systems.

The license agreement between thecompany and Professor Maggiora includessublicensing and patent rights for allimprovements and related know-how, as wellas a long-term R&D program to ensure further

development of the acquired technologies andto explore special research in the fields relatedto the company activities.

The technologies within the scope of thelicense include the following:

- Perimeter intrusion detections radars

— GUIDAR and RADAR, which are designed

to detect moving targets.

GUIDAR will exploit the features ofultrawideband (UWB) radar signals launchedalong leaky cables, which are used to detect,locate, and classify any target by means of aan innovative digital signal processing (DSP)system.

This technology is generally classified asactive, volumetric, terrain following, all-weather,and resistant to vegetation and blowing debris.

RADAR will be a UWB electronicscanning radar (ESR) using an innovativeantenna design and an advanced DSP systemrealizing a protection barrier.

The processing unit is being developedimplementing a signal processing scheme ableto precisely recognize the intruder radar cross-section and 2D position (azimuth and range) atvarying distance from the antenna.

This technology is classified as active,volumetric, all-weather, ideal for low profiletargets, and resistant to vegetation and blowingdebris.

Both systems will provide substantialbenefits for protecting military and civilianplants, airports, border areas, and oil pipelines.

- Real-time positioning systems

These systems will consist of a fixedinfrastructure of base stations and associatedhardware and software to enable accurate real-time tracking and identification of small battery-powered (active) tags, which can be attachedto people or objects, within the area coveredby the base stations infrastructure.

Compared to Global PositioningSystems (GPS), this approach provides greateraccuracy (typically to a resolution of a fewcentimeters) and the ability to work in situations


16


where GPS generally does not work (such asinside buildings) and with very small tags.

Using innovative UWB signal processingtechniques, the system can be applied to trackpeople or objects, to determine their position orthe proximity between objects or specific points.Commercial and government applications arewide ranging.

- EMSEC protection devices

Electronic equipment can emit ambientsignals from which unauthorized eavesdroppersmay reconstruct processed data at somedistance. Two planned systems based on thistype of security deficiency include the following:

* A single PC/laptop active EMSECprotection system will be based on the emissionof signals that provide a secure operatingenvironment. Emitting a dedicated protectionsignal, the received spectrum is designed tofunction as a nondiscernable mix of the signalto be protected and the protecting signal. Thisapparatus is low power, narrow band, impossibleto violate, and easy to install. Offeringunprecedented performance, these protectionsystems can be applied to military installations,government buildings, and various tacticaloperations.

* A corollary second offering will consistof a high-performance (long-distance and wall-penetrable) eavesdropping system on videodisplay unit based on state-of-the-art digitalsignal processing.

- Image processing codecs

This system will be based on digital signalprocessors running state-of-the-art image-processing software algorithms. The systemobtains an input from any video camera (orradar, or eavesdropping system) and producesalarms and other outputs. It currently performscontent video analyses, including motiondetection, abandoned/removed object/vehicledetection, perimeter crossing detection, panicsituation detection, people/vehicle counting andspeed evaluation, PTZ camera tracking, platerecognition, behavior analysis, and face

recognition. There are numerous military andcivilian applications for this technology. “Today’sagreement contributes important and marketleading additions to 4C Controls’ technology,design, production and service offerings asoutlined in the Company’s business plan.Coupled with other anticipated near termtransactions, we expect to offer a full spectrumof comprehensive and integrated securitysolutions very shortly,” said Jean-Robert Martin,chairman of 4C Controls. Professor Maggiorapresently serves on the 4C Controls board ofdirectors and as chief technology officer of thecompany. Professor Maggiora is an affiliate ofthe Antenna and Electromagnetic CompatibilityLaboratory (LACE) at the Politecnico di Torino,Italy (“Polito”).

He has more than a decade ofexperience in the design, construction, andoperation of a variety of radar and image-processing systems. Professor Maggiora is theinventor of patented technologies in the area ofground intrusion detection radar. ProfessorMaggiora also serves as a director and as CEOof 4C Polito Space Technologies S,p.A, (“BPSpace”), the joint venture company ofPolitecnico di Torino.

Professor Maggiora obtained his Laureadi Dottore in Ingegneria delle Telecomunicazioni(Communications Engineering) from Polito andhis Dottorato di Ricerca (Ph.D.) in IngegneriaElettronica e delle Comunicazioni(Communications and Electronics Engineering)at Polito.

Since 2001 he has been teaching andsupervising laboratory training for the courses“AntennaDesign” and “RF Techniques” at Polito.Professor Maggiora has been engaged innumerous research activities, including thedevelopment of hardware and software forspace-borne synthetic aperture radars. SinceSeptember 1995, he has served as group leaderof the PFA (Plasma Facing Antenna) Group atPolito (the main research group in Italy for theanalysis and design of plasma facing antennas).


17


EVENTS

Resurgent Health and Medical launchesCleanTracker at APIC Annual Conference

Resurgent Health and Medical, aprovider of automated handwashing andsanitizing technology, announced the launch ofthe CleanTracker at the Association forProfessionals in Infection Control andEpidemiology (APIC) annual conference. TheCleanTracker is the only fully functional RFIDtechnology available to track handwashingcompliance.

“At APIC we had interest from over 550healthcare professionals and performed over1300 handwashes with our machines,” said JimGlenn, CEO of Resurgent Health and Medical.“With infection rates rising, mandatory reporting,and changes in reimbursement, healthcarefacilities must do more to improve handwashingcompliance to reduce HAIs.”

The CleanTracker software and RFIDcompliance-monitoring technology is for usewith Resurgent’s CleanTech IC automatedhandwashing systems. Users wash their hands,and the CleanTech system and CleanTrackersoftware do all the reporting. The easilynavigated software gathers users’ data at thehandwashing system and pushes theinformation to the database without interventionby an administrator.

The CleanTracker offers infection-controldepartments streamlined hand-hygiene data.The CleanTracker also offers the followingbenefits:

- Easily review reports of hand hygieneactivity by a specified time period orby department, job title, or individual;

- Create and store quick reports forboth past and current data;

- Generate simple graphs or tables forvisual indications of hygiene eventsby department, job title, or user;

- Automatically track hand washes thatare complete or incomplete;

- Create customizable handwashingtargets that can be assigned bydepartment, job title, or individual userto give staff a comparative record ofhand-hygiene compliance;

- User identity can easily be turned offto protect personal information.

The CleanTech touchless systemperforms a fully automated 12-second wash,sanitize, and rinse cycle. Using Resurgent’sproprietary Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)sanitizing solution, the single cycle removesover 99.9 percent of pathogens and continuesto kill germs for up to six hours. The FDA certifiedCHG-based sanitizer contains mild skinconditioners to continuously improve skin healthwhile removing dangerous germs.

The system further boosts compliance byensuring a pleasant, uniform hand wash usinghigh-pressure water jets that perform aconsistent wash-and-sanitize cycle every timethe machines are used.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE

New report forecasts the market size of RFIDhardware for the period 2007-2010

Research and Markets announced theaddition of the “RFID Hardware Market 2007-2010” report to their offering.

The demand for RFID hardware hasincreased significantly with the decrease in theprices of tags and readers. Further,implementation of RFID technology by industryleaders and the derived benefits have set abenchmark, which is driving other industryplayers to adopt this technology. Further,mandates in the manufacturing and retailindustries that require suppliers to be RFIDenabled at the case and item levels is alsodriving demand for RFID hardware.

Even in the government vertical,initiatives such as e-passports, RFID-enabledID cards, etc., are expected to drive demandfor RFID hardware.


18


In addition, the total market is segmentedinto various geographic regions and verticals.The report also presents market sizes for majorcountries in various regions. In addition, thereport identifies major selling drivers for theRFID hardware for the major verticals.

This report can help IT vendors identifytarget geographies and verticals. Furthermore,the identified sales drivers can be used topenetrate the identified vertical or increasecurrent share of the customer’s wallet.

TechNavio Insights is a set of reportsbased on TechNavio, a market intelligenceplatform for the IT industry. It builds on theintelligence available within TechNavio, andtakes advantage of the custom researchexperience of the Technology Navigators.TechNavio is built on years of experience of theauthors in custom research and consulting forover 30 Fortune 500 companies and numerouslarge and mid-sized companies.

For more information, please visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/37ff73/rfid_hardware_mark.

Motorola, Alien Technology, and Impinj topnew ABI Research passive UHF RFID readerVendor Matrix

Backed by strong shipments, solidproduct innovation, and persistent marketpresence, Motorola has been ranked at the topof the latest Vendor Matrix released by ABIResearch.

Alien Technology and Impinj claimed thesecond and third spots in the company’s newevaluation of worldwide passive UHF RFIDreader vendors. Also garnering a solid score forfourth place was Intermec.

The Vendor Matrix is an analytical tooldeveloped by ABI Research to provide a clearunderstanding of vendors’ positions in specificmarkets, rating performance on “Innovation” and“Implementation.”

“While Motorola emerged as the leadingvendor overall, it was not a runaway victory,”

said research director Michael Liard. “In a verytight race, Motorola performed well across allcriteria, while Impinj actually topped theInnovation ratings, and Alien scored highest forImplementation.”

This Vendor Matrix includes only vendorsthat directly design and deliver products withpassive UHF reader capabilities, excludingvendors that provide RFID capabilities onlythrough the optional inclusion of a third-partyembeddable reader module. In addition to thefour leading vendors, ABI Research alsoevaluated CAEN, EB, Feig, Kenetics Group,Intelleflex, Omron, Siemens, Sirit, Skyetek,Tagsys, and ThingMagic.

For this particular matrix, under“innovation,” ABI Research examined thevendors’ history of delivering innovative productson an ongoing basis, their RF protocol support,the diversity of reader form factors, and thevendors’ track records of using their experience,depth of knowledge, and leadership to drive theindustry.

Under “implementation,” ABI Researchscrutinized the following criteria: estimatedmarket share, market persistence (a vendor’slongevity, and therefore positive namerecognition and customer trust level, in thepassive UHF market), global sales and supportreach/distribution channels, and marketcoverage — the breadth and depth of theapplication and vertical markets served.

Fifteen firms were evaluated. To view alist of the top 10 firms in this Vendor Matrix,please visit “Passive UHF Reader VendorMatrix” (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/v e n d o r _ m a t r i x /Passive_UHF_RFID_Reader_Vendor_Matrix.)Registration on the ABI Research Web site (free)is required. Access to the rankings and profilesof all companies surveyed is available to clientsof ABI Research.

This Vendor Matrix forms part of ABIResearch’s RFID & Contactless ResearchService (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/


19


service/RFID_Research_Service). For a list ofall ABI Research Vendor Matrices, please visitThe ABI Research Vendor Matrix (http://w w w . a b i r e s e a r c h . c o m /vendor_matrix_home.jsp).

Commercialization of RFID technologies isresulting in reduced costs of tags, andinterrogators, driving the reduction of RFIDsoftware costs

Research and Markets announced theaddition of the “RFID Software Market 2007-2010” report to their offering.

Commercialization of core RFIDtechnologies and government initiatives are theprimary factors driving sales of RFID software.Commercialization of RFID technologies isresulting in reduced costs of tags, interrogators,etc., hence driving the reduction of RFIDsoftware costs. Mandates in the manufacturingand retail industries requiring suppliers to beRFID enabled at the case and item levels isfurther expected to drive this demand.

The report forecasts the market size ofRFID software over the period 2007-2010. The

total market is further segmented into variousgeographic regions and verticals. The reportalso presents market sizes for major countriesin various regions. In addition, the reportidentifies major selling drivers for the RFIDsoftware for the major verticals.

This report can help IT vendors identifytarget geographies and verticals. The identifiedsales drivers can then be used to penetratethese accounts or increase current share of thecustomer’s wallet.

TechNavio Insights is a set of reportsbased on TechNavio — a market intelligenceplatform for the IT industry. It builds on theintelligence available within TechNavio andtakes advantage of the custom researchexperience of the Technology Navigators.TechNavio is built on years of experience of theauthors in custom research and consulting forover 30 Fortune 500 companies and numerouslarge and mid-sized companies.

For more information, please visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a98d90/rfid_software_mark.

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INFORMATION GATEKEEPERS INC.INFORMATION GATEKEEPERS INC.INFORMATION GATEKEEPERS INC.INFORMATION GATEKEEPERS INC.INFORMATION GATEKEEPERS INC.320 Washington Street, Suite 302Brighton, MA. 02135 USAToll-free 800-323-1088, Tel: 617-782-5033Fax: 617-782-5735, E-mail: [email protected] Our Web Page:Visit Our Web Page:Visit Our Web Page:Visit Our Web Page:Visit Our Web Page: http://www.igigroup.com

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7/13/06

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