RFID News Roundup

Intermec Offers Reusable RFID Tag for Harsh Industrial Applications
Intermec has also introduced a reusable RFID tag for harsh industrial applications where ruggedness, chemical resistance or extreme temperatures are a factor. The RFID Small Rigid Tag, a companion to Intermec's EPCglobal interoperability-certified RFID Large Rigid Tag, is available in both EPCglobal Gen 2 and ISO 18000-6B protocols. The Small Rigid Tag measures 1.22 in by 3.11 in (3.10 cm by 7.90 cm) and is equipped with a wide-band antenna designed to allow worldwide use on most surfaces—including metal, plastic and wood. The tag is built to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 250F (-40 to 121C) and long-term exposure to chemicals such as machining oil, methyl ethyl ketone, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and kerosene. Because of the tag's ability to function in demanding industrial environments, and to perform on multiple materials, enterprises can use a single tag to identify and track items such as subassemblies, work-in-process components, finished goods, material-handling equipment and logistics containers through production, supply-chain and asset-management operations. The RFID Small Rigid Tag can be used thousands of times and can be applied to a variety of applications, including reusable plastic containers, metal cages, pallets, beverage containers, hazardous materials containers and chemical containers. The Small Rigid Tag is now available worldwide.

Wi-Fi, Active RFID Vie for Health-Care Asset-Management Markets, Says ABI Research
A new study from ABI Research, a technology market-research firm in Oyster Bay, N.Y., indicates Wi-Fi and RFID technologies have yet to capture the market in health-care asset-tracking. ABI Research maintains global operations supporting annual research programs, intelligence services and market reports in broadband and multimedia, RFID and machine-to-machine, wireless connectivity, mobile wireless, transportation and emerging technologies. The report, entitled "Active RFID and Wi-Fi in the RTLS Market," analyzes the impact Wi-Fi vendors have on the market, explaining the differences between active RFID and Wi-Fi systems, as well as various applications and vertical markets. According to the study, fewer than 5 percent of North American health-care facilities are currently equipped with asset-management systems. Hospitals maintain an inventory of wheelchairs and other expensive equipment, much of which is often in use or in storage. This can result in over-inventory and under-utilization of assets. Both Wi-Fi and active RFID systems can tell hospitals where their equipment is, but neither technology has been adopted for this industry on a widespread basis. Although the technologies are viable solutions for hospital settings, the report explains, many hospitals need to install extra access points before implementation because their networks weren't designed for such a purpose. The report is available for purchase now upon e-mail request, and is expected to be downloadable from ABI Research's Web site some time next week.

RSI ID Technologies Unveils High-Capacity Memory RFID Tags
RSI ID Technologies (RSI), an RFID manufacturer and systems integrator located in Chula Vista, Calif., has released three new RFID tags based on the RFID Gen 2 chip from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips Semiconductors). These include the Spyder tag, measuring 95 mm by 12.7 mm (3.875 inches by .75 inches); the Ryparian tag, measuring 76.2 mm by 76.2 mm (3 inches by 3 inches); and the Pulse, measuring 76.2 mm by 15.9 mm (3 inches by .625 inches). Each tag eachs offer 224 bits of user-defined memory, allowing companies to add additional information to RFID tags, beyond Electronic Product Code (EPC) numbers. For the new tag designs, RSI used its proprietary rapid antenna-design process, allowing the company to complete design and begin production within four weeks. RSI is currently taking orders for all three RFID tags.

Paxar Launches Managed-Service Solution for Global Labeling Compliance
Paxar EMEA, part of Paxar Corp., a provider of integrated labeling, merchandising and identification solutions for retailers and apparel manufacturers, is launching a managed-service solution for global labeling compliance. The PaxarComplyline (Complyline for short) is an online managed service providing bespoke label formats and hardware packages with RFID capability. Complyline is managed for individual retail companies with multiple suppliers. The solution includes a change-notification system that makes labeling changes as soon as a retailer requests them. Once approved by the retailer, Complyline automatically distributes the latest formats and corresponding notification to suppliers. Paxar is offering Complyline as both a standard managed service, and as part of a supplier package that also includes bar-code printers, printer applicators and access to the Complyline service. All hardware supplied as part of the package is RFID-ready, facilitating upgrades whenever a retailer transitions to new technology.