RFID News Roundup

The following are news announcements made during the past week by the following organizations: Wade Garcia & Associates, InCom; iDTRONIC; STMicroelectronics, TCL Communication; Balluff; Electric Imp; and Quuppa.

Wade Garcia & Associates, InCom Enter Licensing Agreement for RFID Attendance-Taking System

Wade Garcia & Associates and InCom have entered into a nonexclusive licensing agreement for InCom's patented RFID-based attendance-taking technology (US patent numbers 7,336,185B2 and 8,353,705 B2). Wade Garcia provides RFID systems for attendance tracking, bus transportation security and emergency situations in schools.

"This agreement will enhance Wade Garcia's market position, which offers the only RFID-based system that helps protect students and teachers during a catastrophic event," said Mike Wade, Wade Garcia's owner, in a prepared statement. "The system will allow for first-responders to know where the incidents are taking place and locate those who might still be in the area. It is expected that the alert system will enhance campus security and target law-enforcement response."

"We are very pleased with this agreement and the opportunity to see RFID attendance taking expand into larger school districts," said Bernie DiDario, InCom's co-founder and CEO, in the prepared statement. "Recent tragic and unfortunate events have again focused attention on security, safety and accountability for our students, their parents and teachers. We understand this, as three of four InCom founders and one board member continue to work in an educational setting."

According to West, RFID increases accountability and provides immediate attendance-taking data, and also contributes to increased accuracy, lessening the burden on teachers and administrators. "RFID can do this quickly and accurately," he said, "while assuring the privacy of students and student information."