Jun 26, 2006This article was originally published by RFID Update.
June 26, 2006—Item-level tagging specialist TAGSYS today announced that its technology will be deployed at the Shenzhen Library in China, where it will be the second largest RFID-enabled library automation system in the world and the largest in China.
The implementation is being deployed by TAGSYS integration partner Shenzhen Seaever Enterprise Co. Ltd. and will include a variety of applications, including self-checkout and return, security gates, and programming and circulation stations. All forms of media available at the library will be RFID tagged, from books to CDs to videos to library cards. About 2 million tags will be used initially.
The goal is to equip the Shenzhen Library with automation technology that allows it to support high volumes of patron traffic as well as deep resource capacity. Librarian chief Wu Xi said, "Through the deployment of the TAGSYS RFID system we have realized our vision for a fully-automated library where patrons can borrow and return books and other media entirely on their own." Opening its doors to the public next month, the 50,000 square meter library will support 8,000 patrons circulating 50,000 volumes daily. Starting with 1.8 million books, the library has room to grow its collection to 4 million.
TAGSYS has been eyeing what it considers large opportunities in Asia for years and in 2004 opened an office in Hong Kong to pursue growth in the region. In addition to Shenzhen Seaever Enterprise Co. Ltd., the company works with electronics giant NEC Corporation, with which it has done some item-level tagging deployments.
Today's news suggests that TAGSYS is very serious about continuing its leadership in RFID library applications, which has historically been a core competency for the company. When it announced $35 million in funding and the relocation of its headquarters from France to the US (see Item-Level RFID Firm TAGSYS Lands $35m), CEO Elie Simon told RFID Update that pharmaceutical tracking represents the most strategic opportunity. "Pharma is what we're betting the farm on," he said. But he also noted that the company's traditional markets -- textile and luxury goods as well as libraries -- were seeing stronger-than-expected growth and that TAGSYS would continue serving them. This Shenzhen Library deployment affirms that commitment. Notably, the biggest RFID library deployment in the world, the Seattle Public Library, was also developed by TAGSYS (more details).
Separately, the company made a second announcement today that it will donate an RFID library automation system to the Alvar branch of the New Orleans Public Library located in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. The Alvar library was destroyed in last year's Katrina hurricane and officially reopened yesterday.
Read the Shenzhen Library announcement from TAGSYS
