May 03, 2017The following are news announcements made during the past week by the following organizations:
Feig Electronics, Portable Technology Solutions;
Convergence Systems Ltd.;
DSS Plastics Group;
Genetec, STid;
Faxitron, Health Beacons Inc.;
Balluff;
Harland Simon; and
Nedap Retail.
Feig Electronics Announces RAIN Reader Compatibility With Portable Technology Solutions Software, Offers New Antenna Multiplexer
Feig Electronics has announced native support from Portable Technology Solutions (PTS)'s ClearStream RFID software, a user-configurable fixed RFID software suite that tracks assets and inventory. Feig's readers now work out of the box with ClearStream's updated version 4.1 software, the company reports, allowing the immediate use of its fixed readers, from simple operations to flexible coverage.
"PTS is expanding the portfolio of readers supported by ClearStream RFID, and this recognizes Feig's growing use as a leading reader supplier," said Brad Horn, PTS's CEO and co-founder, in a prepared statement. "This is significant for us as it signals the growing use and the expanded HF and UHF Feig reader portfolio available to the market."
Since every Feig product utilizes a common application programming interface, the company adds, ClearStream is compatible with all Feig RFID readers. ClearStream's RFID software supports Feig's UHF RFID reader portfolio, consisting of the LRU1002, LRU3000, LRU3500, MRU102 and MU02 models.
In addition, Feig has introduced its 4-Channel Multiplexer ID CPR.MUX.M4, which supports industrial machines, and also secures contactless payments and ticketing for vending and municipal fare collection. "Our customers in the payment industry want the flexibility to utilize multiple NFC antennas to one reader, thereby reducing hardware costs and complexity in vending machines and kiosks," said Klaus Schoeke, Feig's VP of technical sales and support, in a separate prepared statement. "Feig designed the 4-Channel Multiplexer ID CPR.MUX.M4 as the best way to add up to four NFC antennas without adding additional NFC readers for maximum cost-efficiency."
The multiplexer is a small, four-channel antenna device designed to connect multiple antennas to the company's HF Reader Module ID CPR74 NFC device. Matching hole patterns permits the modules to stack compactly above or below one another.
The ID CPR74 reader comes with an internal antenna and an onboard multiplexer that allows two reading points by using an additional external antenna. It is intended to reduce cost and complexity when compared to individual reader-encoders, the company reports, by amortizing hardware functions across multiple use points. Antennas are connected to the multiplexer's 50-ohm-compatible outputs, using thin, coaxial cables up to 2 meters in length. The selection of the multiplexer output is controlled through the digital outputs of the HF Reader Module ID CPR74. Feig offers two standard size antennas: 40 millimeters by 30 millimeters and 100 millimeters by 100 millimeters.
The 4-Channel Multiplexer is currently available for purchase and will be on display in booth #412G at RFID Journal LIVE! 2017, being held next week in Phoenix, Ariz.
Convergence Systems Ltd. Launches UHF RFID Handheld Sled With Long Read Range
Convergence Systems Ltd. (CSL), a provider of passive RFID products and active real-time location system (RTLS) equipment, has announced its CS108 UHF handheld sled reader. The rugged reader features Bluetooth integration with Android or Apple iPhone platforms, an optional 2D bar-code module and a read range of 18 meters.
The CS108 UHF RFID reader is designed to read and write to RAIN RFID transponders (EPC Class 1 Gen 2 or ISO18000-6C) and can communicate via Bluetooth wireless technology with a variety of host devices running Apple iOS and Android operating systems. The device is suitable for a range of industries and applications, the company reports, including supply chain management, stock inventory control, asset and data management, and logistics.
"The rugged CS108 UHF RFID reader is compatible with most popular devices, offers a 2D bar-code option and delivers the longest read range in the industry at 18 meters," said Jerry Garrett, CSL's managing director, in a prepared statement. "This ruggedized RFID reader is lightweight, comfortable and optimized for both long battery life and ergonomic comfort."
The CS108 will carry an end-user price of $1,399 or $1,299, depending on the bar-code module option, and will come with a two-year factory warranty. Availability is expected next month. The company will demonstrate the CS108 sled reader in booth #642 at RFID Journal LIVE! 2017, being held next week in Phoenix, Ariz.
DSS Plastics Group to Exhibit Secure Plastic Cards
Document Security Systems (DSS), a provider of anti-counterfeiting, authentication and diversion-protection technologies—whose products and solutions are used by governments, corporations and financial institutions—has announced that its wholly owned DSS Plastics Group division will be presenting at RFID Journal LIVE! 2017, being held next week in Phoenix, Ariz. DSS Plastics Group will collaborate with Alien Technology, and will be located in booth #404 during the conference.
DSS Plastics Group's product expertise includes security printing, plastic card manufacturing, enhanced tribal cards, RFID products, SwiftColor InkJet plastic cards, secure card designs and polycarbonate card production. Its client list consists of numerous governmental agencies and brands, including social-media companies, global technology firms, and U.S. professional sports organizations and events.
"The strategy we identified and have been executing upon for the last couple of years has been for DSS Plastics to increase its focus on technology enabled cards and identification," said Jeff Ronaldi, DSS Plastics Group's CEO, in a prepared statement. "We have seen significant growth in this area and continue to move aggressively into these markets through events like RFID Journal LIVE!"
"We are very proud to partner with Alien Technology and to exhibit at their booth for the largest RFID event in the U.S.," said Jaeson Caulley, DSS Plastics Group's vice president, in the prepared statement. "RFID Journal LIVE! is great exposure for our team and a valuable customer relations event for our continued growth and profitability. From large event credentials to standard IDs, RFID is growing in the card industry as companies invest in automation of identity, inventory and access."
Genetec Announces Distribution Partnership With Reader Manufacturer STid
Genetec, a provider of open-architecture security and public-safety solutions, has announced that it has added STid, a French developer of RFID door controllers, to its ecosystem of access-control partners. Through this agreement, the STid Architect series of ergonomic RFID readers, which is supported by the Genetec Synergis access-control system, will be available via Genetec and its certified global network of resellers.
The Genetec open-architecture strategy allows Synergis end users additional options for their access-control management, the company reports. STid's modular, configurable access-control hardware features simplified ordering functionality, and is easy to install and maintain, according to the company.
"With STid as an active technology partner in our expanding ecosystem of access-control partners," said Derek Arcuri, Genetec's product marketing manager, in a prepared statement, "Genetec is able to provide customers total control and choice over the security of credential data, from readers to the Synergis access-control system."
The STid Architect series offers secure control of an organization's access-control data, from reader to controller, using stringent encryption and authentication methods. With STid readers, customers can manage their own secret keys to read Desfire EV1 cards. The readers are available with a standard Wiegand interface or with a secured communication channel that mitigates the risk associated with credentials tapping or man-in-the-middle attacks, the firm explains.
"STid is in a great position to grow its presence in the North American market with strategic partners like Genetec," said Vincent Dupart, STid's chief executive, in the prepared statement. "Customers are looking for secure, open, and user-friendly solutions—three key success factors that give STid and Genetec solutions stand-out options in their respective markets."
Faxitron Intros RFID System from Health Beacons Inc., FDA-Cleared for Use in Breast Lesion Localization
Faxitron, a provider of breast-health technology, has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to LOCalizer, a wireless RFID breast lesion localization system manufactured by Health Beacons Inc.
Traditional methods of locating non-palpable breast lesions for removal, such as procedures involving wire localization or radioactive seeds, are encumbered by complex regulations, potential scheduling conflicts, unintended wire migration, and added stress for patients, Faxitron reports. LOCalizer was designed to circumvent these complications, the company explains, by using a non-radioactive, proprietary tag as a marker to enable surgeons to remove the correct area of breast tissue during a procedure. The tag can be implanted up to 30 days prior to surgery, and is detected using a mobile, handheld reader that can accurately locate a tag within millimeters.
"The most exciting aspect of the LOCalizer technology is being able to accurately measure the distance to the target lesion, something we haven't been able to do with other localization methods," said Dr. Christine Dauphine, the vice chair of surgical education at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, in a prepared statement. "Our team was able to experience the LOCalizer system first-hand in the operating room, and we were thrilled by the prospect of providing patients with a localization method that, by design, could avoid the anxiety of having additional procedures on the day of surgery." Several institutions, including UCLA, will clinically evaluate LOCalizer to compare its benefits to other localization methods.
"As the industry gets better at detecting smaller breast lesions, we must establish a new gold standard for breast lesion localization," said Donogh O'Driscoll, Faxitron's CFO and COO, in the prepared statement. "LOCalizer could be the breakthrough needed to make lumpectomies and breast biopsies safer, more efficient and a better experience for both providers and patients. For more than half a century, our dedication to advancing breast health has been unwavering, and we're honored to once again pave the way for a higher standard of care."
Balluff Unveils Tool-Identification System
Balluff has announced that its Easy Tool-ID industrial RFID technology is designed to increase production efficiency and improve tool identification by reducing the incidence of incorrectly allocated or missing tools, and thereby optimizing the tools' service time utilization. In addition, the company reports, the system can help to eliminate the scrapping and reworking of tools due to excessive use.
A user must have a USB port (keyboard expander) on the machine tool and a presetter. Data is written via RFID technology from the presetter to the tool, and is then passed through the Easy Tool-ID system to the machine tool, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
The system consists of a tool stand with an integrated read-write head, as well as a processor unit, a microcontroller and a power supply. According to Balluff, setup times and the risk of incorrect entries are significantly reduced.
At the tool presetter, each tool is measured. Its data, such as diameter and radius, is then written to the data carrier on the tool shank. A user can simply bring a tool to the machine, place it in the tool holder and press a key. The system will then emulate the key input and automatically read the information through the keyboard interface to the machine controller.
Lord Carter Innovation Award Runners-Up Include Two Users of Harland Simon RFID System
Harland Simon has announced that two users of its RFiD Discovery system have been chosen as runners-up for the Lord Carter Innovation Award. The two end users are Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Kent University Foundation Trust (see East Kent Hospitals Tracks 3,000 Medical Devices via Harland Simon's RTLS).
As honorary patron of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM), the Lord Carter awards were presented on Apr. 25, 2017, during the Hospitals Innovations Exhibition and Conference at London Olympia. Judged by an independent panel of IHEEM past presidents, the award recognized NHS trusts that represent the use of innovation to improve health-care estates and infrastructure.
CUH secured second place for its use of active and passive RFID systems, and for adopting GS1's standards for effective medical device management. CUH has been using RFiD Discovery for more than five years to maximize asset utilization to aid productivity, according to Harland Simon. The award was collected by Professor Paul White, the head of clinical engineering, on behalf of the trust. EKHUFT was chosen for its use of an active RFiD Discovery system to track more than 5,000 medical devices, including beds, which has helped it to increase efficiency, reduce costs, save time and improve its CQC rating.
Andy Barrow, EKHUFT's EME service manager, who attended the event to pick up the award, commented in a prepared statement, "We are honored to be 'highly commended' by the panel. RFID tracking has given us an unprecedented level of confidence surrounding our device management and we are already well on our way to extending our use to passive RFID for all our devices."
Andy James, Harland Simon's director of commercial operations for health care, added in the prepared statement, "Seeing two of our customers amongst the top four trusts nominated for this award is a great confirmation that RFID tracking of medical devices delivers tangible results and helps to make the efficiency improvements and cost savings so urgently required in the NHS."
Nedap Retail Introduces RFID Antenna for Surveillance, Item Tracking
Nedap Retail has announced the global launch of its new iSense Lumen line, the latest extension of its iSense hardware platform for article surveillance and article tracking in retail stores. During the first half of 2017, Nedap plans to introduce three iSense Lumen antennas, starting with the Lumen iL45, which offers new user feedback functionalities. The antennas can be used at multiple locations within a store, according to the company, thereby optimizing the retailer's product availability.
The iSense Lumen antenna line is designed to enhance the user experience with light and sound options, the company reports. Multi-colored lights and speakers notify store personnel regarding the cause and urgency of specific events.
"iSense Lumen is another big step forward in the development of article surveillance solutions," said Hilbert Dijkstra, Nedap Retail's product manager, in a prepared statement. "It is the result of great feedback we got after the introduction of iSense in 2014. With iSense, we completely redefined the way electronic article surveillance works, because of its intelligence. The system recognizes individual items, detects the direction of the item and gives instant feedback to the store staff."
The Lumen iL45 antenna can be placed at three key locations within a store to track article movements. At the entrance, it can detect which items are leaving the store and activate an alarm if any have not been paid for, thus minimizing losses. The antenna can also be placed between the stock room and the sales floor to track article movements, and in the back to track new deliveries.
"Product availability is an absolute necessity for retailers," said Rob Schuurman, Nedap Retail's managing director, in the prepared statement. "Our solutions enable retailers to always have the right products available without adding complexity. Our iSense hardware platform is IP-based and uses open protocols, which makes information-exchange and integrations with other solutions very simple and straightforward."
