Mobile wallets will be available in one in every five smartphones

According to a new forecast that has now been published, by the year 2018, one fifth of all smartphones will have mobile wallet functionality, and one third of all of those payments apps will involve contactless capabilities such as NFC technology. The study and report were created by Juniper Research. That firm determined that there will be two separate mobile wallet models that will define themselves between now and the close of 2018. Within the emerging markets, it will be the Store Value Accounts (SVAs) that will continue to take off. Those forms of app are catering to the massive number of unbanked individuals in Latin America, developing Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa by providing them with financial access for the first time.

FAQs about RFID

When it comes to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, there are some frequently asked questions in regards to tamper-proofing, what it takes to install the technology, and the potential return on investment, etc. To help in answering those quandaries, we turned to Brian Bath, the vice president of Sales and Marketing at Innovative Control Systems, Inc. and Richard Carpenter, director of product development with Unitec.

Nitro Pro adds barcode creation, restores 64-bit build

Nitro has released a major new update to its award-winning PDF creation and editing tool with the release of Nitro Pro 9.5. The new build is accompanied by a resurrected native 64-bit build. Version 9.5 introduces a new silent update mechanism to ensure users are always running the latest version, and adds support for creating and editing barcodes within Forms.

RFID Stakeholders Need to Prepare for the Internet of Things

This month, a study published by the Pew Research Center's Internet Project lifted the Internet of Things (IoT) out of the CIO trade press and dropped it into the public square. The Pew IoT study solicited predictions of what the IoT would look like in 2025 from almost 2,000 "experts," with predictably divergent results. The popular press, including The New York Times, USA Today and The Huffington Post, are struggling to make sense of it. Sometimes, it sounds more like Hollywood than Silicon Valley. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11806#sthash.ELWLuQx2.dpuf

Top Mobile Services Executives Set to Explore the Role of NFC Technology at the 2014 NFC Solutions Summit

Executives from leading mobile, financial services and retail organizations will provide insights on the opportunities and issues facing mobile NFC technology and adoption during a full day of keynote presentations next month at the 2014 NFC Solutions Summit, the most anticipated NFC event of the year.

The 2014 NFC Solutions Summit, presented by the Smart Card Alliance in partnership with the NFC Forum and the NFC World Congress, will be held on June 3-4 at the Renaissance Arboretum Hotel in Austin, Texas. Details about the event, attendees, exhibitors and agenda for the pre-conference workshops and the conference are now available at http://www.nfcsolutionssummit.com.

“NFC can play a significant role in our mobile future by enabling fast, secure and convenient transactions for payments, access, identity, ticketing and marketing,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. “Now that NFC has become standard in many mobile devices, we are bringing together thought leaders from across the ecosystem to look at the ways we can seize this important opportunity and more quickly put innovative NFC applications into the hands of the millions of consumers who have the technology.”

RxSafe's Machines Use RFID to Automatically Dispense Medications

RxSafe, a provider of automated medication storage and retrieval systems for pharmacies, is offering a new line of prescription packaging machines, known as RxASP, that employ high-frequency (HF) 13.56 MHz passive RFID tags to avoid mistakes involving the storage or dispensing of medications in plastic pouches or packets that are provided to patients. RxSafe was founded in 2008, in San Diego, to develop and sell systems to pharmacies that would enable a faster, more efficient and controlled method for dispensing medication.

Socket Mobile Bluetooth Barcode Scanners Gaining Momentum in the mPOS Market

Socket Mobile, Inc. is continuing to gain barcode sales momentum in the emerging mobile point of sale (mPOS) market.  Driven by sales into the mPOS market, total revenue from sales of Bluetooth barcode scanners in 2013 grew 69 percent, and first quarter 2014 barcode scanning revenue grew 16 percent sequentially over the previous quarter. Socket Mobile’s growing base of registered mPOS application developers numbers more than 90.

Kevin Mills, Socket Mobile’s President and CEO stated, “Socket Mobile’s barcode scanners are designed for mobile use, are easy to connect and use with smartphones and tablets using Apple, Android or Windows operating systems, are attractively priced, have antimicrobial housings and have a stylish look and feel in multiple colors for image conscious customers and retailers.  Developers find it easy to incorporate our barcode scanners into their application solutions in a wide range of products including entry level linear barcode scanners, powerful laser barcode scanners, and sophisticated 2D barcode scanners, all designed for ease of use in a mobile retail environment.

LED Lighting Market in China 2014-2018

LED lighting, also known as solid state lighting, is a semiconductor-based lighting technology. LEDs emit light based on the electroluminescence principle, which gives them high luminous efficacy. Also, LEDs are compact in size and are more power efficient as well as brighter than traditional lighting technologies such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps.

Owing to these advantages, customers prefer to use LEDs for general lighting applications. In China, LEDs are gaining more importance due to their power and luminous efficacy. Moreover, the government also supports the adoption of LED lighting to a large extent. Thus, China is becoming one of the largest potential markets for LED lighting.

The analysts forecast the LED Lighting market in China will grow at a CAGR of 26.9 percent over the period 2013-2018.

The LED Lighting market in China covers the end-user segments which made a significant contribution to market revenue in 2013. The key end-user segments covered in this report are the Commercial, Industrial, Outdoor, and Residential segments. The report also discusses China's 12th Five Year Plan and its implications for the market and value chain for the forecast period.

Design Opportunities Proliferate As RFID Gains Traction

By the time you arrived in the office this morning, you may have used radio-frequency identification (RFID) four times without being aware of it: when you inserted the key in your car, disabling the immobilizer circuit; when you drove through an unmanned toll booth, automatically paying your fee; when you used your cell phone to pay for your morning cappuccino; and when your ID badge registered your entry into the office. RFID may not be everywhere, but it is getting there. The first passive transponders powered by incoming RF date back to the early 1970s, as does the vision for most of today’s manifold RFID applications. Yet only with advances in semiconductor technology, not to mention Moore’s Law, did RFID really start to take off.

5 Consumer Trends Driving GE LED Lighting Design, Consumer Adoption

GE Lighting introduces its most incandescent-like consumer LED portfolio yet, including more than 40 new LED products and fixtures, to meet consumer demand to adequately fill every socket in their homes with energy-efficient LED lighting. “We know the light consumers love, and we’ve reinvented and perfected the LED to emulate incandescent light,” says John Strainic, General Manager, Consumer Lighting for GE in North America. “We know that when consumers think about energy-efficient lighting, many are deterred by the memory of early CFL bulbs produced by some manufacturers, and we want them to know that with GE LED lighting – there are no tradeoffs.”

Top Mobile Services Executives Set to Explore the Role of NFC Technology at the 2014 NFC Solutions Summit

Executives from leading mobile, financial services and retail organizations will provide insights on the opportunities and issues facing mobile NFC technology and adoption during a full day of keynote presentations next month at the 2014 NFC Solutions Summit , the most anticipated NFC event of the year.

The 2014 NFC Solutions Summit, presented by the Smart Card Alliance in partnership with the NFC Forum and the NFC World Congress, will be held on June 3-4 at the Renaissance Arboretum Hotel in Austin, Texas.

"NFC can play a significant role in our mobile future by enabling fast, secure and convenient transactions for payments, access, identity, ticketing and marketing," said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. "Now that NFC has become standard in many mobile devices, we are bringing together thought leaders from across the ecosystem to look at the ways we can seize this important opportunity and more quickly put innovative NFC applications into the hands of the millions of consumers who have the technology."

The NFC Mobile Security Approaches and Business Applications Workshop, developed and presented by the Smart Card Alliance Educational Institute, will cover the fundamentals of NFC; security approaches using the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) secure element and HCE; the use of NFC mobile devices for payments, identity and access control and other applications; and the role of the various RF technologies supported by mobile phones for different applications.

Smartphone apps can turn barcodes into bargains

Turning barcodes into bargains, just by swiping your smartphone? You can instantly compare prices at other stores and online vendors. We're all scanning barcodes every day, but you can turn barcodes into bargains, on the spot, by arming your smartphone with an app that's going to make you a smarter shopper. Instead of prowling the aisles for bargains or scouring the web, barcode scanner smartphone apps give you power to do both. People shopping right next to you may already be using them.

SML Announces Grand Opening of United States RFID Technology & Innovation Center

SML Group, the global supply chain and retail solutions provider, hosted a multi-day event on May 12-14 to commemorate the grand opening of its RFID Technology & Innovation Center in Clayton, North Carolina. The center showcases cutting edge RFID technology, including tags, item-level RFID software, and hardware configurations, allowing partners, customers and SML Group employees to get hands on experience with RFID in real-world environments.

RenRen lets social media users make friends with animated QR codes

Chinese social media site RenRen is giving users the ability to create a personal, animated QR code for their profile page, which they can use to let contacts add them quickly to their friends list.

RenRen, which has more than 200million active users, has partnered with Israel-based QR code specialist Visualead to add the animated barcodes to its mobile app. Users can choose from a gallery of 25 animations that are then combined with their profile data to create their individual code.

Havoc Provides RFID Asset-Tracking Solutions for Construction Industry

Havoc, a startup based in Gig Harbor, Wash., has launched a high-frequency (HF) RFID solution with ruggedized hardware for tracking inventory, inspections and maintenance on fall-protection and other safety equipment, as well as additional assets used on construction sites. The system consists of cloud-based software known as SuperTrack.CT, in addition to 13.56 MHz HF RFID readers and tags, both encased in material designed to prevent damage at a worksite. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11792#sthash.oMSV9Y2n.dpuf

Samsung taps into Chinese financial market with smart card ICs

The Korean electronics giant’s smart card IC line-up has gained approval from Chinese authorities, receiving the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) 3.0 certification, the company said in a press release. PBOC 3.0, announced by the People’s Bank of China in February, is a new security certification for financial card ICs and a must-have to enter China's financial market Samsung said.

RFID Makes Internet of Things Come to Life

RFID is shaping up to be an important building block for the Internet of Things (IoT). Those attending the recent IEEE RFID 2014 conference in Orlando got a chance to see where the technology is headed in areas ranging from antenna designs to reflective communication methods. The killer application of RFID is still inventory management. David Worrall of Disney’s New Technology Group said, “RFID technologies have been instrumental in streamlining our costuming inventory processes and providing global operational efficiencies across our theme parks, resorts, and cruise ships

TD Canada Trust adds NFC-based mobile payments to its Android and BlackBerry app

Canada Trust has quietly added the ability for Rogers, Bell and TELUS customers to make small credit card purchases using an NFC-compatible Android device. Only weeks after the wide release of Rogers suretap wallet, TD has partnered with all three major carriers to facilitate NFC-based credit card purchases. Similar to other forms of contactless mobile payments, users must have an NFC SIM card and a compatible device to use the service. For security reasons, most merchants limit purchases to between $50 and $100. Only five devices are currently supported: the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Note 3, and HTC One M7

What Ever Happened to NFC and Mobile Payments?

Near field communications (NFC) and the idea of making payments with your cell phone have been around for years.  Yet we do not seem to have made much progress in deploying NFC or buying stuff with a tap of our smartphones.  Mobile payments are one of those concepts that seems OK but somehow has not reached critical mass with the public.  NFC is not really the problem.  The real issue is do we want to stay on the path to a totally cashless society?  It appears as though consumers are happy to keep their credit cards and cash for now.

Apple Point-of-Sale Upgrade Signals Better Security

Last week Apple began rolling out a major upgrade to its EasyPay mobile point-of-sale (POS) system within the United States, and the choice of new hardware—the iPhone 5s—is eclipsed by other features, including NFC technology. Specifically, the company has taken a pre-emptive strike to ensure the security of customer credit card transactions and prepare for the future possibility of contact-less credit card purchases. According to several sources, including 9to5mac, Apple has switched vendors for the POS shell that will surround the iPhone 5s, and it’s the key element of the POS upgrade. (I am an Apple stockholder.)

Dimple NFC buttons sticker campaign gains mini and case options

The Indiegogo campaign for the stick-on Dimple NFC stickers has gained a trio of stretch goals: a mini two-button version, more colors, and a TPU case with two built-in buttons. The two-button Dimple Mini is available to anybody who pledges, starting at $17 for one (existing pledges can be converted into a pair of Dimple Minis), while the remaining stretch goals kick in once the total pledges pass a certain mark. Color-wise, breaking the $45,000 mark (just over $4,000 away at publish time) will bring options of black, cyan, and pink, while $55,000 brings another three not-yet-determined colors to the party.

Vodafone adds support for barcode loyalty and membership cards to NFC wallet

Mobile network operator Vodafone is expanding the functionality of its mobile wallet beyond NFC with a deal to add Austria-based Bluesource’s Mobile-Pocket technology to the service, enabling customers to store hundreds of loyalty, membership, transit and promotional cards in their Vodafone wallet by simply scanning them in using the camera on their smartphone.

Slow SIM Security Delays NFC Mobile Payment Programs

Looks like using SIM cards as a secure element for NFC mobile transactions is too slow for public transportation authorities such as Transport For London (TFL). TFL has been rolling out terminals to allow travelers to pay with their new contactless debit and credit cards alongside their smart Oyster cards, and possibly NFC smartphones. Travelers have been able to use contactless credit cards in London buses for a while, and later this year they’ll be able to use them on the Tube, tram, Dockland Light Railway, London Overground and most National Rail services in London.

Smart Card Alliance to Present Best Practices for Overcoming Patient Identity Challenges

Today, healthcare providers are faced with an identity dilemma: how can they accurately identify and authenticate patients, and then match them to procedures and care? Those interested in learning the best practices for overcoming patient identity challenges should attend a special Smart Card Alliance Learning Lab in-person or via webcast at NAHAM’s 40th Annual Educational Conference & Exposition.

The Smart Card Alliance Health and Human Services Council Learning Lab session, “Patient Access: Best Practices and Standards for Patient Authentication,” will take place on Thursday, May 15th from 3:00-4:15 p.m. ET at the NAHAM conference in Hollywood, Fla.

Not attending NAHAM? NAHAM will also be providing access to the Learning Lab through a live webcast of the session as part of the Virtual Conference. Webcast registrants can listen to presenters, watch presentations and participate by asking questions in real time. For more information or to register for the Smart Card Alliance Learning Lab session, visit http://www.naham.org/?page=14VirtualConference.

“The identity crisis within the healthcare ecosystem jeopardizes the safety and privacy of patients, and lessens the effectiveness and quality of care. With no standardized process to manage patient information, organizations are more susceptible to misidentifying patients and duplicating records,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. “This Learning Lab session identifies and addresses this fundamental identity issue and provides solutions to protect patients and healthcare professionals.”

Scandit Launches New Feature-Rich Version of Barcode Scanner SDK for Android

Scandit, developer of the leading software-based barcode scanning and data capture platform for smartphones, tablets and wearable computing devices, has today launched the new, fourth version of its Barcode Scanner SDK,  Version 4.0, for the Android platform.  This incorporates dynamic features including full-screen scanning, further improvements to its unique blurry scanning functionality and optimized support for all Android devices including Google Glass.

The launch of the Barcode Scanner SDK 4.0 represents the next generation in barcode scanning, delivering unparalleled scan performance to a wide range of business sectors from retail and logistics through to manufacturing and healthcare.

“With every new version that we introduce, we make further disruptive inroads into the traditional, dedicated hardware device scanner market,” said Samuel Mueller, CEO at Scandit. “The sophisticated features that we have built into Version 4.0 are available at a fraction of the cost while relinquishing none of the accuracy, quality and functionality associated with traditional devices. And while many of these features are designed to support the growing trend for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) scanning in the commercial sector, they will be equally appealing to consumers, too.”

The Scandit SDK 4.0 has been designed to work across all devices using the Android Operating System v2.3 and higher. Currently, Scandit supports over 3,500 different Android device types. The new version is available immediately, and Scandit is currently working closely with developers, systems integrators and customers to deliver the new generation of data capture applications.

DELO and Mühlbauer Work to Lower Tag Costs

For end users and solution providers of radio frequency identification, the price per tag for passive EPC Gen 2 ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID labels can be key to making a project affordable. Two companies releasing new products to enable the production of lower-cost tags are German adhesives firm DELO Industrial Adhesives (which provides the glue that affixes an antenna and a chip to an inlay during the application, bonding and curing processes) and Mühlbauer. DELO showcased its latest adhesives product at the RFID Journal LIVE! 2014 conference and exhibition, held last month in Orlando, Fla.

CaptureTech Key Controls Leverage RFID And Barcode Technology

Barcoding Inc. is rolling out an automated system that uses radio frequency identification and barcode technology to ensure accurate, efficient and secure key management. At the heart of the CaptureTech key-management solution is the KeyCop, a tamper-evident RFID-enabled seal to which keys are attached. It stores information, such as a specific number, in an ultrahigh frequency RFID tag; users can retrieve the number by reading the seal, or scanning the barcode or tag.

Apple headed to NFC and mobile payments?

Apple has been sending out clues about the possibility of the company processing payments on mobile devices. After rumors about secret meetings, patent filings and analyst predictions, Apple is reportedly seeking to hire for two new electronic payment senior positions.
After Apple introduced its Passbook app, allowing consumers to store tickets, loyalty cards, passes and gift cards on their iPhones, the rumour mill has not stopped talking about Apple soon introducing Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. iPhone users will be able to make mobile payments to merchants using NFC, but Apple remains silent on the issue as usual, making it unclear as to how interested the company is in developing a mobile wallet.

Navigate by Barcode and Never Get Lost Again

Libraries have terrible maps; supermarkets and department stores have bad signage; all of them have a built-in system for navigation that we don't use: barcodes. That's the argument of researchers Simon Robinson, Jennifer Pearson, and Matt Jones from the Future Interaction Technology Lab at Swansea University. They've come up with a way to use barcodes and library call numbers for indoor navigation

Blackhawk adds barcode gift cards to Rogers NFC wallet

Customers of Canadian carrier Rogers can now add a range of merchant gift cards, managed by prepaid card provider Blackhawk Network, to their Suretap NFC mobile wallets. The gift cards are redeemed at merchants using standard barcode readers, and are available for Swiss Chalet, Milestones Grill and Bar, Montana’s Cookhouse, Harvey’s, Kelsey’s, Indigo, Earls Restaurants, Ardene and Spafinder Wellness 365.

Airbus to RFID-Tag and Track All Parts Made In-House

Global aircraft company Airbus has moved forward with multiple radio frequency identification projects aimed at increasing the visibility of its parts worldwide, as well as tools and containers, both internally and externally. Last week, the firm announced the use of hybrid RFID Integrated Nameplates to supplement its standard, non-RFID nameplates. When attached to a part, the RFID version provides identifying information not only in text and bar-code form, but also by means of its passive EPC Gen 2 tag.

Cheap 2.4 G Active RFID Readers From China RFID Access Control System Company SWAccessControl.com

Recently, SWAccessControl.com has released its new selection of 2.4 G Active RFID Readers. The company’s development manager says that the new range is specially made to expand its online market.
“We are very happy to announce our new 2.4 G Active RFID Readers. All brand new items are attentively manufactured by our professional experts; I think worldwide clients will like them. The 2.4 G Active RFID Readers from our company are among the best-selling products in the global market. Now, all of them are available at low prices, up to 30% off. The special offer will come to an end on May 17, 2014. Customers who are thinking of buying cheap 2.4 G Active RFID Readers can visit our website now,” the development manager says.
SWAccessControl.com unveils new items every month. Its hot items include 2.4 G Active RFID Readers, Waterproof Metal Access Controllers, 60 KG Single Door Magnetic Mini Locks and many others. All clients can enjoy the big savings during the promotional time; discounted shipping costs are offered for all orders.
Additionally, SWAccessControl.com has updated its product category. The company strives to create more practical RFID access control items for worldwide clients. All its workers are now making every effort to improve product quality.

MEPS Real-Time Introduces the Industry’s Smallest RFID Smart Tag for Its Intelliguard Kit and Tray Management System

MEPS Real-Time Inc., a provider of RFID solutions for pharmacy automation and inventory management, introduced the industry’s smallest RFID smart tag that significantly improves the automated replenishment of kits, trays and tackle boxes in the hospital pharmacy.
The new Intelliguard RFID Smart Tag is 65% smaller than any other RFID tags available to healthcare. The tags were developed by MEPS following comprehensive market feedback that indicated the typical RFID tag used on medication vials is visually intrusive and hinders the safe handling of medication particularly when used with anesthesia kits, trays and drawers. The smaller tag, which is only available with Intelliguard® Kit and Tray Management System, is easier to handle, less intrusive and alleviates the potential for medication to become stuck in automated and standard anesthesia carts.
The new smart tag was designed to support the Intelliguard® Kit and Tray Management System, which automates medication inventory management and replenishment in hospital pharmacies. With its ability to read high-density trays, multi-layer tackle boxes and overlapping kit labels, the system can scan more than 150 medications in seconds and provides 100% accuracy of identifying missing, expired, soon-to-expire and recalled medications.

Walgreens & Walmart testing iBeacons

Walgreens-owned drugstore chain Duane Reade announced that it’s updating its iPhone app with support for iBeacons it recently installed in 10 of its New York city locations. It and Walmart are just two of the latest big name chains said to be testing the technology, while Motorola Solutions announced today its own indoor location platform that includes a combination of Bluetooth iBeacons and Wi-Fi based features. Like other implementations that we’ve seen in retail and grocery stores, Duane Reade has installed the Bluetooth iBeacons in order to beam offers, coupons and product info to customers in proximity that have the company’s iPhone app installed:

Nigeria: Osun Smartcard to Eliminate Ghost Workers

OSUN State has launched a civil servants' smart card aimed at intensifying the use of information communication technology for administrative effectiveness as well as address the issue of ghost workers. State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said the smart card would enhance payment of civil servants. "Through this smart card system, the workers can get their monies paid directly to their accounts instead of through any intermediary points," he said. He added that there cannot be mistake of identity in the payment of monies due to the workers.

The Benefits of Adding Item-Level RFID

Manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers have moved from tracking pallets with RFID to employing item-level tags that can pass inventory data from packaging to store shelves. As these programs spread and the information platform behind them opens up to more partners, manufacturers are best positioned to introduce tagging at their stage of the supply chain. RFID is supplanting barcodes for many applications because it can be scanned much more quickly, a benefit initially felt by the retailers themselves. Distribution centers were the next to start seeing benefits because inventory controls and order fulfillment can be verified as shipments move through multiple gates.

Manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers have moved from tracking pallets with RFID to employing item-level tags that can pass inventory data from packaging to store shelves. As these programs spread and the information platform behind them opens up to more partners, manufacturers are best positioned to introduce tagging at their stage of the supply chain.
RFID is supplanting barcodes for many applications because it can be scanned much more quickly, a benefit initially felt by the retailers themselves. Distribution centers were the next to start seeing benefits because inventory controls and order fulfillment can be verified as shipments move through multiple gates.

Read more at http://www.business2community.com/business-innovation/benefits-adding-item-level-rfid-0867583#jWTHRTWvDSoWO8bb.99

Manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers have moved from tracking pallets with RFID to employing item-level tags that can pass inventory data from packaging to store shelves. As these programs spread and the information platform behind them opens up to more partners, manufacturers are best positioned to introduce tagging at their stage of the supply chain.
RFID is supplanting barcodes for many applications because it can be scanned much more quickly, a benefit initially felt by the retailers themselves. Distribution centers were the next to start seeing benefits because inventory controls and order fulfillment can be verified as shipments move through multiple gates.

Read more at http://www.business2community.com/business-innovation/benefits-adding-item-level-rfid-0867583#jWTHRTWvDSoWO8bb.99

Manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers have moved from tracking pallets with RFID to employing item-level tags that can pass inventory data from packaging to store shelves. As these programs spread and the information platform behind them opens up to more partners, manufacturers are best positioned to introduce tagging at their stage of the supply chain.
RFID is supplanting barcodes for many applications because it can be scanned much more quickly, a benefit initially felt by the retailers themselves. Distribution centers were the next to start seeing benefits because inventory controls and order fulfillment can be verified as shipments move through multiple gates.

Read more at http://www.business2community.com/business-innovation/benefits-adding-item-level-rfid-0867583#jWTHRTWvDSoWO8bb.99

Auburn scores big with RFID research facility

RFID Research Center will move from the University of Arkansas to Auburn University in June, the university announced. Radio frequency identification technology is driving change in businesses across the nation in supply chain operations and numerous other uses. “RFID technology is increasingly critical to the ability of business and industry to excel in a global, networked marketplace,” Auburn University President Jay Gogue said, in a statement. “The new lab will serve as an engine of economic growth as it develops technologies and processes that improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

GlobeRanger Acquired by Japan’s Fujitsu for RFID Business

A suburban Dallas maker of RFID technologies specialized for the U.S. military was bought Friday by Japanese electronics giant Fujitsu to shore up its portfolio of national security and defense-related products and services. “The opportunity is huge for us,” says George Brody, GlobeRanger’s CEO. “They have a huge pipeline, an existing defense business of marquee customers outside the U.S. Of course, the largest customer is the U.S. and that’s why they’re interested in us.”

Obamacare Microchip Hoax

An article saying that all Americans will get an RFID microchip implant due to Obamacare by the year 2017 isn’t real. There’s been rumors and hoaxes going around about RFID implants being a requirement due to Obamacare for years. The latest iteration was posted on The PCMD Magazine, which appears to have republished another version of the hoax. “NBC has recently predicted that in 2017, all of America will be tagged with microchips. They will be implanted to help identify individuals immediately. According to the report, the technology is used to answer one question, ‘Am I who I say I am?’” the fake report reads.

Smart Card Alliance to Commemorate Federal Government Security Directive HSPD-12 with 10th Anniversary Celebration

The Smart Card Alliance invites government and industry executives to a special event commemorating the 10th anniversary of landmark security directive HSPD-12¹ this summer in Washington, D.C. The one-day event will feature government leaders and current heads of federal agencies looking back on identity and access security achievements of the past decade, as well as forward to opportunities for future advancements.
The “Government Conference Special Edition Event: Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of HSPD-12,” held with support from FICAM² and the Interagency Advisory Board (IAB), will take place on July 31, 2014 at the Marriott Metro Center Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The event commemorates the government-wide security directive signed by President George W. Bush in August 2004, which drove momentous change in the way the U.S. federal government manages employee and contractor identities and access to government facilities. HSPD-12 and the resulting FIPS 201 standard established practices for verifying identities and issuing secure, reliable and tamper-proof PIV³ credentials that could be rapidly authenticated electronically across government. Today, nearly 5 million smart card-based PIV credentials have been issued to government employees and contractors for secure access to government buildings and IT systems, and the standards have been extended for non-federal and commercial use.

Laxcen Debuts EPC Gen Passive Tags in the U.S.

Hong Kong tag and label manufacturer Laxcen Inc. has begun marketing its products in the United States, after the company's C50 and C70 tags, designed for apparel and health-care applications, passed the RFID Research Center's Arkansas Radio Compliance (ARC) tests a few months ago. Once a radio frequency identification product passes these tests, it is listed as an inlay approved for use on apparel within the United States and Europe. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11734#sthash.0BRapJOn.dpuf

Zebra Technologies and American Barcode and RFID Inc. Sign Commercial Agreement .

Zebra Technologies Corporation and American Barcode and RFID Inc. (AB&R), an integrator of proven solutions that drive efficiency and productivity in the supply chain, today announced the signing of a commercial agreement to use Zatar, Zebra's Internet of Things (IoT) platform. Zatar is a cloud-based, multi-sensor integration IoT platform for connecting legacy and smart devices, such as iBeacons, printers and RFID to the Internet that enables third-party applications to easily work with the devices over an open source API.

"With Zatar we can enable new capabilities and business models which offer our customers the flexibility required in today's market place," said Mike Stryczek, CEO of AB&R. "Through this agreement we now can offer our customers a new range of services which include "pay as you use" and real-time monitoring and management of devices via Zatar."
Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) is a fundamental building block of IoT and having a platform that supports sensor technologies and AIDC are keys to the adoption of IoT.
"Zatar is a simple and powerful IoT solution that is easy for organizations of any size to implement and operate, even as more devices and collaborators are added to the platform," said Phil Gerskovich, senior vice president of New Growth Platforms for Zebra Technologies. "We are excited that AB&R, a long-time Zebra partner, has selected the Zatar enterprise IoT platform to enhance the experience for their customers and address tasks that are historically time consuming and expensive."

SkyeTek Inc. and RFID Oil and Gas Group Merge

Skyetek, Inc. and RFID Oil & Gas Group announced their merger. The combined company offers next generation radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware and software solutions, with a focus on the oil and gas industry. This strategic combination aligns itself with the evolution of the RFID industry toward turnkey solutions for specific industry problems.
SkyeTek is a leader in the stand-alone and embedded RFID reader technology for OEMs. Their latest Ultra High Frequency (UHF) readers, the SkyeModule Nova and Titan, are at the heart of new solutions for mobile and fixed infrastructure. "The high performance, power efficient, and reliable readers are a perfect fit for RFID enabled tablets, handhelds, portals, and other fixed read points," according to Josh Peifer, Chief Product Officer.
RFID Oil & Gas Solution Group, LLC. is recognized as a technology and thought leader in RFID systems for the oil and gas sector. Through the leadership of its co-founders Konrad Konarski and Sam Falsafi, the company has built a broad international customer base and a globally respected brand for RFID systems within the petroleum industry. "This merger represents a natural alignment of our combined technology portfolio and subject-matter expertise to the digital oilfield demands for enterprise based turn-key solutions that can be rapidly integrated and rolled-out into the field. RFID technology is an obvious choice for an oil and gas industry that is seeing rapid growth and logistical challenges, stricter regulatory requirements, and increasingly demanding operational conditions. RFID's ability to provide autonomous visibility of capital equipment, drill pipe, casing, as well as personnel safety is unprecedented," added Konarski.

Socket Mobile Focuses its SoMo 655 Mobile Handheld Computers on Emerging NFC Market

Socket Mobile, Inc. announced that commencing in June, its SoMo 655 handheld computer will be able to read and process information using Near Field Communications (NFC) technology.  NFC is an RFID technology enabling the wireless transfer of information at short range with extremely simple setup.
The SoMo 655 RFID Reader with NFC operates both as a reader and writer.  The SoMo 655 will read NFC High Frequency 13.56MHz contactless smart tags including those that are ISO/IEC 14443A and B compliant including Mifare and Sony FeliCa.  It will also read tags that are ISO 15693 compliant, EPC GEN 2 HF and ISO 18000-3 mode 3 compliant, and will read many other proprietary tags.  The RFID NFC reader plugs into the SoMo 655 handheld computer and enables single handed operations.  The model 6E2 RFID reader has a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $225.00.  The model 6P2 is a combination RFID NFC reader and barcode scanner with a U.S. MSRP of $569.00.  The RFID Readers will be in black and antimicrobial white to match the SoMo 655 and 655Rx, respectively.
The Readers will be available in June through Socket's worldwide distribution channels. SKU numbers for the Model 6E2 are RF5407-1548 (black) and RF5409-1572 (white).  SKU numbers for the Model 6P2 are RF5408-1549 (black) and RF5410-1573 (white).
The SoMo 655 with NFC is also supported in Socket Mobile's SoMo developer Software Developers Kit (SDK), allowing developers to embed support for the SoMo 655 handheld computer with NFC into their applications. Developers can obtain an SDK at: http://developer.socketmobile.com/ . SocketScan Keyboard Wedge and SocketCare support is also available.
 

Apparel Retailers Finally Get RFID

Studies had shown that RFID could improve inventory accuracy from an industry average of 60 percent or less to more than 95 percent. Yet, the apparel retail industry was still in the early stages of adoption. As is typically the case with any new technology, a few brave specialty and department store retailers pushed the envelope and served as early adopters.Today, it is hard to find a retailer that is not aware of RFID and its ability to improve inventory accuracy.