McDonald’s tests mobile ordering and payments in the US

McDonald’s is testing a service that lets customers order their meal before they arrive at a restaurant and then collect it and pay by scanning a QR code. The pilot its taking place at 22 locations in the Columbus, Georgia area, Business Insider reports. To use the service, customers download the McD Ordering app and link a credit or debit card. They then order ahead using the app and, when they arrive, scan a QR code at the restaurant. The customer’s card is then charged for the order, they are assigned an order number which is displayed by the app and staff begin making their meal.

SATO Launches Revolutionary Low Cost RFID Print & Verify System

SATO, a leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, announced today that SATO Vicinity Pty. Ltd. and SATO Healthcare Co., Ltd. have launched a new low cost RFID Print & Verify System featuring its unique PJM RFID technology.

The PJM Print & Verify System is a complement of integrated products consisting of PJM RFID printers, PJM RFID and barcode readers, and application software that enable the centralized management of these devices for RFID encoding/printing, and the verification of RFID and barcode data. Additionally the solution offers grade evaluation of the barcode print quality.

A great benefit to customers is the built-in flexibility and customization of the system. Its modular design allows each aspect of the solution to function individually or in any combination. Other industry standards of RFID such as UHF RFID tags and HF RFID tags are also available.

SATO's PJM Print & Verify System was recently selected as the next-generation RFID solution by one of the world's largest orthopedic implant vendors.

"There is a growing demand in healthcare and the medical device industry for barcode verification systems - solutions that provide the highest possible accuracy for track and trace and data management to ensure patient safety requirements are met," said Hiroyuki Konuma, President of SATO Healthcare, "SATO's PJM Print & Verify System is a revolutionary low cost solution that achieves not only RFID and barcode matching verification, but also manages RFID printing, non-duplication, and barcode print quality verification in one solution. We have just taken two steps ahead in bundled technology solutions for our customers who previously expended three times or more for a single verification system feature. Our acquisition of Magellan Technology made this possible, and we will continue to create new values for our customers through sustained efforts in research and development."

Medella Health Selects DELTA's RFID Chip for Wearable Device

DELTA Microelectronics, the European leader in complete ASIC supply chain services, announces today that its THOR RFID chip has been selected by Medella Health for its prototype B version.
Aimed at diabetes patients, the Medella Health wearable solution continuously monitors blood glucose levels, enabling non-invasive diabetes monitoring and management. DELTA’s RFID chip integrates with the Medella sensor, logging data and wirelessly powering the sensor.

The DELTA THOR is a NFC data logger IC that can store results arriving from on-chip temperature sensors, from external analog signals or from SPI master interfaces. The chip can supply 2.7–5.5V to an auxiliary slave, and is suitable for applications such as temperature logging or SPI-controlled sensors such as pressure, tilt, voltage and light.

Intel working on RFID-based 'kill switch' for laptops

"Kill switches" — the ability to remotely render a device unusable to combat theft — are already making an impact in the smartphone world. Now Intel might be bringing the technology to other mobile devices using its SoCs.The chip giant is working on something call the Wireless Credential Exchange (WCE) with a number of partners. Its chips would communicate with Impinj's Monza RFID chips to allow remote monitoring of devices via Burnside Digital's IPTrak software. The result would be that these devices could be controlled to activate only when they reach their approved destination or within a specified location. If they don't reach their destination or leave the approved area, they could be disabled.

Formtastic Learns New Barcode Tricks

Quadrant Software says it added support for two new barcode formats and one new automated payment format to Formtastic, its document management software for IBM i. Support for QR and 2D DataMatrix barcodes and the ACH CCD+ data format in Formtastic version 5.4.5 will help customers address requirements. Formtastic is a suite of IBM i and Windows software designed to merge variable print stream data originating from IBM i servers with pre-defined document templates, enabling customers to use standard laser printers to generate custom forms, labels, and checks, and to eliminate pre-printed forms. In addition to generating forms and barcodes, the software can generate MICR checks, and can also initiate payments using the Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) payment network.

Mobeam: Digital barcode scanning worth beaming about

HERE’s some good news for both consumers and retailers: a technology developed by Mobeam Inc enables the redemption of digital coupons, loyalty card points and the like directly from your mobile phone using regular barcode scanning devices. The Mobeam solution makes use of light based communications and infrared proximity sensors within a mobile device to transform a physical barcode into a beam of light that is readable to conventional barcode scanners. It is designed to work for 1D barcode based content, which is the most prevalent form used in commerce today.

Smart card system set up for taxis at airport 'only a partial solution'

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will introduce a smart-card system for the taxi queue at Suvarnabhumi Airport in a bid to end the "mafia-style operation" there. A computerised system, linked to the database of registered taxi drivers' personal history and fingerprints, will issue queue cards to taxis waiting to pick up passengers from the airport. "We expect to see clear results within one month from now," 11th Military Circle chief Maj-General Nirundorn Samutsakorn said yesterday.

College Football Hall of Fame to Kick Off With RFID

When Atlanta's new College Football Hall of Fame opens its doors on August 23, visitors will be able to enjoy a personalized experience at exhibits located throughout the facility. The ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID system, provided by Stark RFID, includes RFID-tagged "credentials" that visitors can use to receive content tailored specifically for them, as well as 100 readers installed at entrances, exhibits and other parts of the facility, and software residing on six servers that manage the collected data—not only to present information to visitors, but also to track details for the purpose of analytics, such as how long guests remain at each exhibit, and where bottlenecks occur.

From What Materials Are RFID Tags Made?

It depends on the type of transponders to which you are referring. A passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) transponder contains a microchip made of silicon. Attached to the chip is an antenna that can be composed of copper, aluminum, silver ink or some other conductive material. The chip and antenna are mounted on a substrate, which can be paper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or some other type of plastic. This is usually inserted into a thermal transfer label. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/blogs/experts/entry?11066#sthash.vNv7vTvM.dpuf

Flaws Found in USCIS RFID Card Production System

The system that’s used to produce RFID-enabled identification cards–including permanent resident IDs–by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service has a number of serious security issues, according to a new report from the Office of the Inspector General at DHS. Among the issues the OIG found is that nearly all of the workstations in the system were missing six years worth of Java patches and an Oracle database server was missing nearly two dozen patches.

MagicBands Bring Convenience, New Services to Walt Disney World

This spring in Orlando, Fla., Walt Disney World began providing a dual-frequency (13.56 MHz and 2.4 GHz) RFID wristband known as the MagicBand to all of its resort guests after they book a Walt Disney World hotel reservation. Guests not staying at a Disney hotel can purchase an RFID-enabled ticket at the gate, which provides access through entrances and other features also accessible via the MagicBand. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11877#sthash.nUGP5Bz4.dpuf

Which barcode system is right for you?

When it comes to choosing the right barcode medication administration system, industry experts advise prospective customers to take a close look at what electronic medical record they select.  "You will likely go with the barcode medication administration system that your EMR has," said Paul Hess, research director at KLAS and author of a recent report titled, "Medication Cabinets, Carts, & BCMA 2014: Technology's Impact on Nurse Efficiency and Patient Safety."

KYOCERA Introduces New KRW Series Thermal Printheads for Barcode Printing

Kyocera Corporation announced that it has developed a new thermal printhead for desktop barcode printers. The new Kyocera KRW Series printheads offer improved durability and corrosion resistance through a simplified structure and refined resin sealant, which improve assembly efficiency and extend the useful life of printing equipment. Samples will be available beginning June 2014.

Logistics sites such as warehouses and distribution centers store a wide range of information on barcode labels to optimize inventory and supply-chain management. In recent years, logistics platforms have expanded into developing regions of Asia and elsewhere, leading to a substantial increase in distribution volumes. As a result, demand for desktop barcode printers for shipping labels has been expanding.

Barcode printer manufacturers demand thermal printheads that offer superior durability and serviceability to improve production efficiency and streamline printer assembly. They also require better corrosion resistance to prevent component deterioration resulting from use in environments featuring elevated levels of moisture, humidity and/or salt.

Kyocera’s KRW Series provides superior durability through a simplified structure with fewer components and use of specialized resins to affix connectors, the area most susceptible to mechanical load. The new KRW Series also offers superior corrosion resistance through use of an improved resin-sealing film, which coats the surface of the printhead. Additionally, Kyocera’s advanced film-forming processes protect the printhead from harsh environments involving high temperatures, humidity and salinity. With improved durability and corrosion resistance, the KRW Series will help improve assembly efficiency for printer manufacturers while enhancing the lifespan of printing equipment.

Printronix Extends Mobile Thermal Barcode Printer Offering

Printronix, Inc., a worldwide leader in business-critical industrial printing solutions for over 40 years, announces the launch of the M4L portable barcode printer. The M4L joins Printronix Print Cart in the line of mobile printing solutions, further extending a growing category within industrial printing. The M4L is designed to run at full-printing capacity for extended lengths of time – 30% longer than competitive models – to maximize warehouse efficiency so workers can print and apply labels at the point of application.

The M4L integrates seamlessly with factory-ready ZPL II® & CPCL emulations, and secure Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n. The unit connects directly to legacy systems and devices which streamlines integration into diverse industrial environments.

Additionally, the M4L’s durable construction can withstand drops of up to six feet when housed in its protective case; keeping workers productive and reducing costs associated with printer downtime. The M4L prints up to four IPS on standard and custom media, and features easy media loading. A comprehensive list of accessories is also available for the M4L to meet all your portable needs.

Cities take note of TransLink smart-card program’s successes, growing pains

As the Vancouver region transit authority struggles to fully develop a smart card for access to transit, other Canadian transit services are watching closely to learn lessons in developing their own systems. From as far as Alberta, other services have taken note of glitches and other troubles with the Compass Card program, which is a year behind schedule in being fully phased in for an estimated 420,000 transit passengers.

Just How Big Will RFID Be?

People have been predicting the mass adoption of RFID since 2003. They've also been underestimating just how important and ubiquitous RFID will become. So let me explain why RFID adoption will begin to accelerate, and then I will get to why I think we are all underestimating its importance. First, technologies are always hyped. There are great expectations that a new technology will change the world, and then it turns out to be more difficult to deploy than people initially thought. It takes time for technologies to mature, for complete solutions to be developed, even for people to understand how the technologies should be used. Remember when the Internet bubble burst and all the dot-coms went out of business?

Chip-enabled 'smart' credit cards coming to America

Sam's Club is just weeks away from becoming the first national retailer to offer its customers a chip-enabled "smart card"—a credit card that uses both a magnetic strip and an embedded microchip to store the data that's needed to verify the transaction. Chip-based cards are extremely hard to counterfeit, experts say. The new Sam's Club 5-3-1 MasterCard (issued by GE Capital Retail Bank) will be available to qualifying Sam's Savings, Sam's Business and Sam's Plus members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico starting on June 23. Sam's Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores.

Omni-ID and Guard RFID Release Open-Standard 433 MHz Technology

Two RFID companies have announced 433 MHz hardware that they claim is the first to comply with a relatively new open air-interface protocol—IEEE 802.15.4f-2012. Omni-ID's new Power 415 tag integrates a passive EPC Gen 2 ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) inlay with an active 433 MHz transponder compliant with the IEEE standard, while Guard RFID Solutions' Tag Reader Receiver (TRR) has been newly updated to interrogate active 433 MHz tags via the open standard. The two companies each independently tested the interoperability of the reader and the tag last month, and found that the products work well together. During testing, both firms employed Guard RFID's AllGuard RTLS and Security software, while Omni-ID also used its own software to manage the collected read data. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11873#sthash.Gh5qH6eQ.dpuf

Middle Eastern Aircraft Services Company Gains Efficiency With RFID

While Airbus and other aircraft manufacturers have been taking a leading role in deploying radio frequency identification for the management of airplane parts, one aviation company has leveraged Airbus' knowledge to create its own solution. Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT)—a third-party provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services—has deployed an RFID system at its facility to manage work-in-progress for the parts it services for its customers, which include Airbus and other aircraft manufacturers. The system has helped ADAT reduce turnaround times, and has provided information that the firm can employ to further improve efficiency. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11865#sthash.SEtPAL6T.dpuf

Why everyone will be wearing that RFID bracelet in Pinehurst

For credit card company American Express, the U.S. Open in Pinehurst is a pilot program for what execs are saying could be the new interactive technology status quo. American Express, a sponsor of the U.S. Open, is trying to get people to do more than golf clap in Pinehurst. “Knowing how we’re now moving into this very technological and mobile age, and given that your phones are not allowed onsite, we thought it was very important to figure out how to bring out a very substantial consumer tech angle,” says Michele Carr, American Express’ director of sports marketing, the point person on the project.

U.S. NFC Mobile Technology Adoption to be Spurred by the 'Big Three': HCE, BLE and EMV

Mobile NFC technology is in the running for widespread U.S. adoption for both non-payment and payment applications, with technologies and architectures like HCE, BLE and EMV complementing and propelling the technology forward, attendees learned at the 2014 NFC Solutions Summit. The 2014 NFC Solutions Summit, presented by the Smart Card Alliance in partnership with the NFC Forum and the NFC World Congress, was held last week at the Renaissance Arboretum Hotel in Austin.

Recently, attention has turned to Host Card Emulation (HCE), which unlocks the potential for NFC applications without the need for integration with the mobile device’s secure element (SE) or for the support of a trusted service manager. HCE enables quick and cost-effective NFC deployments, but it also raises the question–are its security capabilities enough for NFC payments and other secure applications?

“HCE is an architecture, not a solution,” said Ted Fifelski, the co-founder of SimplyTapp, the company that created HCE. “When it comes to levels of fraud and risk, HCE offer options. Enterprises need to ask themselves, ‘what are you protecting?’” and add levels of security they deem appropriate.

HCE is “another tool in the toolbox,” that will drive NFC adoption, said Erich Tompkins, the senior product manager, advanced mobility solutions at AT&T, but “the SE is the known good security model.” He said that the SE is the main building block for AT&T’s strategy, but that HCE can be complementary for non-payment uses cases like ticketing. Tony Sabetti, ‎director of merchant integration and commerce development at Isis agreed, saying that while HCE can get applications up and running quickly, he doesn’t see the hardware SE going away “anytime soon.” He said that cloud-based NFC solutions using HCE can bring about other burdens for data security: “cloud databases are good places to go hack.”

In his presentation, Michael Gargiulo, the principal consultant at TNG Technologies, talked about the HCE architecture and security considerations at the network, server and device level. According to Gargiulo, if HCE leaves data at rest in the phone at the operating system (OS) level, that data is “in the wild.” He said that potential security issues could arise from uninstalled OS security updates, ‘rooted’ phones, low-strength software security algorithms and capture of user-entered data.

NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) will likely complement each other and coexist in the mobile ecosystem because their best use cases differ, John Ekers, the CIO at ABnote said in his keynote presentation. BLE’s quick coupling abilities are best for use cases that don’t require high levels of security, like in-store mobile marketing and gamification, and will drive consumers into stores and create interest. Payment, though, “is the ideal transaction for NFC,” Ekers said.

TransTech Systems Expands with UHF RFID Offerings

Visualant, Inc., announced that the TransTech Systems subsidiary of Visualant is increasing its business emphasis on UHF RFID solutions. UHF RFID systems are being used to track assets in very diverse environments with minimal human intervention such as hospital equipment and consumables, tools, attendees at amusement parks and sporting events, retail clothing and even cars through the car wash. UHF RFID use is exploding across many diverse market applications due to increased range, more data and lower cost tags.

TransTech Systems is a leading distributor of identification solutions and products. These solutions have historically included Low and High (LF & HF) Radio Frequency Identification products. It is only natural to extend their product offerings to include Ultra-High Frequency or UHF identification components.

“While UHF RFID solutions are not overly complex, having the expertise to match the appropriate components to the environment of the installation is critical to the success of the project,” said Jeff Kruse, President of TransTech Systems.

TransTech Systems is known for its award winning customer support and has received top service awards from major partners in the secure identification industry for several years. Kruse further stated, “We bring our service and support ethic to an industry where success is defined by the components used in each specific installation. This kind of support cannot come in a box.”
Ron Erickson, President and CEO of Visualant said, “Many of those who follow Visualant are not aware of our TransTech subsidiary and its profitable $9 million in annual revenues. Jeff Kruse has played a significant role in his job as President of TransTech in increasing revenues and margins. We are seeing strong quarterly growth in the Division and are pleased with the addition of UHF RFID goods and services.”

Invisible nano-barcodes could track explosives, drugs, and more

When forensic investigators first started using sophisticated ballistics analysis to identify criminals, it was viewed as an incredible insight. Just a pattern of scratches on a hunk of half-destroyed metal could link a gun to a bullet — amazing! Today, impressing people is much more difficult; DNA evidence in particular has given us the sense that physical evidence can be analyzed to almost unlimited effect. Still, investigators often have trouble tracing evidence back to its source in any useful way, often in the most serious of cases. But what if trace amounts of explosive, say, could be identified and tracked as easily as a firearm? That’s the goal of new research published this week, which uses nanoparticles to put an invisible, indestructible barcode in just about any object imaginable.

Smart Card IT Solutions in talks to buy Singapore Co for $20 million

Smart Card IT Solutions is stitching up multiple deals that the Mumbai-based company hopes will help it emerge as one of the top five players in the smart card market globally. The company, founded in 2009, is in talks to acquire an unnamed company based out of Singapore for $20 million (Rs 118 crore), while also raising private equity capital to help finance this acquisition

Headstone QR codes put life into dying business

Vladimir Konstantinovsky believes in combining tradition with the latest in technology in Classic Memorials, the business he recently moved from 18332 Cedar Road in University Heights to 14025 Cedar in South Euclid. He recently introduced QR codes, a new form of customizable technology, to his customers. These codes can be placed anywhere on a headstone, and can be scanned by anyone with a QR code scanning application and a mobile device. The codes link to a personalized webpage made by the family for their loved one. Konstantinovsky said there are an unlimited number of options for what can be added to a personalized webpage. Many people include biographies, photo galleries, messages from the family and videos. He said it’s a digital footprint that lives on the Internet, and it’s great for grandchildren.

MAINtag Deploys FLYtag skin Aerospace RFID Label

Aerospace RFID leader MAINtag has deployed its new patented hybrid FLYtag skin family of integrated RFID products. With delivery of over 1 million flyable tags to more than 60 tier-one suppliers in the aerospace industry to date, new deliveries of FLYtag skin hybrid technology to aerospace tier-one OEMs are planned for June 2014. “The FLYtag skin family will support RFID expansion in the aerospace industry by substantially simplifying and improving the tracking of chip-equipped parts at an affordable cost,” said Dominique Garreau, MAINtag Managing Director, adding, “Since 2010, the cooperation between Airbus and MAINtag has facilitated value creation for both parties. Within terms of an existing multi-year contract, Airbus and MAINtag continue fruitful collaboration.’’

New Survey Suggests Retailers Really Need RFID

A colleague recently sent me a 2013 survey conducted by GT Nexus, a provider of cloud-based services, that seems like a real wakeup call for retailers—particularly those based in the United States. GT Nexus surveyed 5,000 consumers in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States to understand the evolution of the retail landscape, and whether retailers could measure up to consumer expectations. It turns out, according to the survey, that they do not. The thing that jumped out at me the most was the percentage of respondents who were informed online that they could purchase a product in-store only, only to find it was out of stock. Almost 10 percent of respondents from Germany had this experience. That's bad, right? Well, German consumers had it best—11 percent of French shoppers and 16 percent of U.K. shoppers also had that experience, while a whopping 31 percent of U.S. respondents showed up at stores and were told an item wasn't available. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11789#sthash.CP9Kl5AW.dpuf

White Lodging Implements Kaba RFID Guest Door Locks at 30 Properties

Kaba, provider of Saflok and ILCO brands of electronic locks, announced White Lodging selected Kaba's Saflok Quantum and RT RFID guestroom door locks for more than 30 Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and other flagged properties. Installation began in 4Q 2013 with completion expected in early 2014. Click here for information on Kaba electronic locks.

 "White Lodging selected Kaba's lock systems for these properties after a thorough evaluation of the 3 major lock providers. We selected Kaba on the basis of product, service, and cost," said Thomas D. Riegelman, VP of engineering & facilities management for White Lodging. "The current agreement covers 30 existing properties and we expect to add a number of additional 'Kaba' properties in 2014 and 2015, both existing and new construction."

"We have had an excellent Kaba project team managing our implementation," Riegelman said. "We are replacing our non-PMS-interfaced magstripe locks with the latest fully interfaced RFID locks. We are also planning to implement a number of systems that are integrated with the property's guestroom energy management system to maximize guest service and energy savings."

Brazil airport installs self-service check-in and NFC boarding with digital signage screens

The new terminal at Viracopos-Campinas International Airport, near São Paulo, Brazil is to be equipped with 53 self-check-in kiosks from IER, a French subsidiary of Bolloré Group, according to an announcement. IER was selected in November 2014 to supply the self-service equipment for the terminal, which is under construction and due to open this year. The installation also includes 212 desk check-in printers and 82 barcode readers with NFC reading capabilities for boarding.

Carlsberg UK Expands RFID Keg-Tracking System

Brewing company Carlsberg UK is expanding its RFID-based solution that captures and manages data related to the movements of its Somersby Cider kegs, to include a percentage of all the beer kegs it sends to, and receives from, distributors and customers. The system is provided by Kegspertise, a West Yorkshire, England, business that provides tracking services for kegs and casks. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11845#sthash.f5bMfL8G.dpuf

NFC Specifications Drive Mobile Wallet Development

The development of contactless technology, thanks to the NFC adoption in mobile handsets, is offering a new opportunity to create and develop value added services for the end user with an innovative and interactive experience. The adoption of common specifications within the GSM Association provides Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) a common and interoperable layer to build new services and  NFC benefits in different application environments such as mobile ticketing, payment, loyalty, and advertising—transforming the traditional physical wallet in a digital wallet with all of the required services.

A Russian Milk Company is Crossing Out Barcodes Because of the Devil

A Russian dairy company that has been inexplicably crossing out its barcodes for five years has finally revealed why: to ward off the Antichrist. Seriously. Russkoe Moloko, the merry band of complete fucking lunatics company in question, had the following to say in a press release: "It is well-known that the bar code on products is a mark of the Beast. It contains three invisible sixes (666), the name of the Antichrist which is hidden in the Scriptures...By crossing our barcode we want to show our position — we are with our Lord Jesus Christ, not the Antichrist and his servants. It's not superstition."

QR Codes – The Not-So-New Yet Amazing Trend That is Taking Off

Wonderfully cheap and effective, QR codes are a re-emerging trend taking over! QR codes or Quick Response Codes are those odd-looking barcode-like squares that contain information. I am sure you have seen them on posters, leaflets, magazines etc. You have probably thought that those codes aren’t for you and your business, but guess what? They are! In the following paragraphs I will show you why and how to make the most of them.

UAE government examining biometric ID card for payments

The UAE’s biometric civil identification card could soon be used for payments. According to an article in the Gulf News, authored by Ali Mohammad Al Khouri, the director-general of the Emirates Identity Authority, the UAE Government is currently looking at “how the smart identity card infrastructure in the country can support secure electronic payment systems suitable for both government and commercial purposes.” “Once we effectively deal with the security risks pertaining to electronic payment mechanisms, we are at the threshold of a clear win-win situation, promising unprecedented benefits for all,” Al Khouri writes.  “The cost and risks associated with physical cash have always been a determining factor behind new age payment systems.”

Ritani Tests New RFID Tool for Retailers

When Brian Watkins, president of Ritani, signed on with the Seattle-based fine jewelry brand in 2012, he was tasked with evolving the company into a true clicks-and-bricks business.
The former Blue Nile executive oversaw the creation of Ritani.com, which now accounts for roughly half of the company’s revenue and is currently focused on a retailer program that loops technology into the in-store sales pitch. The brand’s fancy new sales tool, which debuted at JCK’s LUXURY show in Las Vegas, will—if received well—see Ritani’s roughly 150 retailers using radio frequency identification (RFID) to augment the sales experience.

Role-based Access Control & Open Standards Influence Market Opportunity

The access control industry is beginning to propel itself into innovation and technological advancement through integration. Open standards, convergence of access control and video, and partnerships with non-security related companies [and non-access control companies such video surveillance providers] are the focus of the industry.

It is safe to say that access control providers, integrators and building IT managers are no longer hesitant to implement access control to its fullest capacity. Integrating access control with video allows for forensics and more seamless security. While video recording at the door is not an entirely new concept, many providers are looking to develop software and  user interfaces which unify the two solutions. Additionally, ease of use and convenience are helping to drive the industry as well. Access control does not always need to be used for only hardened security applications. Using social media and applications/ hardware in conjunction with access control could help open the market to new opportunities since interacting with the access control devices is becoming increasingly popular. NFC (near field communication) and BLE (Bluetooth low energy) are also trending and will allow more options for end-users in the medium term who wish to replace physical credentials with mobile credentials.
 
Additionally, open standards and interoperability standards may also begin to change the face of the industry over the next 12-36 months. ONVIF Profile C and Physical-Logical Access Interoperability (PLAI) may look to lead this movement. In addition to open standards, integration with hardware and software that is neither security related nor BMS related could also change the industry. Role-based access control is one example. Typically, access control rights today are assigned based on time schedules which often requires additional inputs from an administrator. However, there could be a trend toward using assigned roles to provide access to not only doors but to also logical access control. So the future focus could be on allowing logical domains to work with physical domains in order to increase efficiency and open doors for other possibilities in addition to automated privilege management. Lastly, travel programs within organizations could be tied to access control systems which automate access to different buildings within an organization based on a colleague booking travel. Effectively eliminating the need for an administrator to grant each traveling colleague access rights to each building they are traveling to in a different city or country.
 
Sontay Overall, the access control industry is no longer standing still with innovation and implementation of technology but is now firmly in the mix. The access industry is now thoroughly entrenched in wireless, IP-enabled devices and integration beyond video surveillance. Many of the leading suppliers of access control are working to offer wide range of product and offerings which include not only enterprise but also SMB. One of the keys to success over the next several years will be to have an offering beyond traditional access control  readers, panels, cards and software and embrace the new position of the industry which includes things such as remote management, mobile & fixed functionality credentials, wireless, reducing administrative burden and increased efficiency & integration with human capital management software. The access control industry of tomorrow is knocking at the door.

Resorts World Sentosa Singapore Installs InvoTech UHF-RFID Uniform System

InvoTech Systems, Inc. announced Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) – Singapore's first integrated resort – Implemented the InvoTech UHF-RFID Uniform System to streamline processing for more than 200,000 uniforms. The InvoTech system interfaces with the White Conveyors U-Pick-It System to automatically deliver uniforms to the staff of thousands with optimum efficiency. Click here for more information on InvoTech's Linen, Uniform, and Laundry Systems. "InvoTech continues its global business expansion with the Resorts World Sentosa UHF-RFID Uniform System installation," said Jeff Welles, president of InvoTech Systems, Inc. "This Singapore complex is an example of how resorts with thousands of employees are adopting uniform tracking and delivery systems to eliminate losses, boost efficiency, and automate manual processes that increase profitability." Resorts World Sentosa operates 4 separate uniform distribution locations.

RFID for Access Control

There are a number of applications for RFID being developed for access control.  The fastest growing are for personnel access, gate control, and parking facilities.  Here's a brief look at each of these applications. In its most common form, RFID access for personnel may simply be the inclusion of an RFID tag in the identification badge of the worker.  RFID has made inroads into this area that was originally dominated by the magnetic stripe badge.  RFID applications for personnel access typically uses low frequency, 135 KHz, systems for the badge detection. 

Missouri lawmakers say ‘no’ to RFID badges

Missouri lawmakers are rallying behind a bill that seeks to eliminate the use of RFID badges in state schools.Citing student privacy and security, legislators have taken a firm stance on RFID, particularly as it relates to the use of the technology for tracking purposes. Lawmakers in the state have now passed measures that would bar school districts from requiring students to use technology IDs for the purpose of monitoring students’ location. The privacy bill extends beyond student IDs, as it would also limit the disclosure of library records regarding use of e-books and digital materials. As SFGate.com reports, both bills are en route to Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk, where they will await a final signature.

WHAS Crusade unveils QR code for donation

Since many people don't carry cash, the WHAS Crusade for Children is giving people a 21st century option when a firefighter holds out a boot or bucket. As firefighters prepare for the 61st Annual WHAS Crusade for Children, they are applying the latest technology, a QR code.

SDG Systems Launches EPX Framework for Android

SDG Systems recently launched the Enterprise Platform eXtension Framework (EPX Framework) software solution for Android. The EPX Framework provides a modular middleware implementation to enable manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users to integrate and utilize their RFID or barcode scanning hardware. The EPX Framework includes a device-independent application programming interface (API) for developers, enabling cross-platform support for applications. SDG Systems is licensing the EPX Framework for the integration of RFID or barcode scanning hardware into commercial hardware platforms. The EPX Framework provides several key features to the licensee.

Brady Corporation Selected by Airbus to Supply Integrated RFID Nameplates

Brady has been chosen by Airbus to provide flexible print-on-demand RFID integrated nameplates to wirelessly identify and track its internally produced flyable parts throughout an aircraft. The tags also store information about component history.

The integrated solution was the result of a joint development between Brady and Tego, Inc., a leader in next generation RFID (radio frequency identification), to leverage Brady’s core competency in high-performance materials designed to withstand extreme environments and Tego’s rugged, high-memory chip technology. RFID integrated nameplates represent the next generation of tags that significantly simplify and expand RFID applications in the aerospace industry.