7 Reasons To Use 2D Bar Code Scanners

By now you are probably familiar with 2D bar codes — such as the ubiquitous QR (quick response) code — if not by name, then by sight. Your clients are probably even using QR codes for their businesses (and if they aren’t, they should be.) While QR codes can be easily read by most cell phones and mobile devices, they are not the only 2D bar codes. The others require specialized 2D bar code scanners. You may be wondering why use the 2D bar codes that need a scanner if you can just use easily readable QR codes — but there are many good reasons to be using 2D bar codes paired with a 2D bar code scanner.

The Skimming Scam

Wallet choices used to be simple. You could get a bifold, a trifold, or a clutch. More pockets, fewer pockets; leather or synthetic. Flip through Sky Mall on your next flight, though, and you’ll find a new and potentially confusing option: RFID blocking. RFID-blocking wallets and sleeves, like this one from Swiss Alpine and this one from Buxton, claim to do something more than just keep your cards and money organized. They claim to keep your personal information safe from high-tech thieves. Do they really work, and are they necessary?

New RFID system to monitor traffic, track down criminals

A new vehicle security tracking system suitable for all types of vehicles, using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), will be implemented in Malaysia by the Road Transport Department (RTD) by 2018. It will allow real-time monitoring of traffic conditions and help police track down criminals. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi (pix) told theSun that the use of RFID technology will herald a new era for vehicle security in Malaysia and could be the answer to combat vehicle theft and cloned vehicle syndicates.

RAIN RFID Alliance announces new partnerships

The RAIN RFID Alliance announced partnerships with two key organizations in the RFID industry. CNRFID (the French RFID National Center) and IDTechEx will join with RAIN to provide information and guidance to organizations involved in passive UHF RFID. CNRFID was created by the French Government, to encourage the deployment of RFID - Radio Frequency IDentification. RFID is an automatic identification technology offering potential applications in all sectors (retail, health, aeronautic industry, leisure, transportation, etc.). Active RFID tags and passive RFID tags appear in different form factors: RFID tags, RFID badges, RFID cards, etc. These RFID tags are generally associated with RFID readers connected to the information system. Commonly used RFID frequencies are: RFID LF (125 and 134.2 kHz), RFID HF (13.56 MHz) and RFID UHF (860-960 MHz).

Google Play Services Gains Barcode Interpretation

Google Play Services was introduced a little over three years ago, initially to provide access to the Google+ API, Application Program Interface. It has since been expanded and is now the framework behind much of Android’s smart functionality, such as location services, advertising control and Google Cloud Messaging, which is used to enable push support by many developers of third party applications. Google Play Services is silently pushed to Android devices and does not, usually, need any involvement from the user to be updated. Because Google Play Services provides functionality that is otherwise missing from Android, it allows Google and developers to enable powerful new features without necessitating a device software update. This cuts device manufacturers and carriers from the update equation and can remove many months from Google announcing a new service and it reaching the end customer.

Cash In On Stand-Alone Bar Code Printing

If you still think of printers as peripherals, you’re being short-sighted. Indeed, many of today’s printers include powerful onboard computers that can be used to create unique stand-alone printing applications. Such applications can become huge revenue generators and differentiators for a solutions provider. The key is to be on the lookout for customer needs that align well to stand-alone printing applications. Recently, systems integrator Barcom, Inc. created a stand-alone bar code printing solution for one of its customers in the electronics industry. This project is a great example of how powerful such a solution can be.

The Secret To UHF RFID Reading Success

For years, the RFID industry worked tirelessly to improve RFID read rates just so that an RFID tag on a piece of inventory or asset could be read as it passed a reader. The first few generations worked exclusively on picking up this small, weak signal, and declared “VICTORY” when the tag could finally be read with precision. Then something happened. As the industry gained knowledge, tags and readers improved, and more antenna choices became available. This led to expanded read ranges. Now, that tag that could barely be read at 5 feet away from the antenna is read at 20 feet away. At last, improved long-range reading was a reality. However, long-range reading produced a problem — a problem bigger than the problem of not reading the tag at all: Reading the tag accidently.

RFID in China booms to $2.8 billion in 2020

IDTechEx Research has identified over 150 Chinese companies supplying RFID. Until now the use of RFID in the country has mainly been driven by government mandates and projects, from one billion contactless identity cards issued to complete rail car management systems. These have typically been highly profitable for suppliers involved and some suppliers are even state owned.

Now China has also rapidly become a large exporter of RFID, going from having a global market supply share in UHF RFID inlays of less than 10% in 2012 to 30% in 2015, mainly used to tag apparel by clothing retailers around the world.

In the new report titled RFID in China 2015-2025, IDTechEx Research provides a full study and assessment of the prospects of the RFID market in China. The research was carried out by IDTechEx analyst Dr Xiaoxi He based on interviews conducted in China in addition to the full knowledgebase of RFID market and business intelligence from IDTechEx led by Raghu Das, achieved over 15 years of studying the entire RFID market.

In 2015, 80% of the RFID systems deployed in China will be based on HF RFID (operating at 13.56MHz), but UHF RFID adoption is growing quickly although lagging the US and Europe. As a result UHF chip design/manufacturing development has been listed as one of the priorities in China's IoT development, culminating in several government funded programs to develop UHF RFID readers, for example.

DraftServ Technologies LLC Debuts First Self-Serve Draft Beer Concession

DraftServ is proud to announce their debut at Cedar Point, The Roller Coaster Capital of the World in Sandusky, Ohio. Park-goers can find two four-tap mobile units on the main walkway in the center of the park, near the Raptor roller coaster.

These are the first and only self-serve draft beer units at an amusement park anywhere in the world, and DraftServ is proud to once again be at the forefront of the self-serve beverage market.

Park guests can purchase either a $10 or $20 pre-loaded RFID card, pour Bud Light, Budweiser, and Goose Island IPA at $.50 per ounce, and use that card throughout the season until their card has been depleted. The systems offer customers unparalleled convenience, speed of service, and control.

The station is staffed by two park employees who sell the cards, check identification, make sure that no guests are being over served, and ensure that guests get the perfect pour every time. Cedar Point joins the growing list of DraftServ venues for 2015, which includes Great American Ballpark (Cincinnati Reds), Progressive Field (Cleveland Indians), Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers), Target Field (Minnesota Twins), United Center (Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks), Phillips Arena (Atlanta Hawks), Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby), Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise.

Zebra Technologies to Be Cornerstone Sponsor of RFID Journal LIVE! Europe 2015

Zebra Technologies, a provider of passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID technology, has signed on to be the cornerstone sponsor of RFID Journal LIVE! Europe 2015. This event—RFID Journal's 11th annual European conference and exhibition—is the world's premier European event focused on RFID and its many business applications.

LIVE! Europe will focus on educating end users about how RFID technology is delivering real business benefits to companies in a wide variety of industries across Europe. This two-day program will educate companies on where and how RFID can be used to improve efficiencies, enhance visibility, reduce shrinkage and achieve other significant business benefits.

This event is designed to help companies considering using RFID to address real business challenges, determine the best RFID technology for their needs, learn best practices from early adopters, find the right technology partners and move forward with deployment. The exhibit hall will feature the leading RFID solution providers, covering all types of RFID technology, including passive low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF) or ultrahigh-frequency, as well as every flavor of active RFID and real-time location system (RTLS) technologies. Furthermore, LIVE! Europe will connect attendees with leading end users, industry experts and solution providers offering the latest RFID systems.

Smaller Retailers Will Pay the Price For Not Embracing New Payment Technology, warns SME Champion

Savvy internet shoppers are enthusiastically adopting new payment technology to speed up payments and ensure their transactions are secure. Now the pioneering technology-led international courier ParcelHero says SMEs and start-ups must keep on top of changing trends to ensure they are not left behind in the build-up to Christmas.

Says ParcelHero’s David Jinks MILT: ‘Apple Pay is well-established in the US and already a hit in the UK following its July launch; Google’s Android Pay is imminent and Samsung’s new Pay App arrives in the US in September and will have its European launch first in the UK. Retailers who haven’t kept up with the latest new payment methods need to embrace new technology quickly to ensure consumers don’t vote with their feet come the Christmas sales period.’

David continues: ‘Around 250,000 locations in the UK alone should be able to use Apple Pay; and smart retailers will ensure they are one of this number. In addition the revolutionary new Samsung Pay system won’t even need special equipment. It doesn’t require new Near Field Communications (NFC) but will work off “old school” magnetic strip readers, using clever new Magnetic Secure Transmission technology that effectively tricks existing magstrip terminals into registering they have been swiped.’

Urges David: ‘It shouldn’t be the case that only the major retailers gain the benefits of the latest switch in consumer behaviour. SME’s need to be proactive about embracing new technology. ParcelHero’s latest research reveals 40 per cent of UK consumers plan to set a strict budget this Christmas and stick to it. The majority of UK shoppers (59%) believe a prepaid card with a set limit to spend on it would minimise the risk of overspending, and they are also considering new payment technologies to help them stick to their budgets.’

In the US David says Apple Pay, which generates dynamic security codes for each transaction, rather than reveal bank card numbers, is extremely popular in stores like Macys and Bloomingdales, which have welcomed the system. Google Wallet – soon to morph into Android Pay - is also popular amongst security conscious buyers.

Adds David: ‘In the UK, Apps such as EE’s Cash on Tapp mobile App has been widely accepted - although so far they are often limited to transactions under £20. Additionally a number of personal finance Apps proved very popular last Christmas with tech-minded shoppers. Apps such as Money Dashboard and Spending Tracker enabled consumers to keep an eye on all their expenses, from gifts to coffees!’

The Internet of Things hype generator

The promise and reality of the Internet of Things couldn’t be farther apart. Things are so bad that Gartner — one of tech's most respected research and advisory companies — called the Internet of Things the most hyped emerging technology of 2014. You can see IoT perched precariously at the very apex of the Hype Chart, teetering precariously upon the "peak of inflated expectations" before its certain plunge into the "trough of disillusionment" — something I’d wager has already begun.

Is the Internet of Things More Hype than Reality?

There's no lack of hype around the Internet of Things - but is there really a path to true value creation? The consultants at McKinsey recently took a look at this issue, and the answer is Yes to value creation, but there are still many questions about just how much. First, let's start with what IoT really encompasses. McKinsey defines IoT "as sensors and actuators connected by networks to computing systems. These systems can monitor or manage the health and actions of connected objects and machines. Connected sensors can also monitor the natural world,
 people, and animals."

Norwegian Truck-Body Manufacturer Offers RFID-enabled Trailers

Norwegian truck and semi-trailer body works company Bussbygg has teamed with transport firm Fosen Transport and RFID provider HRAFN for an ongoing trial of an RFID-enabled refrigerated trailer and cloud-based software system that tracks the locations of palletized products within a truck's cargo area or the trailer hitched to that vehicle, and also ensures that the pallets are delivered to the correct customer.

The internet of things – who wins, who loses?

Recently I went on a BBC news programme to give “the privacy side” of a technology story. Employees of a software company in Sweden had implanted chips in their wrists that activated the company photocopier. Yes, you read that right. Having minor surgery instead of just remembering a four-digit PIN is a pretty daft idea. You’d have to be a tech utopian to want to do it. But this news story wasn’t just about privacy and new technologies, and how “we’ll all soon be doing it”. This story was about power: who has it, who doesn’t, how it is used. And the internet of things, too, is about power.

After Big Data—Keep Healthcare Ahead with Internet of Things

A few years ago I needed hand surgery. Shortly after checking in to the outpatient surgery department, the helpful nurse attached EKG leads onto my arms and chest, and a pulse oximeter to my finger. The monitor next to my bed flickered and came to life. Then, colorful telemetric and oximetric tracings in a nursing station computer reflected an exact copy. A record in the hospital intranet recorded my wellbeing overtime. Wireless connectivity allowed an extra pair of eyes to watched me and to ensure wsaberrant flickers do not go unnoticed.

Global RFID in Healthcare Market: Asia is expected to show high growth rate by 2020

Radiofrequency identification (RFID) refers to a wireless technology that uses radio-frequency waves to identify and track tags which attached to the objects. RFID system comprises of two components including tags and readers. In the process of identification of the object, RFID reader emits radio-frequency waves and receive signals back from the RFID tag. RFID technologies in healthcare help in patient tracking, surgery asset management, wait time monitoring, handwashing, asset management, parking and medication authentication and control. In addition, these technologies also help in facilities management, access control, inventory management, laundry management, document and file tracking and waste management.

Chinese RFID Adoption Takes Many Forms

During the past five years, Impinj China, the Shanghai-based division of RFID technology provider Impinj, says it has seen the demand for passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID technology increasing across Asia. Leading that momentum are consumer goods manufacturers in China, with factories employing RFID technology for work-in-progress (WIP) and logistics-visibility applications, according to Yue Xi Savage, Impinj's VP of Asia-Pacific (APAC). China's banking and transportation sectors are also contributing to the region's demand for RFID technology, as is its retail industry, with anti-counterfeiting solutions.

Canadian scientist’s mission: Barcode every single species on earth

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) expanded its Scanalyst 3 family to include DPM (Direct Parts Marking). DPM is a marking technology using laser or peening to create a permanent 2D barcode right on the part. There is no label or package required with DPM and the mark is useful through the life of the product.  The identifying mark is actually part of the product. These features make it the method of choice for healthcare, defense and manufacturing identification and traceability requirements.

Marketing Mistakes By RFID Vendors

In a move which could transform how residents, visitors and commuters park their car in Cardiff, this week saw the launch of The City of Cardiff Council SmartPark pilot which will test how effective bay sensor technology is for the Welsh Capital. Outside of London, Cardiff is the first city to use this technology in on-street locations. The deployment sees 225 Smart Parking RFID-equipped SmartEye vehicle detection sensors, linked via SmartLink data transmitters, installed in selected parking bays across the Welsh Capital.

Apple Pay competitor Samsung Pay launching in the US

At its Unpacked press event on Thursday, Samsung announced that Samsung Pay — its answer to mobile payment systems like Apple Pay — will launch in the U.S. on Sept. 28. Initially, Samsung Pay will be available only to owners of the new Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5. A forthcoming software update will enable it on the S6 and S6 Edge, and Samsung will begin trailing the service for some U.S. users on August 25.

SML Group - Partnering With F&F to Supply RFID Labels

SML Group announced F&F, one of the world’s largest multinational clothing retailers, is deploying radio frequency identificaiton (RFID). The main objective is to improve inventory accuracy by running quick and accurate RFID stock counts. This allows individual stores to replenish shelves on a daily basis, which improves customer service by offering a greater selection of products and sizes. The RFID solution also helps the brand to understand the stock levels throughout their supply chain and will improve the efficiency of the new ‘Click and Collect’ program (where customers may place an order on-line and then collect in-store).

“The RFID project began in 2013 and SML was nominated to provide the majority of the RFID label requirement. SML quickly developed an excellent working relationship with the F&F operations, packaging and IT teams, and this has been a key factor in developing the right solutions going forward. SML setup a network of RFID production sites (within a 12 week period) to supply the key garment sourcing regions including China and Turkey enabling them to successfully deliver over 100 million RFID labels during the first 12 months. Furthermore, SML made its UK RFID Centre available to F&F to carry out complete solution testing (including RFID labels, software and hardware). This allowed the brand to efficiently evaluate a range of products and simulate in-store testing, without causing disruption at any of its trading stores," said Terry Kemp, Senior Director RFID (EMEA), SML.

“SML worked in close partnership with F&F in several other areas to ensure the project was successfully delivered. For example, SML developed its online ordering platform (E-Platform) to fulfil the specific requirements of the F&F garment vendor base, this made it easier for the vendors to place orders and ensured data accuracy by utilising a central database. SML also developed an RFID in-plant solution for printing/encoding RFID labels at the F&F distribution centre. We look forward to continuing and developing this partnership with F&F,” said Steven Davidson, CCO, SML.

Google's iBeacons rival brings welcome competition to the Internet of Things

Beacons are at risk of going the way of QR codes, but a new software platform from Google might finally make the tech more appealing to marketers, writes Rosh Singh, director of digital innovation at Kinectic. Google last month unveiled Eddystone, a software platform for Bluetooth beacons that  marks a serious push into the Internet of Things. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons are small devices that use Bluetooth tech to trigger notifications or other actions in a nearby smartphone or device.

RFID Susceptible to Cloning, Other Hacks

There were no RFID enabled badges at the DEF CON security conference in Las Vegas last weekend. Instead the badges were old-school vinyl records. That's probably a good thing, given all the new tools used to hack and abuse RFID signals, some of which were spotlighted at the event. In the event's vendor area, the open source RFIDler RFID reader/writer was among multiple tools being sold and discussed. Francis Brown, partner at security firm BishopFox, had a session at DEF CON called "RFID Hacking: Live Free or RFID Hard."

Canada’s Ugo mobile wallet signs up 50,000 users

Ugo, the open NFC mobile wallet developed by Canadian banks President’s Choice Financial and TD Bank Group, has signed up 50,000 users since December. The company is on track to serve 100,000 users with 250,000 cards by year end, CEO Alec Morley told Bloomberg. The service was unveiled in November 2013 and launched to customers of all three major Canadian carriers in November last year.

SmarTone unveils Kiss mobile marketing platform with NFC payments and Bluetooth beacons

Hong Kong mobile network operator SmarTone has unveiled Kissco, an end-to-end mobile marketing platform incorporating Kiss Pay, a mobile payments service based on NFC and ultrasound technology, a Kiss Dollars loyalty program and Kiss Beacons to allow retailers to send out offers and promotions directly to customers’ smartphones from their stores.

BLEKey Device Breaks RFID Physical Access Controls

A device the size of a quarter that can be installed in 60 seconds on a proximity card reader could potentially be used to break physical access controls in 80 percent of deployments.The device, dubbed BLEKey, is used to read cleartext data sent from card readers to door controllers to either clone cards or feed that data to a mobile application that can be used to unlock doors at any number of installations. The hack unveiled at Black Hat is worrisome for facilities reliant on proximity cards and readers for access to buildings in critical industries or enterprises.

All NFL Players Are Getting RFID Chips This Season

In terms of size, speed, and strength, NFL football players have always been superhuman. This season, they’re all about to become cyborgs, too.  Last year, the NFL tested out Zebra Technologies MotionWorks RFID system in 18 stadiums to track vector data: A player’s speed, distance, and direction traveled during each game in real-time. This season, that wireless tracking technology will be embedded in every NFL player’s shoulder pads, and viewers at home can see all that data come to life in the redesigned NFL 2015 app for Xbox One and Windows 10.

OnePlus Co-Founder Talks NFC Backlash

OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei about OnePlus not including NFC in the OnePlus 2 and why that decision was made. He said he thinks the “entire issue of NFC is overblown” and that “very few people are using” it. Because of that, they cut it out – “it’s as simple as that.” Expounding on the idea that no one uses it, Carl suggests that because NFC may not be a thing for another 12-18 months, that you won’t need NFC in a device today. He also mentions that in those 12-18 months, “people will have moved on to the next device,” which we are assuming means a OnePlus 3 or phone from another manufacturer that has NFC? That’s kind of an odd statement, if you ask me.

Industrial Piping, Inc. (IPI) to use RFID, Barcodes, and Mobile Technology to Drive Fabrication Productivity

Atlas RFID Solutions announced that Industrial Piping, Inc. (IPI) has selected Jovix as the materials management system for their fabrication facilities including construction services. With multiple facilities across the U.S., IPI will use Jovix as their primary system of record for managing fabrication materials for industrial construction, including pipe spools and modules.

Jovix is a modern materials management application designed specifically for industrial assets, from fabrication through operation. Atlas is partnering with IPI to implement barcode and RFID-enabled materials management and fabrication tracking for the complete lifecycle of construction projects. The solution will enhance internal efficiencies by providing visibility into material availability in the form work package forecasting, prioritization, and allocation.

AB&R Wins 2015 Innovative Solution Award from VSR Magazine

The Innovative Solution Awards were established by VSR and RSPA to honor solution providers that have blended multiple technologies to create an outstanding and future-forward solution. Winners for this award must have effectively solved the end-user’s problem by implementing a solution that was of their own technical research and development. The solution must have met or exceeded the end-user’s ROI and provided significant impact on the end-user’s strategic, customer, financial, operational, or security goals.

AB&R’s solution, LabelSmart, allows a company to create labels on-demand, as needed with variable data. Users can scan and print using wireless or Bluetooth and consumer-grade tablets and small printers. A hosted web interface is used to manage the data for the labels and monitor any necessary updates. LabelSmart is currently in use for a large food organization with franchises in approximately 3,000 grocery locations throughout North America. This turnkey solution is a fully managed service developed, delivered, and supported by AB&R.

“The LabelSmart Solution involves different technology components”, says Mike Stryzcek, CEO. "Our Team was up for the challenge and with the help of strategic partners we were able to implement a complex, managed service solution that not only exceeded our clients’ expectations, but is forward-thinking for similar applications across all industries looking for this on-demand mobile printing solution.”

The Innovative Solution Award recipients were honored on stage at the RSPA’s Award Banquet during the RetailNOW 2015, in Orlando, FL.

KeepSafe RFID Passport Wallet

In a crowded store, market, elevator or subway, identity thieves with the latest equipment can scan the electronic information from your credit cards or passport while just walking past you. The Allett company has developed a line of RFID-protective wallets that are as slim and stylish as they are scan-proof. I tested out the wallet with a public transit card enclosed, and the ticket scanner was indeed blocked at point-blank range. The black wallet also is a stealth way to hide your passport from old-school, five-finger theft as well, blending into the fabric background of a purse or suitcase. The leather is smooth, soft and grippy, and seems sturdy enough to last for many trips.

Electronic Commerce International Offers New ‘Clover Mini’ Cutting-Edge Merchant Payment Processing Solution

As one of the fastest growing and leading suppliers of merchant payment processing solutions in the nation, Electronic Commerce International is now offering a new compact version of the Clover Station Point-Of-Sale (POS) system–the Clover Mini. The cutting edge payment terminal has improved functionality over standard credit card terminals, in addition to breakthrough new applications that allow merchants to increase overall profitability with the use of the full POS capability.

The Clover Mini has a sleek, 7 inch touch screen and intuitive interface with a compact design ideal for freeing up counter space and enabling increased mobility. It accepts credit and debit card payments and prints and emails closeout reports and receipts. Moreover, the device uses Wi-Fi, Ethernet or a dial telephone line, constructed with the technology to accept advanced payment options, such as EMV chip cards and NFC that allows merchants to accept Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

Intrawest’s Steamboat and Winter Park Resorts to Implement RFID Technology

Intrawest Resorts Holdings announced that RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology will be launched at its Steamboat and Winter Park resorts for the upcoming 2015/16 winter season with SKIDATA.

All daily lift tickets, season passes and frequency products will be available on QuickTrax cards, which are embedded with an RFID chip to enable hands-free access to lifts. When a guest passes through the RFID gate, the gate will open automatically after registering the QuickTrax card. As in previous seasons, lift operators will be on hand to assist with the access gates and ensure a smooth and efficient guest experience. 

The RFID system will be installed in Steamboat at the gondola, Christie Peak Express, Preview, and Thunderhead Express chairlifts. Installation at Winter Park includes the Zephyr Express, Arrow, Gemini Express, Challenger and Super Gauge Express chairlifts providing a simple, fast and hands-free guest experience at both resorts.

The new QuickTrax card will be reusable over multiple seasons and can be reloaded online or over the phone, allowing guests to bypass the ticket office. All guests will also have the option to sign up for Resort Charge, which eliminates the need to carry cash or a credit card on the mountain. Resort Charge allows guests to make purchases at any resort operated restaurant, rental and retail location, ski and ride school, and more by attaching a credit card to their QuickTrax card.

MIT Researchers Use RFID to Diagnose Freeze-damaged Vaccines

A team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)'s Auto-ID Lab are developing a simple RFID-based sensor that could provide a cost-effective method of detecting the exposure of vaccines to freezing temperatures. The accidental freezing of vaccine shipments is a large problem, with the majority of shipments being exposed to freezing temperatures at some point, according to one study conducted by scientists at the University of Kansas and another study performed by researchers at PATH, a nonprofit organization focused on health-care innovation. Such exposure can result in potency loss for freeze-sensitive vaccines, the scientists found, yet this issue has not been well addressed.

CSR-powered Smart Card lets you pay using a smartphone's Bluetooth connection

CSR's CSR101 technology has been used to create a multi-payment card that lets people make credit and debit card payments on a variety of cards with just a smartphone's Bluetooth connection. The All-in-One Smart Card was created in partnership with software and hardware firm BrilliantTS, and is designed to reduce the number of cards in a wallet as it can register over 30 of them.

The Internet of Things now includes the grocery store's frozen-food aisle

Every summer, people head to the grocery store in droves to pick up cartons of cold, creamy ice cream. It's a great way to stay cool. But shoppers will go elsewhere if the frozen dairy treat is crusted with yucky ice crystals--the result of freezing, thawing and refreezing. No one knows this better than Chris Hjelm, CIO at Kroger, a $108 billion supermarket chain and a 2015 CIO 100 award winner. Hjelm and his research-and-development team decided to try to ward off such problems by turning to Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. He equipped refrigerated containers with sensors that check temperatures every 30 minutes--instead of having employees manually check thermometers twice a day--and then alert store managers and facilities engineers if the mercury hits unsafe levels.

Smart card train travel plan for the South East

Journeys between London, Kent and parts of East Sussex will be made easier thanks to a £5.5 million plan to roll out smart cards across Southeastern’s network. Southeastern will bring in smart cards, initially for season tickets only, as an alternative to paper tickets from December 2016. This follows a deal with the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of the government-funded South East Flexible Ticketing (SEFT) programme.

SCANALYST 3 Barcode Verification System Direct Parts Marking Version Now Available

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) has announced expansion of its SCANALYST 3 family to include DPM (Direct Parts Marking). DPM is a key marking technology using laser or peening to create a permanent 2D barcode right on the part.  There is no label or package required with DPM and the mark is useful through the life of the product.  The identifying mark is actually part of the product. These features make it the method of choice for healthcare, defense and manufacturing identification and traceability requirements.
      
According to Jeff Nolan of AIS, "Our SCANALYST 3 System is very flexible and we wanted to use it to tackle one of the most difficult barcode printing tasks, Direct Parts Marking.  Some of the applications include medical instruments and medical devices (UDI), defense and aerospace industry materials (UID) automotive and electronic industry automation and traceability.

Aside from the risk of use, there is the risk of destroying your product.  Imagine building a great product only to have it ruined by marking it incorrectly.  You do not have to do that. SCANALYST 3 uses predictive analysis methods to give you the assurance that your process is under control and that the barcode can be read by all.


There are many new features that were added specifically for DPM. New algorithms, lighting and program flow were just a few. SCANALYST 3 has already been recognized as an easy to use and complete tool for barcode users. The system is portable so it can be taken to the product line. The system is able to inspect irregular surfaces. It is highly graphical, which makes it easy to collaborate with suppliers and clients and solve problems fast. The system also has an on-board database, which is useful to those needing to certify their inspection results or working to develop best practices.  SCANALYST 3 DPM also has all of the core capabilities to inspect paper labels and packaging materials, making it the only truly 'Universal' barcode inspection tool available.


Those who currently print barcodes know that it is important to their company's bottom line and to its customers. Each product's barcode must withstand scrutiny and be in compliance with industry standards. Compliance is a complex task that requires the right tools. SCANALYST 3 is designed to meet these needs. This comes just in time for companies that are implementing complex standards such as UDI in healthcare, GS1 standards, ANSI/ISO quality grading, UID in manufacturing, complex 2D GS1 Coupon codes or just trying to measure and improve their existing applications and production.

Build Your Own RFID

Dr. Eli Bridge at the University of Oklahoma has developed a customizable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader that you can build yourself at a very low cost. RFID reader systems identify and monitor the movement of people, animals, or items bearing tiny tracking tags by checking for the presence of tags at various reading stations, recording the tag’s unique identification number, and logging the data until they are downloaded.

Flexstr8 Incorporates NFC Solution with EPSON and Neenah

FlexStr8, Inc. announced today that they are offering a Smart Label GHS label printing/encoding solution. The EPSON ColorWorks TM-C3500 printer with Neenah inkjet KIMDURA label media for harsh environments have already achieved International Maritime Dangerous Goods BS 5609 certification, a key standard for the Global Harmonizing System (GHS) being adopted for chemical labeling around the world.

Leveraging this printing technology, FlexStr8, Inc. has extended the intelligence and data transfer capabilities by incorporating Near Field Communication (NFC) chips directly in the labels. NFC is a type of RFID that can be written and read with many smart phones, negating the need for bulky expensive RFID readers. This offering is the only Smart Label BS 5609-certified solution allowing chemical and pharmaceutical companies to print compliant GHS labels with NFC data links.

FlexStr8 Smart Label solution allows high quality full color graphics with integrated NFC programming capabilities. The system consists of an Epson ColorWorks C3500 Color Label Printer, a FlexStr8 snap on encoder, and FlexStr8 NFC label software.

Encoding and printing FlexStr8 Smart Label Solution, easily integrates with Seagull Scientific’s BarTender, the world’s leading label, and printing, and barcode software. FlexStr8 NFC GHS labels support a wide range of NDEF (URL, vCard, Phone number, and SMS) and Non-NDEF record types. Users can install applications and access product data updates, chemical safety information, and hazardous response information from the cloud by tapping their NFC enabled phones on the smart labels.

HP picks Carta for NFC mobile payments

Next generation payments technology provider Carta Worldwide has been selected to make tap-and-go payment services available to HP customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Canada.

Flexible enough to be hosted on-site or as a managed service from HP, Carta’s agile cloud-based payments and tokenization technology will enable HP to meet the needs of its finance and telecoms sector customers to digitise their credit card services and ensure secure transactions through mobile devices.

The approach, which enables customers to rapidly deploy an agile mobile payment technology for in-market learning has minimal back-end impact, lower total cost of ownership and rapid speed to market, provides HP with a future-proof roadmap for mobile payment solutions.
Brian Semkiw, Carta CEO, said, “HP is a perfect partner for Carta. They are a highly reputable provider of payments technology to the banking and mobile sectors, and their sales and sales support channel will allow us to accelerate the scaling of our business. We are thrilled to be able to announce this partnership.”

Carta is exploring promising opportunities in different markets, with the goal of offering leading edge solutions to HP customers.