North America leads the RFID lock segment

Technavio analysts forecast the global RFID lock market to grow at a CAGR of nearly 17% during the forecast period, according to their latest report. Global RFID lock market to grow at a CAGR of nearly 17% during the forecast period 2016-2020.

Geographically, North America leads the RFID lock segment with a market share of almost 38% (2015 figures). With the customers in the region becoming more accepting towards new technologies, there is an increase in number of residential properties adopting the RFID-based locks to enhance home security. They are finding increased utility as they can be linked to the customer’s smart phone to monitor and operate the locks. While the residential sector is still finding traction in the market, the hospitality industry sees widespread use of this technology.

East Coast Warehouse Tracks Shipping Containers via RFID

East Coast Warehouse & Distribution (ECW), a provider of logistics services, has reduced labor costs and boosted productivity via a radio frequency identification solution that tracks the locations of more than 1,000 shipping containers throughout its 60-acre yard. The solution, known as the Advanced Yard Management System, was provided by PINC Solutions and includes passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID tags attached to containers, as well as RFID readers installed on yard trucks (switchers), and cloud-based yard-management software, says Rafael Granato, PINC's marketing director.

Global Functional Printing Market: Expecting Worldwide Growth by 2024

The functional printing market is a research study which covers printing technologies in addition with functional inks employed for printing electronics. Multiple technologies used in the market include screen, inkjet, gravure, flexo and others. Various applications of functional printing include sensors, displays, lighting, batteries, photovoltaic, medical and RFID.

Demand for new low cost electronic products lead to the demand of functional printing globally. This is made possible with the introduction and development of new printing technologies and materials. Traditional printing techniques such as flexography, inkjet, gravure and screen have been developed and modified which made them capable of printing on a wide range of substrates with the use of functional inks. At present, the screen printing technique has highest share in functional printing market owing to its higher reliability. Screen printing is primarily used in the making of sensors and RFID antennas. In addition, functional printing market enjoys huge opportunity and is being used to manufacture RFID chips, sensors and OLED displays and so on.

Multiple substrates such as graphene are being developed for printed products. These materials are responsible for production of reliable and robust electronics. New ink such as graphene and other substrates are enabling the companies to adopt printed electronics technology with the use of functional printing. In addition, rising demand for displays, biosensors and RFID tags is driving the functional printing market. The current printing technologies are not specially planned for the purpose of functional printing. Although, now companies are bringing up new printing technologies especially designed for printing electronics.

Mist's Virtual Bluetooth Beacons Get a Try-out

Mobile and cloud-based technology startup Mist Systems has developed a solution that creates "virtual Bluetooth Low Energy (vBLE) beacons" by using software algorithms and steerable antennas to identify the location of a user's BLE-enabled mobile phone. The system features what Mist calls a Dynamic BLE Array, incorporated into a device that functions as multiple BLE beacons. The device, which the company refers to as a BLE access point, can typically cover a 2,500-square-foot area—which, according to Sudheer Matta, Mist's product VP, equates to the same amount of coverage provided by eight physical beacons in the same area.

In-depth research on global RFID blood refrigerator and freezer market

The global RFID blood refrigerator and freezer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22% during the period 2016-2020, according to a new research. RFID blood storage solutions include blood refrigerators and freezers that are useful in minimizing technical errors and monitoring of blood products. They provide efficient storage and accurate tracking of blood samples, thereby increasing operational efficiency. 

ScanSource Appoints New Presidents for Barcode, Networking and Security Segment

ScanSource, a wholesale distributor of technology products and solutions, announces new leadership for its Worldwide Barcode, Networking and Security segment with the appointment of two seasoned channel executives to the role of Worldwide co-president. Paul Constantine and Tony Sorrentino will provide strategic vision and leadership for the segment on a global basis.

QR code snafu places too many passengers on ANA plane

The transport ministry slapped All Nippon Airways Co. with a severe warning Tuesday after a plane pushed back for takeoff with a seat-less passenger standing in the aisle. The incident last month involved ANA Flight 256, a Boeing 777 service from Fukuoka to Tokyo’s Haneda airport.

All 405 passenger seats were full, and a boarding-pass error had put one too many people aboard, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. A father and son checked in for the flight and went aboard using the same QR code by mistake.

Kohl’s launches QR code mobile payments feature across the US

Customers at US department store chain Kohl’s can now make purchases by scanning a QR code at the point of sale using Kohl’s Pay, a mobile payment feature that has been integrated into the retailer’s existing mobile app. The nationwide service allows “more than 25m active cardholders” to pay for purchases with their Kohl’s Charge card directly from a mobile phone.

Barcodes soon on e-tickets to verify fliers at Pune Airport

In a bid to curb people who try to sneak in flights with fake e-tickets, the Pune International Airport will soon introduce the bar code feature to legitimately verify the flier. The move comes in after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has claimed a rise in the incidents of fliers with bogus tickets. According to a senior CISF officer, they nab one person every 10 days for sneaking in with a fake eticket across India. "It is the duty of CISF personnel to check e-tickets and verify the travellers by checking their identity cards.
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Simple RFID Door Lock System

Group entry hacks are a favorite for hacker social groups. Why use old fashioned keys when you can use newfangled electronic keys? If you are looking to build a simple RFID-based security system to secure your important stuff, this project from Resin.io is a good place to start. In it, [Joe Roberts] outlines the process of building a simple RFID-triggered mechanism for their office door.

The Black Tux integrates Fujitsu RFID

Formal wear rental leader, The Black Tux, has implemented Fujitsu’s new washable UHF RFID Fashion tag as well as Fujitsu’s rugged Linen tag to reduce garment processing time and improve order accuracy. Additionally, integrating RFID tracking into their order management process helps their customers get faster delivery of formal wear and accessories while reducing internal handling and administrative costs.

The Fujitsu RFID tags allow warehouse personnel to quickly and accurately configure an order with the precise item styles, colors, and sizes. Packed orders are then verified before shipping by reading the contents of the final shipping box without ever having to touch the items in the box. No more shipping the wrong color tie or 2 left shoes to a waiting customer. Returned orders are immediately scanned as soon as they are received so The Black Tux can provide fast and accurate accounting of returned items which reduces the chances of lost items due to inaccurate manual sorting and scanning with traditional bar code readers. Customer orders can be quickly closed and the need for unnecessary customer contact for lost items is eliminated.

The Fujitsu washable RFID tags are so small that they are virtually imperceptible when installed in fashion and formal wear. The new WT-A522L Fashion tag, which is Fujitsu’s thinnest tag, is made from transparent materials, allowing it to be sewn into any tie, sheer fabric, accessory, or inserted into shoes. The Fashion tag is home wash, dry-clean, and ironing safe. The rugged WT-A533 Linen tag is designed to survive hundreds of washings under very harsh industrial washing conditions.

Companies say IoT matters but don't agree how to secure it

A majority of enterprises say the internet of things is strategic to their business, but most still take a piecemeal approach to IoT security. Those results from a global IDC survey conducted in July and August reveal both the promise and the growing pains of IoT, a set of technologies that may help many industries but can’t simply be plugged in. The 27-country survey had more than 4,500 respondents, all from organizations with 100 or more employees.

CoPilot-RFID takes next step in driver false claim protection

Driver behavior management is taking the next step with the CoPilot-RFID, the AngelTrax windshield-mounted mobile DVR/camera combination now equipped with the capability to permanently embed the vehicle operator's identification into the vehicle's video records. With two integrated wide-angle lens cameras, the CoPilot-RFID is a solution for simultaneously surveilling oncoming traffic and in-cab activity, according to AngelTrax President and CEO Richie Howard.

Make QR codes cool again with this quirky tool

There’s no denying that QR codes are incredibly useful, but they’ve always been a bit too dull for my liking. The monochrome color palette feels too formal, and the lack of visible variation between different codes makes them appear extremely regimented. Recently, I stumbled upon an open-source project that’s dedicated to bringing a new lease of life to QR codes by letting you embellish them with an image, color, and even animation. They’re all very minor things, but collectively they create a much more personal code.

RFID compulsory for skyway users

Skyway O&M Corp. (SOMCO), the Malaysian operator of the Skyway, will require all public utility vehicles (PUVs) and trucks to  use radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers starting November. This is meant to eliminate the long queue of vehicles going in and out of the tollway which is the cause of  traffic buildup both on the elevated and at-grade sections of the Skyway. The RFID toll collection system, a cashless transaction already in place and used by mostly private vehicles, could greatly increase throughput time for trucks and public utility vehicles (PUVs) at toll plazas.

SML to Host RFID Pop-Up Retail Store

SML will host an RFID Pop-up Retail Store in New York City in conjunction with RFID Journal's RFID in Retail and Apparel conference and exhibition, which will be held on Oct. 6 at the Helen Mills Theater. Brand owners and retailers attending the event will have the opportunity to visit the pop-up store on Oct. 5-6 to see in action the latest RFID tags and hardware, as well as the company's Clarity software, currently deployed at more than 1,000 stores worldwide.

"Retailers and brand owners will learn all about RFID in retail at RFID Journal's conference, and will then get to see RFID in action at the SML RFID Pop-Up Retail Store," said Dean Frew, SML's CTO and senior VP of RFID solutions. "We will demonstrate RFID applications throughout the retail supply chain."

RFID in Retail and Apparel is an exclusive, invitation-only event for retailers and brand owners. The conference will feature case studies presented by end users already utilizing radio frequency identification, as well as technology companies showcasing their latest products.

The conference sessions will cover the four foundational use cases for RFID in retail: inventory accuracy, out-of-stocks, product location and loss detection. Attendees will also learn how RFID is being used to enhance the customer experience, cycle-counting strategies, conversion and loss prevention. The conference will help attendees determine the best approach for their needs, learn best practices from early adopters and find the right technology partners to move forward with deployment.

RFID Journal to Provide Education to Address Accelerating RFID Adoption in Aerospace, Defense

RFID Journal announced hat it will hold its RFID in Aerospace and Defense 2016 conference and exhibition on Oct. 20 at the Long Beach Convention Center, located in California. The one-day event will also feature fast-track RFID training on Oct. 19, provided by RFID4U. As news of RFID adoption continues to accelerate in these sectors, RFID in Aerospace and Defense aims to help companies comply with customer requirements and use the technology internally to achieve significant benefits.

NFC RFID Activates Israeli Digital-Entertainment Complex

Breeze Creative has developed Near Field Communication (NFC)-based technology for an Israel-based digital-entertainment park that enables visiting children and teens to operate the approximately 20 interactive games that the complex provides. At Mogo Park (part of the Oshiland shopping mall operated by Israeli real-estate firm Oshira), players wear a wristband, provided by RFID technology company Tadbik, that not only launches games, but also collects game scores, photographs and videos.

5 Best QR Code Reader Apps for Android

QR code or Quick response code is a well-known type of Matrix barcode found in both one or two-dimensional forms that were first coined by the Japanese Motor industry. This is a machine-readable optical label that has information coded within it about an item or link to a website. To store data, QR codes use four standardised encoding modes which are numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji or in some cases, extensions can also be used. Five of the Best QR Code Reader Apps for Android you can download from the Play Store.

Wireless Sensors Expected to Reach Nearly $7.7B by 2021

The global market for wireless sensor devices will grow from nearly $2.4 billion in 2016 to nearly $7.7 billion by 2021 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.7% for the period of 2016-2021. Information on parameters that can be measured by wireless sensor devices including temperature, pressure level, flow, chemical composition, biological characteristics, motion and position, surveillance and image, and humidity. The report provides analyses of end vertical applications including industrial installations, ecology and agriculture, logistics and transport, defense and surveillance, medicine, residential, automation, and energy management.

Health Risks and 5 Other Secrets Barcodes Can Tell You

The humble barcode has been a regular part of grocery store shopping since 1974, with the first ever product being scanned on June 26th of that year. Since then, they have become almost invisible, with some package designs finding ingenious ways to hide or dress up their somewhat garish appearance.
However, with smartphones and apps now becoming a part of our everyday lives, the importance of barcodes is changing. Now, instead of being something the store uses to track inventory, the code can be a great way to find out much more about the product itself. From secrets about the product's manufacturer, to allergy information and user reviews, here are six amazing things that barcodes can tell you.

Mid-range RFID reader rugged for industrial use

The Ha-VIS RF-R300 UHF RFID reader is a highly flexible unit which combines extremely robust construction for use in the toughest industrial environments with flexible modular software that allows it to be tailored to a wide range of applications. With its software virtualisation concept, the reader allows specific project and customer software to be installed alongside standard Harting software. The modular software means that the reader can support a range of communication protocols, and the architecture also makes it possible to create and support customer-specific variants.

RFID Still In Early Stages of Adoption by Waste Industry

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology systems are being integrated into waste haulers’ and municipalities’ customer relationship management (CRM) and billing system to improve customer service and billing accuracy. And that rate of adoption is likely to grow as RFID systems become less expensive and easier to deploy and maintain. “The future of RFID technology starts with the continuation of adoption and acceptance until it is the norm throughout the industry. RFID technology will also provide the foundation for additional measurable technologies,” says Eric Crippin, senior product manager with Cascade Cart Solutions based in Grand Rapids, Mich.

VarodaRent Uses RFID to Manage Rented Moving Equipment

For the past four years, VarodaRent, a Dutch company that provides containers and other moving equipment on a rental basis, has been using radio frequency identification technology to track the movements of its boxes, containers and other assets as they are automatically sent to customers and then returned. The company is now deploying the same RFID solution, provided by Belgian company Aucxis, to two more facilities at which its half-million assets will be tracked. The system consists of EPC Gen 2 passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID tags, handheld readers and Aucxis Base Gates, each of which contains a fixed RFID reader with four 30-degree antennas.

Panasonic handhelds meet the challenge of barcode scanning

Panasonic has added two new rugged handheld tablets to its diverse portfolio of enterprise-grade mobile devices – the Toughpad FZ-F1 and FZ-N1. These 4.7” AndroidTM and Windows® devices deliver industry leading performance along with a purpose-built design and rugged credentials that live up to the brand’s heritage. Ideal for markets like transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and retail, the new Toughpad handheld tablets are well suited for a wide variety of applications, such as inventory management, shipping and receiving, delivery routing and parcel tracking, and retail store line busting.


The slim and lightweight Toughpad FZ-F1 and FZ-N1 feature a drop rating of 6’ and have also passed a torturous tumble test that saw the devices endure 2,000 consecutive 3.3’ drops – so they can stand up to the abuse of the most demanding environments. The devices are fully sealed against dust and are also submersible, in up to 3.3’ of water for 30 minutes, meeting IP65 and IP67 certification requirements. Its ruggedized glass screen ensures the highest level of display reliability and durability.

£720k for PervasID's RFID tag tracking tech

Tagging technology can track goods over a range of 400m has received a £720,000 cash boost. PervasID has received the funding from Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Innovation Capital and a private investor. It has developed a passive UHF radio frequency identification tag (RFID) reader technology that enables highly reliable reading of standard, off-the-shelf passive UHF RFID tags. The tags are used to identify goods in a wide variety of settings.

Kohl's shoppers will soon be able to leave their credit card at home

Come October, Kohl's most loyal shoppers will no longer need to bring their wallets to check out at the cash register. The department store chain is rolling out a new capability that allows holders of its store-branded charge card to check out directly from its mobile app. The feature is in addition to Kohl's existing mobile wallet capabilities, which let shoppers store their payment information to the app, and aggregate promotions and rewards.

Top 5 Vendors in the Global RFID Blood Monitoring Systems Market from 2016-2020

Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recent global RFID blood monitoring systems market report until 2020. This research report also lists nine other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

The global RFID blood monitoring systems market is expected to grow at 22.96% during the forecast period. 

The increasing need for effective monitoring of the blood products to reduce medical errors, and thereby reduce medical wastage is driving the market growth. RFID systems and tags provide effective monitoring of blood products and improve supply chain efficiencies. Also, the increasing adoption of RFID systems, particularly in the Americas and Europe, is expected to drive the market growth. For instance, in May 2016, Aegis Sciences Corporation employed an RFID-based solution to monitor the status of the blood and urine samples

In addition, the endorsements from blood banks and healthcare organizations are further expected to increase the adoption of RFID blood monitoring systems worldwide. For instance, in March 2016, Australia’s National Blood Bank endorsed the use of Space Code’s RFID system at the Liverpool Hospital in Sydney. Such endorsements have increased the penetration of RFID devices in blood monitoring

Farewell to the smart card?

ID authentication specialist Yubico is making a bid to replace federal employees' smart cards with its little USB keystick, known as a YubiKey. "Several agencies are gearing up large-scale procurements," said Yubico Vice President of Solutions Engineering Jerrod Chong. "They are very excited." Chong spoke to FedScoop this week from a Yubico all-hands retreat in Sweden. He said the company was putting its latest product, the YubiKey 4, through laboratory certification for Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2 — the approval that marks cryptographic products as secure.

Printronix Auto ID Launches High-Performance T6000 Industrial Barcode Printer Series

Printronix Auto ID, Inc., unveiled the T6000, its next generation of high-performance thermal barcode printers. Designed for the mid-range market, the T6000 is engineered for industrial applications such as manufacturing, automotive, transportation, retail, transport and logistics. The T6000 is loaded with advanced features, online data validation (ODV) technology and the industry’s most comprehensive emulation package that allows for easy integration into legacy environments.

The T6000 is built for speed, versatility, and reliability. With its 14 inches per second (ips) print speed, RFID capabilities and Postscript/PDF support for complex labeling requirements, this printer is designed to boldly address businesses’ challenges such as performance and productivity.

RFID in China 2015-2025

By 2025 the total RFID market in China will reach US$4.3 billion.This report provides a complete view of the RFID suppliers, value chain, applications and trends in China. It looks not only at the RFID manufacturing base in China, but also the applications of RFID in China, providing ten year forecasts by 13 application categories. IDTechEx has studied the RFID market globally for 15 years and this research builds on that knowledge in addition to new research carried out in Chain by IDTechEx analyst Dr Xiaoxi He. Over 150 RFID companies have been identified.

China already has 85% of the world's RFID manufacturing capacity, being a major exporter of tags. In addition, the second generation National Identification Card project in China is the largest RFID order by value and China is delivering it by using Chinese-only resources almost exclusively. Thanks to strong support by the government, China has used RFID widely on applications ranging from library assets to train tickets, and as China becomes a leader in manufacturing in most segments - from cars to planes - it will fuel increasing demand for RFID in manufacturing and many other industries.

As RFID is increasingly being deployed around the world (IDTechEx expect that over 8.5 billion tags will be sold globally in 2015 versus 7 billion in 2014), suppliers are in the process of shaving off fractions of a cent from each inlay, particularly for passive UHF. That means picking up and moving manufacturing base to China in some cases. There have also been other, relatively new entrants that by strong investment (including acquisition) have gained a relatively high market share from nothing in a few years, examples being Arizon RFID and Shangyang, to name a few.

Accuride Brings RFID-enabled Access Control to Drawers

Accuride International has released an RFID-enabled access-control solution to allow its customers to protect the contents of cabinets and drawers without the need for keys. The Senseon Secure Access system consists of low-frequency (LF) 125 kHz readers connected to electronic locks integrated with the drawers' sliding hardware, so that the solution remains invisible to users. Individuals can tap a badge or fob containing an embedded LF RFID tag in order to open a locked cabinet or drawer.

Global Smart Card Market Continues To Grow

The growth of the mobile commerce (mCommerce) and eCommerce industries is fueling the global smart card industry, which is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8 percent through 2020, according to a new research report. “The growth of mCommerce and eCommerce have accelerated the demand for secure payment options and improved the demand for smart cards,” according to the report by Technavio. “Loyalty cards offered by retail stores contain the information of customers and points earned by them through purchases. All such factors are expected to drive the market during the forecast period.”

Bluboo Picasso 4G’s NFC Support Confirmed

The Bluboo Picasso 4G is one of the latest smartphones to come from Bluboo Mobile and is a direct follow up to the previous and popular Bluboo Picasso, although it comes with a number of improvements including support for 4G. One of the other improvement that Bluboo Mobile recently announced was that the Bluboo Picasso 4G would come with NFC support. Which is something that is likely to be of benefit to those interested in picking this smartphone up. Since the advance of mobile payments, NFC has become an extremely important aspect for smartphone buyers when choosing their next smartphone and is likely one of the reasons why smartphone manufacturers are keen to include the feature now. In no short order, NFC has become a must for new smartphones.

Indian Aviation MRO Company Expects RFID to Reduce Labor by 50 Percent

Aman Aviation & Aerospace Solutions, an Indian aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company, is using an ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID solution from Dolphin RFID to track the work it provides to customers of its aircraft components. The company is also serving as a reseller for Dolphin RFID's solution so that Aman Aviation's customers can utilize the RFID tags for their own in-house inspections or inventory management. Aman Aviation & Aerospace Solutions focuses on the repair and overhaul of hydraulic and pneumatic systems, as well as engine parts, used by private airlines in India and by helicopter operators.

Venmo to get NFC mobile payments

The PayPal-owned Venmo mobile payments app may soon allow users to make in-store purchases using NFC. PayPal is also adding NFC mobile payments to its PayPal Wallet through an agreement reached with Visa in July 2016 and the Mastercard deal announced last week. "Venmo and its parent company, PayPal, are adding in-store payments to their mobile apps in the first half of 2017."

IoT in Retail & Ecommerce

U.S. e-commerce growth has regularly outpaced the total retail market over the past six years, and e-commerce made up 8.1% of the total retail market in Q2 2016, up from 6.4% two years earlier. But even with this growth, there is still plenty of room for aggressive expansion, and the Internet of Things (IoT) can take e-commerce to the next level. Those who are involved in the retail and e-commerce industries must stay on top of this trend in order to stay ahead of the competition. The IoT has already started working its way into retail stores, and technologies will continue to disrupt the traditional retail process in the coming years.

Apple is about to deal with another NFC complaint

As a result of Apple's closed API policy for NFC capabilities, a group of South Korean finance firms including Hankook NFC, Kona I, and Cashbee held discussions to start a complaint against Apple with the Fair Trade Commission and Korea Communications Commission, according to Business Korea. The firms' main complaint is that Apple limits access to the hardware necessary for firms to build NFC-enabled applications, like proprietary mobile wallets.

Electronic Chips To Track Convicts Jumping Parole

Govt plans to attach RFID tags to legs of convicts which will help in tracing them should they decide to abscond Mumbai: In a bid to tackle the increased cases of convicts jumping parole and furlough violations in the state, the Maharashtra Government has decided to use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on prisoners serving time in its prisons.

NFC Transaction Market Poised To Grow More Than 50 Percent In Coming Years

Research and Markets announced the release of the “Global NFC Transaction Market 2016–2020” report, which found that the NFC transaction market is set to grow at a CAGR of 55.23 percent during the period of 2016 through 2020. Based on in-depth market analysis and inputs from industry experts, Research and Markets said in a press release that the report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

Meggitt Polymers & Composites Uses RFID to Track Aircraft Components, Materials

Meggitt Polymers & Composites (MPC)'s manufacturing plant in San Diego is taking the next step in a radio frequency identification and Internet of Things implementation that employs sensor and RFID data to gain visibility into the company's work-in-progress (WIP) and the condition of the carbon-fiber composite materials it uses during manufacturing. The factory has spent more than a year using RFID to track the movements of one of the products it manufactures to the point of shipping.

MakerBot's two new printers are meant for professionals and schools

3D printing company MakerBot has announced two new printers and an official shift of focus, away from general DIY printing and toward the specialized worlds of professional design and education. The MakerBot Replicator Plus and Replicator Mini Plus are new generations of existing products, both promising a simpler process and better results. Launching today, they’re accompanied by a new software system and some supplementary services, as well as a new printing material.

Report: Increased Adoption of Mobile Payment & Digital Wallet Service

A new report forecasts the global NFC transaction market to grow at a CAGR of 55.23% during the period 2016-2020. The emergence of host card emulation (HCE) is one of the latest trends leading to market growth. HCE is an on-device technology that enables mobile or a wearable device to perform card emulation on an NFC-enabled device without relying on access to a secure element (SE). The introduction of NFC platforms based on HCE has potentially high implications for NFC stakeholders, provided it would reshape both; the value chain and the attendant business models. Also, the additional security provided by the inbuilt security feature of smartphones such as fingerprint reader, and iris scanner act as an additional layer of security for HCE.

According to the report, extensive use of mobile devices for payments will be a key driver for market growth. Mobile payments have become popular with the increased adoption of mobile devices and wearables. Vendors are deploying NFC POS terminals as they are flexible and facilitate hassle-free mobile payments. The NFC POS terminals also increase the value proposition and effectiveness of their marketing efforts. Thus, the growing implementation of NFC POS terminals at retail outlets is expected to boost the growth the market during the forecast period.

Smartphone cases get bPay to enable NFC mobile payments

Smartphone case manufacturer Case Station has integrated Barclaycard’s bPay contactless payment technology into its new range to allow consumers to make NFC mobile purchases with a tap of their handset at any contactless terminal. “All the Case Station cases have been created to discreetly hold a small bPay contactless chip, which will allow users to make touch and go payments for £30 and under (US$39.73) easily and quickly without fumbling for cash or entering a PIN wherever they see the contactless symbol,” Barclaycard says.

Global RFID Smart Antenna Market 2016-2020

The global RFID smart antenna market will grow at a CAGR of 12.94% during the period 2016-2020, according to a new report. A trend influencing market growth is the emergence of cloud-based RFID solutions. Advances in technology have led to the expansion of RFID technology in various fields such as the transportation, aerospace, IT, and logistics. However, due to high IT infrastructure requirements such as database, servers, and inter-/intra-network, which adds to its already high deployment and implementation costs, the adoption of RFID has been limited to small and medium-sized retail chains or stores. The cloud-based RFID solutions offered by various RDIF solution providers such as Terso Solutions, Tellago, and Nedap are providing opportunity for small and medium-sized retailers to avail the benefits of RFID systems, as they reduce the initial procurement cost of servers.

According to the report, a key growth driver is the emerging applications for RFID. RFID smart antennas integrated into RFID systems are selected on the basis of radiation resistance, resistive losses, bandwidth, and feed impedance. RFID smart antennas transmit and emit both electrical and magnetic properties and operate around a wide range of frequencies to contain the reliability of the information collected. As a result, the reliability of RFID systems has increased over time, which, in turn, has resulted in an increase in demand for RFID systems. RFID systems are used for asset tracking and thus, it was perceived that the major applications of such systems are more useful in retail and logistics environments. 

Carrefour payment cards go mobile in Spain thanks to Gemalto’s proven Trusted Service Hub

Gemalto has been chosen by Market Pay, payment institution of the world’s second biggest retailer, to deploy a mobile payment solution for its “PASS” banking card in Spain. This project is part of a multi-channel strategy that leverages connected technologies to further enhance the shopping experience. Gemalto’s Allynis Trusted Service Hub (TSH) will allow the customers to load a digital version of their existing Carrefour banking card, as well as the retailer loyalty program, onto an Android phone, enabling easy and single customer journey at any NFC POS terminal. Loyalty points will be credited instantly when the phone is used for ‘tap and go’ transactions in Carrefour outlets, which include hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores.

The solution has been experimented live in shops since beginning of 2016. Carrefour customers will be able to create this new payment feature directly through their Carrefour mobile banking application, simply using their existing credentials. Today in Spain, 2.3 millions of customers are using Carrefour payment cards. This new mobile payment solution is being launched initially in Spain, and may be deployed in other countries

Smart Card Alliance Highlights Significant Policy Considerations

The Smart Card Alliance released a paper in response to the 2016 update to the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Managing Information as a Strategic Resource, which defines federal policy and establishes guidance for management of federal information resources.

In the response, the Smart Card Alliance highlights major changes in the policies governing federal use of PIV credentials for access control in the 2016 update to A-130, discusses the impact of these changes on the federal government and commercial industry, and outlines issues to be considered in complying with A-130 for selected topic areas.

The response paper, Smart Card Alliance Commentary: OMB Circular A-130 – Managing Information as a Strategic Resource, was developed by the Smart Card Alliance Access Control Council.

“The Smart Card Alliance supports the updates to the OMB Circular A-130 and believes it provides more clarity for how federal agencies implement identity and information security systems more efficiently and effectively,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. “In just a few pages, this paper summarizes the major policy highlights from the 85-page OMB Circular A-130 that impact the implementation of access control systems. The commentary incorporates inputs and perspectives from Smart Card Alliance members representing a variety of different stakeholder groups to discuss the impacts and opportunities for securing government information systems.”

Fujitsu develops 'MRI safe' RFID tags

The Textilligence UHF tags, supplied by Fujitsu, are said to the only tags known in the industry containing antennas made of non-ferrous material. Tests, first performed by a Dutch hospital, have now been confirmed by other tests in hospitals in the USA and Austria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.

Smart Cards made easier for bus users

It keeps getting easier to take advantage of the cheaper Taranaki bus fares available to those who use pre-paid electronic Smart Cards. Smart Card users could previously only top them up on a bus, but more options were provided in July and as of this month, Taranaki has its full, planned complement of top-up sites. Smart Cards are available for users of Citylink bus services in New Plymouth (including Waitara, Bell Block and Oakura), and the Hawera-New Plymouth Connector bus service.

​M2M market bounces back in Brazil

The Brazilian machine-to-machine (M2M) market has returned to growth after a period of intense competition and aggressive pricing, according to research published by the digital transformation team at consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. According to the report, the emergence of new applications requiring ubiquitous connectivity and higher-value 3G and 4G services are giving the local market a "much-needed stimulus."