SATO Unveils Turnkey NFC/HF RFID Encoding Solution with NiceLabel

SATO Holdings Corporation announced that its 4-inch print width CT4-LX desktop and CL4NX Plus industrial RFID printers can now natively encode and print 13.56MHz high frequency and near-field communication stickers and tags1 using HF and NFC data exchange format (NDEF2) commands with NiceLabel, the world standard in label design software.

This opens up innovative applications for inventory control, traceability, brand protection and improved consumer experience in apparel, manufacturing and health care, specifically in pharma, electronics and automotive.

Reports indicate that counterfeit drugs account for 10 percent of the global medicine market, and up to 30 percent in some countries. Every year 267,000 deaths are linked to falsified malarial medicines alone. “No prescription” websites pose a serious global health risk worldwide. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found more than 11,000 websites operating illegally with 9 in 10 waiving prescription requirements and with the pandemic, even more sub-standard drugs are finding their way into the market. Implemented smartly, NFC can give consumers a way to see the entire journey of their medicines from factory to pharmacy.

For automotive parts and electronic component manufacturers, NFC is optimal for counterfeit protection. Operators across the supply chain can confirm authenticity of individually tagged parts with smart devices.

As they can withstand liquid, NFC tags are also a great way to manage tools and equipment stored outdoors, like construction sites. An operator can learn about the status of any item using a smartphone. NFC is also used to check the safety and performance of critical infrastructure like electric meters.

For apparel, black and grey market counterfeiting creates a huge negative financial impact for apparel and footwear brand owners that can negatively affect brand image. Authentication systems using embedded NFC tags accessible by smartphones can enable a user-first experience, directing consumers to information online at meaningful junctures.