Week of 9/30/08

RFID 24-7: Your source for news and trends from the RFID and auto-ID industry

Lead Story

New markets embrace RFID

It looks like 2008 is shaping up as the year that RFID begins to reach maturity – or at least offer viable options for return-on-investment. The technology still needs to come down in price and overcome privacy concerns, but some new case studies coming to light demonstrate a wide range of new use cases – all with tidy ROIs.

In an industry that is notorious for running late, [RFID Technology] could help airlines improve
on-time performance.

"A number of companies have made big bets on RFID technology," says Joe White, vice president of RFID business development at Motorola. "Two years from now, I think people will look back at 2008 as the year that those bets started to pay off."

The bets are being placed in all kinds of industry, in all corners of the world. One of those wagers is being made by Spain's national postal service, which has rolled out RFID at 37 mail depots, with more likely to come in the future. In addition, Boeing has demonstrated that RFID technology can eliminate hours of costly labor from the in-flight inspection process for airplanes. In an industry that is notorious for running late, the development could help airlines improve on-time performance.

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Compliance remains king
For CPG manufacturers

However, a study by ABI Research reveals that other factors are gaining in importance and will eventually take over compliance as the primary reason for adopting RFID.

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IT asset tracking study shows
breakthrough RFID innovations

ODIN-produced research study proves that recent improvements in passive RFID technology should make it the optimal IT asset tracking technology.

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RFID may help to track
glucose levels in diabetics

Georgetown has teamed up with Gentag and SAIC to develop glucose-sensor technology that will monitor glucose by using disposable skin patches with wireless sensors and cell phones.

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Zebra RFID card printers
put to use at Vail Resorts

Vail’s “easy scan” system will use handheld RF scanners to detect lift passes through skiers’ coats, eliminating the need for the swiping or barcode scanning of passes.

Read the company press release

TrigPoint Solutions inks
asset management deal

Helmerich & Payne International Drilling will utilize RFID-enabled rig asset management system to track assets and help with certification and safety issues.

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Air Force extends Shipcom
contract for Healthcare RFID

Healthcare IT provider awarded contract extension on multi-year technology contract at Keesler Medical Center in Biloxi, Miss., to review uses of RFID technology across the Air Force Medical Service.

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RF Controls sponsors
RFID Research Center

RF Controls has donated one of its Intelligent Tracking and Control Systems, which will be used to augment the knowledge of students and to demonstrate the capabilities of advanced data capture systems to lab visitors.

Read the company press release

Issue: 0408

From the Editor

Welcome to RFID 24-7, your source for news and trends from the RFID and auto-ID industry.

Proof that RFID is gaining acceptance is evidenced by the wide number of use cases being deployed around the world. In this issue, learn how RFID is being implemented at Spain’s post office. And some day, the technology might even help your airline to get you to your destination on time!

We welcome your feedback. Let us know what you think of the issue, and any topics you'd like to see covered in the future.

About the Editor

John R. Johnson is a veteran business and technology journalist with over 15 years of experience covering RFID technology and supply chain topics, first as editor of Warehousing Management and most recently as editor of DC Velocity.
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