Intermec Offers Gen 2 RFID Forklift Reader
Intermec Technologies Corp. announced the first EPCglobal Gen 2 RFID vehicle mount reader. The new multi-protocol Intermec IV7 Intellitag® vehicle-mount RFID reader reads Gen 2 tags from multiple manufacturers in mixed populations of tags. It also reads tags based on all major global RFID standards, including Gen 2, Gen 1 and ISO 18000-6b, with a migration path to the emerging ISO 18000-6c standard.
The IV7 joins an expanding family of Gen 2 RFID readers from Intermec and is designed for serial attachment to the Intermec CV60 vehicle mount computer. Both the CV60 and the IV7 are built to withstand the rigors of harsh, industrial environments and are sealed to IP65 ratings. The vehicle mount system provides flexibility when reading tags from areas that are not near the location of a fixed reader and cost advantage in environments where the number of dock doors is significantly larger than the number of fork trucks.
Select Reader Service 1531
SkyeTek ReaderWare™ Software May Simplify RFID Development
SkyeTek Inc. introduced ReaderWare™, an open-architecture software suite that unlocks the traditionally "black box" nature of RFID reader hardware. ReaderWare is available for both HF and UHF reader designs, including the SkyeTek M8 UHF reader module.
Says Rob Balgley, CEO of SkyeTek: "ReaderWare makes pervasive RFID possible by making reader hardware easily programmable and accessible to literally thousands of applications and developers who can now embed RFID reader hardware into non-RFID-specific technology."
The architecture of the ReaderWare software suite allows: value-added applications to reside partially or fully "on reader"; simplified integration for both developers and OEMs; an "a la carte" menu of reader technology building blocks; code portability across different hardware platforms; applications to control low-level hardware functions; and better network edge performance.
Select Reader Service 1532
ThingMagic Ups Security Standard for Readers With New Mercury4 OS
ThingMagic introduced a major software upgrade to its Mercury4 OS, called Version 2.2 "Shannon." As with all improvements to Mercury4 readers, customers merely install the software to gain the benefits. There is no need to replace, or physically access, units in the field. New features of Shannon include: vastly better security and encryption, through SSL and SSH; greater enterprise-class scalability; updated tag support, addressing more tag variants; and greater ability to read tags on fast-moving conveyor belts.
As more readers are deployed into more and more business critical applications, robust security is equally critical. The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Secure Shell (SSH) security and encryption features in MercuryOS 2.2 allow users to selectively interact with and manage Mercury4 readers across corporate intranets and wide area networks.
Updated RFID tag support means Mercury4 readers can kill tags, lock data, utilize passwords and read/write data on a variety of tags that recently added these functions.
The Mercury4 API extensions allow more user control over the search process, include an application-specific API for reading multiple tags on fast-moving conveyor belts, and a synchronization API for loading dock applications. Mercury4 readers used with high-speed conveyor belts can now read tags in 12 ms.
Select Reader Service 1533
Northern Apex Expands Constellation Series
Northern Apex's Constellation Series of products will now include hardware and software from the likes of Omega, Orion, Polaris, and Gemini. These accompany Constellation's existing hardware and software engines, Hercules and Galaxy, who were responsible for Purdue Pharma—the historical implementation of the world's first system for tracking large volumes of unique items with EPC tags.
Purdue Pharma LP received the Healthcare Distribution Management Association's iBusiness Solution Award in the Manufacturing Category. It was awarded this for combining Galaxy software with Hercules hardware, tracking individual items through a supply chain, using RFID tags to generate e-pedigrees for all tagged products. An RFID integration partnership was formed between Northern Apex, SAP, and Symbol/Matrics, utilizing Northern Apex's Constellation Series (Hercules) to scan Symbol/Matrics 915 MHz tags internal to the label application process of Purdue's manufacturing lines. The speeds reached up to 120 bottles per minute.
When assembling the cases, tamper evident, sealed cases of 48 bottles are scanned in less than five seconds. EPC tag data was pushed by Northern Apex's Galaxy software to SAP's AII interface for secondary validation of each tag. As a result, more than 250,000 bottles of the prescription drug Oxycontin are currently in a validated production environment using the Hercules/Galaxy solution. The expansion of this line makes the Constellation series applicable to packaging, production, distribution, and warehouse and supply chain solutions.
Select Reader Service 1534
GlobeRanger Announces Gen 2 iMotion Platform
GlobeRanger announced the latest version of its iMotion™ Edgeware™ platform, a new release that gives companies the ability to easily leverage features and functionality of Gen 2 readers and tags while providing comprehensive edge process, infrastructure, and data management for enterprise-wide, multi-site, global deployments. iMotion's flexibility for managing edge device networks is expanded to edge process management capabilities, building workflows that incorporate Gen 2 features dynamically at any point in the business process.
The new iMotion release fully supports Gen 2 features such as extended data format and the management of tag functionality, including memory lock, session management, password handling, tag kill, and tag erase. The software includes data management through Application Level Events (ALE), providing the capability to effortlessly define data input requirements from the device network through ALE, a specification being established by EPCglobal. This functionality gives solution developers the ability to easily access desired data. Emulation for Gen 2 readers and tags — empowers solution developers to emulate deployment scenarios with complete Gen 2 features for application testing and data integration.
Circle Reader Service 1535
Select Reader Service 1535
Loftware Upgrades Server Software
Solution for RFID
Loftware Inc. launched its Loftware Print Server (LPS) version 8.3 — a server-based software solution for managing and processing barcode label and RFID smart label orders. It is designed to handle thousands of requests assigned to hundreds or thousands of printers. It allows customers who currently use bar codes to continue with them, while RFID is phased into the operation over a period of time. LPS 8.3 offers a universal interface for HF, UHF, and Gen 2 RFID for printing both smart labels and encoding RFID tags, making for smooth implementation of DOD and EPC specifications. This interface will allow users to easily set up any type of RFID tag. Production printing can be accomplished on an enterprise scale once the tags are ready.
"LPS 8.3 gives our corporate end-users and channel partners a critically-important solution and head-start in adapting their product marking applications for compliance with emerging EPC/RFID standards," says Loftware's Chief Executive Officer, Eric Anderson. According to the company, RFID hardware devices often need lengthy development lead times subsequent to the general acceptance of a new industry standard like Gen 2. By having the software component of any RFID software-driven data application available, developers can begin building whole solution sets, knowing that their work will grow with the evolution of specifications and hardware.
Select Reader Service 1536
Avicon Announces AXM™ Data Management Systems
Avicon, a leading provider of RFID and supply chain solutions, introduced the AXM™ (Active Execution Management) product family at the EPCGlobal US Conference in Atlanta on September 13 - 15, 2005. AXM combines large-scale data management, advanced business-level filtering with rules technology to integrate RFID and EPC data into the supply chain business process. Using AXM, customers can derive more value from their existing investments in retailer and Department of Defense driven RFID implementations and achieve significant supply chain performance improvements.
AXMdc (AXM for Distribution Control) is the first member of the AXM product family. AXMdc enables real-time improvements in shipment quality assurance, proof of delivery, shrinkage detection and invoice reconciliation by connecting orders and RFID data in the context of the business process. Avicon will also release epcTranslator V1.1, the first publicly available translation tool that fully supports the upcoming EPCGlobal Tag Data Standard V 1.3. epcTranslator V1.1 supports GTIN, SSCC, UCC-128, GRAI, GIAI and CAGE/DODACC formats for Generation 1 and Generation 2 EPC tags. epcTranslator V1.1 will be available on the web as a personal edition epcTranslatorPE, and as a embeddable module for hardware providers and systems integrators.
Select Reader Service 1537
Appleton Develops Direct Thermal Printing 'Switch Kit'
Appleton has developed a Web site, CD, and brochure to make the case that "It's Time to Switch" to direct thermal. Appleton promotes the efficiency that direct thermal printing offers labeling operations, and the "switch kit" guides anyone interested through the converting process.
The kit details the benefits of direct thermal versus other printing methods and walks users through the process of switching, as well as selecting the right direct thermal label face stock for their specific applications. The switch kit reviews the performance characteristics of direct thermal and dispels longstanding misconceptions about its use in warehouse, distribution center, and supply chain label applications. The kit is available online at www.appletonideas.com/switch.
Select Reader Service 1538
Bar Code Specialties' AnyWARE RFID is a Mobile Cart Solution
Bar Code Specialties announced that it will be introducing their AnyWARE RFID Mobile Cart warehouse printing solution at Pack Expo Las Vegas at the end of September. The AnyWARE Cart contains everything necessary to not only print RFID labels but also includes label design software plus a full featured inventory control program.
Says David Marin, President of Bar Code Specialties: "Our solution marries the printing of RFID labels with a robust inventory control software package, giving customers the complete solution". The AnyWARE RFID Mobile Cart configuration includes a ruggedized PC, a UHF RFID Reader, a 17" touch screen display and all the necessary cabling. It can be configured with any RFID enabled printer allowing users to choose the printer that best suits their needs. It can be wireless or Ethernet connected to the network, as well as battery-powered or wall-powered.
Select Reader Service 1539
Seeburger Announces Hosted RFID Solution
Seeburger announced a hosted RFID solution, eliminating the need for companies to install and manage the software required to match barcodes to RFID/EPC codes, print RFID/barcode labels, and automatically generate and transmit advance shipping notices (ASNs). The monthly subscription service is ideal for companies that want to avoid spending the time/money to execute a full-scale RFID solution. The service offers optional label verification before goods are shipped. It can issue electronic invoices and maintain a complete audit trail of all operations, including time of shipping, ASN transmittal, and ASN report logs.
Select Reader Service 1540
WJ Communications' MH205A Targeted at Wireless Applications
WJ Communications Inc. launched a new high linearity mixer, the MH205A, for 2.5G and 3G wireless applications. In addition to unparalleled levels of linearity and excellent IF and RF return loss, this new device delivers up to +35 dBm of IIP3, L-I isolation of 50 dB and operates from 800-960 MHz. The MH205A meets the RoHS industry standards and is available in a lead-free package.
The MH205A is a passive GaAs MESFET mixer that provides high dynamic range performance and is available in a Pb-free SOIC-8 package. This device uses patented techniques to realize +35 dBm Input IP3 at an LO drive level of +17 dBm when used in a simple application circuit in an up-converting or down-converting high-side LO configuration. This single monolithic integrated circuit does not require any external baluns or bias elements and operates over a frequency of 800-960 MHz. Typical applications include frequency up/down conversion, modulation and demodulation for receivers and transmitters used in cellular-band 2.5G and 3G wireless infrastructure.
Select Reader Service 1541
|
