Alien Technology Introduces Gen 2 RFID Tag Writing Breakthrough to RFID Readers

Alien Technology Corporation has announced that it is expanding the LoadImage high speed RFID tag programming technology to the entire UHF RFID Reader industry, so that any vendor's Gen 2 RFID reader can now be configured to program and lock an Alien Gen 2 RFID tag in approximately 23 milliseconds. This improvement, which is 10 times faster than prevailing programming times, enables RFID tag commissioning and labeling to now be integrated into customers' high-speed manufacturing processes without slowing down the throughput of manufacturing lines.

Alien will make available a document, Alien Technology® LoadImage Command Application Note 1, which can be used by RFID reader and tag programmer manufacturers to support select enhanced features of the Alien Technology Gen 2 integrated circuit (IC). The application note documents how to program the complete NVM memory of the Alien Gen 2 IC and lock it in a single write operation using a single custom command, in contrast to competing RFID IC standards that require a repeated write command of 12 times for a total of 12 distinct write cycles. A single write command increases throughput for RFID label printers and applicators, and for assembly lines.

The LoadImage command writes all requires EPC code as well as kill, access, and lock codes in the single cycle of 23 milliseconds during typical production applications using an Alien ALR-9800 Enterprise RFID Reader. Similar results have also appeared from other manufacturers.

More information and theAlien Technology® LoadImage Command Application Note 1 can be found at www.alientechnology.com.

Checkpoint Systems' New Gen 2 EPC UHF RFID Labels and Tags

Checkpoint Systems, Inc., (www.checkpointsystems.com) announced the development of several new Gen 2 EPC, UHF RFID labels and tags designed for broadband (860-960 MHz) case and pallet applications in the retail supply chain.

"We believe this new line of labels and tags will offer more flexibility to our customers to help them satisfy their global supply chain requirements, while providing the advantages of increased performance in the key areas of accuracy and sensitivity," says George Off, Checkpoint's CEO.

Checkpoint partnered with Texas Instruments to jointly develop two of the new designs. Combining Checkpoint's patent pending attachment process for CheckSi straps with EPC Gen 2 UHF silicon from TI and Impinj, the new family of Gen 2 RFID labels and tags are designed to operate across multiple frequencies within the UHF read range. Checkpoint's unique manufacturing platform enables the CheckSi strap to be attached at high speed to various antenna designs without modifications to the strap. The Checkpoint CheckSi strap is a patent pending strap designed to be attached in traditional converting processes. The strap can be used with most Gen 2 chips being sold in the marketplace today. It is also designed to be "converting friendly" and can be attached to numerous antenna designs.

Partnering with Impinj and TI also enables Checkpoint to provide its customers with high performance silicon from two of the leading suppliers in the RFID industry. Using silicon from both companies, Checkpoint's EPC Gen 2 UHF RFID labels and tags were designed to improve the read rate percentage for case and pallet applications. Improved read rates should result in the ability to track products more accurately through the supply chain.

Checkpoint's new Gen 2 UHF RFID labels and tags are offered in 2" x 4",4" x 4", and 4" x 6" labels, as well as in wet and dry inlay formats.

Tharo Systems EASYLABEL now Compatible with Windows VISTA

Tharo Systems has announced their new EASYLABEL® 5.6 product identification, barcode and RFID software, with a new version of EASYLABEL, version 5.6.0.1140 that runs under VISTA. This new release of EASYLABEL 5.6 will now install and run correctly on all versions of Windows Vista and x64 Windows Operating Systems.

To download a free upgrade or DEMO copy for evaluation, go to www.tharo.com. Appropriate WIBU drivers are required but not included with the web-build. They are available on the EASYLABEL download page of the website. To view the complete list of changes for this and all other EASYLABEL releases, visit www.tharo.com/relnotes/index.htm.

SAVR's New Tag Analyzer

SAVR Communications (www.savrcom.com) has announced the new SAVR Tag Analyzer that promises to revolutionize the way RFID tags are designed, selected, applied, and tested.

The device combines an ultra-high sensitivity RFID reader section, full-featured spectrum analyzer (SAVR Scope), and SAVR's powerful RF analysis package that when combined, provides a wealth of tag performance data which was previously unavailable. The Tag Analyzer was designed specifically for tag manufacturers, system integrators, and high volume adopters and provides better tags, better placement, and better performance.

The Tag Analyzer allows the user to:
• Optimize tag selection and placement using the tag signal spectrum analysis features of the SAVR Scope;
• Dissect tag performance using automatic level reader controls and features such as adjustable Q number, bank/bit memory, kill password, access password, TRCal/TARIControl, and Sub dBm RF Transmission capability;
• Quantify tag RF performance with accurate RSSI computation and other metrics; and
• Customize and automate test routines using custom script files and custom data dump outputs.

Avery Dennison Acquires Paxar

Avery Dennison Corporation and Paxar Corporation announced that their Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement for Avery Dennison to acquire all outstanding shares of Paxar for $30.50 per share in a cash transaction valued at approximately $1.34 billion. The transaction is expected to enhance Avery Dennison's ability to compete and grow in the global retail information and brand identification market.

"This combination is a terrific strategic fit," says Dean A. Scarborough, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avery Dennison. "Paxar's highly complementary capabilities advance our strategy to deliver exceptional products and superior service to customers at every level of the global retail supply chain, and to increase efficiency and reduce costs in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive global marketplace. In addition, this acquisition will allow us to invest in product innovation and services that will serve our existing customers even better."

"Combining with Avery Dennison provides substantial benefits to our customers while delivering compelling value to Paxar shareholders," adds Rob van der Merwe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Paxar Corporation. "In particular, the broader capabilities of the combined company will better meet customer demands for improved quality, product innovation, and speed of delivery. Although we understand that some jobs will be affected through the integration of our businesses, employees of the combined company will have expanded opportunities as part of a larger organization."

Customer Benefits
In this evolving marketplace, it is increasingly important to be close to the local manufacturing clusters, the two companies said. With their complementary geographic footprints, in particular with Paxar's greater focus on Europe, the acquisition improves the combined company's ability to serve customers in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.

"Lower-cost production — and higher levels of quality and speed of delivery — will be crucial for winning against the local and regional competition we face at the buying office and factory levels," says Scarborough. "This combination will benefit the factories that purchase our tickets and tags as well as the retailers and the brand owners they supply."

Financial Terms
Under the terms of the agreement, Avery Dennison will purchase each common share of Paxar for $30.50. Based upon Paxar's closing price of $24.03 on Thursday, March 22, 2007, this represents a premium of 27%. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., has committed $1.35 billion in acquisition financing and will also arrange long-term financing.

Cost Savings/Accretion
Avery Dennison expects approximately $90 to $100 million in annual cost savings, with similar infrastructure enabling the elimination of redundant production costs and reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses, including corporate overhead and back office support. Avery Dennison currently estimates that there will be integration costs, including restructuring and asset impairment charges ranging from $100 to $125 million, plus information technology (IT) integration costs and other IT investments of at least $50 million. Excluding these costs, the transaction is expected to turn accretive to earnings per share within one year following the close of the transaction. Avery Dennison management has a successful track record of integrating international acquisitions and achieving significant cost synergies. Avery Dennison expects to realize its targeted savings within 24 months following the close of the transaction.

Integration
The two companies will develop an integration plan that retains the best systems and people from both organizations. "While there will be a reduction in overlapping positions, employees will be part of a stronger, more rapidly growing global business," says Mr. Scarborough. "We plan on retaining top-notch talent to ensure that we are the best in the industry."

Closing Terms and Conditions
The transaction is expected to close by year-end and is subject to Paxar shareholder approval, as well as regulatory approvals in the U.S. and other countries.JP Morgan Securities Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Avery Dennison, and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisors. Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Paxar, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel.

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