RFID
Advances Security at China Communist Party Congress The China Communist Party Congress is held
in Beijing every five years to elect the leaders of China’s
Communist Party and refine the policies of the country.
With more than 30,000 of the country’s most important
decision makers assembling at this central location, access
control and security remain highly sensitive issues. Using
TI-RFid’s 13.56 MHz technology, systems integrator
Beijing Angels Communications Technology developed an innovative
security solution for fast and easy identity verification.
Attendees and staff were required to wear a TI high frequency
badge, issued prior to the event, which contained an RFID
smart label inlay, to facilitate visual screening and identification.
As attendees moved throughout the various areas of the conference,
their badges were electronically read by one of 20 TI S6550
Long Range Readers with customized gate antennas, strategically
placed throughout the conference area. As individuals came
within 1.2 meters of the reader, cards were read and within
one half second each card was linked to the cardholder’s
facial image and viewed on a screen. Security personnel
then could verify the person’s identity, and determine
whether he or she was authorized to access that particular
area of the conference.
The RFID and embedded visual technology built into the
ID cards made the badges impossible to counterfeit. As a
result, not a single perimeter breach occurred during the
conference. Security personnel quickly made visual comparisons
of the thousands of cardholders and images and could easily
identify fake credentials, keeping the venue free from potential
intruders. The procedures implemented by Beijing Angels
Communications Technology, including TI-RFid technology,
were successful in keeping unauthorized visitors out, and
the attendees and show crew members safe.
From
Warehouse to Store, TrollyTrack Ensures Accurate Deliveries Systems developer Yougenius, of Gouda, Netherlands,
has developed TrolleyTrack, an innovative and cost-effective
RFID solution for accurately tracking products across the
entire supply chain from warehouse, to delivery truck, and
on to the final retail location.
Implemented at the Hoogvliet Supermarkets in Alphen aan
de Rijn, Netherlands, this RFID system tracks Hoogvliet
reusable shipping containers using TI-RFid low frequency
transponders and Yougenius antennas. A glass transponder
with read/write capabilities is embedded in the bottom of
each container and in the rear loading entrance of each
delivery truck. As the truck backs up to the loading dock,
an antenna, installed in the floor of the loading dock bay,
reads the truck’s transponder, automatically sending
unique information about the truck, such as origin, destination,
and shipping details, to a centralized database system.
Required goods are packed in containers and placed in the
truck for shipment. When a container passes over the antenna,
its transponder is identified, verifying that the container
is being placed in the appropriate delivery truck. The moment
a container is loaded onto the wrong truck, an alarm is
activated until the container is removed.
With the TrolleyTrack system, Hoogvliet Supermarkets is
able to track the real-time movements of its deliveries
from warehouse to store, saving time and money by increasing
productivity and minimizing human error.
New
Access Control OEM Agreement With MAXxess Systems MAXxess Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Odetics
Inc. that specializes in the design and manufacture of Enterprise-level
security management systems will resell TI-RFid’s
new line of 13.56 MHz RFID vicinity cards and readers for
access control applications. The agreement between TI and
MAXxess includes reselling the ISO 15693 compliant 13.56
MHz TI-RFid card and reader product line as part of their
AXxess™ 202 family of software. The AXxess software
assists professional facilities and security managers by
providing level four security through single-screen solutions
for building access, parking access, and CCTV control at
single or multiple locations. Through the open database
architecture, AXxess software gives security managers the
power to customize their access control systems in highly
encrypted network environments, such as multi-tenant office
buildings, government facilities, airports and other security
sensitive installations. For more information, visit the
MAXxess Web site at www.maxxess-systems.com.
1) What primary opportunities do you see for RFID
today?
Over the past seven years, RFID Components has supported
hundreds of successful solutions using radio frequency identification
products. Working in partnership with our customers, millions
of people are experiencing the real benefits of RFID technology.
The major markets we’re proactively pursuing are
access control, asset management and process management.
The primary opportunities in each of these markets are described
below:
Access control - We are involved in applications as diverse
as building security, personnel movement, computer security
and traffic management.
Asset Management - RFID technology allows cost effective
tracking of any item of value from office equipment to plant
equipment. We are seeing the ead/write abilities of RFID
transponders being harnessed in this sector. In addition,
we have supplied RFID technology to systems integrators
installing document tracking systems in both intra-office
and archive storage applications.
Process Management - We supply customers in the automotive,
information technology, and food and pharmaceutical manufacturing
industries, which use RFID to more accurately track and
manage manufacturing processes.
2) How are you helping your customers adopt RFID?
RFID Components provides cost effective solutions by working
with world-class systems integrators. We also supply evaluation
equipment and will undertake proof of concept development
work for new business. For existing customers we offer value
added services such as, training, technical support, programming
and RFID Evaluation Kits plus stock profiling services.
Of all the coverage of the Benetton news and consumer privacy
debate we’ve seen in the past month, articles from
Venture Development Corporation and RFID Journal provide
the industry with thought-provoking commentary on why we
should not ignore public opinion when it comes to privacy
concerns and the need for clear communication when promoting
the benefits of RFID.
We’ve abstracted the Venture Development article below
and show you where you can find the full article. Read two
relevant opinion pieces – “A SETBACK FOR RFID?”
and “SEX, LIES AND RFID” – both by Mark
Roberti, editor, RFID Journal, at the following link: http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/archive/2/.
The RFID market has clearly reached an inflection point
– advancements in technology are removing the barriers
of price and standardization, helping to spur adoption.
However, a potential new challenge looms: industry players
need to manage public scrutiny of high profile RFID applications,
especially as they relate to consumer markets.
As with any new/emerging technology, a certain degree of
skepticism is to be expected. Recent announcements by retailers
planning to implement RFID technology to track goods throughout
the supply chain have been received with some uncertainty.
Potential consumer privacy issues voiced by some media sources
and privacy advocate groups are raising the level of concern.
With RFID looking to gain momentum as a viable supply chain-tracking
solution, especially in the consumer goods sector, industry
participants need to very clearly communicate how RFID technology
is being used and how it relates to and benefits average
consumers.
According to Michael Liard, senior AIDC/RFID analyst, Venture
Development Corporation, "RFID suppliers need to acknowledge
that the mainstream press and everyday consumers are not
necessarily familiar with the performance capabilities of
RFID technology and the applications which RFID supports.
It is conceivable that misconceptions about how RFID is
being used could further delay the rollout of future RFID
solutions and negatively impact the public's opinion of
RFID technology."
RFID industry participants need to more closely manage
their public relations and communications campaigns. This
is especially true as the primary audience shifts from technology
insiders to technology outsiders. If industry participants
skirt the privacy issue and do not directly address the
topic, it may open the door for a potential bevy of negative
press that could impede the progress of the RFID market.
VDC recommends that industry players properly equip themselves
to enact countermeasures to address emerging privacy concerns
that are being associated with RFID technology.
Further
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