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In this issue:
IMX Cosmetics Builds Brand Loyalty for Custom
Makeup
 Can’t find a lip gloss that complements
your
skin
tone
and
tastes
good
enough
to
eat?
Do
you
want
your
lips
to
match
that
iridescent
pink
dress?
Birmingham,
MI-based
IMX
Cosmetics
(www.imxcosmetics.com) has
launched
a
first-of-its-kind
custom
cosmetics
line
that
allows
patrons
to
mix
their
own
personalized
recipes
for
lip
gloss
and
other
cosmetics
and
retrieve
them
at
in-store
computer
kiosks,
called
Mixing
Stations,
using
their
MX
(Mix)
Stick,
a
clear
TI-RFid
keyfob
that
attaches
to
the
customer’s
key
chain.
IMX customers create custom lip glosses and, soon,
nail polishes, by choosing colors from an on-screen
color palette, and adding an assortment of finishes,
glitters, flavors and fragrances. Once a selection
is made, color cartridges and pumps are set in motion
as the product is mixed and dispensed automatically
and in full view. The unique recipe is then saved
for the customer to retrieve quickly and easily at
any Mixing Station, either at the same store or at
another IMX Cosmetics location, using her RFID MX
Stick. Approximately 2,000 MX Sticks have been distributed
to customers at Nordstrom in Las Vegas, The Studio
at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Calif., and Barneys
New York, Madison Avenue. More IMX Cosmetics locations
are planned for 2003.
The MX Stick features TI’s low frequency (134.2
kHz) technology, allowing each customer to link to
her personal account history by simply passing the
IMX-branded keyfob, or transponder, over an RFID
reader built into the kiosk. The reader automatically
recognizes the transponder’s unique id entification code, bringing up the corresponding
recipe list for that customer.
“We were looking for a cool, high-tech way
for customers to link to their unique makeup formulas,
and found that an RFID keyfob was the perfect mix
of technology and convenience for our returning customers,” said
Julie Bartholomew, president and creative director,
IMX Cosmetics.
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ATL Agricultural Technology Wins RASE Gold Medal Award
UK-based ATL Agricultural Technology
Ltd, a designer and manufacturer of electronic identification
and farm control systems, has been awarded the coveted
Gold Medal in the 2003 Royal Agricultural Society
of England (RASE) Machinery Awards for its animal
identification and management system, featuring TI-RFid
technology. The award was presented at this year’s
Royal Show on June 29 in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire,
England.
According to RASE, ATL was selected to receive the
Gold Medal for its “advanced animal recognition
and management system which allows greater labor
efficiency, lower stress to operators and cattle,
greater safety and more opportunity for stockmanship
in the dairy industry.”
ATL’s automatic livestock handling system
utilizes ISO-standard low frequency RFID ear tags
and rumen pellet from Texas Instruments. The company’s
products include an in-stall antenna system that
is capable of identifying up to 1,000 animals with
a single reader, as well as portal antenna systems
used for highly accurate cattle traceability. ATL
also implements in and out of parlor feeding systems,
gate systems for animal sorting, and a custom animal
management software solution.
For more information on ATL Agricultural
Technology Ltd and its line of livestock management
products, visit www.agricultural-technology.co.uk or www.atl-rfid.co.uk.
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TI Showcases Smarter
RFID Case-Level Tracking
A single instance of mistaken identification
of goods in the distribution center can cause a costly
chain reaction of errors, resulting in losses in
productivity, inaccurate orders and shipment delays.
At the Distribution Business Management (DBM) Conference
(formerly Warehouse of the Future), June 16-18 in
Las Vegas, TI-RFid was the only RFID manufacturer
showcased as part of the DBM Distribution Lab, a
75,000 square-foot, fully functional, interactive
facility that allowed attendees to tour the latest
innovations in logistics and distribution. In the
Distribution Lab, TI provided a first-hand demonstration
of how its 13.56 MHz RFID smart labels are used to
automatically identify and accurately track goods
at the case level to improve data management throughout
the supply chain.
During the continuous, hour-long simulation of the
pick, pack and ship process, TI 13.56 MHz, ISO 15693
smart label inlays were printed and programmed via
a Lexmark T632 mono laser printer to create a finished
RFID label. The RFID labels were attached to each
case, which were then loaded onto pallets and moved
throughout the warehouse via forklifts. The cases
were rolled onto a takeaway conveyer belt and each
RFID tag was read using a TI-RFid S6550 reader /
antenna. Attendees were able to see how the RFID
reader can automatically identify the location and
contents of each box, and match it with the order
and shipping information, viewed via laptop computer,
to ensure orders are filled accurately. Data such
as time and date of shipment, pallet and caseload
data, expected delivery location, and more, can be
written to each RFID tag and viewed throughout the
pick / pack / ship process.
“We’re seeing companies choose RFID
smart labels to create smarter, more flexible supply
chain systems,” said Bill Allen, marketing
communications manager for TI-RFid. “RFID can
be used to manage goods at the pallet, case and item
level, increasing data accuracy in the merchandise
lifecycle and dramatically cutting operating costs,
while lifting sales and providing an overall favorable
return on investment.”
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Perry Garvis Joins
TI-RFid as Access Control Business Development
Manager
TI welcomes Perry Garvis to the company
as he takes on the role of business development manager
for access control and security products. In his
new position, Garvis will spearhead efforts to build
the access control business by developing OEM, channel
and consultant relationships, driving sales efforts
and educating the market on 13.56 MHz RFID solutions.
Garvis joins TI-RFid Systems with more than twenty
years of experience in sales, sales management and
new business development in the security and wireless
RF industries working for companies that include
Motorola, Conxus Communications Inc., Sensormatic
Electronics Corporation, and Security Tag Systems
Inc. Most recently, he was consultant program manager
for GE Interlogix, where he was responsible for building
and managing relationships with key industry consultants
and Architectural and Engineering firms in the integrated
security systems business.
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used to reduce inventory, help with
planning and marketing as well as to improve the
customer experience. In the healthcare business,
we see RFID as a tool to assist with data collection
and management, improve visibility to a time critical
inventory as well as document management and asset
control. Along with its item tracking capabilities,
RFID can be used to improve quality control in manufacturing,
especially in the automotive and aviation industries.