The patent-pending Netc N*VISION RFID WatchDog(TM) system enables you to
effectively manage the movement of your data tape assets. PassPort
Technology(TM) lets you create your manifest (list) of data tapes to be
tracked and monitored through the PassPort portals deployed in your
organization. As the tapes move through each PassPort checkpoint, the N*VISION
RFID labels are interrogated and verified against the manifest for accuracy
and completeness. If the manifest cannot be completely verified, an anomaly
and status will be displayed so the operator may take the appropriate remedial
action. The WatchDog(TM) system is completely scalable from one to many
portals depending upon your business requirements. The system also features a
complete reporting engine facilitating management reporting, analysis and
real-time security alerts. The result is a more secure, controlled and
compliant data center environment.

A PassPort(TM) Hand-Held unit is available to complement the Netc N*VISION
RFID WatchDog(TM) system. The portable RFID unit contains hardware and
software to enhance the tracking and auditing of your data tape assets. The
PassPort(TM) Hand-Held contains a UHF Gen2 RFID reader that reads N*VISION
RFID VolSer labels. It also can read both 1 and 2 dimensional barcodes. The
intuitive, easy to use software works with you to expedite the tape inventory,
auditing and location process. Netc N*VISION WatchDog(TM) is RFID technology
you can easily identify with.

For additional information on Netc N*VISION RFID WatchDog(TM) contact us Netc
at 203-372-6382, email NVISION@netcllc.com, or visit
www.WatchDog.LabelArchitect.com.

About Netc – Netc, the RFID media barcode label experts, is a leading global
provider of tape storage media products including Netc Label System Software,
Netc eXpress Labels, Netc eXpress Tape Cartridges, Netc Label Architect, Netc
N*VISION RFID Labels, and now, Netc N*VISION RFID WatchDog(TM) Tape Tracking
System.

SOURCE  Netc

Netc, +1-203-372-6382, NVISION@netcllc.com

AUSTIN, Texas and EXTON, Pa., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ — TOPAZ Technologies, a
leading provider of medical research management software for the Life Sciences
industry, and Tecniplast USA, a subsidiary of the Tecniplast Group, a leading
supporter of Laboratory Animal Science, today announced a joint solution, RFID
(Radio Frequency Identification) Mobile Census, developed to increase the
speed and efficiency of the animal census process. 

The RFID Mobile Census, which uses radio waves to identify and track objects
from a few meters away, allows facilities to scan any laboratory animal
caging, with the wave of a wand, and incorporate collected data into any
animal management software.  With this RFID-based cage census solution,
research facilities can scan hundreds of animal cage cards to capture and
verify corresponding animal census data, in a few seconds.  This RFID-based
cage census solution data is then available for upload to the facility’s
animal management software.

The RFID Mobile Census represents a combination of TOPAZ Technologies’ Mobile
Census, which is mobile scanner software for managing the animal census
process, and Tecniplast USA’s cage card holders, equipped with embedded
passive RFID transponders.

“This solution arose from the needs of a top-tier research facility to adapt
animal census processes to work with their existing software and housing.  The
challenge was presented to our technology office and TOPAZ Technologies,”
explained Marco Carrara, president and chief executive officer of Tecniplast
USA.  “Working together we were able to develop a solution that fit any type
of caging and animal management software.”

“RFID technology is now at a point where it can be used, cost-effectively, to
streamline the cage census process.  The use of radio frequency transponders
and mobile software has the power to change how animal facilities collect cage
census information,” said J. Patrick Guider, Jr., president and chief
executive officer of TOPAZ Technologies.  “This RFID-based cage census
solution will result in improved resource management and decreased time spent
collecting cage census data.”

To see the RFID Mobile Census up close, visit TOPAZ Technologies (booth 1143)
and Tecniplast USA (booth 925) at the 60th National AALAS meeting in Denver,
Colorado from November 8th through the 12th.

About TOPAZ Technologies
TOPAZ Technologies is a market-leading medical research software and services
provider addressing the complex business, operational and compliance needs of
the Life Sciences industry. Founded in 1980 and operating internationally,
TOPAZ Technologies automated solutions help all segments of the medical
research market transform operations for improved efficiency, compliance
protection and operational insight. With a keen focus on customer service and
unmatched product depth, TOPAZ Technologies has earned an expansive customer
list which includes many of the largest medical testing organizations around
the globe, including Pfizer, Emory, Duke, CDC and NIH. For more information,
visit http://www.topazti.com

About Tecniplast USA, Inc.
Tecniplast USA is the American-based subsidiary of the Tecniplast Group.
Around the world Tecniplast is recognized as the leading supporter of
Laboratory Animal Science.  Established in 1949, the strength of our brand
comes directly from our commitment to excellence in product innovation and
performance, combined with a passion for operational effectiveness.  After 60
years, Tecniplast remains obligated to deliver products and services that
enhance: the work and safety of scientist and technicians, the well-being of
the animals in their care and the outcomes of biomedical research. Our
leadership position in North America has been built one client relationship at
a time, with exceptional support and uninterrupted product service.  For more
information, visit www.TECNIPLASTUSA.com

SOURCE  TOPAZ Technologies

Shawna Boyce of Launch Marketing, +1-512-495-9900,
shawna@launch-marketing.com, for TOPAZ Technologies

Savi Technology said Thursday it has formed a strategic alliance with Shipcom Wireless and KBR Wireless that uses Radio Frequency Identification technology to instantly track and manage supplies transported between onshore and offshore oil and gas facilities worldwide.

Mountain View-based Savi, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), is a provider of supply chain information and technology services.

“By automating visibility, asset and shipment management in upstream operations, this newly tailored solution can cut costs and improve performance, efficiency, security and regulatory compliance,” Savi said in a release.

Houston, Texas-based Shipcom is a provider of integrated supply chain execution software solutions focused on the RFID and enterprise mobility markets.

Bellaire, Texas-based KBR Wireless LLC is a provider of automatic identification and wireless solutions for the energy sector.

Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Editor

The March 2009 Viewpoint talked about advances in organic (also called “plastic”) printed RFID and its potential to provide “smart packaging” and make tagging everyday objects more feasible. Recent announcements about inorganic (metallic) inks may bring low cost printed RFID tags even closer and may even bring about printed UHF tags by overcoming one of the key limitations (to date) of organic inks.

By way of background, RFID tags (or any type of electronic logic circuitry) are built up of several alternating layers of conductive, semi-conductive and insulating materials in specific order. The passage of current between (among) these layers at specific points, voltages, and manners is what makes the circuitry work.

Building these layers out of silicon requires a super-clean environment and extremely sophisticated production methods and equipment.

The obvious appeal of being able to literally print each of these layers using specialized ink is obvious in terms of environment and equipment (although equipment may not be inexpensive — but more on that later).

To date, the front-runner for printed electronics have been organic materials. Tremendous advances have been made with organic inks in the past few years, enabling the production of limited capacity but fully functional 13.56 MHz tags — a feat some critics had claimed could never be accomplished. However, organic inks have one significant limitation compared to metallic inks. They are less conductive.

This means that organic inks cannot, at present, carry sufficient current to produce reliable UHF or higher tags.

Cold metallic inks, primarily copper or silver, have traditionally been limited by relatively large particle size (in ink jet printers) as well as by corrosion. During the drying process, fine lines of metallic inks have tarnished or corroded, forming a type of insulating layer on the surface of the particles and significantly reducing their ability to transfer electrical charges between them.

Hot stamping of antennas and similar features with metallic inks has been done for years but the temperatures required have prevented their use on many different types of substrates.

In October, Xerox announced that it had perfected a method for printing a silver metallic ink, at essentially room temperatures, using a desktop printer. The method, they claim, can produce fine lines suitable for electronic circuits.

The Xerox process prints three layers: a semiconductive layer, a conductive layer and a dielectric. While the initial samples were produced using a desktop printer, Xerox envisions the technology to be eventually used in continuous roll applications.

The most significant aspect of this new technology is that it has major application in a wide range of consumer products such as games, e-readers, signage, even flexible keyboards and computers. The applicability of the technology to consumer products provides a real incentive to companies to further develop the technology — with RFID being almost a secondary beneficiary.

Bar code scanners, for example, benefitted from the commercialization of infrared and visible red laser diodes used in CD players. Bar code imagers similarly benefitted from the development of consumer-oriented megapixel cameras, first for conventional digital photography and later for use in mobile phones.

If — when — HF and UHF tags are printed with inorganic inks, they will likely have limited capabilities. Capabilities will grow over time as the technology is tried and tested.

Certainly one of the first areas to explore the use of printed RFID tags will be packaging manufacturers. If only three layers of ink are actually required, these same presses could easily turn out RFID tags in huge volumes. Current high quality multi-color presses can have eight or more “stations” (units that print a specific ink color) so even if a few more layers are required, they could be accommodated with existing equipment. Obviously, registration (the exact alignment of the substrate as it moves from one station to the next) would be critical. However, this is routinely achieved in high quality process color work. What might be slightly more problematic would be ensuring that the printed RFID tag on what would become the inside of the packaging is positioned properly for subsequent printing, cutting and folding of the finished package and, ultimately, be positioned to be read.

The most likely scenario for smart packaging would be to leverage the recent merger of electronic article surveillance (EAS) and RFID. The exact placement of the tag would have to be worked out before wide deployment to avoid difficulties with reading tags either for inventory or point-of-sale (POS) applications.

There is, of course, a downside to this. Current RFID chip manufacturers have a significant investment in silicon-based tags. While printed tags will in many cases represent new applications, there is also the likelihood that they will begin to encroach on applications that currently employ silicon-based chips. Companies that produce these chips will eventually have to adapt to compete or shift their focus towards producing more chips with far greater capabilities than can be produced with printed ink. At the same time, the availability of more capable tags wouldn’t really be a “downside” for end users. However, it is rumored that some chip manufacturers are already producing more capable chips rather than different ranges of chips. For their lower cost line of products, this would mean simply limiting the available capabilities. This would certainly be more cost-effective than developing multiple lines of chips.

Another consideration is that multi-station high speed presses are not inexpensive (although they are certainly less expensive than silicon chip production equipment). Printing companies would have to dedicate one or more of these presses to producing RFID tags — either by purchasing additional presses or changing production scheduling to accommodate tag printing. Finding the space for a new multi-station press might also be an issue.

While there may be specialty houses that only print RFID tags, it is equally likely that major printing houses would have their own presses for this. In the near term, the investment required to add one of these presses to each printing facility would somewhat offset the cost savings of producing the tags. 

Another potential downside is that printed tags will be easier to counterfeit since they will not need to be produced in an advanced chip foundry.

This brings up the issues of privacy and security.

If printed RFID tags do initially have fewer capabilities or smaller memories than their silicon-based counterparts, they should be used for only the most basic applications — such as rudimentary item identification — unless true security and authentication can be built in.

And, if printed RFID tags make tagging of more everyday consumer items feasible, there will need to be a way to cost-effectively deactivate them — particularly if they are also EAS-capable. In some applications, which are not EAS-capable, frangible (breakable) tags could be an answer — in other words, where opening the item would break the circuitry and deactivate the tag (but leave it functional prior to use for returns processing). However, privacy concerns may require that all tags that do not offer post-purchase value to the consumer be deactivated at POS.

The need to deactivate tags at POS applications might actually be a greater impediment to the development of smart packaging than the development of the technology itself. It is certain that this issue will ultimately be addressed either from a technology or data content perspective, consumer acceptance, or some combination of all three. But the answer isn’t obvious yet.

So, although ink technology may promise that printed RFID may come sooner than expected, the necessity of resolving the knotty problems of privacy and security may suggest it will come later.

The patent-pending Netc N*VISION RFID WatchDog(TM) system enables you to effectively manage the movement of your data tape assets. PassPort Technology(TM) lets you create your manifest (list) of data tapes to be tracked and monitored through the PassPort portals deployed in your organization. As the tapes move through each PassPort checkpoint, the N*VISION RFID labels are interrogated and verified against the manifest for accuracy and completeness. If the manifest cannot be completely verified, an anomaly and status will be displayed so the operator may take the appropriate remedial action. The WatchDog(TM) system is completely scalable from one to many portals depending upon your business requirements. The system also features a complete reporting engine facilitating management reporting, analysis and real-time security alerts. The result is a more secure, controlled and compliant data center environment.

A PassPort(TM) Hand-Held unit is available to complement the Netc N*VISION RFID WatchDog(TM) system. The portable RFID unit contains hardware and software to enhance the tracking and auditing of your data tape assets. The PassPort(TM) Hand-Held contains a UHF Gen2 RFID reader that reads N*VISION RFID VolSer labels. It also can read both 1 and 2 dimensional barcodes. The intuitive, easy to use software works with you to expedite the tape inventory, auditing and location process. Netc N*VISION WatchDog(TM) is RFID technology you can easily identify with.

For additional information on Netc N*VISION RFID WatchDog(TM) contact us Netc at 203-372-6382, email NVISION@netcllc.com, or visit www.WatchDog.LabelArchitect.com.

About Netc – Netc, the RFID media barcode label experts, is a leading global provider of tape storage media products including Netc Label System Software, Netc eXpress Labels, Netc eXpress Tape Cartridges, Netc Label Architect, Netc N*VISION RFID Labels, and now, Netc N*VISION RFID WatchDog(TM) Tape Tracking System.

SOURCE Netc

SectorWatch.biz Issues MarketStats on Leaders in RFID and Wireless
Technologies Including NPDT, MSFT, IM, MOT, and AVY

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ — SectorWatch.biz announces the
availability of MarketStats for leaders in RFID and wireless technologies in
the news and driving markets today. SectorWatch.biz offers a perspective on
the aforementioned equities in a forum that encourages investors to respond
with articles, blogs and opinions.

Investors can view MarketStats by visiting: www.SectorWatch.biz – in
association with FiSpace.net, a dynamic social networking site for investors.

Today’s MarketStats for users, makers and sellers of RFID and wireless
technologies include Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:
NPDT), Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), Ingram Micro, Inc. (NYSE: IM), Wal-Mart
Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) and Avery Dennison
Corporation (NYSE: AVY).

Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. (NPDT) recently announced that it had
implemented the licensing agreement with Microsoft Corp. to develop
applications for its Windows Mobile platform. NPDT has also progressed with
its distribution agreement previously announced with Ingram Micro, Inc., which
will serve as its initial primary sales-channel partner.

View a news-featured profile on NPDT here: http://www.sectorwatch.biz

Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. (www.newportdt.com) is a technology
solutions driven company focusing on serving five of the fastest-emerging
businesses in the technology space — RFID (radio-frequency identification),
WiMax, eLearning, Digital Signage & LED Lighting and Security & Surveillance
solutions.

Statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties affecting results. SectorWatch.biz and
StockUpTicks.com are properties of Market Pathways Financial Relations Inc.
(MP). MP provides no assurance as to the subject company’s plans or ability to
effect proposed actions and cannot project capabilities, intent, resources, or
experience. The subject companies have not always approved the statements made
in this report.

This report is neither a solicitation to buy nor an offer to sell securities
but is for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for
any investment decision. MP is not an investment advisor, analyst or licensed
broker dealer and this report is not investment advice. MP has been paid
$1,500 by QualityStocks.net for preparation and distribution of this report
and other advertising services. This constitutes a conflict of interest as to
MP’s ability to remain objective in its communication regarding the subject
company. MP’s analyst, J. Knepp, holds CRD#2849651. To be featured in our
publications please call the number below.

    Contact:
    Shannon Squyres, Editor
    Market Pathways /SectorWatch.biz
    949-955-0107

SOURCE  SectorWatch.biz

Shannon Squyres of Market Pathways for SectorWatch.biz, +1-949-955-0107

To help automate and streamline its parts replenishment and parts inventory-management processes, Valtra began testing passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID tags and interrogators in 2003. The technology showed promise, but was not mature enough to meet the company’s needs at that time, says Antti Virkkunen, CEO of Vilant Systems, a Helsinki systems integrator specializing in RFID applications. In late 2006, Valtra worked with one of its suppliers, Metal Power, and Vilant on a second pilot, which demonstrated that RFID technology had matured significantly. Vilant then designed an RFID system that can track parts from suppliers’ facilities to Valtra’s warehouse.

The new TD-100 has been designed for the sampling and analysis of trace toxic and odorous chemicals (VOC and SVOC) in air/gas and materials. The instrument is used in materials emissions testing (for example, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations), environmental/indoor air monitoring, workplace air monitoring, food, flavor and fragrance profiling, and forensics.

Sophisticated pets, with deep-pocketed owners, can now use garage-like doggie doors that open and close electronically when a pet wearing a collar with a radio-frequency-identification chip approaches. The doors only open for the pet with the RFID chip, keeping out unwanted visitors.

The chips are widely used at automated toll booths and for tracking airline baggage.

Plexidor Electronic Pet Doors cost $129 to $800 depending on the size and model.  To see a picture, check out our L.A. Unleashed blog.

“It allows the pets to go outside when they have to, not when you’re able to let them out,” said Plexidor President Joe Ambrose. He added: “For the pet owner, it is very helpful in preventing pet messes in the house from the pet having to hold it too long.”

– Melissa Rohlin | November 2, 2009 |  4:28 pm

The platform is based on customizable hardware and firmware, including Contact Card and SAM slots, custom PCB sizes and host interfaces (USB, UART, RS232 etc.) as well as environment-specific antenna designs or application-compliant firmware solutions for various EPROM sizes (64kB up to 512kB). Additionally it provide ease of integration with customer applications, by including with it. PC/SC drivers, API’s, sample script files and comprehensive test tools.

The ARYGON High-Speed NFC Reader supports globally used Mifare and FeliCa transponder families like: NXP Mifare Ultralight C, Mifare Classic, Mifare DESFire EV1, Mifare Plus, Infineon my-D, my-D Move, Sony FeliCa 4k and 9k transponders.

“The highly flexible ARYGON High-Speed NFC Reader Platform meets nearly all future requirements of market-specific cost, feature (speed, security, interoperability etc), standard and application needs, while additionally being future-proof with its field-upgradable firmware functionality” says Frank Steigberger, Director of Sales at ARYGON Technologies.

“It uniquely offers OEM RFID providers the opportunity to grow with their evolving customer infrastructure and application needs: e.g. it already complies with all major existing payment infrastructures and card standards offering full interoperability, and in addition also offers sufficient reserves to implement future system enhancements in regard to higher security and NFC usage without exchanging reader infrastructure. This will save costs for servicing, upgrading and maintaining RFID reader infrastructures”, added Bodo Ischebeck, CEO at ARYGON Technologies.

The new ARYGON High-Speed NFC Reader family is highly flexible and based on a high-performance ARM processor, giving high-speed de-/encryption and the fastest data response times between system and transponder in the market. This means the new ARYGON reader is ideally suited for Payment, Point of Sales / POS, Public Transport, Ticketing, Secure ID, PKI, Mobile and NFC applications.

Reference Samples of the new ARYGON High-Speed NFC Reader Platform can be ordered for evaluation from ARYGON, which will be then customized and fitted to customer specific application and form factor requirements.

ARYGON Technologies is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced RFID and NFC reader modules for applications, where security and customer benefit is key: Physical / Logical Access, Transit & Event Ticketing, Contactless Payment, Government ID and NFC, as well as selected projects in medical and industrial applications. Being committed to innovation as well as new market trends, The company is also a pioneer in NFC Reader technology and application support. ARYGON is dedicated to offer its customers a high level of engineering & consulting services as well as client specific customization of RFID reader modules. To support our customers in their project work, we also supply high-quality RFID cards, key fobs, wristbands, custom tags and NFC Starter Kits. ARYGON partners with industrial and scientific organizations as well as a network of high-profile experts