Gen II Update

It takes more than an RFID tag to make a successful RFID solution. Readers and printers also come into play. How then are the new Gen II tags, readers and printers performing now that they’ve been in the marketplace for more than six months? Better than you might expect.

Gen II tags: No surprises here
The Gen II spec is performing exactly as advertised. That comes as no surprise to RFID vendors who say the spec was designed from the ground up for supply chain applications. Read More

This issue sponsored by: IBM Say again? The boxes are talking? Find out what RFID-tagged boxes might say in their travels through a typical manufacturing operation. Click here for more information.

Gen II readers reach for the Holy Grail
Sure, Gen II readers can read tags faster than previous specifications. But the most important improvement might be the better read rates being achieved with the new specification. Read More

Modern Materials Handling Webcast - Sponsored by LXE, HighJump and Cisco Systems WEBCAST: IS YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN EXECUTION SYSTEM OVER THE HILL? Do you have all the information you need when and where you need it in your distribution center? If not, it's time to consider upgrading your information system infrastructure. Key components are your warehouse management system, wireless terminals and data communication backbone. This Webcast will detail what you should expect from your system, how to determine if what's in place is an underperformer and the long-term impact of an upgrade. Other topics covered will include total cost of ownership, return on investment and direct cost savings. Click here to register for the online event.

RFID printers: upgradeable and interoperable
With firmware upgrades, even older generation printers can be upgraded to work with the new Gen II specification. What's more, those printers are working well with readers and tags from other vendors. Read More

Click here for more RFID News

Silence from the national government and aggressive marketing by EPCGlobal are combining to create a climate of uncertainty around the issue of RFID standards in China, according to ABI Research. While official efforts toward setting a Chinese RFID standard remain in limbo, the challenge for the near future will be the rapidly changing conditions "on the ground."   Read More

Alien Technology withdraws registration statement for initial public offering
Alien Technology Corporation today announced that the company has withdrawn its Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has determined not to proceed with the registration and sale of its common stock at this time. No shares of the Company's common stock have been sold pursuant to the Registration Statement.   Read More

RFID Reader Shipments Increased Nearly 14% in Q1 2006, According to ABI Research
The global market for RFID readers and reader modules grew to more than 35,500 unit shipments in 2005, according to new metrics released by ABI Research. Read More

Texas Instruments announces availability of EPCglobal certified Generation II RFID silicon
Using an advanced silicon design that improves tag performance and facilitates speed and visibility of retail supply chain goods, Texas Instruments Incorporated announced the availability of its EPCglobal Inc certified Generation II (Gen II) ultra-high frequency (UHF) silicon.   Read More

Passive RFID portals sdded to DoD distribution centers
New portals, expanding current technology at the Defense Distribution Center's largest site, get the green light this week.  Read More

    Click the cover image to view the August 2006 issue of Modern