SimplyRFiD will be also be at Interop. We'll be focusing on providing all of our guests with information about our RFID tracking and security system. For everything from tracking important files as they move around the office to making sure the brand new laptop with crucial documents doesn't end up in the wrong hands. As technology gets more advanced, and more expensive, it becomes even more imperative to secure it. Let SimplyRFiD help you with our innovative, and affordable, solutions. Please come visit us at booth 129!

This year's expo is now less than a week away, but there's still time to plan your own trip to New York! Need more incentive? Follow this registration link and use the code: cndnnY07 to buy one pass and get the second pass free. And if you're planning on stopping by our booth, drop me an email at ashley.lange(at)simplyrfid.com for even more savings.

• RFID Asset Tracking: Learn about Excel Manufacturing, a uniform provider for the Air Force, and how our Nox RFID asset tracking system saved them time and headaches by letting them know where every part of a shipment was at all times.
• UID Tags: Learn about UID and current requirements about shipping expensive or mission critical items to the Department of Defense.
• Connect with Experts: Find links to our monthly "webinar" series. Sign up to attend virtually! All you need is a computer, a microphone or a phone. Learn about the WAWF, DoD shipping requirements and get all your DoD-related questions answered!
• Rugged and affordable RFID: Find out about our RFID options. Need something that can withstand boiling, baking AND freezing (maybe not at the same time?) We've got you covered. Need something that costs less than what you might think? Got that covered as well. Find out more in our newsletter.

We all know the frustration of losing articles of clothing. From the lost sock in the dryer to a misplaced shirt in the back of the closet, even the smallest of wardrobes lose items. It's a frustration everyone dreads. 

Now imagine dreading that frustration a thousand times a day, and you're beginning to understand the feeling Excel Manufacturing wants to avoid at all costs. Excel Manufacturing is headquartered in El Paso, Texas, and is a leading supplier of Air Force Airmen Battle Uniforms, or ABUs. They ship thousands of uniforms to the Air Force daily. While most uniforms arrive in perfect order, the company works hard avoiding even occasional mistakes.

Wireless Painkiller

Excel Manufacturing teamed with SimplyRFiD, an RFID Asset Tracking supplier to place a hi-tech tag on every item they produce. These are not just labels, like you pull off the back of your shirt.  SimplyRFiD makes Radio Frequency Identification labels – RFID Tags, for short.  When these RFID tags are affixed to one single item they create a radio signal that allows each item to be tracked and found.  With the tags in place, Excel is now able to pinpoint exactly how many items they have produced that hour, where they are and, when they can ship. Their system automatically checks the Air Force order to see if they are ahead of schedule and keeps them on-track to produce the right product on-time.
 

SimplyRFiD's solution involves their proprietary system called Nox. This system combines high-powered RFID tag readers, high-definition video cameras, an automated software system and millions of item-level RFID tags. Automatically scanning for the RFID tags, Nox identifies and tracks the garments as they move around the manufacturing floor and on to their final destination.

 
“Before using this technology, we were dependent on tracking by hand, literally using pen and paper,” says Jose Luis Ortega Jr, Vice President of Excel Manufacturing. “With the Nox system, asset tracking becomes valuable information and gives us a competitive edge.”


How does it all work together?

The day-to-day operations of the system are straightforward. The software automatically receives an order from the Department of Defense's VIM-ASAP system. The VIM stands for "Virtual Item Management," and is the Internet-based data storage site where manufacturers like Excel can get access to and download the information about their orders. Once the orders are downloaded, Nox creates an order queue for Excel to produce and tag each garment assigned to that order.  Each garment is tracked from the moment it is requested by the Department of Defense until it gets loaded onto pallets and shipped away. 

With the SimplyRFID Nox system on the job, RFID readers and high-definition video cameras monitor RFID tags attached to each article of clothing at key points along its journey. These key points are the workstation where items are tagged, the packing station, and the dock doors. At each point in the system handheld readers are used by the employees to ensure that all the tags that need to be in place are there. The handhelds can locate 100 garments per second and anything misplaced or left out is  immediately brought to the right person's attention. Stationary antennas are also attached in key areas. The stationary antennas automatically read each order’s data as it leaves the warehouse and send it along to the Department of Defense. The Nox system does it automatically. No person has to intervene!

“One of the reasons we are excited about this system is because it is automated,” Ortega Jr. says. “This frees up the employees to handle other tasks without having to worry about entering data or sending information to the DoD.”  Excel's previous system required them to guess how many items they would ship that day and pre-print labels to attach to items. The new Nox system produces tags on-demand as they are needed. In other words: The system adapts to the work in process and makes it more efficient for Excel to manufacture clothing rather than manage their label system.

With Nox, cameras also automatically record each event. A video record of each item's whereabouts is placed into a searchable database which allows the manager of the system to quickly look up each item movement.

"The beauty of the system is its ease of use," says Alice Richmond, vice president of SimplyRFiD. "It's possible to track every single item at every major point in its journey. For example, if there were a concern about an order shipped on August 28th, that date could be typed in to the search box. Immediately all records for that day, including all videos recorded, would appear. It's possible to get even more specific than that. Typing in the ID numbers, or even just the sizes and date, prompts all relevant information and videos to appear”, says Richmond. 

Nox and RFID
The technological heart of the system is SimplyRFiD's unique asset tracking and security system, Nox. Powerful handheld readers track the tags within its "sight," or  radio frequency range.  The reader automatically syncs with the software, and places all identifying tag items into the Nox database. Each handheld Nox reader is capable of reading up to 100 RFID  tags a second within a 20 foot radius. And, each Nox fixed reader can locate 190 tags per second in a 60 foot area.

"We developed Nox to increase productivity and reliability, so the speed and range of the reader is key."  says Richmond.

Other organizations that currently employ Nox-based systems include the FBI, the USDA, the Department of Defense, Computer Sciences Corp and the State of Florida Attorneys office.
  
In addition to item-level tags on each piece of clothing, there are smart RFID tags on each pallet and case. These tags meet standing Department of Defense requirements for shipping. They are passive UHF 900 Mhz Gen2 RFID tags, meaning they work without batteries. Passive tags are powered by activating signals sent from the RFID reader. They are significantly cheaper (about 20 cents vs. 20 dollars) than active RFID tags, which have a wider signal range, but must contain their own internal battery.  The item-level  tags used in this system are Avery Dennison AD223 tags. Avery Dennison tags all undergo rigorous ALT testing, or Accelerated Life Testing, which simulates effects of certain longer term conditions in a shorter testing time period, says James Creel, Business Development Manager for Avery Dennison Corporation. Tests include a bend test and ESD or electro static discharge test. The environmental testing includes thermal cycling and shock, and temperature-humidity testing.
 
During additional in-situation tests performed on-site by SimplyRFiD, the tags produced 100% accurate readings in one second over 10 tries. Each roll contains 1500 tags, and come pre-hole punched and ready to apply.  

 
In-house tag printing 

While it's possible to order pre-made tags from SimplyRFiD, Excel Manufacturing opted for the ability to print their own tags as they needed them. The printers used in this system are three Zebra R110Xi 300DPI printers. SimplyRFiD recommends this high-performance printer because of its reliability and capability to print over one million tags a month.
 
“The Zebra R110Xi offers an unprecedented level of on-demand printing flexibility in tag placement printing,” said Carolyn Ricci, senior product manager, RFID, Zebra Technologies. “And with it’s advanced reader module, it also offers the flexibility needed to guarantee a simple, cost-free upgrade path to emerging RFID protocols.”

The End Result

Before implementing SimplyRFiD's Nox solution, human attention to detail was the last line of defense against errors in shipping for Excel Manufacturing. With thousands of items being packed, human fallibility presented a weakness in the system.   By installing an automated system capable of accounting for each item, Excel can now focus on the important job of shipping quality uniforms to their clients.  The nitty gritty routine job of data entry, tracking, and printing, is handled automatically, without potential for human error. Even more importantly, Excel can use this system to improve upon an already efficient system, creating a better experience for everyone from employees to clients to the soldiers receiving their uniforms.

Nox for DoD was deployed at Excel Manufacturing on October 16, 2009. In the first day, they successfully shipped over 3,000 RFID tagged items with a capacity for 10,000 items per hour.

Excel Manufacturing
Excel Manufacturing is a technologically advanced clothing manufacturer for Department of Defense battle uniforms.

SimplyRFiD
Software developer of RFID logistics and asset tracking systems. SimplyRFiD deploys over 30 RFID  logistics and asset tracking systems every month with over 2,000 customers since 2002.

Download NoxVault Handheld RFID Asset Tracking brochure

Download Nox Item Level RFID system for DoD brochure

But sometimes you need something tougher. You need a tag that can withstand the heat and the rain and lots of handling and difficult situations. As you might imagine, not all tags are up to the task. However, it can be even more imperative to track the locations of the toughest objects in your organization, including servers, laptops, tools and other metallic objects. 

Durable and Tested

For these types of objects, SimplyRFiD has our NOX-TM4 series of tested and guaranteed tags that will stand up to even the most severe use. 

Our tags have been boiled... 

Our tags have been frozen...

And our tags have been baked...

For more information about the more serious and long term testing done on these tags, check out our previous blog post on RFID stress tests. 

How to Use Your Tough-As-Nails Tags

Our tags are metal mount tags, and are actually optimized to perform the best on metallic surfaces, achieving at least 10' of reliable read range and sometimes even farther. The tags can be attached to surfaces with their own 3M9472LE adhesive strip on the top of the tag. Of course, if you need the tag to be more securely attached, the tag includes two holes that allow you to mount it with screws. Epoxy is also a legitimate solution. 

Once you've got your tags attached, the next step is tracking them. NOX-TM4 work with all EPC Gen 2 RFID readers. If you're looking for just such a reader (or if you have no idea what the last sentence meant at all) check out our NoxVault handheld RFID reader. The reader can be paired with an Excel spreadsheet that can be searched to find where any item it at all times. It can also be paired with other spreadsheets you've already created to keep track of your inventory. The reader can scan as many as 100 tags per second, allowing you to manage your assets in significantly less time than counting by hand, with much more accuracy.

Unfortunately, these tags aren't meant to work as well on non-metal surfaces, but we have a variety of other tags that can meet your other needs. Drop us an email or call at 1-800-909-5524. 

If you're interested in going and still haven't signed up yet, we'd like to extend an invitation to you to join us next week to learn about RFID asset tracking with our Nox Vault system. The system can help you keep track of everything from laptops and servers to files and folders. 

Curious to learn more? Get free admission and 20% discount off any conference package by following that link, and drop us a line letting us know you're coming! 

The SimplyRFiD Nox UHF RFID Reader:

• 190 Tag Reads per second - twice as fast as most RFID readers.
• Integrated antenna - easy to mount and deploy.
• Slave (secondary) antenna port - extra value / capability from a single reader install. Cover larger areas or small areas with more accuracy.
• Ready-to-deploy: Plug it in and RFID reads show up on your web browser, or via your cell phone -- all powered by Nox.
• PoE (power over ethernet) or WiFi
• EPC Generation 2 (900Mhz) UHF US Frequency - Korea, EU, and India frequency editions available for the same price.

Price:

$995     SimplyRFiD UHF RFID Reader - PoE -- add to cart

$1,195  SimplyRFiD UHF RFID Reader - WiFi -- add to cart

$495     SimplyRFID UHF RFID Reader (< 1' range) - USB - add to cart

$2,495  SimplyRFID Handheld RFID Reader - No Software - WiFi - add to cart

$2,995  SimplyRFID Handheld RFID Reader - Excel Integration - WiFi - add to cart

$99       Nox-2 High Performance RFID Tags, 100 pack --   add to cart

$399     Nox-TM4 On-Metal RFID Tags, 100 pack --   add to cart

$195     Secondary Antenna with a 6' cable -- add to cart

Long Range, Fast, Powerful, and Connected!

Our UHF RFID reader not only outperforms every other RFID reader on the market -- it's completely plug-and-play and connects to our Nox server. This means you can start monitoring your equipment immediately.

1. Tag your equipment with ready-to-apply RFID tags for your need.  For example, try our RFID Laptop tags. RFID tags have a unique # so each item you tag can be identified.

2. Plug in our Nox UHF RFID Reader and aim the antenna over an area you want to watch for tags.

3. Login to your Nox account and see your screen update when items enter your watch zone. You can also setup triggers to email you when an important asset shows up. For instance, tag the 'Sandwich Guy' and 
when he walks into the building you'll get an instant alert that sandwiches have arrived.

The SimplyRFiD Nox UHF RFID Reader technology specs:

• 190 Tag Reads per second - twice as fast as most RFID readers.
• Integrated antenna - easy to mount and deploy.
• Slave (secondary) antenna port - extra value / capability from a single reader install. Cover larger areas or small areas with more accuracy.
• Ready-to-deploy: Plug it in and RFID reads show up on your web browser, or via your cell phone -- all powered by Nox.
• PoE (power over ethernet) or WiFi
• EPC Generation 2 UHF US Frequency - Korea, EU, and India frequency editions available for the same price.

Price:

$995     SimplyRFiD UHF RFID Reader - PoE -- add to cart

or, $89.99/month lease (includes monitoring)

$1,195  SimplyRFiD UHF RFID Reader - WiFi -- add to cart

or, $99.99/month lease (includes monitoring)

$99       Nox-2 High Performance RFID Tags, 100 pack --   add to cart

$399     Nox-TM4 On-Metal RFID Tags, 100 pack --   add to cart

$195     Secondary Antenna with a 6' cable -- add to cart

Price includes the first 30-days of Nox service at no-charge. Each additional month is $39.95 for monitoring and data feeds. Or, a yearly subscription for $299. Bulk monitoring packs available for a substantial discount.

"What if it were possible to detect the exact moment a theft was committed and surreptitiously be able to pinpoint the identity and location of the thief? An impossible scenario? Not anymore... "

        Homeland Security Today

Benefits of UHF RFID tracking

• RFID has X-Ray vision -- it sees through walls (and bags!) - if someone has the wrong laptop in their briefcase or backpack, RFID will locate it and warn you.
• Fast - RFID can scan about 200 tags per second. That means no one needs to stop to have their badge scanned -- just keep on walking.
• Durable - Barcodes tend to wear out. Passive RFID has an indefinite lifetime use.
• Long Range - UHF RFID can work from 1 foot to 100 feet. By changing the size of the RFID tag or the RFID reader power, you can limit the area under surveillance.
• Simple - Modern RFID tags have a unique ID that can simply be attached to an item to track. This works just like an barcode asset tag -- use the RFID # to track your items fast, and simply.
• Accurate counting - RFID makes sure every item is counted and tracked instantly. Barcodes require each item to be located, scanned, and repeated. Barcodes are fantastically inexpensive but don't have the ability to count all the items in a box, ever time.
• Sneaky and covert - RFID tags can be hidden inside boxes, underneath the cover, or on the battery compartment. Would-be thieves won't know that this laptop has a locator.
• Always working - RFID keeps working after you've gone for the day. One of the most common ways to steal a laptop: Drop it in the trash can. By placing an RFID reader over your trash area, you will see if an important 'tagged' item shows up in your trash. This makes RFID great for tracking critical documents as well.

The Quest For Cheap, DoD compliant RFID 

Questing after DoD compliant RFID tags that meet the demands of a Department of Defense contract, work dependably, and don't break the bank can become a nearly impossible journey. How can one balance the old aphorism "You get what you pay for" against the looming reality of tightening budgets in the face of a rocky economy? Turns out, it's easier than you might think it is. Follow our tips for determining the types of tags you need, and whether or not you want to buy pre-printed tags or print your own, and in no time you'll be set to get the tags you need to ship to the Department of Defense. 

The Basics of the DoD RFID Mandate

The requirement comes from master solicitation under FARS 252.211-2006. Scary link, but a simple requirement. A rule of thumb is: if you can slap an RFID tag onto it, it needs one in order to be shipped to the Department of Defense. The information required on the tags include the CAGE code, case or pallet type, and a serial number. The DoD requires no other information on the tags that are attached to shipments. 

It's important to make sure the tags are attached to the upright, vertical surface of your shipment. The DoD warehouses have RFID readers attached to the sides of their entrances, so that's how your shipments' tags will be read. The actual requirement is the upper right corner of the shipment, but at the very least attach the tag to the side to ensure that it will be read at all. 

See our earlier post about the DoD RFID mandate for more information. 

Two Options for RFID Tags

Deciding between printing your own tags and buying pre-programmed tags can be as simply as following the 1-2-3 steps below!

1. Decide how many RFID tags you'll need: It's important to know just how many items you plan on shipping to the DoD.  Knowing that can help you determine whether it makes more sense for your company and your budget to order pre-printed and pre-programmed RFID tags or to invest in a printer. 
2. Calculate money AND time you wish to spend: While a printer can be initially expensive, once set up, all that you need to pay for are rolls of ribbon, which can be much cheaper than pre-programmed tags. Keep in mind, however, that the time commitment required to learn how to operate the printer and software should be considered. Ordering pre-programmed tags can save you money and effort that might be better spent on other things. 
3. Shop around for your best options:  Once you've decided whether you need pre-programmed tags, a printer set up, or still need help, it's time to find the right distributor. While there are any number of RFID tag providers on the market, none can meet your needs as comprehensively as SimplyRFiD. Read on to find out more...

Why SimplyRFiD?

Ready to start shopping for DoD compliant tags? Start by checking out the prices for our pre-programmed RFID tags. The more tags you order, the cheaper they become. 

• 1-499 tags cost $.99 each.
• 500-999 tags cost $.85 each.
• 1000+ tags cost $.81 each. 

Even if you need tags ASAP, this option could be for you. As long as the order is confirmed during the business week by noon EST, the order is shipped the same day. If you miss the noon deadline, we can still program and ship tags up until 6 pm the same day, with an addition courier fee. 

If you're considering the option of buying your own printer and printing your own tags, check out our complete DoD RFID printer solution. It includes everything you need to start printing your own tags, including a desktop printer, ribbon, and our own DoD compliant RFID creation software system. 

 If you're still not sure whether the pre-programmed tags or the in-house printer option is the best for your operation, contact our DoD shipping support team with your questions and concerns. No one is better equipped to get you the answers you need fast. 

But don't just take my word for it... visit the SimplyRFiD website and learn about pre-programmed tags, the On-Demand RFID printing system and more. For even more information, call SimplyRFiD at 1 800 909 5524.

Ashley Lange is the public relations assistant for Simply RFiD. 

Find Laptops, now.

RFID makes it easy.

RFID tags come in hundreds of sizes. The laptop RFID tag pictured is the Nox-TM4. It's only 1.5"x0.5"x0.12" and costs $2 to 5 each. By placing this tag on a laptop, you can track it down hallways, through doorways, and make sure the right person walks out the door with it.

We recommend a rugged, metal-mountable RFID tag for laptop tracking because they will be abused and many laptop surfaces are metal or have metal components that interfere with RFID signals.

Benefits of RFID for laptop tracking

• RFID has X-Ray vision -- it sees through walls (and bags!) - if someone has the wrong laptop in their briefcase or backpack, RFID will locate it and warn you.
• Fast - RFID can scan about 200 tags per second. That means no one needs to stop to have their badge scanned -- just keep on walking.
• Durable - Barcodes tend to wear out. Passive RFID has an indefinite lifetime use.
• Simple - Modern RFID tags have a unique ID that can simply be attached to an item to track. This works just like an barcode asset tag -- use the RFID # to track your items fast, and simply.
• Accurate counting - RFID makes sure every item is counted and tracked instantly. Barcodes require each item to be located, scanned, and repeated. Barcodes are fantastically inexpensive but don't have the ability to count all the items in a box, ever time.
• Sneaky and covert - RFID tags can be hidden inside boxes, underneath the cover, or on the battery compartment. Would-be thieves won't know that this laptop has a locator.
• Always working - RFID keeps working after you've gone for the day. One of the most common ways to steal a laptop: Drop it in the trash can. By placing an RFID reader over your trash area, you will see if an important 'tagged' item shows up in your trash. This makes RFID great for tracking critical documents as well.

Nox-TM-4

The Nox-TM4 (pictured) is a great tag for tracking any asset. They come pre-programmed with a unique ID and they are ready to apply. They also have self-adhesive tape on the back and have small screw mount holes for permanent attachment. They can be ordered in any quantity and can have barcode information print on the front.

Nox-1

An alternative is the Nox-1 RFID tag.

The Nox-1 is a traditional label-type RFID tag. It's very-very thin and has a synthetic (i.e. plastic) material to make it very durable. The only drawback is: they don't work on  metal. However, they are cheap and a 'metal mount spacer' makes them work very well on a metal surface. A label-type RF tag is around $0.20 cents to $0.60 cents and can be as low as $0.14 cents (for quantity 5,000,000).

Nox-MTS

We typically use the Nox-1 label tags on file folders. If you'd like to use the Nox-1 on-metal, you can use our Nox-MTS foam spacers. 

What about active RFID?

Active RFID is great but expensive. Active tags costs $60+ per active tag transmitter and they are still susceptible to 'not working' when they need to. However, if you have very critical active RFID needs, there are solutions available for locating every item you own starting at around $20,000.

1. A starter RFID reader can be as low as $1,000. And, a handheld RFID reader about $3,000.

2. Tag your items with pre-programmed, ready-to-apply RFID tags.

3. Start tracking!

Request an RFID Samples Kit for laptops. We'll send you everything you need to see what RFID tags look like just for the cost of shipping.

I am hoping to attend it myself, and if I do, I'll be sure to post my thoughts and what I take away from it here. It'd be great to have a conversation about it!  

Ashley Lange - PR assistant for SimplyRFiD