ODIN Labs, the scientific testing division of ODIN, a provider in RFID software and solutions, recently published a handheld RFID reader benchmark. The benchmark is a head-to-head scientific comparison of eight top handhelds for use in twenty-five industries.

The thirty-six page report is designed to help end users differentiate between the many handheld models available today and their various strengths and weaknesses. Each of the RFID readers was subjected to a rigorous scientific test protocol and a battery of head-to-head competitions. Readers were evaluated against several criteria in three categories: performance, flexibility and ergonomics. 

Verayo and SkyeTek have partnered with GLOBALPCCA, an investments and health care solutions group, to deliver an RFID authentication solution to target consumer and pharmaceutical product anti-counterfeiting in Africa.

At the request of GLOBALPCCA, SkyeTek has created RFID readers in several form factors: a small pen-sized form factor, called the PENTESTA for consumers to carry in their pocket or handbag to authenticate consumer or pharmaceutical products at the point-of-sale, and a tray-sized form factor, called the TRAYTESTA, for pharmacies to authenticate products before sale to consumers. 

Finnish handheld manufacturer, Nordic ID has launched a new mobile RFID reader series - the Nordic ID Merlin.

Built on the Nordic ID PL3000-series, the Nordic ID Merlin features the Windows CE 6.0 operating system, which is customizable and does not require the use of a standard interface. Additionally, its software is compatible with the Nordic ID Morphic, as well as the Nordic ID RF-series, allowing for mixed use of devices. 

The American Civil Liberties Union is questioning Contra Costa County, Calif. on their implementation of a microchip-tracking program in their preschool centers, according to the California Watch.

Contra Costa’s tracking initiative called Child Location, Observation and Utilization Data System, or CLOUDS for short, assigns students a shirt that has a small locator chip sewn into the chest area. Parents can digitally sign in students after being dropped off at the beginning of the day, at which point the tracking device sends a signal to a computer in the administrative office.

Each child is seen in real time as a moving dot on the screen, and if a child strays out of its assigned area, an alert is sent to the teacher. 

The University of Incheon in South Korea has automated its library operations with RaceTrack high-frequency RFID tags from UPM Raflatac coupled with a library automation solution from ECO.

With the new RFID-enabled library automation solution, the university’s 10,000 students will receive faster book circulation, as well as self-service check-in/out stations. The RFID solution also enables students to use their credit cards for library transactions, eliminating the need to carry a library patron card. 

India-based library chain JustBooks is using RFID technology to automate its inventory management processes. JustBooks’ more than 160,000 library items are all tagged with UPM Raflatac ShortDipole RFID tags converted into custom book labels by India’s systems integrator Great Eastern Impex. 

ODIN Labs, the scientific testing division of RFID software provider ODIN, intends to release Sept.8 testing results for eight RFID hand held readers. The RFID Hand held Reader Benchmark is designed to help end users differentiate between the many hand held models available and provide scientific input into the procurement process.