2012 is predicted to become a “tipping point” for RFID technology in the retail sector, according to a new study from the VICS Item-Level RFID Initiative (VILRI).

Studies show that item-level adoption of RFID is gaining a lot of attention. Some of North America’s largest retailers have already begun to initiate pilots using RFID to track inventory and item sales in their stores. And we can expect most other major apparel and footwear retailers to adopt RFID technology in some aspect of their business within the next three years. 

Another library joins the long list of those converting to RFID technology to developing a more efficient method of borrowing items - the Grand Rapids Public Library system.

According to a local news brief, the library’s main branch is renovating to accommodate new self-checkout stations supported by RFID technology. The new system will allow materials to be checked out in stacks, and all without scanning individual bar codes. 

Event planners at the Glastonbury contemporary performing arts festival are considering the use of electronic RFID wristbands at next year’s hosted event, according to Spacelab.

Glastonbury’s festival organizer Michael Eavis is looking into a system provided by Canadian tech provider Intellitix. The company’s RFID access control systems are designed to secure festival sites, while reducing queues and eliminating fraud. The wristbands themselves are also developed to endure all types of weather. 

VeriTeQ announced it has acquired the VeriChip implantable microchip and related technologies and Health Link Web-based personal health record (PHR) from Positive ID. VeriChip is the FDA-cleared RFID implantable microchip for humans and patient identification.

VeriTeQ states it will focus on patient identification and PHR access through the VeriChip implantable microchip and Health Link Web-based PHR. The company is also looking at other implantable sensor applications and identification of medical devices within the body. VeriTeQ will also focus on identification and sensor applications for animals. 

SML Group Ltd announced the launch of its new “ViziT” RFID item visibility solutions for the retail apparel and item tracking applications.

The ViziT solutions include a range of RFID/EAS enabled paper and woven labels, as well as tickets and sticker that can be attached to garments and stacked items. Using the SML ViziT IT cloud based data management software also provides for semi automated inventory control, as well as improved loss prevention by triggering alarms and item identification at the store exit. 

Smart cards, both contact and contactless, have become standard technologies for applications such as identification, access control, loyalty programs, transportation and banking.

Cards are becoming more technically advanced and a single card now supports multiple applications. For instance, a single student ID card can serve not only as a visual ID, but also for applications such as meal program cards, access cards for controlled entry areas, library checkouts or student attendance tracking.

Over the past few years, the average price of card printers has been going down and at the same times, customers’ needs are more sophisticated as they are now aware of what a card printer is and are therefore demanding more than basic visual IDs. 

The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) announced a pilot project to track ‘halal’ food products through the use of RFID technology, according to The Brunei Times.

Halal is the term used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law, regarding which foods can and cannot be eaten and also the proper method of slaughtering an animal.

Under the pilot, the RFID halal food traceability system will be used to authenticate and track the status for food products where the initial focus will be on detection of chicken and raw meat from the local slaughterhouse.