SparkiceLab, a Chinese visibility service provider (VSP) and founder of the RFID China Alliance and the RFID China Forum, has signed a joint-venture agreement with Pretoria-based RFID technology company, Ipico, to develop and implement RFID hardware solutions for China.
Within the framework of the agreement, SparkiceLab will serve as the RFID solutions provider, the company says, while Ipico will be responsible for providing RFID hardware such as tags and readers, as well as integrated middleware for projects.
The agreement has created the opportunity for Ipico`s patented iP-X air-interface protocol to be in the running as a royalty-free candidate for becoming China`s standard protocol for all RFID frequencies, says Ipico`s chairman designate, James Penturn.
China`s role in global RFID deployment has now reached a "take-off" stage, according to SparkiceLab CEO Edward Zeng, with the 2008 Beijing Olympics, animal health management regulations and the Wal-Mart mandate for Chinese suppliers reflecting critical catalysts that will drive an RFID-boom in China.
"Ipico will be able to contribute to this RFID-explosion through price-competitive and functional product solutions for China," Zeng said in a statement.
China`s Ministry of Information Industry has awarded SparkiceLab and Ipico a grant to research, develop and deploy interoperable RFID standards and product solutions for China.
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