RFID, bar codes work together

An increasing number of mandates and the adoption of standards is driving the use of RFID technology, but this does not mean the end for bar codes, according to the industry, reports Electronics Weekly.

"RFID is not going to kill the bar code," said Mark Gillott, CEO of industry-driven standards body, EPCglobal. "It will function at the same time and in 20 years' time we will still have bar codes and RFID."

RFID adoption has been held up by cost, technology and standards, but Gillott said this is being overcome. "A combination of many things slowed it down. In the past 18 months, many of these have been knocked down," said Gillott. "From a standards point of view, it's no longer a barrier for doing RFID."

India's smart card driving licences that were supposed to last for 20 years have started falling apart, according to Hindustan Times.

From 1 August, the state made it compulsory to get smart card licences even for existing permanent licence holders. Existing users are supposed to convert their licences to smart cards when they approach the RTO for any change in their cards.

Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Shyamsunder Shinde rubbished the claim that the cards were of poor quality. "One should be careful with such important documents and always keep them wrapped in plastic sheets."

Schools have been offered guidance on how to implement biometric technology, reports Business Week.

The advice from the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency is aimed at those involved in introducing biometric technology into schools - such as head teachers and governing bodies - to guide them on how to successfully implement these systems without compromising personal information.

Biometric technology can take the form of fingerprint, retina, iris pattern, voice and even face shape recognition.