RFID risks overstated

While there are risks involved in using RFID for supply chain applications, there really is no reason to panic if sensible precautions are taken.

This is the view of Otto Kilb, strategic business development manager for EMEA at Printronix, who says security concerns should not be allowed to hold back the adoption of RFID because no technology is 100% secure.

Kilb points out that the supply chain has faced risks for years by using bar codes and the business advantages of RFID far outweigh the risks, MC Solutions reports. Kilb says he applauds security firms for alerting users to the risks, but says they remain only potential flaws.

The use of RFID technology in the automotive industry looks set to expand with companies like Jaguar looking to invest in the technology, says TUV.

Jaguar plans to use RFID for the transportation of spare parts to improve the security of shipments and achieve faster export times.

According to Savi Networks, the adoption of RFID by the automotive industry is accelerating the overall adoption of the technology, which has already shown growth in the retail logistics sector with large US companies beginning to use chips for suppliers and shops.

New research shows that banks could improve their customer service by embracing new technology such as RFID and IP networks, but are proving to be slow on the uptake, reports Silicon.com.

The report says according to a survey carried by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the unwillingness of some banks to adopt new technology means plans to modernise the role of the branch and its employees could be limited.

The survey found 28% of banking executives plan to introduce remote access in branches over the next three years and 13% use wireless terminals.

Cisco Systems has unveiled an RFID solution designed to simplify the registration and identification of casualties affected in a disaster, reports Converge Digest.

The report says the victim tracking and tracing system allows for the rapid exchange and automatic processing of data collected by emergency workers at the scene of a disaster. The critical information is collected in real time and made available to hospitals and crisis support centres via a Web-based portal.

Key components of the system, co-developed by Cisco, AeroScout, CITS, Intermec, and Orion Health, include a wireless and mobile router, active RFID tags, and readers for detecting entry and exit from hospitals.

Measuring the time passengers spend getting through security could help determine the most efficient processes at airports, reports CRM Buyer.

The UK`s Manchester Airport says it is to revisit trials of RFID technology following the introduction of more affordable UHF tags.

The airport is looking to use RFID to improve processes, understand passenger behaviour and help boost retail sales by tracking passenger movements.