RFID to assist oil sector

TagStone, a wireless technology solutions integrator based in the Middle East, has signed an alliance partnership agreement with international RFID specialist, Identec Solutions, to develop RFID solutions in the oil and gas sector within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, reports Zawya.

The two companies have already been working on several projects within this market segment in the Middle East, especially in areas of asset management.

Gerhard Schedler, Identec CEO says, "This partnership with TagStone is a key element for our success in the Middle East region and will help us to build successful wireless projects based on our RFID technology."

A global consortium has been organised to promote the use of RFID and other auto-ID technologies in the construction industry, says RFIDNews.

The RFID in Construction Consortium plans to offer educational programmes which will assist construction firms in choosing the right RFID solutions to streamline and improve their business operations, with an eye toward cost savings and growth strategies.

The consortium consists of representatives from technology and construction companies and some experts from academia. Ed Koch, the consortium's vice-president of industry adaptation and strategic planning, says: “With the current state of the global economy it is imperative that proven, advanced technologies are widely utilised during construction to increase efficiency and reduce cost”.

The US Homeland Security Department has set out a strict procedure of hi-tech identification documentation at the nation's land and sea borders under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, states Federal Computer Week.

Except for older passports, the new ID documents eligible for border crossings for US travellers will all have an embedded RFID tag, which is a microchip that transmits data wirelessly.

Under the programme, US travellers must display at least one eligible identification document, such as a US passport, US passport card, enhanced driver's licence, or trusted traveller cards for commercial travellers and frequent travellers.