RFID tracks drugs

IBM is teaming up with Tagsys SA to offer pharmaceutical companies a chance to test radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to see if it will help them meet a California legal mandate, according to Computer World.

The two companies have agreed to jointly create what they`re calling a Serialisation Pilot Kit, which would allow pharmaceutical companies to give RFID technology a try without making a commitment to buying all the equipment and related technology needed to meet the mandate.

The kit, which is slated to be available by mid-December, will include loaned products from both companies that customers must purchase if they decide to commit to using the RFID technology.

To help educate Canadian SMEs about how they can use RFID technologies to remain competitive, the provincial government is sponsoring a pre-conference seminar, 'RFID Technology: Small Investment for Big Benefits`, says RFID Journal.

The seminar will take place on 26 November, and is designed to help companies understand how Electronic Product Code (EPC) technology can help boost efficiencies and enhance competitiveness.

"We are very excited to be able to offer SMEs - with the support of the government of Ontario - the help and expertise necessary to increase their opportunities in emerging information and communications technologies," says Arthur Smith, CEO of EPCglobal Canada.

On Track Innovations will show a new, completely automated production line for dual interface smart cards at Cartes 2007 in Paris, according to CNNMoney.

The fully automated production line is designed to support the growing demand for a dual interface that works with both contact and contactless applications, such as the EMV cards that the large card associations are starting to roll out, mainly in the payment sector in Europe.

In addition to the dual interface card production line, OTI has also designed and developed a series of electronic passport testing equipment to enable e-passport manufacturers to independently run durability tests and assure that best products are shipped to consumers.