Reverse Logistics and RFID

Intellareturn Helps Re-invent Postal Mail

2007-12-28T23:36:00.000-05:00

Intellareturn has developed a patent-pending system that integrates an RFID-based transponder (with a unique identification code digitally recorded inside) onto the outer addressable surface of an envelope or package prior to sending it through the postal service. The electronic interface then links to supplemental images, text, photos, videos or music files associated with a mailing. These files are connected through Internet-based TCP/IP methods and the RFID/EPC tags inside the labels that are applied to the surface of a specific physical mailing.

Systems like this one from Intellareturn help create "mailstream innovations" that are similar to Earth Class Mail (www.earthclassmail.com), which allows people to view their postal mail online. The Intellareturn systems are under continuous development and work with both RFID-based transponders and various printable barcode indicia formats to represent Electronic Product Codes ("EPC"). By linking to a specific RFID/EPC transponder URL, users can retrieve supplemental text ... even without the need to affix the wireless transponder to the envelope or package.

Intellareturn Take: The Postal Service is ready for "Postal 2.0," where the Internet adds value to sent mail.

Airline RFID security luggage tag with passenger privacy-protection features

2007-12-04T22:45:00.000-05:00

The newly patented Privatag^™ tag system combines microchip technology with a visual passenger luggage and carry-on bag identification tag. This novel system helps verify, identify and track passengers and their baggage. The new tag can leverage ALL existing airline investments in passenger ticketing and kiosk systems to provide plug-and-play interfaces and product development partnerships, delivering a rapid solution for future TSA tracking requirements.

The new Intellareturn "BagTag" provides an airline passenger travel ID tag and recovery system that is affordable, bag-attached and electronic. BagTag allows airlines to offer accurate and immediate bag identification by both visual and ISO microchip tagging.

The plastic tag case includes a hollow cavity that is part of a novel property ID tag, which can be attached to any accessory including checked or carry-on bags to assist in helping to identify a bag and/or its owner. The tag is configured to hold an optional RFID transponder within the hollow cavity that includes passenger-controlled privacy protection features.

Intellareturn's BagTag is encased within a thin metallic coating or can incorporate another suitable radio-frequency shielding material designed to protect and disable wireless RFID tags from being read by unauthorized methods. Customers or authorized TSA professionals can activate the transponder capsule function by manually opening a protective ID tag cavity seal (or other protective "Faraday Cage"), which effectively enables the tag within the cavity to be externally read by TSA-approved radio frequency transponder methods with our Internet-linked security layer functions. The Privatag system disables the antenna and related circuits of the RFID transponder, so it cannot transmit data unless manually activated by the baggage item's owner.

* What is the product value?

This is the first airline passenger baggage microchip product to combine traditional baggage ID tag features with advanced microchip technology. The "PrivaTag" BagTag will deliver an affordable airline passenger tagging solution in the form of a permanent identification tag with replaceable RFID capsules affixed to passenger items.

The microchip built into the ReturnMe BagTag can be read 24/7 using a nationwide network of special electronic handheld readers, which can be distributed at TSA locations, police departments, baggage staff locations and/or courier/airline networks -- including airlines, FedEx, DHL and others.

RFID and privacy make TSA the winner!

Intellareturn Take: Part of the problem is that while RFID is simple, it's also misunderstood. Significant air passenger and RFID industry research has been published that documents a deep fear that "someone" can discretely "sniff" a tag while walking just inches from a person with their tag exposed -- or in their pocket. This fear has shown its ugly head most recently with the U.S. Passport program and Intellareturn doesn't think that the TSA wants to go down this same path of controversy with public perceptions and fear. If implemented, media sources and the passenger traveling public will say: "TSA got it." They "... understand the issues and have addressed them in a way that provides new levels of security and protection, balanced with the new demands of consumer privacy."

Customer Returns Without Receipt?

2007-09-06T20:28:00.000-05:00

A new patent-pending product purchase date system predicts a product’s purchase date without a customer receipt. The Internet-based predictive purchase system permits manufacturers and retailers to provide groundbreaking customer service by making it easy to return products when a purchase receipt or point-of-sale records are unavailable. Whether under store 30-day return policy, warranty or exchange, the hassle of proving date and source of purchase at the point of return is possible with Electronic Product Code (“EPC”) platforms being integrated into next-generation supply chain networks.

For the first time, a predictive computer analytic system helps customers, retailers and manufacturers track products through their sales lifecycles by analyzing a product’s EPC code ... a “fingerprint” that can be electronically monitored by trading partners across the supply chain and at retail point-of-sale terminals. EPC data can be tracked from an individual purchase at a store or during transit by participants in the emerging EPCglobal network.

Reading the EPC number and entering it at any Internet-connected return location provides an estimated date of sale, including source location of purchase, with an associated confidence level. For example, a digital camera can be returned to a store or e-tailer for credit, repair or other service warranty just by reading the EPC tag number on the product. Upon a return, the seller or manufacturer scans the product tag using an Internet-connected browser terminal, that reports:

“The estimated purchase date for this Canon EOS camera (Model EOS1-21), purchased from Wal-mart Store #239, was the week of July 5, 2007—with a predictive confidence/accuracy score of 85 percent.”

Intellareturn's Take: The future of customer service and returns is here.

DHL Readies for RFID

2007-02-01T09:01:00.000-05:00

Intellareturn is pleased to report that DHL continues to “walk the talk,” taking bold steps to prepare its courier system for RFID applications. Specifically, a new generation of handheld scanning devices (Motorola HC 700s) are being deployed nationwide by the third quarter 2007.

According to a January 16, 2007 DHL press release, the “new generation” Wi-Fi system enables DHL to transmit customer shipment information automatically –- from pickup to final delivery –- without the need to wait and place a device within a transmission cradle. The information will be immediately fed into DHL back-end systems, providing instant visibility to customers looking for shipment status through various venues including calls to customer service, visits to the DHL web site or other DHL shipping systems.

"In addition, the new DHL scanning technology is RFID-ready (Radio Frequency Identification), affording DHL the ability to integrate the new technology with future RFID products already in development. DHL is committed to bringing the benefits of RFID to the U.S. market and worldwide, and has taken a leadership position to support further development and international standardization of RFID technology. RFID is used to read and store data without the need for contact or direct line of sight and promises improvements in supply chain management for industries worldwide."

Intellareturn Take: Intellareturn believes that this new handheld device and Wi-Fi system creates the “plumbing” and network/infrastructure system to take RFID and related EPC applications to the next phase of development and implementation. Intellareturn founder Elliot Klein notes, "DHL continues to take the lead and impress us by taking all the right steps to support the benefits and new applications made possible by emerging RFID, EPC and serialized tag-related applications for parts, warranty, returns and other value-added DHL services."

Web 2.0 Services and the "New" Supply Chain

2006-12-24T22:29:00.000-05:00

Strong interest in the many new Web 2.0 platforms and services will set the perfect backdrop for enhanced 3PL logistics offerings. Web 2.0 has been defined as a global platform of reusable services and data. This information is consumed and integrated from counteless sources, particularly user generated areas.

Regarding 3PL, user-generated data includes warranty information, product lifestyle pedigrees and track & trace capabilities that can be built-into leading courier shipping Web platforms. A great piece of this movement is the continuous and seamless updating of data -- rapidly, combined with rich and interactive user-based interfaces.

Intellareturn Take: Intellareturn believes that the second generation of the Internet will bring about the creation of superior information models enhanced by radio-frequency identification (RFID) with forward-looking supply chain professionals that want and need to see everything at one time to make automated decisions. Courier services must re-think their traditional notion of bar code service for track & trace services, complementing them with RFID/EPC solutions to maintain competitive advantage while building new revenue streams for the demand-driven 21st century with its rapid product lifecycles.

Welcome 2007 ... we're looking forward to watching what the new year brings to the table!

Embed Marketing in Products: Add Warranty & Return Services Convenience

2006-11-05T22:41:00.000-05:00

Intellareturn believes the future of customer service is great products that have marketing and service features embedded in them.

In a recent DM News article, creative shop Crispin Porter + Bogusky CEO Jeff Hicks was highlighted as he raised the bar for ad agencies during a packed keynote session at Forrester's Consumer Forum 2006 conference. He said: “The future of advertising is that there isn't any. Yes, that's coming from an agency, which created memorable ads for clients like Burger King, Volkswagen and Miller Brewing."

While he noted that Google and Starbucks both don't use much traditional media to get their message across, he emphasized that their marketing is embedded in the brand itself. The role of advertising is to push consumers toward products, where the product is at the center and Advertising is at the periphery ... with packaging, CRM and distribution as the layers between it and the product. The agency's job is not to interrupt but to create content that’s entertaining.

Intellareturn Take: Ad agencies, as marketing leaders for their clients, should see the value of convenient and automated return processing with RFID tagging as a real competitive advantage with customer relationship management. That's what Intellareturn can provide with RFID tagging embedded into products, enhancing warranty and return services so consumers say "WOW" as loyal, repeat and lifetime customers.

WSJ Names IBM's RFID Clipped Tag Innovative ...

2006-09-11T20:40:00.000-05:00

We highlighted IBM's "Clipped Tag" technology a few months ago as a solid advancement for the utilization of RFID and advancement of privacy protection. Today, the Wall Street Journal was highlighted as a winner of the Innovation Awards.

With concerns over consumer privacy protection with RFID initiatives taking a significant place in debates, IBM's clipped tag technology will help to offer the benefits while safeguarding people against inappropriate uses. The IBM solution provides consumers with the ability to easily "opt out."

Intellareturn Take: IBM has stepped forward to enable the proliferation of RFID usage by protecting consumers against safety concerns. Intellareturn applauds this great step and looks forward to new ones as the technology continues to be utilized throughout the world in every industry.

The Logistics Transformation Continues ...

2006-09-07T10:26:00.000-05:00

According to a survey by EyeonTransport, Europe's 3PLs companies are expanding their operations, technological capabilities and services to satisfy customer demands.

The EyeonTransport website states: "Companies in the global marketplace are finding that supply chain engineered logistics is not a commodity, and understand it is a vital means to boost their cost savings, enhancing their cash flow and improving servicing levels for getting their products to market."

Intellareturn Take: Perhaps one of the most interesting factors of this study were the promising opportunities with reverse logistics. As organizations in the logistics arena learn how to better service their customers with new innovation (for example 49% of all the respondents said they intend to provide RFID capabilities within two years), they gain competitive advantage and better equip their end-users to succeed, optimize processes and streamline operational costs. The transformation of the industry continues ...

Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco, but what about his baggage?

2006-08-31T14:41:00.000-05:00

According to an article in RFID Journal today, the San Francisco airport has approved an RFID-based baggage tracking pilot program in collaboration with Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and Incheon International Airport to improve baggage handling.

By attaching RFID tags to checked luggage for sorting and tracking, these airlines and airports are hoping to improve on the barcode-based technology used today. Since RFID does not require line-of-sight, it captures information more reliably. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), RFID has increased the read rates by more than 90%.

Intellareturn Take: Utilizing the benefits of RFID in day-to-day activities is an important step for realizing the potential of this technology. Baggage handling for travelers is often a tedious process with a significant failure rate.

In fact, the Aviation Consumer Protection Division estimates that 3.6 million pieces of luggage were lost by airlines domestically last year. While the process is extremely manual and will always be, this is a positive step for improving what has left travelers around the world searching for their lost belongings. What's the real reason to do this?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) believes that RFID can improve baggage-handling accuracy and save airlines and airports $760 million a year if implemented worldwide. With the state of the airlines in severe distress, an extra $760 million each year could be the savior that industry professionals have been looking for.

Impinj?

2006-08-12T17:36:00.000-05:00

Yup, that's right - Impinj.

Good news! This RFID chipmaker has developed new RFID chips that focus on enhanced user data and product authentication.

According to the company, the Monaco/64 chip reinforces applications where adding rewritable data to a tag is important:

Product information, warranty or expiration and lot data for manufacturers
Baggage inspections and baggage logs for airlines using RFID-enabled tags
Encoding a drug's "chain of custody" (pharmaceutical companies)

The Monaco/64 chip is compliant with the EPCglobal Gen 2 standard and can be password-protected for authorized people and/or organizations.

The Monza/ID chips focus on encoding unique, unalterable identifiers that will be used to authenticate products or assets -- reducing counterfeit situations. By incorporating a serialized, unique ID with each chip and relevant EPC data, manufacturers and their supply-chain trading partners can work together to stop illegal product activities.

Intellareturn Take: Incorporating high-memory RFID chips with EPC data is a terrific way for organizations to authenticate their products. Intellareturn has been a proponent of and evangelist for the utilization of RFID innovation through serialization with EPC data for authentication, warranty and returns -- or the whole gambit under "reverse logistics." This is yet another step in the right direction ... reverse!

"Google Lost & Found (BETA), anyone?"

2006-06-21T13:23:00.000-05:00

The RuBee developments and commentaries got all of us at Intellareturn thinking ... imagine if we could utilize the RuBee protocol to enable the Intellareturn ReturnMe platform to create a lost & found Internet system for laptops and other valuables.

How?

An item's RFID/EPC number can be associated with the item-specific data sent over the Internet. The methodologies and patents developed for ReturnMe have the ability to utilize the active RuBee protocols to help locate, identify and return missing items. Such a system would allow for a "Google-like system" to report on where products are at any time.

What do you think? Keep an eye out ... there may be a "Google Lost & Found system" soon, powered by Intellareturn.

RuBee - A hidden jewel or an RFID killer?

2006-06-18T21:08:00.000-05:00

RuBee. No, it’s not an imitation jewel, but rather a new protocol (IEEE 1902.1) for retailers and manufacturers to consider as an alternative or complement to RFID item-level tagging.

Is this the end of RFID as we know it?

Probably not. While the RuBee efforts include backers like Best Buy, Tesco, Metro Group, HP, Intel, IBM, Sony, Panasonic, Motorola and NCR, it should work with the plans for RFID and those applications or areas that can’t be best served by radio-frequency identification – especially since the RuBee protocol focuses primarily on magnetic rather than radio transmissions.

In an IEEE statement, RuBee is described as "a bidirectional, on-demand, peer-to-peer, radiating, transceiver protocol operating at wavelengths below 450 Khz. This protocol works in harsh environments with networks of many thousands of tags and has an area range of 10 to 50 feet."

Why is this important? It helps with the areas that RFID has problems with, primarily liquid and metal deployment challenges. Therefore, RuBee could support many high-end items that contain metal -- iPods, cellphones, televisions and most other appliances.

So why would people use RuBee?

Simply, RFID’s high bandwidth capability allows for many/multiple tags to be read in a short period of time. As a result, RuBee wouldn’t be applicable to low-end products for inventory management. Instead, according to John Stevens, chair of the IEEE's P1902.1 Working Group, “RuBee is a visibility tool, whereas RFID is a tracking tool. If you've got 50 items on a conveyor that need to be read in under a second, RFID will work, but if you have a product where you want access to internal records inside a warehouse and [want to] find out about its history from the day it was born ... that's visibility."

Intellareturn Take: Innovation and exploration are the keys to progress as we continue to research and create new technologies.

While RuBee transmission technologies have some extremely advantageous attributes and possibilities, RF transponders do as well. Both RFID and RuBee transponder standards are still evolving and we suspect both will continue to progress. For Intellareturn, our intellectual property for warranties and reverse logistics covers many protocols for providing and utilizing unique identifiers. In fact, we welcome more innovative options as that's what allows the market and technology to improve.

Remember the start of the Internet's commercialization? These efforts are similar and the opportunities are still unfolding.

FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics - RFID Connection?

2006-06-13T15:53:00.000-05:00

Earlier today, FedEx announced the launch of a new supply chain service that will enable customers to more efficiently manage high value and time critical inventory by utilizing the power and reach of the FedEx portfolio of companies. Dubbed FedEx® Critical Inventory Logistics, this will include customers in:

telecommunication
semiconductor
biomedical
and other high technology industries.

Intellareturn Take: In recent discussions with the folks at FedEx, we believe that this Critical Inventory Logistics service will soon include the incorporation of RFID technology for a number of areas -- including reverse logistics and warranty actions.

FedEx is a global leader in handling the supply chain processes of many organizations throughout the world and we are confident that our discussions with them will lead to enhancements for reverse logistics through RFID. Intellareturn has supported the use of courier networks for some time, especially with FedEx Kinko's and FedEx Express locations (for distribution of parts or devices) and FedEx Custom Critical and FedEx Express for urgent, same day service (for repair and warranty services).

These solutions could reinforce the efficiency and visibility of operations at a moment's notice, whether by phone, in-person at a FedEx location or online. Get ready for the future of logistics!

Microsoft plans for continuing RFID support

2006-06-06T22:28:00.000-05:00

According to an article today in Network World, Microsoft's roadmap for BizTalk Server includes support for RFID technology.

The article noted that BizTalk Server 2006 R2 will feature APIs for third-party vendors to tie their RFID wares into the platform -- which will also include a set of business rules and events management capabilities to connect RFID events to back-end business processes.

Intellareturn Take: Based on our recent discussions with Microsoft, the upcoming plans for RFID will provide an enhanced business intelligence platform that is both extensible and dynamic.

We're looking forward to collaborating with them, especially as they create new solutions to improve the way that third-party organizations use information from RFID to streamline processes and uncover new opportunities ... particularly with the reverse logistics, warranties and other customer interaction initiatives we find necessary but lacking in the market now.

Is RFID the white knight for Product Lifecycle Management?

2006-06-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

Among the many discussions regarding RFID, one particularly interesting one is using the technology to enhance product lifecycle management (PLM). The integration of RFID and PLM creates a strong opportunity for warranty repairs, returns and product registration.

RFID Journal's Mark Roberti wrote an insightful article ("RFID Gets Itemized") about early adopters and item-level tagging in many industries:

U.S. drug manufacturer Purdue Pharma tagging/tracking individual pill bottles
German health-care provider Saarbrücken Clinic Winterberg tracking individual bags of blood
U.S. jeans maker Levi Strauss, Japanese retailer Mitsukoshi, U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer and others tracking apparel and footwear
Swiss watchmaker and jeweler de Grisogono tracking watches and diamond rings
Japanese retailer Yodobashi Camera tracking individual digital cameras.

While there are many reasons to consider RFID - from product lifecycle management to inventory tracking, many are planning RFID pilots and AMR Research found that: "42 percent of respondents say that item-level tagging will be their organization's most strategically important technology investment over the next 12 to 24 months."

Intellareturn Take: Why the interest? Simply, item-level tagging enhances visibility within a company's operations and allows for better customer service. This is increasingly important with high-value items and can improve the total lifetime value of a customer relationship.

Have RFID tags with privacy protection arrived?

2006-05-25T18:38:00.000-05:00

One of the leading challenges for RFID adoption is privacy. While the bulk of RFID utilization is now either in the supply chains (for pallets) or in the military, the growth of this technology is sure to increase. It's here that many are worried about the abuses of consumer privacy with item-level tagging.

Many have been working on potential solutions and IBM announced one viable possibility earlier this month. Known as the "clipped tag," IBM has developed an RFID tag that gives consumers a choice to disable it without eliminating options for returns or recalls later on. It's simple: once a person purchases an item with this tag, they can "tear" the label along perforations. This removes part of the tag's antenna and reduces transmission capability from a few feet to a mere inch.

Intellareturn Take: IBM's patent-pending RFID tag is an important step in moving the adoption of this technology into mainstream use. By limiting the capability to transmit information, organizations like retail stores and suppliers can incorporate RFID, safeguard the privacy of their customers and better manage the inventory and warranty processes ... without "killing the tag" and still reinforcing Electronic Product Codes.

We're excited to see how this progresses!

Can Privacy Protection Move RFID Ahead?

2006-05-11T02:34:00.000-05:00

What's holding RFID back these days? Many believe that it's cost or a strategic business foundation. However, many opponents play the privacy card. The security and privacy of data is considered a major obstacle for many RFID efforts, but security is a top concern for many - including Intellareturn and now IBM through their new protective measures.

Consumer privacy protection needs a solid plan, especially for the proliferation of item-level RFID tagging. IBM recently created "an RFID tag with a disabling feature that limits — but doesn’t kill — a wireless chip's ability to broadcast item information," called the Clipped Tag.

Allowing customers to disable an RFID tag on items they purchase without eliminating the tag's ability to expedite product returns or recalls is key and validates many of the pateted solutions that Intellareturn has been advocating for years.

While EPCglobal created a "kill command" for the Gen2 protocol, tags can’t be revived and used afterwards ... and requires retailers to manage passwords for every item. This new protection from IBM could be what's needed to push RFID beyond the pallet! Let's keep an eye on this one ...

Baggage Tracking System? Not Us.

2006-04-23T07:58:00.000-05:00

What happens when airlines lose your luggage? Good question ... and it's happening more often too.

Based on a recent report from SITA, airlines around the world mishandled about 1 percent of the 3 billion bags checked last year. How did they find the 30 million that went missing? Manual search parties.

Most airlines use bar-coded tags, but this doesn't help when they're lost. Instead, airports and airlines should be incorporating RFID solutions that can track the baggage at many checkpoints through readers in the chain. Once cost factors are dealt with, it shouldn't be long before we see this more around the world's travel facilities.

Intellareturn has addressed many of these areas and today offers the ReturnMe Luggage Tag ID System as a solution that can grow with the industry, but focuses on customer involvement. The numbers are growing - and with 30 million bags being lost with the number growing, you're likely to suffer to. All RFID players need to help the market mature and solve these issues -- it's possible today.

Wal-Mart and RFID - Beyond Dillman

2006-04-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

The proliferation of RFID continues beyond the scope of Wal-Mart visionary and former CIO Linda Dillman. This is good, since many throughout the industry wondered about the company's true strategy for and commitment to RFID.

As a pioneer in applying this technology to the retail world, Wal-Mart mandated that 100 suppliers tag their products starting in 2005 under Linda Dillman's role as CIO ... resulting in an extraordinary 16% reduction in out-of-stock items.

Today, Wal-Mart Stores' new chief information officer -- Rollin Ford -- continues to expand on technology enhancements like RFID. "There will be no slowing down. RFID will transform the way we do business."

Ford did get one thing wrong - RFID will actually transform the way EVERYONE does business.

Web Merchants Fighting Costs of Fraud

2006-04-16T18:05:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press ran a story today on web merchants and how they plan to fight the increasing costs of fraud - now pegged at hundreds of millions of dollars each year with Internet sales. Why?

According to the article, payment fraud plagues Internet merchants more than bricks-and-mortar outlets since online transactions don't require customer signatures or credit card imprints.

Intellareturn Take: While there are many ways to address these acts of fraud, the techniques of those committing the crimes will always change. EBags takes a non-tech approach by calling before shipping orders. While effective, this is also a time-consuming process. To optimize time and costs, we believe that RFID can provide a great platform with substantiating returns -- both for legitimate and unethical customers.

DHL to Test Tags on Returns -- Sound Familiar?

2006-03-16T17:16:00.000-05:00

According to an article today from RFID Journal, DHL will be spearheading a trial for return solutions with RFID as part of the larger RFID plans with partners like Philips, IBM, SAP and Intel.

This proof-of-concept in the United States is one of the first RFID technology efforts under the "DHL Innovation Initiative" strategy with the aforementioned partners for the logistics industry.

Intellareturn Take: By having an industry leader in the courier space continue to focus on RFID strategy and deployment, the entire industry will benefit and push improved services for vendors, manufacturers and end customers. Adoption will enable better technology that solves many issues costing millions each year for companies ... returns, repairs, counterfeit goods and more.

Stay tuned, as we anticipate increasing activity throughout the courier industry.

RFID Customer Cards in Asia - Improving Service

2006-02-02T03:09:00.000-05:00

Recently, NEC Corp. launched their RFID-enabled customer loyalty cards to improve how customers have their products serviced - and enhancing the company's own operations and processes.

As with many areas of technology like the Internet, a major factor is customer convenience. By improving service and solutions with RFID, NEC will also be able to add valuable information into their CRM strategy.

Essentially, NEC is providing a special customer card with embedded RFID to customers in Asia. The unique ID number of each customer's RFID-enabled NECare Customer Card is linked to that customer's purchase details. The goal: simplify and speed up customer service and support.

"There is no need for them to present invoices, purchase receipts and warranty cards, or even complete lengthy forms at the NECare Center," says David Ng, senior vice president of the business services group of NEC Solutions Asia Pacific.

David is an innovator and understands the power of RFID for warranty and customer service convenience. Intellareturn expects expansion of this application for RFID and warranty service and repair that enables express courier and parcel networks to support NEC and other consumer electronic return programs.

Kudos to NEC for introducing an Intellareturn style system for warranty convenience. While these efforts are taking place across the Asia Pacific region, Intellareturn is hopeful that it will be expanded to other markets of the world to demonstrate the value of RFID in customer service ... or as we call it, "intelligence at the point of return."

Pfizer fights fake Viagra with RFID

2006-01-07T01:55:00.000-05:00

As with many industries, the threat of counterfeit products pose many problems. However, when these fake products enter the pharmaceutical arena, there's more at stake than lost revenue -- the risk expands to health and possibly death. This is the case with one of the most talked about drugs of our time - Viagra.

Given the financial and health risks associated with "fake Viagra" medication, Pfizer is combatting these counterfeits through radio-frequency identication (RFID) technology and started to affix these tags to all U.S. shipments of Viagra.

Pfizer plans to spend about $5 million on the project and Intellareturn only expects this use to grow. While privacy advocates are concerned about these measures, it really is about protecting the consumer and counterfeit drugs pose real harm. Strict guidelines are needed for these practices, but Intellareturn applauds Pfizer for taking a stand against counterfeiters and other fraudulent activities.

LoJack Widens Stolen Vehicle Dragnet

2005-12-30T16:39:00.000-05:00

Well folks, looks like Intellareturn is officially part of the debate over LoJack's support from the FCC for expanding their operations.

According to an article from TelecomWeb, the "LoJack operations were limited to recovering stolen vehicles, and it wasn’t authorized for any general-purpose vehicle tracking and monitoring, but the FCC waiver allows the company to use its system for tracking and recovery of cargo and hazardous materials."

While the company gained the support of industry heavyweights like Motorola, there was opposition from companies like The Walt Disney Company and (yours truly) Intellareturn Corp. Why?

Disney worried a waiver would cause interference with its television stations. Intellareturn is concerned that these efforts would block competition through an unfair competitive advantage for recovery and tracking services. The debate continues ...

Report: RFID in the Postal and Courier Service

2005-11-18T03:13:00.000-05:00

Based on a new IDTechEx report, "RFID for Postal and Courier Services 2006-2016," the potential market for RFID applications in the postal and courier service arena is second only to the retail supply chain for item-level tagging. Futher highlights:

1. The potential market is huge ...

2. RFID is an idea whose time has come in postal, courier and high volume light logistics ...

3. The global market for RFID systems in this sector will grow extremely rapidly to $3 billion by 2016!

Intellareturn Take: Validation is an important piece for business success. Intellareturn's vision for the utilization of RFID through courier and postal systems for better managing the reverse logistics and warranty return aspects clearly has a bright future. More important, this research illustrates the importance in taking advantage of existing resources to offer new and better customer solutions that can impact an organization's bottom-line -- especially when considering the lifetime value of loyal customers. Sometimes the market just needs time to catch-up with innovation ... so get ready!