Overview

Next generation semi-active RFID Tags, presented by Harland Simon, are based on the very latest technology and can help solve the problem of useable range, affordable price per unit and discrimination. Providing required functionality and 100% reliability Harland Simon RFID Tags can be installed without significant costs or detriment to readers and advertisers.

Cost savings within newsprint

The search for costs savings within the newsprint supply chain is a major strategic focus for all Newspaper Publishers. This focus is based on the following figures:

• World wide, newsprint represents 15% - 20% of a daily newspaper’s total production costs
• Newsprint consumption per capita has increased significantly over the past 30 years
(World wide 21%,Western Europe 72%).
• Newsprint demand levels increasing worldwide year on year.
• Newsprint has risen in cost from a low of $435 to a new high of $625 per metric tonne (1st October 2005)
• Annual spend World Wide is @ $22.5 Billion
• Annual spend Western Europe is @ $5.7 Billion
• Reels handled World Wide is in excess of 40 Million
• Reels handled Western Europe is in excess of 10 Million
• There are over 195 Newsprint mills World Wide
• Around 45% of all newsprint produced is exported

The use of Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) tags have been identified by the publishing industry as one possible way to achieve cost savings without adverse affects on their readership or advertisers

Technology based solutions

As with any technology based solution there are challenges to face and new terminology to understand. RFID has up until now been based on two very distinct technologies:

Active tags

• Powerful
• Intelligent
• Very high cost

Passive tags

• Powerful
• Dumb / intelligent
• Low cost

The limitations of price versus performance for both of these technologies have meant that neither has been successfully adopted by the publishing industry for Newsprint tracking.

Revolutionary product

The new tag from Harland Simon addresses this price performance gap by combining the best elements of both active and passive technologies. It does this by using the low cost passive chip set in combination with an on board paper battery. This combination delivers active performance at passive tag prices. Following several months of intense testing, including on site real life trials, Harland Simon have launched this revolutionary product.


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