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Advanced technologies: the enablers of efficiency and security in the modern world

Gartner Group analysts have predicted that the physical and virtual worlds will soon overlap making computing transparent to humans and creating an ‘intelligent’ environment populated by ‘smart objects’.

In this world all valuable assets and people will be tracked, transmitting regular `pulses' of information describing both their whereabouts and other valuable data, the so- called `world heartbeat' of information. This vision of the future may well be some way off but the company believes that the first phase of its rollout has begun.

All technology markets in the automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) sector are growing strongly; even the ubiquitous bar code still generates significant year on year growth as it penetrates new markets. This clearly illustrates the growing demand for data, quickly captured and applied for business benefit. RFID has its origin in the identification friend or foe (IFF) transceivers first deployed on aircraft in the Second World War. Over the past 60 years the technology has developed and diversified but the essential advantage of the technology over other AIDC technologies - such as bar codes and magnetic stripes- remain. This rapidly maturing market is creating demand for technologies that offer the next steps in wireless identification.

Active RFID

Active RFID systems are uniquely suited for use in the supply chain and logistics environment. Tags, or readers, integrated with GPS, satellite, GSM or GPRS technologies enable realtime wireless logistics management and the implementation of electronic freight security. Improved fleet utilisation, reductions in fleet size, and/or deferral of investment in new equipment can all be achieved through RFID system application. Vehicle tracking maximises resource utilisation and reduces scheduling errors or missed deliveries.

Security at sea

Securing cargo containers from seaport to seaport improves safety and delivers some compelling financial benefits to importers. Customs and security officials open and inspect only a small percentage of containers arriving at seaports and this represents a gaping hole in national domestic security. There is great concern that terrorists could exploit this lack of security at ports and the process of manual checking of containers is not effective in determining accurately whether a container has been tampered with.

In 2002 the Strategic Council on Security Technology, an international organisation addressing the issue of container security, launched the Smart and Secure Trade Lanes Project (SST) in the US to demonstrate how RFID could be used to safeguard international shipping lanes. Containers were tagged with an electronic seal that included tamper detection sensors and active RFID tags were fitted to the container handles as part of the bolt that locks the container. RFID readers were installed at a number of points, starting at a manufacturing plant where goods are loaded and ending at the loading dock. In between these two points, readers were installed at entry and exit points to the port (Seattle-Tacoma), at shipping yards and on the loading cranes. The project proved successful in providing accurate information, including the identification of each container, tamper data and the logistics of each container as it 'moves' through the port... vital information for improving security.

At Thamesport in the UK, the implementation of an active RFID container handling system has been enormously successful in reducing the time taken to process a container across the distribution network. Previous manual processes took some 4 hours, but the RFID automated system reduced this time to one hour. The project involved the automation and tagging of shipside cranes, hauliers, container stacks and traffic lights using active RFID tagging technology. This allows various types of movable equipment to automatically identify their exact location. The Rail Mounted Gantry track telemetry system is also automated using active RFID tags to verify its location and RFID readers are placed at strategic points. Using a combination of RFID and GSM technology, data relating to an approaching haulier - some 4 miles outside the port - is transmitted to the ports central database, ensuring that the container is cleared in advance and ready for pickup before the haulier has even arrived on site. Thamesport is one of a handful of ports in the world to operate such a highly efficient system, which aids productivity and ensures the strict security of all goods and personnel passing through the port.

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