IER RFID Inlays Inside Marks & Spencer's Smart Labels
To support Marks & Spencer's trial extension of item level RFID from 9 stores to 53, IER has been tasked with manufacturing the RFID inlays (antenna and chip assembly) that will be integrated in the item labels. The trial will reach the 53 Marks & Spencer UK stores in Spring 2006.
IER will deliver to Paxar Ultra High Frequency (UHF) inlays — 869 MHz — ready to be integrated in the labels of the goods manufactured during the first semester of 2005. These "passive" inlays do not produce any signal of their own and can be read only by a reader scanning around. The Ultra High Frequency makes it possible to read some of the labels from 2 meters away but — above all — guarantees an excellent read rate at 0,7 meter when large quantities of labels must be read simultaneously, as it is the case on the racks and shelves of a store.
IER is equipped with an inlay manufacturing unit combining large production runs capability and rigorous quality controls during the production process. Every inlay is electrically tested after the chip/antenna assembly, before packaging. Faulty inlays are automatically marked so as to let Paxar, the label manufacturer, eliminate them during the integration process.
Marks & Spencer conducted an RFID technology trial at item level on a selection of men's suits, shirts and ties at one of its UK stores during 2003. The technology proved effective in measuring stock availability in the store and giving a better service to customers, however, to establish whether the predicted business and customer benefits really can result from the use of RFID, it was decided that a further trial be undertaken.
About IER
IER, subsidiary of Bolloré Group, develops solutions to optimize operational efficiency and enhance security in flow processing of people, vehicles and goods in the transportation and logistics industries.
IER is the world leading designer and manufacturer of ticketing, self-service, boarding control solutions and access control equipment for the major transportation networks (air, rail, sea). More than a billion passengers use its equipment each year, in most of the airports and travel agency networks around the world.
IER is also one of the world leaders in secure access control equipment for building, public transportation networks and public or sensitive facilities, for pedestrians and vehicle traffic and a major European distributor of automatic identification, mobile computing hardware and custom supply chain management software.
For more than 10 years, IER has developed considerable expertise in the implementation of RFID solutions and is equipped with a high quality high volume production unit.
Further information on Marks & Spencer and its RFID trial, please visit: www.marksandspencer.com