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RFID options to go on display
(The Nation (Thailand) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) To boost the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in the country, the Software Industry Promotion Agency (Sipa) is working with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec) to set up the country's first RFID test-bed centre for demonstration purposes, where the concept of RFID technology will be put on trial.
The centre is expected to create more understanding among companies and organisations on adoption of the technology for their businesses and allow them to see its use in real-life situations.
According to Sipa's RFID project spokesman Santi Suraratana, the agency plans to allocate Bt20 million for the operation of the centre in the first five years.
The establishment process is under way and Sipa hopes the centre will be set up by the end of next year, and in full operation by 2008.
Sipa has also cooperated with the Thai RFID Cluster under the Thai Embedded System Association (Tesa) to conduct a feasibility study on the model of the centre's establishment.
As it is designed for demonstration purposes, Santi said the centre would contain a wide range of RFID applications to be used in different sectors so that each industry can see a live demonstration of the technology which could benefit their businesses.
RFID as used in supply chains and logistics situations is to be the main system on show. Under the plan, the centre will simulate five key areas to demonstrate the use of RFID technology. These include the conveyor belt and manufacturing area, warehouse area, commissioning area, dock-door area and payment-system area. This is to allow customers to get the whole picture of the RFID system when it is put to real use.
In warehouse and logistics applications, RFID will be used in the raw-material receiving process, internal logistics process on the production line, warehouse system, and product-packing system through to the dock-door system where all products are ready to be sent from the plant.
RFID applications used in other sectors will also be included.
Tesa's secretariat Apinetr Unakul, who is also part of the working group conducting the feasibility study, said the centre would demonstrate RFID applications used in retail businesses, vehicles and transport, the garments industry, pharmacy and medical devices, animal ID, electronic consumer products, perishable and metal products, and communications businesses.
With a wide range of application demonstrations, the centre is expected to be the first step for customers to take a closer look at RFID deployment before they invest in the technology. This, he said, would help them reduce risks as they could use the centre's facilities to test and evaluate RFID technology.
Apart from being a demonstration centre, Apinetr added that it would also act as a testing centre. It would also be open for application and middleware developers, hardware developers and system integrators to use the facilities to test their products on interoperability, while conducting a trial run in a real-life situation.
"The centre will offer them testing services on three levels, including protocol compliance tests, application tests and all system compliance tests," Apinetr said.
The team is in the process of finding a suitable location for the centre. It plans to build the centre across at least 1,000 square metres.
As the centre is a collaborative project, Sipa will provide seed money for the initial establishment, while Nectec will also be a main sponsor and provide training support. The Thai RFID Cluster under Tesa will take care of the centre's overall management when it comes to real operation.
Many private companies and local universities have indicated an intention to join as project contributors. Hana Electronics, for example, plans to bring its RFID tags sample for show while Silicon Craft Technology will demonstrate locally made RFID chips and tags. Samart Corporation will present RFID application used in mobile phones and Thai Smart Card will show off its electronic purse system.
Pongpen Sutharoj
The Nation
Copyright 2006 The Nation Publications (PVT) Ltd. Source: Financial Times Information Limited.
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