Jack in the Box Restaurants Goes Contactless

Contactless payment is making its way to the fast food industry through Jack in the Box restaurant chains. After the installation of the readers, which is scheduled for completion by December 31, customers will be able to use their American Express, Discover Network, MasterCard PayPass, or Visa contactless payment cards for food purchases. Customers will be able to make quick payments without searching for change or signing receipts, while the employees can focus on customer satisfaction. The adoption of this technology makes Jack in the Box restaurants one of the first companies to incorporate contactless payment options throughout its entire restaurant chain.

The no-swipe system offered by contactless payment options allows for a card or device with an embedded RFID chip to be scanned by a reader from one to two inches away. Transactions are completed quickly and conveniently for customers on the go, and Jack in the Box hopes the system will also improve business. As a trend, consumers spend more money through contactless payment than with cash. Future enhancements may include contactless payment through a Jack Ca$h giftcard, or devices like a cell phone embedded with the RFID payment chip.

Door Locking Enabled by RFID

The MyKey 2300 is changing the way we lock up. Compatible with existing doors, MyKey 2300 is an RFID enabled door-locking system that is pickproof, alarm activated, battery operated, and can be set for an automatic mode. The hassle of lock-out is eliminated thanks to a programmable pin pad, and RFID Smart Keys can be re-registered if they are lost or stolen.

The RFID Digital Door Locking system offered by MyKey 2300 is a dual component (inside and outside) card and reader system that runs on a power supply of four AA batteries and a nine volt backup battery. Eight Smart Keys (four cards, two fobs, two tags) are programmed to open the matching door by waving the key in front of the reader, and a pin pad programmed with a unique number between one and 1,099,511,627,776 can open the lock. An external forced lock mode prevents unauthorized opening through the door's window or mail slot, a built-in alarm sounds if a forced entry is attempted, a 30-second lock down is initiated when a wrong card or pin code is used three times in a row, and a night deadbolt function can disable all outside access.

Locks need to be mounted where it would not be exposed to rain or snow, and measures 5.75" x 2.7" x 1" on the outside component, and 6" x 3.9" x 1.5" on the inside component. Consumer prices are around $300 per unit. Visit www.mykey2300.com.

IBM Provides Pharma Solutions

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC) announced at the NACDS and HDMA RFID Healthcare Industry Adoption Summit in Washingtown, DC, its plans with IBM to execute a track-and-trace solution to help streamline operations and secure the supply chain. IBM is now partners with two out of the "big three" drug distributors in the U.S., making up 60% of the wholesale pharmaceutical market.

The track-and-trace solution is a combination of RFID and EPC Information Services which will track and manage the data of transported materials throughout ABC's largest distribution center in California. IBM's WebSphere software platform, WebSphere Premises Server, and WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure with embedded intelligent readers make up the track-and-trace Solution. Secure information is monitored as the products move through the picking, packing, and shipping process where the information is recorded and can be recalled by customers and business partners. Time, location, and destination of orders are recorded as they leave the distribution center. Scheduled launch is set for the end 2006 with hopes of influencing manufacturers and retailers to adopt the system as well. Visit www.amerisourcebergen.com.

And the Breakthrough Winners are...

The eight winners of the 2006 Breakthrough awards were announced on November 8 at the RFID Breakthrough Awards Gala Dinner in London. Over 200 guests attended the ceremony, which was held in conjunction with the 7th RFID Networking Forum, Europe's most attended RFID event. These awards reflect outstanding industry achievements throughout eight separate categories and focus on how the organizations use the technology, rather than the organizations who provide it.

The RFID Implementation Award is presented to the organization that has excelled through the challenges and obstacles an implementation presents to create a successful rollout. This year's award went to London's Underground Oyster Card Project. Since 2003, travelers of the London Underground have experienced the benefits of RFID enabled travel cards, which eliminate trips to the ticket office.

Northern Foods was presented with the RFID Integration Award for its successful integration of an RFID product into an existing business process. The company integrated a supply chain solution to improve visibility. Marks & Spencer, which accounts for around 30% of sales for Northern Foods, adopted the technology in 2004 and has seen great success through the program.

The Best RFID Pilot Award was given to TNT Logistics and KPN Dutch Telecom not only for their successful deployments, but for their groundbreaking experiment within their industries. Both companies have shown a significant leap by integrating RFID technology throughout the logistics industry (TNT) and the telecommunications industry (KPN).

Worldwide Fruit was awarded the RFID Business Impact Award for its supply chain solution. Dave West, the Operations Manager at Worldwide Fruit, gave a presentation on their successful solution at the 2004 SmartLabels Europe Conference on the benefits pf supply chain systems and the company's future RFID plans.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) received the RFID Business Case Award, which is presented to an organization that has provided a compelling RFID Business case that has led to a technology investment and a rollout plan. In 2005, IATA approved UHF tagging for a luggage-tracking system for their airlines, airport authorities, and other air transportation organizations.

The RFID ROI Award is given to an organization that has experienced a considerable return on investment from the implementation of an RFID solution. Mitsukoshi Department Stores received the award for its designer jean inventory solution within their stores. During the pilot alone, jean sales increased by 15.8%.

Essex County Council was awarded with the RFID Library Award, which is sponsored by Libraries and Archives Journals. The Essex County Council has seen such success within its pilot libraries that they are expanding the program throughout all of their public libraries.

Boekhandels Groep Nederland's CEO, Matthijs Van Der Lely was given the RFID visionary award, which is presented to a person that has showed leadership throughout the entire RFID community. Boekhandels' has shown a considerable leap for the entire community through the launch of Selexzy Scheltema's "smart store," which has with an inventory, supply chain, and customer service system enabled by RFID.

The panel of judges included leaders such as Dr. Gerd Wolfram of Metro Group's Future Store in Germany, Nigel Montgomery who is Head of European Research for AMR Research, Chris Rezendes who is the Vice President of Venture Development Corporation, and Icano Ortis, the Program Manager for IDC European Vertical Markets. Visit www.rfidawards.com.

RFID Product News Applies for BPA Worldwide Business Publication Membership

BPA Worldwide will track circulation for RFID Product News based on business and distribution, demographics, and geographic coverage. The magazine will have 12 months to complete its initial circulation audit.

"The strong growth of RFID Product News has made it a perfect time to apply for membership with BPA Worldwide," says Publisher Chris Lyons. "Our firm commitment to our recipients and advertisers will be enhanced by our future membership in BPA."

"We are please that RFID Product News has applied for membership in BPA Worldwide," says BPA President and CEO Glenn Hasen. "We applaud the publisher for providing advertisers and prospects with the solid assurance of an independent circulation audit conducted according to our world-respected, uncompromising standards. With a BPA audit, media buyers can be confident that circulation claims are accurate, and that they have the verified data that they need to assess a publication's effectiveness in serving its market."