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As I’ve mentioned before, RFID (radio-frequency identification) is one of those industries in which I wish I had bought lots and lots of stock. In the next few years, pretty much everything will be tagged from groceries to international crates.

Universal Guardian Holdings, Inc. (don’t ask me why, but they go by UGHO), makers of non lethal protection products, announced that their RFID labels meet the US Department of Defense’s (DOD) strict guidelines for its suppliers, as well as help to thwart terrorists and other nasty people who might try to sent stuff to the DOD. The labels can be used on goods of almost any size - individual items, pallets and large cases - being shipped internationally. The TAG (Total Asset Guardian) service can be used by retail companies or suppliers - not just those working with the DOD - and can register on the TAG web site to receive labels and are supplied with a printer.

From the press release:

“TAGeasy is a secure, online e-Commerce RFID label fulfillment system that generates DoD approved RFID labels, including a Certificate of Compliance, shipped overnight to DoD suppliers and generates a government approved receiving report (ASN) ... for $29.95 per month and $.19 per RFID label with a one-year subscription.

“TAGstation is a secure, online dedicated web-based portal with an on- site RFID printer that produces DoD compliant RFID labels on demand, generates a government approved receiving report (ASN) and a Certificate of Compliance. TAGstation provides end-to-end order tracking and asset visibility from shipping to receiving worldwide. TAGstation delivers the Department of Defense and its suppliers the complete system including the RFID encoding label printer and Gen 2 RFID labels for only $299 per month and $.17 per label.”

So basically a shipper signs up for the service, pays a monthly fee, uses a web interface to order labels, the RFID labels are printed sent to the shipper. Oh yeah, I can totally see how terrorists can’t get around that.

Site [TAG3] Site [US DOD] Site [UGHO]