FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TagNet Supports Next Generation of Intermec RFID Reader

Stratum Global Supports Early Release of Intermec IF5 Smart Reader

Littleton, CO — January 3, 2005 — The next generation of RFID readers are now upon us. Intermec’s IF5 reader is where most readers are headed, and that is of an intelligent appliance that can directly monitor and control presence detectors and signal lights. Its ‘smart’ because it has an embedded Linux Operating System that enables the reader to evaluate RFID tag activity autonomously, in conjunction with Stratum’s J2ME software client that is installed on the Linux flash drive.

The IF5 can wakeup when it senses motion (such as a lift truck approaching) and evaluate RFID tagged inventory that pass in front of its antennas allowing those valid reads to communicate directly to enterprise systems such as an ERP or WMS. Alan Christensen, CTO of Stratum Global said ”this type of reader truly enables real-time enterprise integration so that the physical movements of RFID tagged objects can be translated into a meaningful business transactions - with the use of RFID enabled middleware such as TagNet”.

What are some practical applications of RFID using readers such as IF5 and TagNet solutions? Well for one - ship / verify operations. Palletized loads moving onto a trailer can be verified that they are destined for that shipment by doing a real-time lookup on host ERP or WMS databases, then illuminating the appropriate signal lights to indicate to the lift truck operator that the transaction has been successfully logged - all within seconds!

Christensen also said “what I hear continually from customers is that they don’t want to invest in Server farms to manage an enterprise RFID deployment, the IF5 allows this layer to be eliminated using Smart readers without the expense, and potential additional point of failure of a separate server “box” required by other RFID scanning solutions”

The IF5 has a built-in wireless 802.11 radio in addition to Ethernet connectivity so that it can leverage wireless WAN infrastructure that most plants have/are implementing. Forget about running CAT5/6 throughout your facilities if you haven’t already – invest in wireless access points that will also give you flexibility for deploying mobile RFID devices such as hand-held interrogators as well as mobile readers designed for lift trucks. The IF5 is Software configurable to read/write ISO 18000-6 tags and will be firmware upgradeable to Gen2 sometime within Q1 according to Intermec. It is also factory configurable to operate in 869MHz, 915MHz (US) or 950MHz RFID bands.  For more info on the IF5 click here

Stratum Global plans to demonstrate this reader with TagNet at the Intermec booth at ProMat show Jan 10th – 13th at McCormack Place in Chicago.

About Stratum Global
Stratum Global is a software solutions company and systems integrator that develops and markets Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solutions for various platforms and Applications.  We provide complete implementation services including Site Surveys, Hardware installation & enterprise integration to support the total RFID solution.  Stratum Global focuses on small and medium sized manufacturers and suppliers and offers a suite of software that supports the RFID initiative that is rapidly being adopted by forward thinking organizations.  Our sole business is RFID throughout the supply chain and has plans to expand into other RFID initiatives as those markets emerge.  Quality products, services, support and people are what differentiate Stratum Global from its competition. For more information visit www.stratumglobal.com

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