TAGSYS Announces 'Path to V2'.

Partners, Programs and Products Ensure Easy Migration to Next-Generation HF Protocol

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- TAGSYS, the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure, today announced the 'Path to V2' program, a combination of partnerships, programs and products designed to provide customers an easy migration from existing HF RFID infrastructure to EPCglobal's anticipated high-performance RFID standard--HF Version 2 (V2). TAGSYS, IBM and NXP are working together to make it simpler and easier for customers to deploy RFID infrastructure today with the ability to migrate to HF V2 in the future without risk or penalty.

Partnerships

TAGSYS and NXP have partnered to optimize performance for HF V2 systems and accelerate HF V2 system availability after the specification is ratified. As part of the rigorous testing that was required to develop the HF V2 candidate specification, TAGSYS and NXP developed tag emulators and reader firmware. Together, the two companies are demonstrating the working HF V2 tag emulators and the newly-released Medio L400 reader (in V2 mode) at the NACDS 2007 RFID/Track & Trace Summit, taking place November 11-13 in Washington, DC. TAGSYS and NXP are both members of the EPCglobal Hardware Action Group, tasked with defining the HF V2 candidate specification.

"NXP and TAGSYS have a proven track record in item-level applications, particularly in pharmaceuticals, where we've enabled the use of RFID technologies to combat drug counterfeiting. By jointly developing and testing products according to EPCglobal's HF V2 candidate specification, we are taking this collaboration to the next level," said Jan-Willem Reynaerts, general manager of RFID for NXP Semiconductors. "Both companies worked on proof-of-concept of the HF V2 specification, and internal emulator test results have been encouraging, confirming the required performance level."

Programs

TAGSYS and IBM announced a 'Serialization Pilot Kit' for pharmaceutical manufacturers to assist customers with initiating their mass serialization efforts in advance of impending requirements. The Serialization Pilot Kit offers customers a complete system, from 50,000 tags to reader systems to software to TAGSYS' and IBM's services--all designed to roll out the RFID system in a low-cost, low-risk manner. The Serialization Pilot Kit was designed with HF V2 in mind and will enable customers to pilot today and rapidly move to HF V2 for item level serialization in the future.

"Now is the time for pharmaceutical manufacturers to determine how they will comply with pedigree regulations taking effect in California in 2009," said John Del Pizzo, pharmaceutical track & trace solutions executive for IBM. "HF V2 offers excellent performance and quality of service for companies using RFID for item level serialization."

Products

The Path to V2 includes TAGSYS' new Medio([TM]) L400, the industry's first self-diagnostic and self-correcting long-range HF reader. With a simple, free firmware upgrade, the Medio L400 becomes HF V2 compatible and can simultaneously support additional protocols, including ICODE 1, ISO 15693 and UID-OTP, making it 100% backward compatible with current HF tag standards. When coupled with e-connectware([TM]), TAGSYS' comprehensive set of management and administrative tools, administrators can remotely manage and modify 50 separate functions in the Medio L400--in real time--to enable the highest quality-of-service levels and ensure data accuracy and data integrity in item-level tagging.

"TAGSYS is building an EPC HF V2 ecosystem to enable customers to continue their RFID system deployments today without fear of obsolescence, costly upgrades or penalties later," said Elie Simon, CEO of TAGSYS. "Our systems and partnership approach delivers a seamless technology path for customers."

TAGSYS is currently demonstrating the new Medio L400 reader monitoring features and HF V2 candidate specification functionality in booth #3014 at the NACDS 2007 RFID/Track & Trace Summit, taking place November 11-13 in Washington, DC.

About TAGSYS

TAGSYS is the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure. TAGSYS provides RFID systems and tags for end-to-end item-level tracking that automates labor-intensive processes, authenticates and safeguards goods, and enables real-time inventory and asset visibility. With a proven track record of delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (R.A.S.) RFID systems and tags, TAGSYS has deployed over 100 million tags and 60,000 reader systems to over 500 customers in more than 40 countries. TAGSYS' RFID solutions are currently being deployed in a range of highly specialized vertical markets that include pharmaceutical, fashion apparel, libraries, and textile rental. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts with offices and R&D Centers in France, in Pennsylvania and in Hong Kong. More information on TAGSYS can be found at www.TAGSYSrfid.com.

Note to editors: Medio is a registered trademark of Gemplus. e-connectware is a registered trademark of TAGSYS.