Deploy HF RFID and NFC easier than ever with SATO and Loftware. SATO Holdings Corporation announced that its 4-inch print width CT4-LX desktop and CL4NX Plus industrial RFID printers can now natively encode and print 13.56MHz high frequency (hereafter, HF) and near-field communication (hereafter, NFC) stickers and tags1 using HF and NFC data exchange format (NDEF2) commands with NiceLabel, the world standard in label design software.
This opens up innovative applications for inventory control, traceability, brand protection and improved consumer experience in apparel, manufacturing and health care, specifically in pharma, electronics and automotive.
Reports indicate that counterfeit drugs account for 10 per cent of the global medicine market and up to 30 per cent in some countries. Every year, 267,000 deaths are linked to falsified malarial medicines alone. “No prescription” websites pose a serious global health risk worldwide. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found more than 11,000 websites operating illegally, with 9 in 10 waiving prescription requirements. With the pandemic, even more sub-standard drugs are finding their way into the market. Implemented smartly, NFC can give consumers a way to see the entire journey of their medicines from factory to pharmacy.
SATO NFC / HF RFID printers: CL4NX Plus and CT4-LX
NFC is optimal for counterfeit protection for automotive parts and electronic component manufacturers. With smart devices, operators across the supply chain can confirm the authenticity of individually tagged parts.
NFC tags can withstand liquid, making them a great way to manage tools and equipment stored outdoors, like on construction sites. An operator can learn about the status of any item using a smartphone. NFC is also used to check the safety and performance of critical infrastructure, like electric meters.
For apparel, black and grey market counterfeiting creates a substantial negative financial impact for apparel and footwear brand owners that can negatively affect brand image. Authentication systems using embedded NFC tags accessible by smartphones can enable a user-first experience, directing consumers to information online at meaningful junctures.
NFC enables new brand experiences for footwear and apparel
Confirming the status of tools and equipment outdoors with NFC
Checking the authenticity of NFC-tagged spare parts at the auto centre
SATO printers already support several transformative NFC / HF RFID applications:
- A service that allows users to check the age and status of their climbing gear with a smart device
- Embedded tags in luxury consumer smartphone accessories to eliminate fakes sold around the world
- HF tagging of components for suppliers of leading semiconductor manufacturers to handle the sharp increase in demand amid pandemic-induced disruptions
“We are delighted to collaborate with SATO to support businesses embracing RFID smart labelling," said Paul Vogt, Loftware Vice President of Partner Strategies. "Customers across many industries are turning to RFID for end-to-end traceability and streamlining, and SATO is at the forefront of enabling them. With Loftware NiceLabel and SATO RFID printers, businesses can now encode a wide range of RFID tags, and it is easier than ever to deploy RFID into existing workflows."
“SATO is a pioneer in the printing and encoding RFID tags and one of the few printer manufacturers to offer NFC and HF encoding,” said Hayato Shindo, executive officer overseeing global business at SATO Holdings Corporation. “We aim to give customers every option available for tagging and data capture by intelligently integrating solutions to streamline on-site flows.”
For more, contact your local SATO representative.
- HF RFID is the most widely used RFID technology, with common applications in access control, document tracking, and ticketing due to its shorter read ranges up to 30 cm. There are two types: 13.56 MHz HF RFID passive ISO 15693 tags and ISO 14443-A (NFC) tags. NFC is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over distances of 4 cm or less.
- The NFC Data Exchange Format (NFC NDEF) is a lightweight format for transferring data across an NFC connection. It offers a simple format for all NFC communication, including active and passive NFC devices.
*All company names and product names here are properties and trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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