Sept/Oct 2004

Baracoda, a company known for its neat and compact handheld barcode scanners, has transferred its stylistic approach to the RFID (radio frequency identification) arena with the launch of a compact pen-type RFID scanner, the IDBlue.

The company has been working on the project with RFID specialist Cathexis Innovations, and as suggested by the IDBlue name, the device uses Bluetooth wireless communications to link up with the host network. The two organisations say this is the first handheld Bluetooth 13.56MHz RFID Reader.

They maintain that IDBlue is particularly appropriate for applications requiring pinpoint accuracy in reading - a feature which they say is currently not possible with most RFID devices on the market.

They add that IDBlue is a "horizontal" technology, and reckon it is suitable for most industries. They suggest healthcare, defence and retail, and say interest is already being expressed for applications such as inventory management, supply-chain and maintenance management and document tracking.