Axcess Announces RFID-based Sensor Monitoring System

DALLAS -- Axcess International Inc., a leading provider of RFID and video surveillance systems for physical security and supply chain management, announced a complete sensor monitoring system using radio frequency identification tags at the Wireless Sensing Solutions Conference in Chicago. Battery-powered "active" RFID tags transmit data from a variety of portable detectors including temperature, motion, pressure as well as hazardous condition sensors such as radiation, chemical, and biological. The monitoring system, called OnlineSupervisor(TM) dynamically interprets the data and sends wireless alerts to enable rapid response. The system is ideally suited to the homeland defense and industrial monitoring industries. In a study commissioned by AXCESS with Venture Development Corporation, the active RFID sensor market is expected to grow to beyond $35 million by 2007.

AXCESS' ActiveTag(TM) RFID tags can include internal temperature and motion sensors for tracking exact temperature and determining movement and location. Radiation, pressure, open/close, on/off and various hazardous gases are monitored using the Universal Sensing Appliance "USA" tag which provides an external interface for virtually any sensor type. Integrated with the OnlineSupervisor application, the tag transmits data into the SQL database where corroborated reads automatically trigger the delivery of electronic notifications to authorized personnel via email, pager or are updated on the console. OnlineSupervisor presents the user with event activity logs and reports along with location maps to locate the specific activity within the facility. In addition, when combined with AXCESS' networked digital video, OnlineSupervisor allows the user to view live, real-time digital video from the location triggering the alarm, and retrieve and store video archives. "Today's sensing requirements mandate distributed, portable and wireless sensing along with instant notification, location and documentation of alert conditions," said Jim Ferguson, VP of Strategic Sales for AXCESS. "OnlineSupervisor does all the work providing broad visibility, reduced labor, and enhanced productivity." AXCESS' ActiveTag(TM) RFID system uses small, battery powered "active" tags that when automatically activated transmit a wireless message typically 30 to 100 feet to palm size receivers. The receivers are connected via an industry standard interface. As well as sensing, the tags are also used for a variety of security applications including automatic personnel access to facilities, automatic vehicle access to parking areas and yards, corporate asset tracking and protection.