7:00 am

CompTIA RFID+ Certification Training

This fast-track CompTIA RFID+ certification preparation course will provide one day of intensive, instructor-led training using state-of-the-art RFID equipment, and will include the RFID+ Certification Exam. Attendees will receive a CD-ROM containing RFID+ practice tests. Those unable to take the exam during the conference and exhibition will receive a voucher allowing them to do so at a later date.

12:00 pm

Preconference Seminars Open/Working Lunch

Working Lunch: RFID Basics
New to RFID? Here's your opportunity to gain a basic introduction to the fundamentals of RFID. The differences between the various classes of tags will be explained, including active and passive systems. The need for additional IT systems to build upon RFID in real-world applications will be highlighted. The session also includes a very brief overview of the EPCglobal Network, the future of ISO standards, ETSI reader regulations and the latest standardization efforts worldwide. Finally, the relationship between different standards in the area of RFID and EPC, including the latest EPC generation 2 standard, will be presented.

1:00 pm

Preconference seminars continue in breakout rooms

      RFID Journal University
      RFID in Health Care

5:00 pm

Preconference Seminars Conclude

8:00 am

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker:

Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal LLC

8:15 am

General Session:
Airbus Enhances Business Process with RFID

Airbus is implementating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology based on the conclusive results of its industrial pilot programme. The company’s RFID leader will explain how the use of RFID is part of an integrated company wide approach to help streamline business processes and reduce the cost of operations for all partners in the value chain. He will also describe the first pilot results, current deployment plans and how Airbus is considering using RFID across two main categories: non flyable and flyable. (Non Flyable refers to ground based processes including supply chain, transportation, logistics, manufacturing and assembly related applications; Flyable refers to to all in-service processes and includes operational, maintenance and payload tracking applications.)

Speaker:

Carlo K. Nizam, Head of Value Chain Visibility and RFID, Airbus

9:00 am

General Session:
RFID and the Middle East: Insiders' Views of Major RFID Projects

RFID is having a profound impact worldwide—particularly in the Middle East. In this presentation, hear how leading executives are implementing major RFID implementation projects throughout the region. Insights from the retail, oil and gas, aerospace, health-care, chemical and logistics sectors will be presented, as well as details regarding current successes in the Middle East.

Speaker:

Mike Meranda, CEO, TagStone

9:45 am

General Session:
Protecting Ports—How RFID Eliminates Traffic and Secures Entry

A major Middle East port has upgraded its technology with a new automated gate system installed throughout the container terminal. Heavy vehicles no longer stop to finalize entry and exit transactions at the busy facility, and the need to obtain gate passes has been eliminated, thereby reducing traffic congestion at port entry points. The system features a special tagging device with a microchip fixed onto a truck's chassis. This will be detected by sensors at gates fitted with RFID interrogators to record entry and exit through gates. In this session, hear how the port has met its goal of using automation to ensure goods are cleared and shipped in record time, resulting in speedy and efficient operations.

10:30 am

Refreshment Break in Exhibit Area

Supply Chain:
RFID Delivers for Qatar Post and Regional Partners

Qatar Post recently concluded a successful triangle pilot project involving a unique matrix trial deployment of both passive and semi-active RFID systems, on behalf of 22 Arab postal administrations. The project's objective was to evaluate RFID technologies as a means for measuring postal quality across the countries of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The project employed a hidden mail flow of almost 4000 item tests, circulated among these matrix countries over a period of three months. This unique live trial could pave the way for the use of cost-effective RFID technologies to track mail worldwide. The Arab RFID Pilot Project was recently adopted by the Quality Steering Committee of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) for the Global Monitoring System (GMS).

Speaker:

Catina G. Aghayan, Quality & Development Consultant, Q-Post General Postal Corporation

Takeaways:

• How high-performance antennas and other antennas in mail-processing centers across these three countries successfully tracked anonymous test envelopes containing RFID tags
• Potential cost savings and improved customer service using passive and semi-active platforms

Construction:
Using RFID to Create an Intelligent Toolbox

While there are many uses for RFID on a construction project, the technology is particularly effective in fighting loss and theft, and in helping locate tools on a job site. RFID can be an effective solution to manage and track tools by using handheld interrogators to read tags on each item. The information is collected and entered into a central database containing data on types of tools, location and maintenance history. RFID is helping companies eliminate loss and/or theft, as well as track the location of tools being used and avoid delays.

Takeaways:

• The benefits of using RFID versus bar codes for tool check-in and checkout
• How to use RFID by tagging tools taken from a central location with an RFID portal equipped with interrogators at the doorway

Oil and Gas:
RFID Secures Distribution of Hazardous Materials

With the threat of terrorism and rising energy prices, securing potentially dangerous products has become a priority for many companies. A U.K.-based manufacturer of petroleum tank truck equipment has introduced an RFID security solution for liquid petroleum and fuel-oil road tankers that also facilitates real-time tracking from terminal to delivery point. Hear how RFID can be employed to track, monitor and secure high-value cargo and hazardous materials.

Speaker:

Christopher Greenslade, Engineering Manager, Emco Wheaton SBU

Takeaways:

• Best practices for using RFID to secure delivery of liquid petroleum, fuel oil and other hazardous materials
• How a system that provides immediate event alerts and monitoring of tank-truck openings can be installed on existing road tankers and equipment

12:10 pm

Lunch in the Exhibit Area

1:40 pm

Sponsored Breakout Sessions

Biztalk RFID in the Real World: Helping Customers Drive Business Value With RFID

Learn how Microsoft's all-up strategy for RFID, and the newly released Biztalk RFID Mobile, are fundamentally changing the nature of real-world RFID implementations and enabling the widespread adoption of radio frequency identification. Microsoft will discuss the rich capabilities offered for delivering scalable, integrated and cost-effective RFID solutions, both at the edge and in the cloud. In addition, hear the success story of one of Microsoft's partners, Cathexis, in delivering enterprise RFID mobile offerings for an MRO (Maintenance Repair Overhaul) solution.

Speakers:

Ahmed Farrag, Regional SOA and Process Platform Technology Solutions Specialist, Microsoft Corp.
Steve Taylor, CEO, IDBlue

From Evaluation to Action—Moving RFID Projects Beyond the Pilot Phase

RFID products continue evolving, offering an increasing variety of technologies and capabilities for automated data capture. But companies are looking for a place to start—an entry point for their organizations to begin leveraging RFID solutions today. Joe White, VP of RFID business development for Motorola's Enterprise Mobility Business, will discuss the real-world customer value RFID products are generating today across a variety of industries, as well as the added value that can be unlocked as the technologies continue converging across the data capture, mobility and communication arenas.

Speaker:

Joe White, VP, RFID Business Development & Market Development, Motorola

Oil and Gas:
Oil Field Product Manufacturer Deploys RFID Track-and-Trace System

MSI Oil Field Products, a provider of thread protection products for the energy industry and Tejas Tubular Products, a provider of drill pipes and other products to the oil industry make products certified by the American Petroleum Institute, which requires that each part's history be documented so it can be traced back to a specific batch of steel. Hear how these two organizations use RFID to track production, validate quality and boost efficiencies in their manufacturing operations.

Speaker:

Tom Leahy, Global Products Manager, MSI Oilfield Products

Takeaways:

• Understanding the benefits of using RFID with steel production
• Best practices for achieving high read rates within the validation process

Supply Chain:
General Session:
Emirates Airlines POC Tracks Cargo Assets with RFID

Emirates SkyCargo, the award-winning air-freight division of Emirates Airlines, has been successfully testing radio frequency identification to track cargo assets since 2005, and has plans for additional uses in the future. In its current form, RFID will assist the airline in reducing costs and improving customer service. In this session, hear about the new ways in which the technology will be applied in the future, and why Emirates wants to expand RFID to other areas of its operations as well.

Speaker:

Vasihuddin Khan, Cargo Systems Analyst, SkyCargo Systems Development

Construction:
Choosing the Right RFID Tool-Tracking Systems to Save Time and Money

In many industries—automotive, aerospace, oil and gas exploration and production, and even farming—a fully automated RFID tool-tracking systems can eliminate human errors, freeing up workers to perform their primary jobs without worrying about the tools needed to perform the job. In this session, The RFID Research Center at the University of Arkansas will explain how to choose which technology will work best in your operating environment.

Speaker:

Justin Patton, RFID Lab Director, University of Arkansas

Takeaways:

• How to choose the right RFID technology to track tools in your environment
• The benefits of using RFID to track tools

Oil and Gas:
RFID Technology for Downhole Well applications

The use of RFID in surface oilfield applications is not a new procedure with surface applications. However, the use of the technology within the downhole well operations environment is being implemented successfully by at least one major oil company and is meeting with increased acceptance. In this session, learn how the downhole tool is configured with a reader and activates when the correct chip or unique identification code is read. The RFID tags can be pumped past the interrogator, flowed past the reader or otherwise conveyed past the device when attached to other tool strings.

Takeaways:

• The uses with drilling disconnects, expandable and contracting stabilizers, expanding and contracting under-reamers and similar tools where either full or partial activation is necessary
• How the technology can improve well operations by reducing costs and rig time for oil and gas operators  

Supply Chain:
RFID Cuts Costs for Future Communications Company

Future Communications Company, ihe primary distributor of Nokia phones and accessories in Kuwait.  It has recently implemented RFID technology at the item level in its retail showrooms to improve customer service and maximize the efficiency of inventory management. The UHF EPC Gen 2 tags provide security features for anti-theft purposes, and the retailer has introduced intelligent shelves with RFID reader antennas that monitor the stock and provide automatic notification if stock levels fall below specified volumes. In this session, hear how this results in fewer out-of-stock situations and increased sales, because the RFID tagged items are easily located in the store or backroom.

Speaker:

Abdullah Almuzaini, Strategic Business Manager, Future Communications Company

Takeaways:

• Using item-level tags to increase opportunities for cross-sales and new promotions in retail operations
• How RFID can cut operational costs for retailers

Construction:
Tracking Savings: Active RFID in Construction

Texas A&M's Disaster City is the site of a successful proof-of-concept project for personnel and mission-critical asset tracking, utilizing an RFID system. The system was designed for use with a variety of purposes, including underground mine safety and communications, subterranean building safety and communications, indoor/outdoor personnel and moveable asset tracking, and security concerns. In this session, hear the project's results, including how a reprogrammable tag can be employed for continuous updating and tracking of equipment to monitor ongoing operation and maintenance.

Speaker:

Dr. Ben Zoghi, Professor & Director, RFID/Sensor Laboratory, Texas A&M University

Takeaways:

• The advantages of employing RFID to track cable reels and other materials subject to significant movement within a yard area
• How to save time by using RFID technology on a jobsite to locate and identify the correct part or tool required at any point in construction, thereby eliminating any errors in the identification process

8:30 am

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker:

Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal LLC

8:45 am

General Session:
Using RFID to Improve Yard Management

RFID has the potential to vastly improve the management of trucks moving into and out of distribution yards. One high-tech manufacturer in the Middle East has been employing active technology linked to transport management software to reduce delays and improve transportation efficiencies. Learn how this system can be deployed cost-effectively, and how you can achieve a return on investment in less than one year.

9:30 am

General Session:
Children's Store Lets Parents Drop and Shop

At one upscale shop in the Middle East, parents can drop off their kids at an indoor playground when they go shopping. Thanks to an RFID-based tracking system, the parents can then view their children's locations in real time, at kiosks located throughout the superstore. This provides them more time to buy, thus increasing sales.

Takeaways:

• The benefits of providing an RFID-enabled child-care system in stores
• How to deploy an RFID-based tracking system in a retail setting

10:15 am

Refreshment Break in Exhibit Area

11:30 am

General Session:
RFID Strategies and Best Practices for End Users

Despite its potential for driving business value, RFID creates significant demands on an organization. In this session, learn how to minimize risks while increasing the likelihood of a well-executed project. From early-stage analysis through implementation, there are tools and methods every corporate IT or project manager can use to ensure success.

Speaker:

Timo Nurminen, CEO, Frontier Consulting

Takeaways:

• Best-practice methods for all types of RFID projects
• Practical lessons from real case studies managed by the speaker

12:10 pm

Lunch in the Exhibit Area

Supply Chain:
Driving ROI in the Supply Chain

Radio frequency identification is revolutionizing the way organizations throughout the Middle East track the locations and movements of goods and assets, in addition to securing access control to their premises. In this session, learn about the future of RFID in an institutional setting, with a focus on the health-care industry. The King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals is the first university in the region to establish an RFID lab, and the speaker will discuss how RFID technology is being employed not only to cut health-care costs, but also to automate and streamline patient identification processes inside and outside of hospitals.

Speaker:

Dr. Wasim Raad, Head of Smartcard and RFID Lab, Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

Takeaways:

• How hardware and software work together to track assets and monitor patients
• The concept of the smart hospital, and how it will impact the future

Oil and Gas:
Oil Rig Workers Protected With RFID Technology

When a major oil company required a system that would be both unfailing and highly effective during any possible emergency situation for its offshore platforms, it chose a solution utilizing an active RFID tag. Employees carry a tag enabling the company to perform a real-time head-count in the event of an emergency. Readers are installed at all mustering stations, allowing point coordinators real-time access and an overview of any missing personnel. In this session, learn how RFID is used to track personnel in environments where access to employee information during an emergency situation is critical.

Takeaways:

• How RFID can enhance operational efficiency when dealing with employee safety and security
• How to ensure efficient and safe entry and exit at all points, with significant time reduction when accounting for employees

Oil and Gas:
Securing Oil Fields With RFID Technology

Whether your company is running a processing plant on land or at an offshore oilrig, security is a primary concern in the energy sector. In today's volatile world, companies are using RFID technology to secure a wide variety of facilities, as well as to ensure the safety of employees and contractors. Learn the best ways to use the latest RFID technologies to secure your facilities and protect your employees.

Takeaways:

• Ways to use RFID to provide security in the oil and gas industry
• How to guard valuable assets against theft

Supply Chain:
Tracking Quality with RFID at Saudi Post Corporation

Saudi Post Corp. (SPC) is currently undergoing one of the largest and most pioneering business transformation programs ever seen in the Middle East. A recognized leader in applying RFID technology in the region, SPC will discuss its semi-active RFID project, and reveal how it is being used to track and trace valuable mail.

Speaker:

Ahmed Al-Anezi, MQM, Bs.ASQ, Director of Quality Management, Saudi Post Corporation

Takeaways:

Why quality management is the most important element in an RFID initiative
How to build an automated measurement system that is easy to use, and that provides reliability

Oil and Gas:
RFID Standards for the Oil and Gas Industry

The Oil and Gas RFID Solution Group was formed by a think tank comprised of professors and researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Houston, as well as leading petroleum companies and RFID vendors. In this session, hear how this new consortium is working to develop a common approach to deploying RFID across the oil and gas industry.

Speakers:

Konrad Konarski, Vice President, Merlin Concepts & Technology
Dr. Ben Zoghi, Professor & Director, RFID/Sensor Laboratory, Texas A&M University

Takeaways:

• The potential benefits for petroleum companies to control costs and become more productive by using RFID
• Best practices for RFID applications, such as tracking and maintaining oil-drilling components

Supply Chain:
Central Asian Country Implements RFID-Based Cargo Monitoring System on China Border

The customs control agency of one central Asian country has implemented an RFID-based cargo-monitoring system at several checkpoints on its border with China. The RFID readers transmit a programmed electronic manifest for the contents of each truck when it enters the country, and on-board sensors issue alerts if anyone tampers with the locks. Learn how this system has improved border control and increased customer revenue.

Takeaways:

• How RFID can be used to reduce black-market cargo from entering a country
• How to use RFID to increase customs revenue