New Web site serves up RFID tags to small businesses, on demand
By Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM
Paragon Data Systems is offering a novel solution for companies that need to start RFID tagging, but aren't quite ready to make large investments in the technology. By logging on to www.paragaonrfid.com, manufacturers can order as many tags as they need. Paragon promises to print and ship the tags the same day, in most cases.
The site was designed to serve small manufacturers struggling to comply with the Department of Defense (DoD) RFID mandate, but Paragon VP Guy Manias says it also can satisfy requirements set out by retailers such as Wal-Mart. In fact, says Manias, Paragon created the site after realizing it was just one of many vendors scrambling to supply RFID hardware and software to the first 100 suppliers that Wal-Mart ordered to use RFID tags. Those 100 were Wal-Mart's largest suppliers.
"Our original intent was to go after the big fish," Manias says, "but everyone was going after those 100 companies. At the same time, there were all these small companies worrying about complying with the DoD mandate. They didn't have [the resources] to research RFID, but they needed to please the customer."
To use the service, customers create an account with basic shipping and billing information and then submit their RFID numbers—electronic product codes or DoD contractor numbers—and any other company-specific information they want imprinted on the RFID tags. Paragon sends a confirming e-mail listing the requested RFID information for an accuracy check, prints the labels, and ships them out. Typically, orders received by 3:00 p.m. will be printed that day, Manias says.
