A Mexican university is going to be implementing RFID to protect its physical computer assets, such as laptops, from theft.

Universidad Regiomontana has selected the asset protection solution of AXCESS International and will be assisted in the project by IDZ RFID, a systems integrator headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico:

AXCESS' ActiveTag RFID system provides modern day educational facilities with the technology to solve a variety of problems. The hardware is supported by WiseTrack Software, which integrates the active tag system to a management reporting tool that controls and manages the computers and other expensive equipment throughout the campus. The AXCESS solution implemented by Universidad Regiomontana with systems integrator IDZ RFID Mexico addresses the problem of preventing theft or loss of assets and data by offering individual asset tracking and protection, dynamic wireless custodian assignments to assets, complete reports, and wireless alerting to exception-based security events. An integral component that enhances reliability of the solution is AXCESS' battery powered RFID tags. Powered by AXCESS' proprietary technology, the asset tags generate strong signals to enable detection of metal encased computers, even when hidden. This technology is far superior to passive RFID and bar code systems which require some form of line-of-site recognition.

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Asset loss and damage costs the average education department nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year. Larger school districts incur substantially greater losses, some topping $1.4 million in loss and damage annually, according to a recent study of district asset management conducted in conjunction with Quality Education Data and Follett Software Company. Districts that used manual tracking for computers reported a 41% greater annual cost of loss/damage than those that used a commercial asset tracking program. In addition to the loss of computers, educational institutions run a high risk of identity theft for the thousands of records that are held on their IT assets.

The mobile nature of computing devices today is a tremendous convenience.

Yet, maybe like me, you are wondering how good RFID tags can be in preventing theft. Watch the animated demo that explains how the ActiveTag system works (popup window opens).

Read the full press release with all the details (PDF).