Response from: Tom Pemberton

FileTrail (http://www.rfid-legal-file-tracking.com/)
has been doing RFID File Tracking solutions since 2001. However, with HF tags still close to $1 each the 13.56 MHz technology never garnered broad appeal.

Late in 2005 we added Gen 2 (UHF ) RFID technology to our solutions. The technology is far superior, providing higher performance at a lower cost. You can refer to http://www.filetrail.com/WS_RFID/Hardware.asp
for a comparison of the two technologies.

With Gen 2 tagged files are tracked from 10 feet away (18 feet in ideal situations). In addition, we sell our tags for about half the cost. Better performance and a lower cost has put the price point at a level that makes RFID File Tracking economically feasible for a large market.

The advanced capabilities of Gen 2 support file tracking tools beyond the desktop reader and portable reader in 13.56 MHz solutions. Our Middleware Service manages IP-Adressable readers in attorneys' offices, war rooms, etc., that track the file locations without any action taken by the attorney. The tracking system then becomes completely passive, which is what makes it pay in environments where highly-paid staff will not participate in a file tracking system that requires direct action on their part.

The portable scanning capability is much better with Gen 2 RFID. When I met with IT management at the Maricopa DA in January of 2006, they stated that their 3M portable scanner requires that they physically touch each file on the shelf when doing an inventory. The vertical ‘blade’ antenna must be physically run between each file folder, according to them.

In contrast, our Gen 2 MobileTracker reads shelved files without contact -- generally from 12 to 16 inches. In addition, it will read tags from 4 feet in less dense environments, such as when doing an audit of an office.

One of the unique things that we have done with RFID is that we offer both integrated and standalone types of solutions. Our Integrated Solutions communicate with an existing records management system – such as MDY FileSurf, Elite, or LegalKey – to automatically update the current locations of files as collected via RFID.

We also offer Complete Solutions to firms with no tracking system. These packages include all the file tracking and records management functionality you would expect – tracking, searching, requesting, labeling, archiving, retention management, destruction, etc. – along with the RFID technology.

Our Complete Solutions have been 100% browser-based since 2001, and are very intuitive and easy to use. Here is what some clients had to say:

“FileTrail has reduced the time it takes to retrieve a file by 90%”.
Legal Department
Abgenix, Inc.

“FileTrail really leverages the richness of RFID Technology, which we believe is the key to success in managing our files in a very efficient and secure way.”
The World Bank

"FileTrail is the best-written software I have seen in 30 years of implementing systems."
Korn Law Firm

"FileTrail has cut the time attorneys wait for files in half."
Finkel & Altman, LLC

You can see some of the basics on RFID and client quotes at these locations:

http://www.filetrail.com/WS_clients/index.asp


http://www.rfid-legal-file-tracking.com/