Innovative project leaders are using a host of different technologies and approaches to solve unique secure ID needs. In this issue, we highlight a few of the technologies that are sometimes overlooked - 2D barcodes, one time password generators, optical stripes, zigbee, and more.

No ID technology is creating a bigger splash than Near Field Communications (NFC). It holds the promise of true revolution in the way we initiate and conduct transactions, authenticate for services, or access facilities and information. In this issue we explore NFC and look at some of the premiere trials of the technology.

It seems that European campuses may be catching up with their American counterparts when it comes to the use of advanced campus ID systems. In this issue we feature several programs from "across the pond" and find truly robust card solutions. Closer to home, don't miss CR80News' exclusive survey of campus card bank partnerships to find out if they are on the rise or falling short.

After a long summer, RFID moves into academia, hospitals and our mobile phones. RFID News talks to AXCESS International about Sun, Microsoft and their active tags, dives into Near Field Communication (NFC) in an exclusive introduction to their standards organization, kicks some ideas around with Adidas and their "Smartball," and enters the OR with Radianse.

Great original content -- like that you have come to expect from SecureIDNews -- is also available in our quarterly print magazine Regarding ID (re:ID). It covers the full spectrum of ID technology in a 70-page full-color resource. Our third issue is mailing now, so sign-up today. It is free to U.S. addresses (non-U.S. addresses pay a nominal shipping and handling fee).

To sign up, click here.

Great original content -- like that you have come to expect from CR80News -- is also available in our quarterly print magazine Regarding ID (re:ID). It covers the full spectrum of ID technology in a 70-page full-color resource. Our third issue is mailing now, so sign-up today. It is free to U.S. addresses (non-U.S. addresses pay a nominal shipping and handling fee).

To sign up, click here.

Great original content -- like that you have come to expect from ContactlessNews -- is also available in our quarterly print magazine Regarding ID (re:ID). It covers the full spectrum of ID technology in a 70-page full-color resource. Our third issue is mailing now, so sign-up today. It is free to U.S. addresses (non-U.S. addresses pay a nominal shipping and handling fee).

To sign up, click here.

As a subscriber to ContactlessNews, SecureIDNews, or CR80News, you are used to receiving a monthly eMagazine full of great content on ID technology. For the first time, we are combining key articles from the three publications into one mailing. As many of you subscribe to more than one of our publications, we hope that this will streamline the number of messages you receive from us -- providing you with one eMagazine and one weekly eDigest. For those of you that only subscribe to one of our publications currently, we hope that you will find some of the content from the other titles interesting and informative. Let me know what you think of this new format. Best, Chris Corum (chris@avisian.com), Executive Editor, AVISIAN Publications

The future of campus card systems continues to change rapidly. It seems that the market and the applications look different with each passing month. In this issue the changing perspective can be seen in the consolidation of two of the major system vendors, a legal challenge that threatens to curtail a core campus card application, an innovative new customer service approach using kiosks and cards, and more.

This month editors explore more entrenched RFID programs. Manhattan Associates and Precision Dynamics are making headway into large-scale, live operations &mdash in this issue the prison system and a large California produce company. Dr. Peter Harrop of research group IDTechEx explains the state of the industry and makes some long term technology predictions. RFID News also interviews Doug Ahlers of the controversial in-school RFID company, InCom.

Things are happening on campus this month in addition to graduation. New software editions, new uses for proximity cards, and new imaging solutions are among the things our CR80News editorial team uncovered in recent weeks.

Contactless technology is at the center of an ongoing battle reminiscent of a children's tug-of-war game. On one side, great strides are made as technology improves, standards take hold, and major projects launch. From the other direction, however, organized efforts from groups citing privacy concerns yank at the rope, slowing the forward progress. Read on to find stories from both ends of this tug-of-war.

As credential efforts continue become more enterprise-wide, agency-wide, and even nation-wide, two distinct "key" areas -- the identification technology and the issuance process -- continue to garner the attention of the industry. Articles in this issue focus on these two keys ... technology in our primer on 'flip chips' and our exploration of optical memory cards, and processes in our investigation of the NACI vetting process and the look into the somewhat chaotic state of driver license issuance.

As IP battles continue to rage, a startup has released middleware under an open source software license, meaning anyone — including competitors — can use or alter the product. It also means that, if properly supported and developed, it could become a viable platform for a number of smaller, service-based providers. Also in this issue, Manhattan Associates talks about its new product, the TSA launches an ambitious vehicle and cargo tracking prototype, and an interview with an analyst skeptical of cross-industry progress.

As contactless technology becomes an increasingly important and accepted part of global security initiatives, the challenges faced by the industry continue to mount. From applications to public perceptions, there are both obstacles and opportunities at every turn. In the articles that follow, we explore how innovative companies and organizations are meeting challenges and how the industry is responding to a key challenge of public perception.

In the modern world, security and identity technologies have a very tangible immediacy to them ... but planning for the future is key as well. In the articles that follow, we explore how some entities are preparing for this future of identity -- from local governments investing in access control solutions for use at future disaster sites to issuers evaluating new high-capacity chip cards ... and more.

As card programs around the country and the world continue to mature, the question of 'next steps' regularly arises. In the articles that follow, a number of potential directions are presented -- document output management and cost recovery, alternative payment concepts, system security refinement, and computer access control.

While retail distribution continues to claim the attention of industry watchers, new channels for RFID technology have opened. As the size, complexity and cost of hardware continues to drop, another entry point has revealed itself &mdash the mobile phone. From distributed sensor networks to tiny embedded readers, applications linking RFID to cellular data networks are maturing. From static devices taking advantage of inexpensive network coverage to near-field-communication enabled cell phones, the dawn of mobile RFID is here. Also this month, why EPC’s inherent limitations might lead to earlier than expected revisions and insight into ODIN’s testing processes.

The spirit of cooperation seems to be alive and well in the contactless industry as demonstrated by the articles in this issue. Visa and MasterCard have agreed to a common contactless payment protocol; two payment token providers have agreed to cooperate across borders; transit payments are coexisting with retail payments; and even technologies are cooperating as contact chip-based EMV payments are sharing a card with a contactless payment capability. Spring must be in the air.

The SecureIDNews team is heading to Vegas for two of the year's most important conferences -- the ISC West security event (April 6-8) and Cardtech Securtech (April 12-14). Look for us on the ISC show floor, at the CTST Contactless Pavilion (April 13, 12:00-1:30), or stop by our booth (AVISIAN Publications) at CTST.

With so many new and exciting things on the horizon, it is a great time to be a part of the campus card indusrty. This month we look at a series of products, concepts, and innovations that are here today or ... are just around the corner.

As we roll into March, the contactless industry marches forward with new products and programs in the security and payment sectors. ContactlessNews publisher, AVISIAN, marches forward launching a print magazine called Regarding ID (read the article to find out how to get your free subscription). And Cardtech/Securtech marches the entire advanced ID industry forward with a great event in a great venue.

Smart cards and advanced ID technologies are revolutionizing all sectors of modern life. In this issue we investigate how they are enabling us to protect our personal information, pay for the things we need in convenient new ways, and prove our identities to the benefit of the world community. And don't miss the offer to get a free subscription to our new print magazine, Regarding ID.

Is a new day dawning for campus cards? There are always changes just around the corner. In this issue, we explore some new things -- our new print magazine, a new campus card outsourcing model, a new monthly Imaging Corner -- and some not-so-new things with new twists. Read on ...

This month RFID News talks with companies at opposite ends of the RFID spectrum: commercial supply chain specialists Manhattan Associates and Phidgets USA, supplier to a burgeoning independent developer market. Market-maker Intermec explains its position in the unfolding second generation EPC specification, DoD suppliers work together to support the American soldier and DHL begins item level garment tracking.

As January shifts glacially forward into February a number of new programs, disputes and initiatives have moved into the limelight. Winemaker Gallo talks with RFID News about the challenges of a two tier distribution network in meeting retailer mandates, Andy Williams covers the series of court cases following pet tag encryption, US VISIT comes home to RFID, and the Social Security Administration begins a bold file tracking effort.

The new year promises great things for contactless technology -- from passports to payments and government IDs to transit ticketing. In this issue explore fare collection in Oslo, learn about the company that implemented the Olso system, find out how prisons are using contactless technology to track inmates, and more.

The new year began with a BANG! As we 'go to press' with this issue, the new specs for the governmentwide credential are expected to be released (stay informed at SecureIDNews.com). And we investigate bang-up projects including Registered Traveler and the .NET smart card. Will there be a new license fee on future smart cards? Read on to find out.

Innovative campus card leaders around the country are adding functionality to their programs. In this issue we examine some of these new initiatives.

In North Carolina two schools are working to push the utilization of independent card databases in shared environments. At Clemson, a renewed off-campus program has been widely praised by students and merchants. And at Penn State, a new GreekID is in development.

And get ready to spend several days in sunny Orlando learning about a host of campus card additions at the annual NACCU conference. Read all about it in this issue.

The editors of CR80News asked a group of the campus card industry's key players to tell us what they see in store for 2005. Our 'Expert Panel' was comprised of leaders from some of the most important companies, manufacturers, and institutions shaping the future of the market. Their insight provides a terrific perspective on what we can expect to see in the coming year.

The editors of SecureIDNews asked a group of the identity industry's key players to tell us what they see in store for the coming year. Our 'Expert Panel' was comprised of leaders from some of the most important companies shaping the future of secure ID. Each and every reader from around the globe is certain to find useful insight in the words of this terrific panel.

As we approach the new year, our editors asked a series of the contactless industry's most influencial people to help us envision 2005. Our "expert panel" comprised people from many companies defining the future of the technology. Individually, each piece holds insight into the mind of the author. Collectively, they paint a picture of the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.

As 2004 draws to a close we can look back at a year where intellectual property, EPC standards and pilot programs defined the RFID industry. This month we talk to companies (and seasonal characters) that are laying the groundwork for innovation in 2005.

Each and every day, contactless technology is impacting lives. In this issue we explore the nationwide transportation worker ID, take a look at contactless technologies in daily life, find out who won the annual SESAMES "best ID technology" awards, and more.

In this issue, we explore one of the ID industry's fundamental technologies -- the mag stripe. Three separate lessons provide a fundamental understanding of how this crucial technology works. Also, continue the exploration of FIPS and Common Criteria with us and check out who won the annual SESAMES awards.

Across the country, campus card programs continue the migration off campus. The goals ... increased student service and new revenue streams. In this issue, we examine two off campus developments as well a banking partnership under protest from students, and more.

While scores of Wal-Mart suppliers struggle to meet soft deadlines, companies like UPS and Delta are moving forward with new applications designed to benefit both company and consumer. This month, editors talk to companies pioneering unexplored segments of the RFID market.