Iris Diagnostics Adopts SkyeTek’s Secure RFID Solution to Enhance Patient Safety
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AM2 RFID Reader Module and ReaderWare Security Being Used with Zebra Printers to Stop Reagent Counterfeiting.
Westminster, Colo., April 5, 2007 – SkyeTek, Inc., the leading provider of embedded RFID reader technology, today announced that Iris Diagnostics, a Division of IRIS International Inc., (NASDAQ: IRIS) a leading manufacturer of medical diagnostic systems, has adopted the M2 SkyeModule with ReaderWare Security as its single source solution for authenticating reagents used in its flagship product, the iQ200 Automated Urinalysis System.
In the healthcare industry, using reagents of the proper type, freshness, and authenticity is critical to ensuring proper instrument performance. Counterfeiting poses a significant threat as cloned reagents tend to negatively affect patient safety, insurance costs, and provider brand equity. SkyeTek’s M2 SkyeModule with ReaderWare Security creates a unique digital fingerprint for the iQ200’s reagent units, ensuring accurate test results that maintain the highest levels of patient safety. "Our urinalysis systems oftentimes process hundreds" said John Yi, Corporate Vice President for Operations, Iris Diagnostics. "Given this responsibility, we do not have any margin for error in our results. Our customers choose Iris Diagnostics because we enable faster and more accurate test results, and working with SkyeTek will ensure that we are able to provide an extra layer of authentication as part of the process."
Iris will integrate an M2 HF SkyeModule with ReaderWare Security into the iQ200 Urinalysis System that will read data on the RFID-tagged consumable reagent system. With the M2 incorporated, the iQ200 will now be able to check for reagent type, manufacturing date, and authenticity each time the reagent system is used for sample testing. Zebra’s R110Xi-HF RFID printer, which also utilizes SkyeTek’s M2 as its internal reader engine, will generate an encrypted, tag-specific digital fingerprint and encode it onto the reagent label as it is being printed.
"We are pleased to be working with SkyeTek and Iris Diagnostics in the introduction of one of the RFID industry’s first network-based, multi-party authentication solutions," said Steve Park, Vice President and General Manager of RFID Solutions at Zebra. "RFID has the potential to greatly simplify and dramatically increase the effectiveness of product authentication across a wide range of industries. The combination of our printer solutions and SkyeTek’s reader technology helps customers like Iris reap the benefits of RFID-based product authentication."
The M2 HF SkyeModule is part of SkyeTek’s Advanced Universal Reader Architecture (AURA) which includes ReaderWare Security. Unlike other RFID solutions that leverage proprietary cryptography, ReaderWare Security implements open standards-based versions of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) for state-of-the-art encryption and hashing. ReaderWare Security can be used on any generic tag with requisite memory, significantly decreasing overall solution costs while delivering the same privacy and security protection found in government, financial, and internet applications.
"Iris Diagnostics is one of the first customers in any industry to implement an RFID-based product authentication solution throughout its supply chain – a step that is critical for the widespread adoption of RFID," said Rob Balgley CEO of SkyeTek. "SkyeTek’s unique combination of intelligent, secure software and affordable hardware will help ensure the safety of the patients that rely on the accuracy of Iris Diagnostics’ results. Over the years RFID has gained a reputation as simply a cost-saving technology, but we’re glad to be working with customers like Iris Diagnostics to enable innovative ways to apply RFID in making peoples lives simpler, safer and more secure."
About SkyeTek, Inc:
SkyeTek delivers stand-alone and embedded reader solutions that make RFID work easily, reliably, and economically for enterprises and OEMs. SkyeTek offers a complete line of both HF (High Frequency, 13.56 MHz) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency, 860 - 960 MHz) readers that can be used in a multitude of unique applications. Contact Sales today to see how we can make RFID work for your application. SkyeTek is a privately held, venture-backed company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with sales operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.skyetek.com.
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