Press release: Franwell a finalist for RFID Journal Live! "Best in Show" for 2nd year

Lakeland, FL. – March 22, 2010 – The commercial release of Franwell’s rfid>Sleeve, (www.franwell.com) has been selected as a finalist for the “Best in Show” award by RFID Journal. The winner will be announced during RFID Journal LIVE! 2010, which will take place in Orlando, April 14-16. Finalists were selected from entries of new products that will be exhibited during the show. Last year, Franwell exhibited a prototype of the rfid>Sleeve and will be exhibiting the commercial version of the product for the first time at this year’s RFID Journal Live!

Franwell’s rfid>Sleeve is a UHF wearable RFID system enabled by Bluetooth or WiFi. Designed to be worn on the lower arm as a hands-free solution, the sleeve allows the person handling product to work at their most natural and efficient state while capturing information in a seamless and passive manner.

The rfid>Sleeve’s lightweight and ergonomic design enables the user to work more efficiently and comfortably by offering hands-free operation while providing more accurate results at differentiating individual products. Utilizing comfortable and stable straps, the lightweight device (300 grams) is worn on the lower arm, freeing up the hands for important tasks. The reader is ruggedized and suitable for use in harsh environments and is sealed with an IP54 rating, which means it is protected from water splashes and dust penetration. Another unique feature is that the reader power can be easily controlled by the end user to ensure tag reads for different container sizes or contents.

“We are very excited to be unveiling the commercial design of this product at RFID Journal Live! and even more excited to be a finalist for the “Best in Show” award category two years in a row,” said Jeff Wells, President and CEO of Franwell. “Last year, we had tremendous interest in the prototype for this product, which was a finalist in this same category. With the extended Class 3 tag reading capabilities, the addition of WiFi communications and a more user-friendly and rugged design, we are ecstatic to present the commercial version of this product for the first time at the upcoming show in Orlando.”

“We believe that this is a ground-breaking product that delivers on the promise of RFID technology by bringing out its inherent benefits and convenience,” said Terri-Anne Crawford, Vice-President and COO of Franwell. “We fully expect this brand new, innovative product to provide the answer to RFID solutions, particularly in areas of the supply chain that require hands-free and highly productive operations with an ergonomic, portable device.”

The RFID Journal Awards are given in recognition of excellence in the area of radio frequency identification. Attendees will be able to have input into the “Best of Show” results by viewing presentations on the RFID Journal Live website. Thewinners are announced at the show.

About Franwell

Franwell, Inc.  is a technology company dedicated to the development of leading edge products and services with a focus on supply chain solutions and RFID integration. Our staff provides complete consulting and system integration services to support the effective implementation of RFID solutions in a variety of industries, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cargo. www.franwell.com