Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CKP), a leading supplier of technology solutions for retail security, today announced it has been invited to become a Strategic Partner of the RFID Research Center at the University of Arkansas.
The RFID Research Center is part of the Information Technology Research Institute in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University. The Center, which opened in 2005, is a vendor-neutral, third-party testing and research facility focused on the use of RFID and other wireless and sensor technologies in the supply chain.
Checkpoint has supplied RFID, electronic article surveillance (EAS) and source-tagging technology and services to some of the world's largest retailers, and will be able to leverage that experience to share its insight and expertise in the area of item-level tracking and shrink management with the RFID Research Center.
"Checkpoint Systems will be an excellent addition to the RFID Research Center," said Bill Hardgrave, director of the RFID Research Center. "Checkpoint's knowledge and experience in the use of RFID in the retail environment will significantly benefit our research efforts."
As a sponsor of the RFID Research Center's laboratory, Checkpoint will provide both financial support and equipment that can be used in the Center's research and use case validation projects. The Center currently has more than 45 sponsors, including the world's leading RFID technology providers, and major end user companies like Wal-Mart Stores Inc., FedEx Freight, Microsoft Corp., and Tyson Foods Inc.
Checkpoint plans to participate in the RFID Research Center's ongoing item-level RFID research. Checkpoint recently announced Evolve, its dual frequency UHF-EAS label and product roadmap to RFID, as well as partnerships with several leading European retailers. Working directly with the University’s RFID center provides a way to help retailers validate RFID from a practical implementation standpoint, from vendor source tagging to product end-of-life.
"Checkpoint Systems is pleased to join the RFID Research Center as a strategic partner and sponsor," said George Off, Chairman and CEO, Checkpoint Systems, Inc. "The Center has taken a leading role in validating the practical use of RFID in the supply chain, and we look forward to working with their team to provide a better understanding of how RFID can improve merchandise availability for consumers by helping retailers and their suppliers improve inventory visibility, and reduce shrink."
The RFID Research Center officially opened its laboratory in the Fayetteville Industrial Park in June 2005, and currently has more than 45 business and industry sponsors, and several academic collaborators. In September 2005, the laboratory became the first academic EPC/RFID research laboratory worldwide to receive the EPCglobal Performance Test Center accreditation. Earlier this year, the University of Arkansas RFID Research Center helped found the Global RF Lab Alliance, a confederation of RF-focused laboratories around the globe. For more information, visit itri.uark.edu/rfid/.
About Checkpoint Systems Inc.
Checkpoint Systems, Inc. is the leading supplier of retail shrink management solutions. Checkpoint's global team helps retailers - and their suppliers - reduce theft, increase inventory visibility and provide consumers with greater merchandise availability through the company's rapidly evolving RF technology, expanding shrink management offerings and Check-Net labeling solutions. Checkpoint has more than one million RF devices installed in stores today and has secured more than 100 billion products. Scaling cost efficiently, Checkpoint's solutions provide increased revenues and profits to a fast-growing community of successful retailers and a superior experience for their consumers. Listed on the NYSE (NYSE:CKP), Checkpoint operates in every geographic market and employs 3,200 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.checkpointsystems.com.