For the second time in recent weeks, the District Attorney's Office of a major metropolitan area county has replaced the inefficiencies of old-fashioned case file tracking with a radio frequency identification (RFID) system from 3M Company.

The District Attorney's Office of Marin County, Calif., in the heart of the San Francisco Bay area, has chosen to install a 3M RFID tracking system. Its decision follows a similar move announced last month by the District Attorney's Office of Maricopa County, Ariz., which includes the city of Phoenix.

RFID, a technology in which 3M is a pioneer and holds a leadership position, is attracting widespread attention among law firms, especially for application in intellectual property practices. However, the sales to Marin and Maricopa counties represent the first use of 3M RFID file tracking by district attorneys' operations.

"We believe this indicates that a broader recognition is taking hold of the value of RFID in the legal environment, whether it's within a law firm practice, legal administration or law enforcement," said Joal Storm, marketing development manager, Security Systems Division. "RFID file tracking improves both efficiency and security, and, therefore, reduces cost and potential liability."

3M RFID tracking solutions offers a suite of products based on technology that uses radio frequency identification to locate, track and inventory case files. A tiny microchip and antenna are embedded inside a tag affixed to each file, which allows the files to be easily tracked through the entire workflow. As a file moves from the various offices, courtrooms and checkpoints, a complete file history is tracked and can be easily viewed on any network computer.

"These products are ideal, not only for county prosecutors, law firms and court systems, but also for medical clinics, insurance companies and many other settings in which physical files travel among employees," said Storm.

3M RFID tracking solutions provide comprehensive file tracking systems that work either on their own or through integration with existing information systems. The system is completely compatible with the existing Marin County case management software.

The system acquired by the Marin County District Attorney's Office should allow reallocation of approximately 2,500 person-hours per year currently spent searching for, and recording, active and misplaced files. The system also helps keep file inventory current. Using 3M RFID handheld trackers, each office is scanned twice per week so they know what files are where.

According to York Westgate, senior technology support analyst, District Attorney's Office, the benefits include peace of mind: "There are definitely financial gains ... But the best part is that now any of our 40 attorneys simply click on the 3M icon on their computer and what they want to know is right there. They saw the benefits the 3M RFID tracking system gave to our case management system and they embraced it. They saw it had all upside and no downside," said Westgate.

Other Marin County agencies are expressing an interest in the District Attorney's use of 3M's RFID solution, according to Westgate, because the ability to share powerful databases among agencies can yield tremendous flexibility and strength. "Every county prosecutor knows how labor-intensive file tracking can be. Why not eliminate this stress, along with the unnecessary expense?"

For more information, visit www.3M.com/RFID or call 1-800-944-3512.

About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 67,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

3M Security Systems Division, St. PaulJoan Olseen, 651-736-1163orLVM Group Inc.Bob Rumerman, 212-499-6567orAndrea Harvey, 212-499-6568