‘Open Access’ Policy Looks Ahead to ISO Standard Adoption;

Enables Users to Share Tags and Use Other Vendors’ Hardware

3M Library Systems today will introduce the 3M Tag Data Manager, which allows users to read existing and future Library ISO-Compliant RFID tag data formats, including the four country-specific formats in Europe (Danish, Dutch, Finnish and French). 3M also became the first vendor to make its own tag format available to its customers upon request.

Both developments will be announced at the American Library Association’s mid-winter conference, which will begin here this evening at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. (The 3M booth number is 1104.)

“We believe in open access and want to encourage uniform standards,” says Jacob Haas, marketing manager for 3M Library Systems. “Our objective in taking these steps is to provide inter-operability among RFID suppliers, thereby providing peace of mind for library RFID users until a true global ISO standard is developed by the International Standards Organization.”

By making its tag format available, 3M “is offering a migration path toward whatever ISO tag data format standard is eventually adopted,” says Haas. “It gives libraries the freedom to choose an RFID System from many RFID vendors within a library system or consortium if they use the 3M, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French or future ISO formats.

Open access also gives libraries a way to migrate to a future ISO format when it is announced, says Haas, who adds: “It can help with a migration to another format since the RFID vendor would be able to read the existing 3M format while supporting the customer’s new chosen format. No one is locked into our products simply as a result of using our tag data format.”

3M intends to implement an ISO tag data format standard when one is approved, and currently has a representative serving on a committee of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO), the U.S. member organization of ISO, which is helping to develop uniform standards. The company already supports ISO Standards 18000-3, Mode 1, and 15693-3, which provide inter-operability between RFID tags and readers.

Although no cross-border standard tag format exists yet, four nations -- France, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands -- have instituted their own country-specific standards.

The document containing 3M’s tag format mapping can be requested online at www.3m.com/us/library. On the same site, to learn more about ISO and tag data formats, please download a copy of “RFID 301,” the latest in 3M Library Systems’ series of informational white papers on RFID library applications.

A global leader in library innovation for more than 35 years, 3M Library Systems provides security, productivity and information management solutions that harness technology to enable a more human library, freeing librarians to spend more time doing what they do best – helping people. 3M also partners with libraries to support their technological advancement and ensure their success through numerous industry sponsorships and programs. For more information about the 3M Library Systems solutions, visit http://www.3M.com/us/library

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3M Public RelationsColleen Harris, 651-733-1566cahornharris1@mmm.comor3M Library SystemsShelly A. Pagel, 651-733-8141spagel@mmm.comorLVM Group Inc.Bob Rumerman, 212-499-6567bob@lvmgroup.com