Savi Technology's 3rd-Gen RFID Intrusion Detection Tags and E.J. Brooks Electronic Bolt Seals Prove Successful in Transpacific Cargo Container Field Trials with Mitsui

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2005--

Plans Call for Commercial Availability in November of ISO-Based RFID Devices to Track Worldwide Container Shipments and Detect Security Breaches

“The field trials demonstrated that both active RFID tags from both Savi and E.J. Brooks performed flawlessly 100 percent of the time, which is a significant cornerstone to commercialize such technology into a real business scenario”

Two leading providers of supply chain security solutions and systems -- Savi Technology and E.J. Brooks -- today announced in collaboration with Mitsui that they have successfully completed rigorous transpacific field trials of active RFID devices that automatically detect cargo door intrusions and security breaches while communicating their location and condition.

Mitsui, a global leader of import and export activities, determined that all 65 tags proved effective and there were zero "false tamper" incidents while they automatically communicated with an RFID reader network throughout their end-to-end supply chain journey between Los Angeles and Hong Kong. The over-the-ocean container field trials, which followed extensive performance testing, evaluated 50 of the Savi Tag ST-676 ISO Container Security Tags and 15 of the E.J. Brooks E-Seals, clearing the way for their commercial availability in November.

Both the Savi and E.J. Brooks tags are based on ISO 18000-7 standards that operate on the 433.92 MHz radio frequency. Conformity with this international standard enables both products to interoperate within an ISO-based information network with support from countries worldwide for inter-modal supply chain usage.

ST-676 is a new generation of Savi's security tags based on ISO standards that leverage a door sensor and light sensor to detect security breaches as well as other sensors for temperature, humidity and shock that capture information on the environmental conditions inside the container. The E.J. Brooks E-Seal, tested along side the ST-676, is a single-use, RFID-enabled electronic bolt seal for inter-modal containers.

"The field trials demonstrated that both active RFID tags from both Savi and E.J. Brooks performed flawlessly 100 percent of the time, which is a significant cornerstone to commercialize such technology into a real business scenario," said Masahiko Tsumoto, Senior Vice President of the Transportation and Logistics Div., Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. "Because these RFID devices are based on international ISO standards, and now have passed rigorous field performance tests, we're confident that they will provide the kind of container management and security solution wanted by international shippers and others in the global supply chain community."

In a just-released market research report by ChainLink Research, entitled, "RFID for Maritime," author and CEO Ann Grackin writes: "Savi is the obvious leader in the RFID-enabled network. Although many people in the market think about Savi tags and readers, the real power and value that Savi brings is the network application that brings the globe together. Savi has been building this infrastructure for several years." The independent report by the Boston-based firm analyzes the current state, providers and potential of RFID-enabled deployments in the end-to-end maritime marketplace.

During the field trials, all of the tags were electronically secured and affixed to the ISO containers at a consolidation point in Southern California and then trucked to the Port of Los Angeles. From there, the containers were shipped by ocean vessel to the Port of Hong Kong, where they were discharged and then trucked to a deconsolidation end-point, where they were physically and electronically unsealed. As part of the trials, six containers were intentionally breached at the final destination, and each of the ST-676 tags properly alerted that a door intrusion event had occurred. The containers were also was monitored in the Savi Transportation Security Solution software, which was updated when the tagged containers passed by fixed readers or were read by handhelds readers.

"The results of this latest field trial demonstrate the reliability of Savi Technology's tags, and we plan to deploy these tags for shippers and other customers," said Lani Fritts, Chief Operating Officer of Savi Networks, a newly formed company building a global RFID-based network to track containers. "The ST-676 will augment the e-seal and asset tags that are currently available from Savi Technology and E.J. Brooks, enabling users to improve economic efficiency of container movements and in-transit inventory management while also adding some security benefits through the early detection of security breaches."

The ST-676 now joins a growing family of proven active RFID tags based on proven technologies used to track more than one million cargo containers on their end-to-end journeys over the past decade. Savi Technology's active RFID products are based on EchoPoint(TM) technology, which enables both long-range, non-line of sight communications using Ultra High Frequency (UHF) as well as tightly controllable short-range read/write capabilities using Low Frequency (LF).

About Savi Technology

With over 15 years experience, Savi Technology is a leading provider of active RFID solutions for the management of supply chain assets, shipments and consignments. Savi's networked active RFID solutions track shipments for government and commercial organizations around the world. Savi Technology's integrated RFID hardware and software solutions drive business value, enabling customers to reduce their supply chain assets, inventory and operational costs. Founded in 1989, Savi Technology is privately held, with headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., and offices in Washington D.C., London, Singapore, Johannesburg, and Melbourne. For more information, visit www.savi.com.

About Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.)

Mitsui USA, incorporated in 1966, is engaged in import, export, offshore trade, and domestic wholesale. Aspiring to be "Your Global Business Partner(R)," the company is committed to be a global business creator and problem solver with distinct service capabilities by innovative combinations of Information Technology (IT), Financial Technology (FT), and Logistics Technology (LT). Mitsui USA's New York Headquarters has 11 divisions across industries. Other offices are located in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Nashville, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Its parent company, Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Japan, is one of the world's most diversified and comprehensive trading and service companies. Headquartered in Tokyo, it maintains a global network of 183 offices in 80 countries, and has 723 subsidiaries and associated companies worldwide.

About E.J. Brooks Company

Founded in 1873, E.J. Brooks Company an ISO 9001-2000 registered company, is the world's leading manufacturer of tamper indicating security seals, locking devices and metering-related products through its Security Products Group. The company based in Livingston, N.J., has 14 operating units, including locations in the USA, England, Mexico, China, Spain, Brazil, India and Singapore. Brooks has been involved in developing electronic seal technology for the past seven years. Visit Brooks and subsidiaries online at www.ejbrooks.com