ATLANTA, Georgia, March 18, 2002 – The Fort McPherson Army Base in Atlanta, Georgia, is testing a new security system based on technology from Intermec Technologies Corp. and Micromation Inc., of Houston. The system uses Intermec RFID (radio frequency identification) technology and Micromation’s Intelligent Gate Controller and access control software to enhance the vehicle and personnel screening efforts of military policemen at the installation’s gates. The package also allows controlled access to specific internal areas of the installation without an increase of manpower, further securing the post.
"The events of September 11th made terrorist threats a real concern for all Americans," said Hugh Wiley, deputy director of the Public Safety Service Center at Fort McPherson. "All levels of government are looking for better and more economical ways of securing critical personnel, facilities and equipment. Even before those tragic events, Forces Command and Fort McPherson identified the need to explore new physical security technologies to protect our forces."
RFID is a data collection technology that uses electronic tags to store identification data and a wireless tag "reader" to access it. The RFID tags, equipped with a tiny radio frequency antenna and a computer chip, broadcast information to the reader so tags can be read remotely and do not have to be in direct contact with the reading device. Intermec RFID hardware – identification tags, controllers and tag readers – are being installed by Micromation and integrated with Micromation-developed Intelligent Gate Controllers, guard control monitor software, gate controller software and servers. This high level of integration provides the ability to control and configure the operating characteristics of all the gates connected to the system.
"RFID removes much of the manual labor from securing a facility, such as physically checking each and every car or having employees swipe tags through a reader," said Dick Mahany, Intermec vice president of product marketing and development. “It's a perfect fit for gated campuses such as military installations. Micromation has done an excellent job of integrating our RFID products with their gate controllers and software to provide the security Fort McPherson was looking for. Both companies are proud that their work in this field is being considered to help secure our nation's military personnel."
"Micromation partnered with Intermec on this security initiative because of its pioneering work in developing RFID technologies and its reputation in the RFID community,” said Tim Driver, Micromation president. "Intermec thoroughly understands this technology, and the company's extensive RFID product achievements help ensure the success of this application.”
HOW IT WORKS
For this trial, RFID-tagged decals are being assigned to all vehicles authorized to enter the base. Each tag is mounted in the upper portion of the driver’s-side windshield and is coded based on the vehicle owner's security clearance, so the guard control monitor and gate controller software allow access only to those specific areas. The system can be programmed for multiple options and levels of security access and can be adjusted to increase security levels under special circumstances, such as specific dates and times or threat levels.
As vehicles enter the installation gate, Micromation’s Intelligent Gate Controllers activate the Intermec tag readers to remotely scan the vehicle tag using a radio wave. Micromation's guard control monitor software then accesses the pre-assigned security clearances linked to the tag and grants or denies access based on that information. If access is granted, the MP on duty is signaled with a green light and the gate controller software opens the gate automatically.
If access is denied, the MP is signaled with a red light and audible tone. The system then displays detailed information about the vehicle in question, reporting on vehicles not properly registered, not authorized to enter, attempting to enter without a decal, or other issues – vehicle reported stolen, driving privileges suspended, vehicle barred from the installation, person wanted by police – that warrant a closer screening of the vehicle and occupants before access is allowed. The system also provides gate personnel with a real-time description of the registered vehicle and information on personnel authorized to operate the vehicle.
The Intermec/Micromation RFID package also serves as a messaging system. On-site users can send an e-mail request to the guard controller software and security personnel, instructing them to relay a message to an individual when they enter the site – "the 10 a.m. briefing was moved up; come to the conference room immediately" – or to be held for disciplinary action.
Historical data on personnel entries and exits are kept by the RFID vehicle/individual access control package, so law enforcement and security personnel have a record of who is or was on the property at any given date and time, a particularly useful feature for investigating crimes committed on base. During low-level threat response conditions, the system is designed to speed access to the installation as well as increase security.
About Micromation
Micromation, Inc., is a Texas-based company dedicated to providing the highest quality software and hardware business solutions for manufacturing, work in process, warehouse inventory, gate access, radio frequency and biometric applications. Micromation provides turnkey solutions for tracking inventory, plastic pallets, boxes and containers. PC-based Windows 95, 98 and NT platforms take advantage of technologies including Bar Code, RFID and Touch Memory. Micromation, Inc. provides hardware, software, installation and support for a complete solution.
About Intermec
Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, has been named Microsoft’s OEM Embedded Partner of the Year. Intermec is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag® RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.