SAN FERNANDO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/27/07 -- Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC), a global leader in automatic wristband identification, will supply South by Southwest (SXSW) with its Smart Band® RFID (radio frequency identification) Wristband System during the world-renowned SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Festivals, taking place March 9-18 in Austin, TX. SXSW implemented PDC RFID solutions for the fourth consecutive year to automate admissions, prevent counterfeits, and improve attendees' overall experience.

More than 36,000 conference participants, trade show attendees, and media will attend the SXSW festivals and conferences. Admission tickets will consist of either a PDC Smart Band RFID Wristband or an RFID-enabled Access Badge.

In 2003, SXSW counterfeit wristbands were sold with a total face value of as much as $500,000. Since the implementation of PDC Smart Band RFID Wristbands, instances of counterfeit activity has been eliminated.

"The first year we used the ID bands, we were amazed at how much shorter the lines were at venues," says Eve McArthur, SXSW Operations Director. "There must have been more counterfeit bands than we thought in the past. And since then, though our event is growing significantly each year, the lines have not grown accordingly."

General admissions and volunteer workers will use a Smart Band imprinted with the official SXSW logo. The RFID chip embedded in the wristband contains a unique identification number which verifies the authenticity of the band and is encrypted for increased security.

Industry attendees, such as bands, and conference speakers and participants, will use an RFID-enabled badge, also encrypted with a unique ID number, providing admission to secured or special access areas. Personal information is not stored on the RFID wristbands or badges.

"Smart Band is practically counterfeit-proof. It is nearly impossible to duplicate an RFID chip and then place it on a wristband," states Douglas Bourque, PDC RFID Market Development Manager. "The RFID readers used at the event are programmed to detect fraudulent RFID wristbands eliminating loss of revenue and unexpected over-crowding due to counterfeit sales."

Aside from discouraging counterfeits, the RFID wristbands have added functionality to help enhance SXSW operations. The RFID wristbands have the capability to also obtain basic metrics such as the number of total attendees, dollar amount of purchases made at bars or concession stands, work-hours and break time for volunteers, and more. The wristbands use a passive 13.56MHz RFID inlet and cannot and do not track the location of attendees.

Visit www.sxsw.com for event information. For more information on PDC RFID solutions, please contact Paula Moggio at 818-897-1111 ext. 1330 or paulam@pdcorp.com.

About SXSW, Inc.

South by Southwest (SXSW, Inc.) is a private company based in Austin, Texas, with a year-round staff of professionals dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals. Since 1987, SXSW has produced the internationally recognized Music and Media Conference & Festival. For more information, visit www.sxsw.com.

About Precision Dynamics

With 50 years of experience, PDC is a global leader and pacesetter in the development of Auto ID wristband systems for healthcare, leisure and entertainment, and law enforcement. The company introduced the first patient Bar Code ID Wristband, patented Smart Band® Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Wristbands, AgeBand® System, and PDC Smart Kiosk® Cashless RFID System. PDC is committed to 100% quality in service, design, and manufacturing and has ISO-9001: 2000 and ISO-13485: 2003 certification. For more information, visit www.pdcorp.com.

Precision Dynamics Corporation, Smart Band®, AgeBand®, and PDC Smart Kiosk® are registered trademarks of Precision Dynamics Corporation. All other product names, company names, marks, logos and symbols mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Add to DiggBookmark with del.icio.usAdd to Newsvine

Media Contacts:
Paula Moggio
818.897.1111 x1330
Email Contact

Elizabeth Derczo
SXSW
512.467.7979
Email Contact