On this unique interview, Kirsten Newquist, CEO of Identiv, explores the forefront of IoT innovation as she discusses the challenges, options, and future tendencies in custom-engineered IoT tags and labels.
Kirsten Newquist: Within the early days of IoT, standardized RFID inlays had been designed for simple use circumstances, most notably in retail attire. Now, as IoT expands into extra complicated product classes and use circumstances, these customary options more and more fall brief in assembly these evolving wants.
Many gadgets, like small vials, steel containers, or liquid-filled packaging, are troublesome to digitize with off-the-shelf tags resulting from kind issue, supplies, or environmental circumstances. On the identical time, corporations are demanding extra intelligence than simply product ID and placement – they need sensor knowledge and real-time perception. That’s the place specialised IoT is available in: we design and produce purpose-built IoT options that account for bodily constraints and ship dependable efficiency in every kind of circumstances.
Identiv focuses on custom-designed inlays and tags. Are you able to stroll us by way of the method of creating a {custom} inlay, from preliminary idea to full-scale manufacturing? What are the important thing concerns at every stage?
At Identiv, the event of a {custom} inlay is a structured, collaborative course of designed to make sure high-quality, application-specific options. From preliminary idea by way of to full-scale manufacturing, we comply with a transparent path with outlined checkpoints and buyer involvement at each step:
Preliminary Engagement and Requirement Gathering: We start by working carefully with the shopper to completely perceive their utility and technical necessities. This includes a cross-functional group from R&D, Product Administration, Venture Administration, and Gross sales. Our objective at this stage is to assemble all mandatory particulars to suggest the best and environment friendly answer throughout the capabilities of the RFID/BLE expertise.
Design and Improvement: As soon as necessities are clear, our R&D group begins designing the {custom} inlay. All through the design section, the shopper is stored knowledgeable of progress by way of common updates from Gross sales or the Venture Supervisor. If questions come up or challenges emerge, we proactively schedule calls with the shopper to collectively develop options.
Prototyping and Qualification: After the design is finalized, we offer the shopper with hand-built prototypes for analysis and qualification. This step is essential for validating the efficiency and compatibility of the inlay throughout the buyer’s meant utility.
Pilot Manufacturing and Scale-Up: As soon as prototypes are authorised, we transfer into pilot manufacturing at our manufacturing facility. This permits us to fine-tune the method and guarantee high quality and consistency earlier than transitioning to full-scale manufacturing.
High quality Assurance and Stage Gate Opinions: All through the venture, we apply Identiv’s inside stage gate course of to make sure high quality assurance at key milestones. Every stage contains formal management critiques and approvals, reinforcing accountability and alignment.
Threat Administration Throughout All Phases: Threat administration is built-in throughout all the lifecycle of the venture—from idea by way of manufacturing. This proactive method helps us anticipate and mitigate potential points early, making certain smoother execution and dependable supply.
A key differentiator in our course of is the way in which we combine with our prospects’ groups: We don’t see ourselves as only a provider—we see ourselves as true companions. Our prospects incessantly spotlight this collaborative method as a significant benefit of working with Identiv. Our shared dedication to discovering the very best answer units the muse for long-term success.
What are a number of the most difficult kind elements or supplies you’ve needed to work with, and the way did you overcome them?
Functions involving steel or liquids are among the many most difficult, as these supplies can intervene with RF efficiency. In lots of circumstances, the largest hurdle isn’t simply sign interference however sturdiness in real-world environments. For instance, plastic pallets within the grocery provide chain should endure intense sanitation processes after each use. We work carefully with our companions to develop options that not solely meet stringent buyer necessities but in addition keep efficiency and reliability all through their lifecycle.
How does Identiv guarantee efficiency and reliability in RF-challenging environments like steel surfaces, liquids, or temperature extremes?
As there isn’t any “one tag fits all requirements” on this trade, we develop utility particular options to handle the environmental wants of every explicit utility. Our group attracts on a broad vary of previous buyer initiatives as a place to begin. We decide adhesives which meet the respective floor, temperature and different necessities. Some tags have to peel off simply, whereas different tags will not be imagined to peel off in any respect. We deal with matters like floor supplies and shapes. Spherical and cylindrical objects which should be tagged are difficult and wish a specific peel energy.
When our merchandise face harsh environments similar to liquids, chemical remedies, or excessive temperatures, we make the most of particular high layers and lamination methods. This ensures the underlying antenna and chip are protected and prevents the varied layers from delaminating. To confirm this safety, we conduct immersion exams, wash cycles, and different high quality assurance processes tailor-made to the particular wants of every utility.
Metallic surfaces are maybe essentially the most difficult as a result of potential interference with the RF subject. We’ve got developed a spread of the way to handle this difficulty, similar to utilizing ferrite supplies or spacer supplies. Most options require some stage of customization to make sure optimum efficiency within the buyer’s particular use case and atmosphere.
Identiv’s options are deployed in sectors like pharma, healthcare, and logistics. How do the wants of those industries differ, and the way does Identiv tailor its method accordingly?
It is dependent upon the place the answer is deployed – mentioned in another way, the use case. Pharma and medical gadgets, as a part of the healthcare ecosystem, are regulated industries. Any product that’s utilized in shut proximity to the affected person could have medical, security, and high quality necessities that Identiv should concentrate on and adjust to. For instance, a label could have to have an adhesive that’s protected for affected person use.
Logistics, within the context of healthcare, will impose necessities that relate to the protected transportation of prescribed drugs in accordance with the standard and regulatory specs of the producer. For instance, the producer could require the product be transported inside a really particular temperature vary to make sure the steadiness of the drug.
In all circumstances, Identiv proactively works with the producer and understands the necessities upfront as a part of the design and improvement course of. Drawing on our deep engineering experience, we are able to make sure the product meets all of the required requirements as a part of the producer’s specs.
Customized-engineered options sound inherently extra complicated. How do you stability customization with scalability and cost-efficiency?
We obtain a stability between customization and scalability by using a twin technique – a sturdy core channel enterprise constructed on our customary product designs, and focused development initiatives in high-value segments like healthcare and logistics. We work carefully with our companions and prospects to ship tailor-made options based mostly on the newest RFID and BLE applied sciences. This customer-centric method, supported by our best-in-class manufacturing in Thailand and world-class R&D, ensures each cost-efficiency and scalable development.
What latest tendencies or buyer calls for are driving innovation in specialised IoT tags and labels?
There are a number of macro tendencies driving IoT adoption throughout industries, together with digital transformation, provide chain modernization, and rising shopper demand for transparency. Companies and shoppers can reap the advantages from specialised IoT options, from elevated effectivity and visibility to improved product security, high quality, and sustainability.
Wanting forward, what function do you see application-specific IoT enjoying within the broader evolution of linked gadgets and sensible merchandise?
Wanting forward, application-specific IoT will play a essential function in shaping the subsequent technology of linked gadgets and sensible merchandise. As extra merchandise turn into digitized, they generate rising volumes of uncooked knowledge, which fuels extra superior analytics and insights.
This course of permits smarter merchandise that may reply to their atmosphere, optimize efficiency, and ship higher worth all through their lifecycle. Utility-specific designs may even present the precision and context wanted to coach simpler AI fashions, serving to the trade evolve from easy connectivity to true operational intelligence.
