Barcode specialist Harmonic Group says it is negotiating with a South African private hospital about the use of its radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track and secure newborns, says MD Barry Baetu.

Securing a newborn with an ankle bracelet and ensuring that all authorised personnel transporting newborns carry tags will enable hospitals to monitor the movement of the babies at all times and put parents at ease, he explains.

If the RFID tag is tampered with or cut, it will alert the hospital and immediate action can be taken in ensuring the baby is not removed from the premises.

“Newborns have been stolen from South African hospitals before. RFID tracking could help in curbing the incidents where newborns are smuggled out of hospitals.

“We hope to also offer this product to public hospitals in the future,” says Baetu.

Designed by tracking solutions company Protrac in Australia, the range of RFID tags has been distributed by the company in South Africa for more than three years.

Further, Harmonic Group has been distributing a security technology solution in Africa for secure asset-in-transit boxes.

The technology consists of an intelligent box, with a strong lock mechanism that can be opened by only the intended recipient at a chosen time and place. It also has a global positioning system and a cellphone communication system, which alerts the owner to the box’s status at all times.

“These boxes are rugged and, if stolen, the owner will know when an attempt is made to open the box, as it has light sensors and is traceable,” says Baetu.

The secure box is a unique and advanced technical solution, which protects valuable goods, high-end products and classified documents against loss, theft, spying and manipulation during transportation and storage, he adds.

The technology enables logistics companies, manufacturers, authorities and governments to safeguard the handling of valuable goods or sensitive documents from person to person across all gaps of a supply chain. Only a single, integrated system locks, seals, monitors and secures any intermodal transport anywhere in the world and around the clock.

“Harmonic Group supplied a quote for 80 000 boxes to another African country, which wants to use the technology when exam papers are transported, as it has encountered the problem of the papers being leaked.”

Further, the client has a guarantee in terms of when and where the container will be opened and is assured that only registered users can access its contents.

Harmonic Group also offers an intelligent padlock technology, which is used to secure static or mobile areas.

Watchlock is a high-quality security mechanical lock from security products manufacturer Mul-T-Lock.

“This technology is reliable, robust and features advanced key-duplication control,” says Baetu.

WatchLock is a standalone product that requires no external power source, which makes it suitable for securing remote loca- tions, such as infrastructure, power and relay stations and army bases, Baetu notes.

If the lock is opened at unscheduled times, a real-time alert will be sent to the owner.

In addition, WatchLock consistently transmits reports that provide business owners with information about opening and closing hours. It also enables them to verify employee and vendor reports, as well as working hours.

The product sends regular messages to inform owners that it is working and alerts them when the battery is losing power.

“WatchLock can definitely make a difference to companies in South Africa, with its high crime rate. The biggest dangers are unattended areas, which hold expensive equipment, such as schools, cellphone transmission towers and electrical substations,” Baetu states.

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