SATO and Loftware Unveil World’s First Cloud-based RFID Encoding and Logging Solution with NiceLabel Cloud

Solution helps producers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and luxury goods meet stringent traceability requirements

SATO, a global pioneer in auto-ID and labeling solutions, and Loftware, the global leader in Enterprise Labeling and Artwork Management solutions, today announced the launch of the world’s first cloud-based RFID tag encoding and logging solution. The solution, using SATO RFID printers, tags and Loftware’s NiceLabel Cloud software¹ is designed to meet the strictest track and trace, brand authenticity and authentication needs for manufacturers.

Compatible hardware

The first-to-market solution logs the EPC² and unique tag ID for every tag encoded, enabling “closed-loop” tagging. By logging and mapping the EPC and unique ID to the database via NiceLabel Cloud, the SATO solution automatically keeps a unique record of every tag after encoding and allows users to know exactly which factory, country and printer generated it.

Loftware NiceLabel is available on-premise and in the cloud. Customers may start with an on-premise solution and then migrate to the cloud as they scale their labeling across applications, facilities, and countries.

In addition to central data management, this extra layer of automation provides compliance with traceability requirements and eliminates the possibility of counterfeits. It complements the suite of RFID products already available for item-level traceability.

In the US, EU, China, Japan and more, an increasing number of medical devices must carry a unique device identification number (UDI) to adequately identify devices implanted into the body. Serialization is a critical tool for regulators in many countries to prove the validity of pharmaceuticals. It also allows manufacturers to track and trace individual items back to their origin — the factory — for supply chain visibility and to know if a given item is authentic or counterfeit.

Combatting counterfeit items is also critical for brands as they seek to prove the authenticity of their products. In 2021, Amazon alone identified, seized, and appropriately disposed of over 3 million counterfeit products targeted for sale to consumers³. Counterfeits are a risk to e-commerce players, manufacturers and consumers alike and the global anti-counterfeiting packaging market is expected to grow by 45% between 2018 and 2026⁴.

“With today’s “always on” supply chain, large enterprises print and encode millions of tags annually across multiple facilities. As a result, they require a globally integrated platform like Loftware's NiceLabel Cloud for central data and print management,” said Paul Vogt, Loftware Vice President Channel and Alliances Strategies and Programs.

“Manufacturers are constantly seeking ways to improve their data utilization for digital transformation to give visibility across their supply chain, and this new layer of traceability will drive efficiencies and enable more sustainable operations,” added Yoichi Abe, Vice President of SATO Holdings Corporation who oversees SATO’s global business. “As pioneers of on-site data collection, you can count on us to always be pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”

The SATO CT4-LX desktop printer and CL4/6NX Plus industrial printer line are compatible with the Loftware NiceLabel Cloud RFID tagging solution. Other hardware planned for support include the S84NX print engine.

Key benefits

100% data match

Links physical tags to the data so that wherever the tag is scanned, it can be authenticated and the associated product, carton or pallet can be located

Error identification

Identifies any tags that failed to encode for immediate quarantine and retagging

Centralized control

Integrates with users’ central RFID data so that authorized users across the whole supply chain can access the single source of truth

Logging

Using SATO’s unique AEP functionality, the printer automatically logs which RFID tags have been encoded, not just the data sent to the printer (critical for item-level management)

1. Loftware NiceLabel, hosted in the most secure Cloud platforms, offers businesses everything to manage labeling processes, in one, easy-to-use system. Designed for rapid deployments at one site or across multiple locations, it is an ideal solution for mid-sized or growing businesses. Users can be up and running in minutes while having everything they need to manage their entire labeling process, from label design and template management to printing. It allows organizations to integrate labeling with key business systems to create a more efficient labeling process. Users can start small or local, and easily expand the system to multiple locations.
2. An Electronic Product Code (EPC) is a universal identifier that gives a unique identity to a specific physical object.
3. Amazon Brand Protection Report 2022
4. Fortune Business Insights Anti-Counterfeiting Packaging Market Size | Global Report 2026

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