Cathexis, a RFID systems and services company in St. John's, Newfoundland, said its pen-sized IDBlue product will be displayed at next week's GITEX Technology Week show in Dubai.

IDBlue works with platforms from several industry-leading vendors. It uses integrated Bluetooth technology for use with wireless handheld devices. It can be used as a stylus and has enough data storage capacity to read thousands of RFID tags without linking to a computer.

Cathexis CEO Steve Taylor said in a statement that IDBlue eliminates the need for bulky devices, allows users to fit the reader into their pocket, and works well in highly mobile operations.

The IDBlue framework integrates with Microsoft BizTalk RFID, part of the upcoming Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2 release. It automates and manages business processes for fast results. Cathexis said that BizTalk RFID allows plug and play device management to make other RFID-based technologies more efficient. IDBlue is designed for applications that identify and track specific items that typically require human interaction, such as those used in the health-care, pharmaceutical, maintenance, and event management industries.

WaveMark and Halspan are testing and using the product. WaveMark provides information systems that allow hospitals, surgical centers, and manufacturers to control and manage the flow of high-value, consumable medical devices. The company uses RFID technology to collect and report information in a hands-free manner.

Halspan Ltd is an U.K. provider of timber-based fire door products. The company has partnered with Cathexis to develop a modular system for traceability, chain of custody, accountability and inspection of fire doors. RFID technology can help ensure that each door is securely, permanently, and uniquely identified.