James Falasco has spent 20 years in all aspects of embedded computing including sales ,marketing and business development

Friday, June 24, 2005

References

References For James Falasco



Geof Cohler g-cohler@ti.com 781-895-9112



John Warther john .warther@ghs.com 443-340-7881



Nils Paz nils@ieee.org 858-522-2363



Dave Koger dkoger@aol.com 817-921-6825


Steve Larson slarson@technology-associates.net 949-496-6847




The above references are a combination of customers and work associates of James Falasco. In several instances the above have worked with Mr. Falasco at more then
one organization. Several of the above have been recruited by and worked under the
supervision of Mr. Falasco. All of the above have known Mr. Falasco for over 15 years.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

RFID Market

I have been watching the RFID Market evolve for several years with increasing interest. The market seems to be at the inflection point of where bar code labels were in the early 1970's in that by virtue of Wal-Mart's mandate it is finally set to take off. The key components of any RFID System are :

RFID Tag or Transponder
RFID Reader or Transceiever
Data Processing Subsystem coupled with a wireless basestation


Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a general term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object wirelessly, using radio waves.

RFID technologies are grouped under the more generic Automatic Identification(Auto ID) technologies. The barcode labels that triggered a revolution in identification systems long time ago, are inadequate in an increasing number of cases. They are cheap but the stumbling block is their low storage capacity and the fact that they cannot be reprogrammed. A feasible solution was putting the data on silicon chips. The ideal situation is contactless transfer of data between the data carrying device and its reader. The power required to operate the electronic data carrying device would also be transferred from the reader using contactless technology. These procedures give RFID its name. One grand commercial vision for RFID is to change the way demand-supply chain moves. In the current almost stone-age scenario, manufacturer produces goods based on forecasts and hopes all of them will be consumed before the shelf life gets them. Good, if the market is consistent. Horrible, if a sudden surge makes the supply fall short and hence everyone in the chain miss on profits. Disastrous, if demand dies suddenly and losses are passed along the chain.

In a not so distant future, RFID enabled stores will monitor the consumption in real time. Shelf will signal the inventory when it needs more stuff and inventory will pull supplies from the manufacturer based on its level of stock.

I have had experience in all aspects of RFID systems and have also been involved in projects that have sought to combine RFID with more traditional bar code based legacy systems.

Project examples:

Developing an RFID system for asset tracking within a facility
Designing a system using TCP/IP protocol stack as intelligent way to communicate to the tag
UPS based material handling system
FED EX based material handling System
USPS based internal package tracking system
Perscription drug tracking & management system

RFID Skills include understanding the basic technical system aspects that include the processing of the RF Siginal as well as the materials handling aspects of the system. RFID applications are a
combination of technologies that provide a solution. It takes an application and solutions oriented sales approach to be able to successfully define and close business in this market.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Homeland Security Business Development

I have been involved in a variety of Homeland Security applications from the standpoint of selling enabling technology to systems integrators ,acting as
Program Manager for captured programs , Proposal Manager in developing the
capture plan for the sales team to execute and lastly closing funding in the
area of Research & Development from funding agencies such as DARPA & NSA.
In support of the above activities I have generated white papers , spoken at
industry conferences and prepared collateral including slide shows ,webcasts
and product brouchres. Example Project High Points Fingerprint ID> ProgramsCredit Card TheftSold OEM Image Processing units to Bell & Howell, Xerox and Dinners Club. Units were used in various areas to match handwriting against existing data bases. Secure Entry Programs Sold various enabling technology including hardware and software products that included Operating Systems,DSP & Image Processing,embedded single board computers to OEM customers such as Rockwell , Allen Bradley and the Honeywell Industrial Controls Group who integrated my technology into various security systems for building entry,security ,and monitoring . Deals were volume in nature and revenues generated grew year to year (2-6M) Port Security Besides winning several DARPA & Navy contracts in the Area of Harbor Defense I sold both DSP/Image Processing sytsems to groups such as SAIC - Maripro , Port of San Diego and US Navy . Several applications were Cargo Tracking , bridge & dock protection and vessel ID. HazMat Monitoring Assisted Sandia National Labs in winning major HazMat contract for the transportation and monitoring of waste generated by US Nuclear Program.

Equipment sold into the above accounts was supplied from leading vendors I held sales
and marketing/channel development positions with. Companies were CSPI ,Gould Electronics, and Intel Corp. Products included signal & image processing systems,
embedded computing,enclosures and workstations as well as SW tools in data base mgt and video conferencing.