“Two heads are better than one” is an axiom that has never been truer than in the world of anti-counterfeit technologies. Here are three examples of leading providers who have combined expertise, synergies and resources to take their authentication solutions a step farther.

RFID and covert ink combine to authenticate fine wines. Top technology providers combine synergies to deliver the most comprehensive solution for integrated physical and online brand protection. Two innovative solutions take technical compatibility a step further to provide customers with unparalleled security. Here are three success stories of technology partnerships.

What happens when the leading provider of covert machine-readable security solutions for detecting counterfeiting, fraud and diversion…partners with innovators who use an advanced tracking system to assure the provenance of fine wines from producer to consumer? For fine wine connoisseurs, it can only be good news.

InkSure Technologies Inc. recently signed an agreement with eProvenance LLC for exclusive distribution of InkSure's authentication solution into the fine wine market in major wine producing countries in the world. InkSure has customized the covert security ink and handheld readers that are an integral part of the eProvenance system to address the growing counterfeiting problems within the fine wine industry.

Besides authenticating and tracking fine wines and champagnes, eProvenance uses the combined technology (RFID and InkSure covert ink) to monitor and record the storage temperature, while collecting the pedigree for each bottle in a secure online database. With the eProvenance system, the bottle is secured, the contents are secured, and temperature history can be tracked for each case shipment to assure the long-term value of the product.

According to eProvenance CEO Eric Vogt, "InkSure emerged as our preferred supplier for authentication due to their ability to provide custom covert codes and highly reliable handheld readers that are integral to our anti-counterfeit solution for the fine wine industry. Their responsiveness and technical capability has been invaluable." Don Taylor, Vice-President of Global Marketing for InkSure Inc., added, "The portfolio of technologies from eProvenance provides an enhanced level of authentication and confidence for the fine wine supplier and consumer… We look forward to working with them exclusively in this market."

In the meantime, two enterprises are combining their synergies to deliver the industry’s most comprehensive integrated online and physical brand protection solutions. OpSec Security Inc. is the leading provider of anti-counterfeiting technologies, software and services to over 150 corporations and 40 governments. P4M GmbH is the premier name in online brand protection and monitoring services in Europe which detect illegal distribution of digital media, identify counterfeit and gray market goods on e-commerce sites, and measure online brand image world wide.

With OpSec’s acquisition of P4M, the industry now has the most comprehensive solution for integrated physical and online brand protection across the entire enterprise lifecycle. According to Jeffrey Unger, President, Brand Protection, “…The acquisition of P4M extends our capabilities in three fast-growing areas online: anti-piracy to protect unauthorized distribution of digital content, brand monitoring to provide customer and market intelligence, and channel management to optimize online sales strategies."

Graphic Security Systems Corporation’s (GSSC) proprietary Scrambled Indicia technology and 3M’s travel document readers had already achieved technical compatibility some two years ago that brought enhanced image security to ePassports and travel documents, and gave document authenticators additional verification capabilities.

Now, they have taken the next logical step in the relationship by signing a reseller agreement for the worldwide sale of the Scrambled Indicia technology to passport and ID markets. As a result, 3M can now offer an unparalleled level of security on its travel-document readers enabling customers around the globe to achieve much greater security, with ease and convenience also unavailable elsewhere in the industry.

Watch out for the next technology alliance or partnership – it could produce the next anti-counterfeiting technology success!