 | Monday, September 17, 2007
Issue 685 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is OATSystems' release of an RFID software solution architected for two of the most popular RFID applications, work in process (WIP) tracking and retail supply chain visibility.
In the RFID industry, Procter & Gamble is usually recognized for its early adoption of RFID in the supply chain and, more recently, promotions tracking. But The Boston Globe reports today on a product from the consumer packaged goods giant that applies RFID in an entirely different way. The Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide toothbrush includes an RFID chip and various sensors that wirelessly communicate with a small accompanying LCD screen to provide the tooth-brusher with live coaching instructions, such as a warning if too much pressure is being applied to the teeth. For more on the suped-up brush, see the P&G website.
Lastly, note the new classified listing below for IDGA's Border Management Summit taking place in Washington, DC, from October 22nd through 25th. |
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OATSystems Tags RFID Sweet Spots, WIP and Retail
RFID software framework provider OATSystems today announced its Asset Tracking and Work-in-Process Solution which is designed to handle two of the most popular RFID applications, work in process (WIP) tracking and retail supply chain visibility.
The WIP capabilities of the solution are targeted at industrial, aerospace, and automotive manufacturers. It's a demographic that has demonstrated increasing adoption of RFID to wring efficiency out of existing manufacturing processes through enhanced visibility and real-time locationing of valuable assets. Research firm Aberdeen found in a recent survey that 38 percent of enterprises using RFID are doing so to improve WIP (see Aberdeen on Managing Work-in-Process with RFID). See RFID Keeps WIP Well-Oiled for Oilfield Products Maker and Semiconductor Maker Cuts Production Time with RTLS for recent examples of WIP deployments.
PC and printer maker HP has already deployed OAT's new solution in a printer manufacturing facility in Brazil. Printers are tracked within the facility from the assembly line through intermediate stages right up until they are shipped. HP reports a 17 percent reduction of printer inventory as a result of the deployment, which handles nine RFID-enabled assembly lines that yield over three million products annually.
The retail component of the new OAT solution enables such familiar benefits as improved supply chain efficiency and reduced shrinkage and shipping errors. UK retailer Tesco has been using the solution to ensure error-free deliveries of shipments arriving at retail stores from its distribution centers. The system issues an alert when a tagged container arrives in error at a store. "It has enabled us to see where and when delivery errors occur and better understand how this impacts stores and therefore customers," Tesco's director of UK IT Chris Brocklesby was quoted.
OAT indicates that its new solution manages the gamut of RFID data processing, from the moment items are tagged to capturing the resulting data as tagged items pass read points to automating business processes to aggregate data analysis. It can accept data input from both passive and active RFID, as well as sensors.
The company also touts the expertise of its team as a competitive differentiator for the solution. OAT has 200 deployments under its belt, experience that is baked in to the new solution through the incorporation of RFID best practices and proven use cases.
OAT has struck agreements with a number of integrators and solution providers to resell the solution, which is available immediately. Among the channel partners are Avery Dennison, Domino ISG, IBM, Miles Technologies, Rush Tracking Systems, and Tyco Electronics.
The new OAT solution is a testament to the ongoing evolution of the software that manages RFID deployments. Whereas a couple years ago, RFID software -- or "middleware" -- was primarily used to interface readers with an enterprise's existing systems, the offerings have gotten both more sophisticated and more targeted by addressing very particular applications and use cases. Expect this evolution to continue, as enterprises' focus moves up the RFID stack, away from the nuts-and-bolts hardware and toward the applications that actually drive value.
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| Upcoming Events | IDGA's Border Management Summit, Oct 22-25, Wash., DC
Get the latest SBInet updates from DHS and Boeing! Speakers include: David V. Aguilar, Chief, Office of Border Patrol; Robert Mocny - Acting Director, US-VISIT; Robert Jacksta - Exec Dir Traveler Security & Facilitation, CBP; Greg Giddens - Exec Dir, Secure Border Initiative; and Dr. Kirk Evans - Program Mgr, SBInet. www.bordermanagementsummit.com. | RFID Solutions: Securing the Commerce of Tomorrow -- Oct. 10
Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and SAP in Washington, DC to discuss the balance between regulation and innovation and responsible approaches to issues in areas such as national defense, port security, food and drug safety, and pandemic preparedness. For more information call 202.463.5500. Register Today. | RFID World Boston - September 18 - 20, 2007
A premiere event at the new CMP TechMash Boston, RFID World Boston brings together the foremost luminaries on RFID technology and implementation to discuss the concepts and topics critical to making RFID a reality for today's businesses. Enter code RU01 to save $300! | Midwest RFID Symposium, Oct 23-24, University of Kansas
The 3rd annual symposium and exhibition focuses on closed-loop applications of RFID. Speakers and exhibitors from Motorola, Ekahau, Intelleflex, Fluensee, Intermec, Rush Tracking, SAVR Communications and more will demonstrate RFID's potential to error proof manufacturing, organize the office, and simplify asset tracking in industry and healthcare. www.continuinged.ku.edu | IDTechEx's RFID Europe; 18-19 September, Cambridge, UK
IDTechEx's RFID Europe, in its eighth year, is the premium event covering RFID, technology analysis and market insight. Hear from AIR FRANCE KLM, Ahold, BP, TNT, MasterCard, Tube Lines, Sony, City Link and others. Explore technologies from printed RFID to smart tickets and cards to RTLS and sensor networks. Register with code: UPDATE97. | | | Webinars | Webinar: Making the Case for RFID
Join ABI's Mike Liard and Intermec for a discussion on how to find the benefits, profitability, payback and ROI of RFID. We'll cover key considerations and compelling applications, and offer insight into best practices and lessons learned. Finally, we'll discuss how to make the case for RFID in your business. Register today. | | | RTLS & Active RFID | Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how!
Ekahau RTLS (Real-Time Location System) automatically tracks assets and people via your existing Wi-Fi network. Control costs and improve asset management with Ekahau. For more information, visit us at www.ekahau.com. | | | Employment | RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting
Whether your company is looking for the best RFID talent or you have the best RFID talent and are looking for the best RFID employer, RFID Recruiters offers the most focused approach to your objective. To learn how the RFID industry and the RFID job market are evolving, visit www.rfidrecruiters.com | | | Research & Whitepapers | How RFID Can Decrease Manufacturing Errors
Specialized RFID tags that are optimized for use on or around metal are an effective and viable alternative to bar codes for error proofing applications in manufacturing. Learn the financial impact of errors and recalls and how RFID can be used for error proofing and other manufacturing processes. Get the full report now. | RFID Marketing Strategies Report from RFID Update
Thirty-nine pages of original research on RFID audience perceptions, including 30+ figures of tactics, content & messaging, and recommendations to guide marketing strategy. Also, Top-10 RFID company rankings based on 550+ survey respondents. View the executive summary free, with Top-3 sample rankings. Only $495 Individual License or $795 Corporate License. Available now | | | Products & Services | Free RFID Software with Alien 9800 at RFIDSupplyChain.com
Purchase an Alien 9800 RFID Reader and receive BlueBean RFID Simpleware free- perform rapid prototyping and development of RFID solutions without having to write any code...collect tag information from multiple readers...test reader connections...view all tag data in one batch. Looking for an RFID reader? Receive the free RFID Reader Report at RFIDSupplyChain.com. | Until you manage assets with ESP, you might want to try RFID.
Get visibility into critical assets when they're out of reach. Motorola's RFID solutions track employee-assigned IT equipment, monitor maintenance schedules, or manage assets essential to your business. It's a proven solution for watching over your assets. And it's just another way Motorola puts Enterprise Mobility in the palm of your hand. HELLOMOTO | Real-Time WIP Visibility Appliance from Omnitrol Networks
Meet the industry's most innovative award winning RFID solution that enables complete work-order traceability in manufacturing. Real-time web-based dashboards and multi-site monitoring for work-order pedigree and traceability, including proactive bottleneck management and real-time performance analytics optimizing shop-floor efficiency. All at the lowest TCO in the marketplace. www.omnitrol.com/WIP. | Peel - Stick - Ship(TM): SimplyRFID Pre-Programmed Tags
Military-grade, Class 1 Generation 2 RFID Tags pre-programmed to DoD 252.211-7006 specifications shipped same day for less than $1 each. Find out why over 1,000 DoD (Department of Defense) suppliers choose SimplyRFID for their RFID needs. Visit us at www.SimplyRFID.com for no hassle RFID solutions. |
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RFID Update is the RFID industry daily. Launched in early 2004 to provide timely analysis of RFID industry news, RFID Update publishes editorial briefings every weekday for the growing ranks of top level executives involved in the deployment of RFID. Each issue delivers the breaking news and analysis most pertinent to successful RFID implementations, allowing readers to understand global RFID developments as they happen.
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