Sun introduces new RFID solution architecture

Sun Microsystems has announced the release of its newest RFID Industry Solution Architecture (ISA), Sun RFID ISA for Manufacturing, which combines Sun's RFID expertise with its extensive knowledge of the manufacturing industry.

"Manufacturers of packaged consumer goods are now looking beyond immediate RFID compliance deadlines. Instead, they are focused on integrating RFID into their business processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs and accelerate business decisions," says Lodewyk de Beer, solutions architect at Sun Microsystems SA.

"The new architecture provides for improved risk management and ensures compliance with corporate governance legislation or regulations. RFID ISA for Manufacturing addresses the specific business challenges of the consumer package goods industry and helps these customers fully leverage the power of RFID," he says.

The new architecture also simplifies and accelerates the process of designing and integrating an RFID solution. RFID ISA for Manufacturing provides the essential guidelines to help customers deploy RFID to improve warehouse management and automate advance shipment notification processes.

De Beer says customers are always looking at how to leverage the benefits of RFID and how to efficiently apply RFID to specific scenarios within their industry verticals.

"Although there are various players in the market claiming RFID expertise, Sun has brought together its proven RFID and vertical industry experience with the RFID ISAs to create unique, targeted solutions to address these challenges," he adds.

Sun is packaging its RFID technology, product and service offerings, along with its partners' solutions to create RFID ISA for Manufacturing, which provides detailed guidelines to help manufacturers build an end-to-end RFID solution.

The new architecture contains everything a consumer packaged goods manufacturer needs to deploy RFID for warehouse management and automating the advanced shipment notification process, including:

* Sun Java System RFID Software;
* Provia Software's ViaWare Warehouse Management System;
* A Printronix RFID printer;
* An RFID reader; and
* Integration middleware.

"A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a critical component in an end-to-end RFID solution as it is among the last 'systems of record' in the supply chain. For consumer packaged goods manufacturers, the ability to have RFID as part of a WMS solution allows for the RFID data to be fully utilised throughout the supply chain," he says.

All the technology components of RFID ISA for Manufacturing are standards-based to help ensure compatibility and eliminate the risk of vendor dependency. In addition, the components have standard interfaces, which provide customers the flexibility of swapping or adding other standards-based components.