International research earmarks RFID, or radio frequency identification, as a technology to revolutionise retail and supply chains. Growth in RFID spend in the US retail arena is expected to reach US$1.3 billion (about R9 billion) by 2008.
US retail giant Wal-Mart and the US Defence Department last year instructed suppliers to begin incorporating RFID technology.
"It appears that the technology has powerful champions and it is soon to become a serious option for the South African retail supply chain," says Ted Michel, divisional manager of the Square One Solutions Group's Coding division, the sole southern African distributor for international coding, marking and identification technology company Domino.
Michel cautions that RFID is primarily an addition to existing methods of product tracking, and should therefore not be viewed in isolation.
He says Domino has adopted a total systems approach to successfully integrate RFID and its inter-operability with common alpha/numeric and 2D symbologies such as barcodes.
"By linking coding platforms from primary packages to secondary cases to tertiary pallets, and from laser marking to inkjet coding and RFID, Domino has been able to improve the accuracy and reliability of product data through total turnkey coding solutions incorporating RFID, which can be fully integrated within a manufacturing environment.
"The open platform approach to RFID technology ensures Domino systems are compatible with RFID innovation and that the most appropriate and effective technology is offered to the market. Close co-operation with customers, from initial concept testing stage right through to full implementation of in-line automated RFID systems, ensures the correct RFID and traceability technologies are selected and implemented."
Michel adds that a number of networking and data management solutions have evolved for systems connectivity from high-speed file transfers for commercial printing applications to secure, error-proof traceability systems for industries such as pharmaceuticals.
"Today we can provide local network control for coding and verification devices from laser marking to machine vision systems and RFID readers. We can also connect to existing enterprise application software such as ERP/SCADA networks and the EPC extended network."
A Product Traceability System (PTS) has been developed by Domino. Michel says it is fully automated and applies smart labels (with embedded RFID tags) directly onto outer case packaging. Readable text and barcodes are either applied remotely to the label, which gives flexibility for tag placement, or they are combined within a printed label format.
"The PTS can be integrated within an existing production line or installed independently for batch processing of specific customer orders. By automating the case coding operation with RFID tag application and barcoding, PTS provides immediate cost benefits."
For RFID digital case printing, the PTS provides automated case handling and positioning, smart RFID label application via a "tamp-blow" device, automated removal of "non-read" tags before application, direct case printing of barcode, alphanumeric and graphics text and full RFID tag and barcode verification before the case leaves the factory.
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The Square One Solutions Group focuses on providing IT-based business enabling solutions. The company has a national footprint and more than 18 years of experience of the South African market. Square One offers value-based solutions centred on biometric authentication; integrated wireless and mobile applications; enterprise storage and backup/recovery; enterprise power; coding and marking; and enterprise LAN, WAN and infrastructure for the corporate, SME and Government markets. The company also distributes document solutions, colour input and output devices and provides 24x7 national support and service.
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