Recent briefings in Cape Town and Johannesburg outlining the latest data automation technology, radio frequency identification (RFID) and its effect on business processes, were received with great enthusiasm by over 120 business leaders across a broad range of industries.
The presentation highlighted the capability of RFID to track, monitor, report and manage products, assets and people more effectively and efficiently as they move between locations, anywhere and at anytime.
Hosted collaboratively by strategic partners, Dimension Data, Cisco Systems and ProScan Systems, these joint briefings demonstrated the multiple elements necessary to implement an integrated RFID solution. These include once-off and reusable tags; portable or fixed mount readers/ interrogators; RFID-ready networks and integrated software applications.
ProScan supplies a range of Intermec Intellitag RFID technology to suit different applications and environments. Intermec is at the forefront of RFID development worldwide, with its RFID equipment being the first to comply with the new approved European standard for RFID at UHF.
Intermec was the first company to demonstrate the latest standard EPC Global Gen2 tags in operation. Cisco Systems provides the RFID-ready network, which is a tightly integrated, wired and wireless network that can classify EPC traffic to prioritise it anywhere in the network. Resilient and robust networks support using and directing RFID information across the enterprise. By making such information available throughout the organisation, Cisco solutions facilitate the complete supply chain that is proving so valuable to retailers, government and industry.
Based on Cisco networks, retailers can respond more quickly; track assets more accurately; improve adaptability; and create a highly effective, sustainable, end-to-end supply chain based on RFID technology.
Dimension Data is able to implement all the various elements into a full functional RFID solution at the customer`s site utilising its Plan, Build and Support methodology. The Plan, Build and Support methodology ensures responsibility for the full lifecycle of a typical project from the conception of an idea through to the operational support of the solution once implemented.
Andrew Fosbrook, managing director of ProScan, comments: "These business briefings provided the business community with a breakdown of all the different facets that make up an effective RFID solution, as well as the fact that these technologies and skills are currently available to roll-out an effective RFID application in the supply chain.
"Following RFID implementation in Europe and the US, local business leaders are extremely interested in how they can incorporate this technology to streamline and improve business processes to give them the competitive-edge."
Jeff Jack, technology manager at Dimension Data, concludes: "The collaboration of key players, such as Dimension Data, Cisco and ProScan showed the business community how RFID can create significant value by increasing the visibility of products, processes, vehicles and equipment across the supply chain and beyond."
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