Milwaukee, WI — October 18, 2006 — Optimization firm RedPrairie has partnered with Babush Material Handling Systems, a provider of material handling system and control technology, to supply pre-integrated high-speed radio frequency identification (RFID) labeling and RFID operational solutions.
RedPrairie commented that because integrating RFID, barcode, material handling controls and enterprise networks is a challenging task that many companies are preparing to face, providing ready-to-deploy solutions minimizes risk, installation time required and cost for customers.
Companies can learn about and test the functionality in the newly opened Babush and RedPrairie joint RFID Technology Center where working RFID automation components have been installed to support real-world business processes. Located in Milwaukee, Wisc., the 3,200 square-foot center gives visitors hands-on experience to better understand the components required to install a successful RFID solution by duplicating their own operation as much as possible. The RFID tags are used with integrated material handling systems so customers can view the process under real operating conditions and decide about the value of the operational processes they can deploy.
"Customers need to be planning now how they will deploy the efficient tagging and use of RFID in their operations as label volumes increase beginning in 2007. We can help with that planning and deployment," stated Gary Morgan, vice president, RedPrairie.
Chris Shult, Babush president, remarked, "The solutions presented in the RFID Technology Center will allow our customers to see the business impact and discuss how automation capability using RFID conveyor portals integrated to direct material handing controls can be deployed in their business."
The Babush and RedPrairie RFID Technology Center is also equipped with high-speed conveyor systems to allow tag placement testing. As additional products are tagged, the first step is testing the readability of tagged product before pushing the product out into the supply chain and expecting near 100 percent readability. The conveyor system can test product read speeds of up to 600 feet per minute and accurately apply labels as fast as 60 cases per minute.
RedPrairie's RFID solutions provide for the commissioning of electronic product code (EPC) numbers, application, tracking and aggregation of tags using automated equipment, and logistical operations using vehicle mounted readers.
Additional Articles of Interest
- — Contemplating RFID? Here are three critical questions to answer before embarking on a radio frequency identification initiative. Read "Recognizing Real RFID Adoption Potential," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— A recent independent study revealed that Wal-Mart customers are finding the items they wanted in stock more often due to the retailer's use of RFID technologies when compared to control stores. Read more in "Wal-Mart Achieving Improved On-shelf Availability with RFID, Study Finds" on SDCExec.com.
— RFID technology has the potential to change the way supply chains are managed, but in order to be effective businesses need to take a holistic look at the deployment. Read more in the SDCExec.com article "Time for RFID: Applying RFID in the Supply Chain."
— For a contrary view of the future of the RFID market, see the article "The O'RFID Factor: A 'No Spin' Look at Where Radio Frequency Identification Is Headed," in the October/November 2004 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— For more information on trends relating to radio frequency identification (RFID), follow this link for an extensive listing of SDCExec.com articles, featuring the latest research findings on the RFID, including adoption, return on investment and barriers to implementation.
