|
| [May 07, 2004] |
 |
RedPrairie Announces RFID 360 - A Comprehensive Technology and Services Solution for RFID Deployment
WAUKESHA, Wis. --(Business Wire)-- May 7, 2004 -- Combination of Integrated Applications, Design and Consulting Services, and Environmental Testing Laboratory Ensures Retail Compliance and ROI on RFID Investments
RedPrairie Corporation, a leader in global supply chain technology solutions that drive business transformation, today announced a comprehensive suite of RFID applications and services designed to ensure retail compliance regardless of a company's existing distribution infrastructure, and RFID-enabled supply chain technology solutions that go far beyond compliance issues to deliver real ROI throughout the supply chain. The new suite, named RFID 360(SM)for its total solution approach, combines "bolt-on" and RFID native applications, RFID design, consulting and implementation services, and an RFID testing laboratory for product and proof of concept testing. The RFID systems are being demonstrated this week at RedShift 2004, RedPrairie's annual User Conference and Industry Summit.
Comments John Jazwiec, RedPrairie Company Leader, "Companies face totally new challenges meeting the RFID shipment requirements of major retailers and the Department of Defense while also attempting to leverage RFID investments to improve operations and generate ROI. 'In the box' software kits can't possibly meet these challenges. It takes expert guidance in software integration, hardware selection, placement and tuning, and thorough testing to make sure customers can drive real value. RFID 360 covers all of these services bundled with the right choice of software for any environment."
RFID 360 includes four software options tailored to meet each company's RFID implementation environment and schedule. The first software module, which serves as the foundation for the three others, is RFID Data Manager(TM). This application does input data filtering and aggregation. This function, often referred to as the savant layer, then passes the filtered and aggregated data up to the middleware applications where business logic is performed. RFID 360 includes two "bolt-on" middleware applications.
For those companies just starting the pilot phase, RedPrairie offers RFID Igniter(TM). This middleware package provides the ability to print, read and track RFID tag-embedded labels as required for pilot testing environments. It also includes visibility software to provide a top down view of all products in testing, and performance measurement software to analyze results. RFID Igniter can be installed in any distribution environment.
The second middleware application is RFID Accelerator(TM). This system provides everything companies need to deploy RFID processing for compliance with the mandates of Wal*Mart, Target, DOD and other major retailers - guaranteed. RFID Accelerator can be integrated to any distribution environment, whether legacy host, ERP, WMS or MES based. It contains all of the functionality of the RFID Igniter package, plus all internal processing and ASN production capabilities required for compliance.
Mike Dempsey, RedPrairie Industry Strategy Leader explains, "We knew the tight deadlines for compliance would not allow enough time for companies to upgrade their systems, or implement new ones. Therefore, we took as our starting point that our solution had to be easily integratable to any environment as well as provide everything companies need for compliance. RFID Accelerator does this."
However, the greatest value from RFID will come when distribution systems use RFID as a basic form of processing, enabling all distribution functions to take maximum advantage of the unique benefits of the technology. Therefore, RedPrairie is announcing DLx(R) MAX, a fully RFID-enabled version of its industry leading supply chain execution and optimization suite. The first application of the suite to natively use RFID processing is DLx Warehouse/MAX, which was released April 15. Other DLx MAX applications will be rolled out later in 2004.
Because most customers do not have experience dealing with the special requirements of RFID processing, such as tag selection, placement and orientation, reader/antennae placement and attenuation, or overcoming signal interference, RFID 360 includes a complete set of RFID services. These include RFID training, application selection, business case development, product and proof of contest testing, hardware selection, installation and tuning, systems integration, pilot testing design and evaluation, and project management. Testing can be done in RedPrairie's RFID lab or at the client site.
Jazwiec adds, "Because we have all three layers of RFID software - aggregation, middleware and native RFID applications - and a full complement of services and testing facilities, we are able to offer our customers a guarantee of compliance with the EPC standards and the shipment requirements of Wal*Mart, DOD and other major retailers. RFID 360 is another example of how RedPrairie puts its total focus on providing products and services that ensure our customers achieve success."
About RedPrairie Corporation
RedPrairie is a leader in supply chain technology solutions that help customers transform their businesses. These global, end-to-end logistics solutions optimize operations across customers' extended supply networks, driving out costs, improving customer service and creating competitive advantage. RedPrairie's RFID-enabled suite of supply chain technology solutions provide the industry's leading transportation, productivity, and distribution management capabilities, enhanced with process management and optimization components for real-time visibility, event management, sourcing, quality control, supplier collaboration and performance management. RedPrairie provides industry-tailored solutions for many markets, including consumer goods, direct to consumer and traditional retail, food and beverage, high tech / electronics, third party logistics, industrial / wholesale, automotive and service parts, and pharmaceuticals. Customers include Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Thames Water, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Panasonic, Georgia-Pacific, Eveready, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Unilever, Exel, GE, TNT Logistics, and many others.
For additional information, call 1.877.733.7724, or access www.RedPrairie.com.
RedPrairie, DigitaLogistix and DLx are registered trademarks of RedPrairie Corporation.
(C) 2004 RedPrairie Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
[ Back To Contact Center Solutions Homepage's Homepage ]
|
