SAP AutoID RFID Integration

Cephalon, Inc. will implement OATSystems RFID solution to enable serialized shipment container tracking using SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure for RFID integration into business processes and operational workflows. ...

... "Cephalon, an international biopharmaceutical company, has been testing RFID technology for the past three years to improve supply chain efficiency and visibility. RFID serialized container tracking will support efforts to combat counterfeiting as well as improve process execution. OAT's RFID solution was integrated with SAP Solution for RFID to enable serialized shipping container tracking and to set the foundation for tracking drug pedigrees. Cephalon has architected SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure as an extension of its core ERP processes for serialized product and containers to enrich standard processes around deliveries, advanced shipping notices (ASNs), pick/pack/ship and handling. This new project extends this architecture further and leverages the combined OAT and SAP solution to enable distribution center-based processes and workflows to track serialized shipping containers. OAT commissions and associates the RFID tags with specific containers and records the containers' contents and attributes; SAP solutions provide process oversight, number range management and OAT provides operational workflow management. After processing, OAT reports back the shipping container’s EPC number and the details of its contents, enabling SAP business processes such as pharmaceutical advance shipping notices (RxASN) to be carried out automatically. " ...

Via OATSystems: RFID Solution Integrated With SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure Platform

RFID Adaptive Supply Chain Networks

SAP upgrades its transportation management functionality, as part of the mySAP Supply Chain Management (mySAP SCM) modules to support adapting business processes to optimize revenue across global trade operations. The upgraded software will support ocean shipping management and transportation planning through increased visibility and control of shipments globally. Transportation management costs will be reduced by making the business process more flexible and dynamic using real world aware practices, such as RFID technology. RFID technology integration into the adaptive supply chain will occur through SAP's NetWeaver platform. SAP reports that its existing transportation management software is used by more than 2,200 companies worldwide. This upgrade positions SAP as a strong competitor in the supply chain logistics software market. ...

... "Powered by the SAP NetWeaver platform and leveraging emerging technologies and real world aware practices - using technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, smart cards and sensors - mySAP SCM transforms traditional, linear supply chains into adaptive supply chain networks to meet the challenges of rapidly changing market dynamics. These adaptive supply chain networks allow all participants, including suppliers and logistics providers, to sense changes in demand and supply conditions as they occur and to share the critical knowledge needed to respond intelligently. The result is an adaptive supply chain network that is not only demand-driven but can also leverage its assets to influence demand where appropriate. mySAP SCM offers a dynamic synchronization of demand-driven planning, logistics and network execution based on real-time information that provides the capability to synchronize supply with demand by balancing push and pull network planning processes and to replenish and produce based on actual demand; sense and respond with an adaptive supply chain network in which distribution, transportation and logistics are driven and integrated into real-time planning processes; and enable network wide visibility, collaboration and analytics across the extended supply chain. " ...

Via SAP: SAP Helps Companies Meet the Challenges and Reduce the Costs of Global Trade ...

RFID Track Trace System ...

Infosys has successfully implemented SAP RFID solution to enable CHEP's Global Track and Trace System. CHEP will use this system to provide real-time visibility to its customers for their products and to track the shipping assets. CHEP is the global leader in pallet and container pooling services and serves many of the world's largest companies. The company has more than 7,700 employees and operates in 44 countries. CHEP manages over 280 million pallets and containers through a global network of service centers. It identified product and asset visibility as a significant opportunity to leverage RFID technology. The Global Track and Trace System at CHEP enables vendor managed inventory (VMI), yields increased asset control, and optimizes inventory management. ...

... "This project is a significant step forward for global RFID adoption, combining SAP's RFID platform and applications with Infosys' strong thought leadership and robust implementation model for the RFID-enabled enterprise. By delivering innovative, value-added solutions with a low total cost of ownership (TCO), Infosys and SAP aim to help organizations adopt RFID technology to both enhance their existing business models and pursue new ones. " ...

Via Infosys: Infosys Deploys SAP Solutions for RFID for CHEP's Global Track and Trace System

SAP Cisco RFID Investment

SAP and Cisco invest in Reva Systems through investment, industry collaboration, and strategic relationships. ...

... "Reva Systems, an emerging leader among radio frequency identification (RFID) network infrastructure providers, announced $13.5M in second-round venture funding that includes a capital contribution and technology standards collaboration with Cisco Systems, Inc.; a capital investment and strategic relationship with SAP Ventures, a division of SAP AG (NYSE: SAP); and follow-on investments from Reva's original venture backers and individual investors, including North Bridge Venture Partners and Charles River Ventures. Today's announcement brings Reva's total funding to $20M including the original Series A financing in April, 2004. The investments will fund Reva's growth in a time of intensifying global RFID market expansion. The company is well-positioned with a robust RFID appliance to satisfy network management and scalability challenges that the RFID community now recognizes as the key to widespread RFID deployment.



Reva's approach and its product development are aligned with Cisco's expectation of the proliferation of RFID and the resulting demand for innovative solutions and network management to support RFID deployments. Reva is leading industry standards committees to help define network-to-reader protocols and other standards that will streamline RFID network integration, and its approach is becoming the practical model for managing readers and collecting data across any RFID implementation." ...

Via Reva Systems: Reva Secures Investments from Cisco Systems and SAP Ventures: Funding accelerates RFID network integration effort ...

RFID Retail: Apparel Payback ...

Laudis demo planned for RFID conference will show payback in the retail apparel industry ...

... "The RFID Journal and AAFA Summit, held at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York Aug. 15-16, is the first event of its kind designed to address RFID-related opportunities and issues in the apparel and footwear industry. Laudis and NCR will demonstrate their collaborative end-to-end RFID solution that allows manufacturers to tag apparel at the source, enabling retailers to verify the location or the receipt of garments anywhere within the supply chain. The demonstration (Laudis AAFA Summit booth #3) will feature the Laudis apparel applications and item-level tracking solutions for clothing and footwear. NCR will provide hardware, such as hang tags, flap tags and RFID-reader technology. NCR is also providing Laudis with consulting services and installation support for its end-to-end clothing solution. " ...

Via NCR: NCR and Laudis Systems Demonstrate End-to-End RFID Solution for Apparel Industry ...

Retail RFID applications are discussed ...

Via CIO Magazine: The RFID Imperative - Retail - prepare systems for RFID technology: "Like most CIOs in the retail industry, he believes that widespread RFID adoption is a sure thing and that the technology—which some day will enable him to track every single product, from manufacture to checkout ... "

ABI has researched the market for retail RFID use ...

The RFID Retail Market Market Research Report from ABI Research: "The retail market is possibly the most talked about in the RFID industry. Although Wal-Mart is not the only retailer that has issued an RFID mandate for its suppliers, it is still the most popular subject. This market is expected to be one of the fastest growing RFID verticals. "

T3CI offers RFID-enabled business intelligence capabilities for the retail industry ...

Via T3CI: RFID Analytics and Application Leadership; Experience Delivering Business Value to Major Retail Suppliers Drive Investment Decision: "T3Ci's software and subscription services are designed for leaders of RFID initiatives at major retail suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to deliver business value from their RFID investments. The company's enterprise-class solutions provide RFID data analysis (only for retailers who allow 3rd party analysis of their EPC data), deductions management and authentication/anti-counterfeiting/e-pedigree – the most comprehensive RFID applications vision. "

SAP RFID Solution: Acsis Link ...

SAP and Acsis deliver offering to help customers comply with RFID mandates, while creating a scalable end-to-end RFID architecture for the enterprise. ...

... "Utilizing the SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, built on SAP NetWeaver, and Acsis Data-Link Enterprise platforms, a Certified for SAP NetWeaver solution, these two leaders in RFID and supply chain solutions provide a complete package for both SAP and non-SAP customers. Further, their integrated solution provides the foundation needed to quickly scale and derive value as mandates expand. With the End to End approach, Acsis and SAP will combine Acsis's Tag/Reader recommendation for hardware, Acsis and SAP process design, software, and complete implementation in 30 days to help customers achieve their immediate compliance needs. The offering can be delivered either fully integrated with SAP back office systems or as a completely standalone system. Further, the offering can be integrated with any ERP and WMS solution using SAP's Exchange Infrastructure and Acsis Data-Link Enterprise integration capabilities. The integrated offering provides complete device orchestration, data collection, and the transformation of RFID data into business context for commissioning, packing, loading, shipping, tracking, and analytics for RFID. " ...

SAP RFID Solution: Acsis Link: Via Acsis: ACSIS and SAP LAUNCH END TO END OFFERING FOR RFID COMPLIANCE ...

RFID Printer SAP AutoID Certified ...

Printronix RFID print solution achieves AutoID certification with SAP infrastructure. ...

... "Printronix Inc., the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, announced that its radio frequency identification (RFID) label printing solution has achieved SAP certified integration. SAP has certified the Printronix XML Forms Module 1.0 for integration with the Device Controller Interface of SAP(R) Auto-ID Infrastructure Release 2.1 and the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform in Printronix's 5r Multi-Technology Thermal Printing Platform. With this certified solution, Printronix customers can expect low-cost, rapid integration of RFID label printing into SAP solution-based environments. The pre-designed label templates, XML test files and label-design software yield the dual benefits of lower maintenance and increased reliability. This scalable solution grows with users' information-processing needs, eliminating need for costly middleware. SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure 2.1 enables RFID-based supply chain management (SCM) and supply chain execution processes across the enterprise. Printronix worked with SAP to enable smart label creation within SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure 2.1 on the industry's best-selling RFID printers and encoders. " ...

RFID Printer SAP AutoID Certified: Via Printronix Printers: Printronix RFID Label Printing Solution Achieves SAP Certified Integration ...

RFID Analytics Software ...

Xterprise releases analytics software to support RFID technology. ...

... "Xterprise Incorporated, an industry leading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Enabled Supply Chain solutions provider and the leader in RFID source tagging solutions, has extended its solution offering with the commercial release of AnalytiX. AnalytiX is a data analytics product targeted to assist retail suppliers shipping RFID products to Wal-Mart and other retailers by monitoring and quantifying the benefits of using RFID within retail supply chains. Unlike other RFID analytics offerings in the market, Xterprise’s AnalytiX product provides the most innovative user interface, the richest retail RFID analytics available in the market and the first of its kind monitoring of production source tagging solution performance. The product is fully compatible with WalMart's Retail Link as well as many Enterprise Systems data interfaces such as SAP. Xterprise is currently working with members of the Wal-Mart top100 in pilots and will demonstrate the product at both the EPC Technology Expo/Wal-Mart supplier forum (Dallas, April 25-26) and RFID Journal Live (Las Vegas, May 1-3). " ...

Via Xterprise: Xterprise Announces Most Comprehensive RFID AnalytiX Product in the Market ...

RFID: Sun SAP Collaborate ...

Sun and SAP collaborate to enable seamless RFID solutions ...

... "Sun Microsystems, Inc. expanded its relationship with SAP AG to integrate and standardize RFID technology based on the SAP(R) Auto-ID Infrastructure component of SAP NetWeaver(R) and the Sun Java System RFID Software. This collaboration will enable RFID data network communication between Sun and SAP RFID technology (part of the mySAP Business Suite solutions), allowing for seamless data flow from any RFID-enabled device to the mySAP Business Suite. The technology integration has been tested and certified by SAP. Customers in a broad range of industries, including retail and manufacturing, are looking to RFID technology to help them gain insight into multiple facets of the logistics process, including maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, improving customer service and tracking orders. The collaboration between SAP and Sun will help speed time to deployment for customers looking to integrate RFID data into their back-end systems. The Sun Java System RFID Software provides centralized monitoring and management capabilities for large numbers of distributed RFID devices and delivers Jini technology-based dynamic networking capabilities, which help ensure that RFID data can continue to be transmitted to the SAP applications under demanding production environments. " ...

RFID: Sun SAP Collaborate: Via Sun: Sun and SAP Collaborate to Simplify Deployment of RFID Solutions on SAP NetWeaver ...

Additional references on SAP and RFID ...

Via SAP - Components & Tools of SAP NetWeaver: SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure: "SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, the key component of SAP NetWeaver that provides RFID capabilities, provides SAP applications with a gateway into RFID data. "

Via SAP: SAP RFID Rollout Signals Major Savings for Midsize Flag-Maker: "SAP NetWeaver provides companies with a powerful platform to manage, integrate and leverage RFID data within their SAP and non-SAP business applications. By integrating a combination of SAP NetWeaver components with core business applications, such as enterprise resource planning or supply chain management, customers can RFID-enable their business processes. The implementation of SAP RFID technology was facilitated by Annin's implementation partner CIBER Novasoft. The integration of SAP RFID technology and the pre-existing SAP IT infrastructure means information captured from the RFID tags for the more than 500,000 master cartons shipped annually can be accessed directly in the enterprise SAP system. Retailers can track and report on the movement of Annin's inventory tagged with RFID through warehouses and stores. By creating this real-world aware network, Annin has laid the groundwork for shipping items using RFID and developing an integrated and scalable approach to the technology, providing benefits beyond merely meeting the Wal-Mart requirement. "

Via SAP: SAP Forges Next Generation of RFID-Enabled Business Solutions with Kimberly-Clark: "SAP and Kimberly-Clark will continue to leverage EPCglobal efforts to promote standards based solutions to the marketplace. SAP is bringing to bear the state-of-the-art Auto-ID, analytical and event-driven technologies provided by the SAP NetWeaver platform to collect, analyze and act on EPC (electronic product code) data shared among Kimberly-Clark and its trading partners. Kimberly-Clark has already deployed SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure as the system of record of enterprise-wide EPC information and as the interface that controls all EPC information flowing into mySAP ERP. "

Via SAP: SAP Enables Fraport AG to Reduce Maintenance Costs and Increase Safety at Frankfurt Airport with Mobile Asset Management: "Before the mobile deployment, service engineers had to fill out lengthy forms during equipment checks, then enter the data manually into the central ERP software. Service technicians now use PDAs to access daily maintenance plans and carry out work orders. The PDAs read maintenance-relevant information from the RFID tags installed on ventilation shutters and act as clients to the ERP software for reporting and archiving. Because the PDAs can read tags only at a distance of three centimeters or less, the mobile scenario confirms that service technicians duly checked each vent on their work orders. In addition to safeguarding maintenance processes and generating reports in compliance with federal regulations, the solution helps the company maintain a complete view across the entire asset life cycle and more quickly locate reoccurring faults. "

RFID Program: P&G EPC

P&G electronic product code (EPC) and radio frequency identification (RFID) program is focused on the opportunities in the supply chain and is sensitive to privacy concerns that consumers may have. ...

... "The Procter & Gamble Company is pursuing the use of EPC (Electronic Product Coding) to create efficiencies in the supply chain, to manage inventory, prevent theft and counterfeiting, and reduce out-of-stock levels, via case and pallet-level EPC. Down the road as we learn more about the technology, there may be opportunities to save costs and generate additional benefits for the supply chain and consumers via item-level EPC. " ...

References on P&G's RFID program ...

RFID Program: P&G EPC: Via P&G: P&G Position on Electronic Product Coding (EPC) ...

Via SAP: SAP Launches First RFID Solution to Help Customers Automate RFID-Enabled Business Processes: "Drawing upon experience from customer projects with leading companies like Procter & Gamble and the METRO Group, as well as six years of RFID research and involvement in RFID standards organizations, SAP has developed technology that will dramatically change supply chain management in the retail and consumer product industries. "

Via RFID Journal: P&G Teams With T3Ci for RFID Apps: "Procter & Gamble has signed a five-year agreement with T3Ci, a Mountain View, Calif.-based startup that has created software for analyzing Electronic Product Code (EPC) data from radio frequency identification systems. "

Via Computerworld: Early Adopters Send Mixed Messages About RFID: "Flannery said the justification is more apparent in P&G's pharmaceutical business, where RFID is viewed as a technology that can help curb counterfeit drugs and bolster consumer safety. "

RFID Reaches Tipping Point ...

Research suggests that RFID technology has reached the tipping point, driven by the efforts of retailers, such as Walmart, and technology vendors, such as SAP. ...

... "A research firm said Radio Frequency Identification technology, or RFID, has reached the stage of development where it would be widely adopted, despite some hiccups in its implementation. A report released by Dallas research firm Regan, Jacob, & Sydeny said successful RFID use by such large firms as WalMart Stores Inc. and German software-giant SAP AG suggested RFID use would grow. " ...

RFID Reaches Tipping Point: Via Philadelphia Inquirer: Business News in Brief ...

RFID Visibility Solution for Supply Chain

TNT Express will implement Xterprise’s TraX Visibility, a real-time supply chain execution solution. The system will track high value electronics movement in the supply chain from China to Europe. The solution was piloted in 2004 and will now be expanded. ...

... "Phase II involves deployment of an enhanced TraX Release 2.0 application with multi-stakeholder enterprise system integration, including SAP. In addition, the solution will enable streamlining and higher accuracy sorting at the TNT facilities in Europe and enable Item-level shipment visibility for supply network partners. TraX 2.0 is expected to improve TNT customer service through a higher fidelity Track and Trace features which allows for better inventory planning and management and more accurate shipping performance, resulting in a value-added service offerings to TNT’s customer base. Xterprise technology partners in the project included Alien, Zebra Technologies and Apriso. The introduction of the latest RFID tag antenna designs and new multi-static European RFID readers both from Alien increased the read reliability dramatically. Tests have shown up to 100% read performance of a full pallet of notebooks as they are unloaded through the Xterprise XPort™ RFID reader portals in multiple locations throughout Europe. Xterprise’s TraX RFID enhanced visibility application, built on Apriso’s Flexnet SOA platform, enables customers, suppliers and logistics service providers to view real-time status of shipments around the globe. " ...

RFID Visibility Solution for Supply Chain: Via Xterprise: TNT Express Deploys Xterprise TraX Real-Time RFID Visibility Solution for China-Europe Supply Chain ...

RFID Network Supply Chain: SAP Netweaver ...

SAP Netweaver platforms leverages sensor networks, such as RFID, to drive a network approach to supply chain management. Jack M. Germain explores the mySAP Supply Chain Management package and its capabilities to help companies align supply and demand to keep goods flowing smoothly. ...

RFID Network Supply Chain: SAP Netweaver : Via Top Tech News: SAP Enhancements Aim To Keep Things Moving

... "The mySAP Supply Chain Management package seeks to help companies align supply and demand to keep goods flowing smoothly. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver platform, the software uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, smart cards, and sensors to transform traditional supply chains from linear, sequential steps into networks. " ...

RFID TAP Device: Reva

Reva's RFID TAP device addresses the challenge of RFID infrastructure deployment. Reva TAP improves the tag-read performance of a multiple reader facility and allows for management of readers in a flexible virtual location capability. The TAP device supports RFID data interfaces, such as ALE, JMS, SQL, and SAP-AII. Finally, management of the Reva TAP infrastructure supports fault-tolerance, remote monitoring, and a friendly user configuration interface.

RFID TAP Device: Reva: Via Reva Systems: Reva Systems Unveils RFID Tag Acquisition Processor: Network‐Intelligent Device Designed for Plug-and-Play Facility-based RFID Rollouts ...

... "Reva Systems, an emerging company focused on delivering network-intelligent products for radio frequency identification (RFID) installations, today announced the availability of its Tag Acquisition Processor (TAP). The TAP is a rack-mountable, standards-based device that manages facility-wide RFID readers as one cohesive unit, delivering superior, cost-effective system-level performance to support RFID adoption across a wide range of vertical markets. Today's announcement marks an important milestone in Reva's vision for the Tag Acquisition Network (TAN) - a scalable, facility-based architecture for RFID that leverages industry-standard tags, readers, and protocols. The introduction of a Reva TAP to a customer's facility transforms a collection of autonomous readers into a reliable and scalable TAN. The TAP creates an RFID infrastructure layer which logically resides above the reader layer and represents an extension of the existing enterprise network. The TAP ensures predictable operation of an RFID-enabled facility, optimal usage of available RF spectrum, seamless data integration with enterprise applications, and includes a powerful management console for configuration, commissioning, and monitoring of RFID systems. Reva's Tag Acquisition Network architecture and Tag Acquisition Processor directly address the performance requirements and infrastructure investment needed to successfully deploy RFID. ... The Tag Acquisition Processor and Reva Management Console, which are available and shipping now, are currently deployed in retail and manufacturing environments. Base unit pricing starts at $9,995 USD list, with customer-specific configurations quoted upon request. " ...

Reva Systems develops network-intelligent products for the emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) market. Eliminating the proprietary design and scalability problems of first-generation RFID solutions, Reva's Tag Acquisition Network (TAN) architecture and Tag Acquisition Processor (TAP) use proven networking concepts to enable more scalable, repeatable, and reliable enterprise-wide RFID reader deployments. Founded in 2004, and headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass., Reva is backed by Charles River Ventures and North Bridge Venture Partners.

Intermec RFID SAP AII Netweaver Direct Connect

Latest Intermec RFID reader (IF5) directly connects to SAP AII through Netweaver ...

Intermec RFID SAP AII Netweaver Direct Connect: Via Intermec: Intermec IF5 RFID Gen 2 Reader First to be Certified for Use with the SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure ...

... "The Intermec IF5 allows SAP users to employ RFID-powered data collection without integration services or middleware, making it ideal for companies of all sizes, from small to medium-sized businesses to global enterprises. Part of the SAP NetWeaver composition platform, SAP AII allows users of SAP Solutions to integrate all automated communication and sensing devices, including RFID readers and printers. The Intermec IF5 RFID reader architecture ties into SAP AII, guaranteeing SAP customers easy RFID integration. The Intermec IF5 RFID reader performs on-board decision-making, similar to a server connected to an RFID reader, to filter incoming RFID tag data and to drive multiple peripheral devices and antennas. This eliminates the need for extra servers and potential points of failure in the system, removing risk and extra cost for users. " ...

SAP RFID Technology: Policymaker Dialogue ...

SAP RFID Technology: Policymaker Dialogue: Via SAP: SAP Promotes Policymaker Dialogue on RFID Technology ...

... "SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced a recent round of informal discussions involving the U.S. Department of Commerce, European Union (EU) officials and other public and private leaders on the opportunities presented by radio frequency identification (RFID) technology as well as concerns that may hinder its widespread adoption. Held in Brussels the week of September 12, the meetings were organized by SAP, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and Brussels-based think tank The Centre. The objective of the discussions was not to promote any particular accord or policy but rather to exchange views and information and continue an ongoing dialogue in the direction of harmonized global policies. " ...

SAP has been conducting RFID research since 1998 and, having embedded RFID-enabling infrastructure in the SAP NetWeaver® platform, is a driving force in developing and implementing business applications of RFID technology.

RFID Tag Acquisition Network Interoperability

RFID Tag Acquisition Network Interoperability: Via Reva Systems: Reva Systems Launches Worldwide Network‐Intelligent RFID Interoperability Program: Successfully Completes Integration Testing with SAP, the Leading Provider of Business Software Solutions ...

... "Reva Systems, an emerging company focused on delivering network‐intelligent enterprise architecture for radio frequency identification (RFID) installations, announced the launch of its TAN Interoperability Program (TIP). Reva’s TIP is a pioneering partner program allowing enterprise solution providers to validate interoperability with Reva‐owered Tag Acquisition Networks (TANs). Reva also announced that Walldorf, Germany-based SAP AG (NYSE: SAP), the leading provider of business software solutions, has successfully completed its Reva TIP testing at SAP’s RFID laboratory in Palo Alto, Calif. Reva’s TIP program provides a powerful platform for Reva partners to respond to increasing customer demands that RFID data be made directly and flexibly accessible to existing enterprise IT infrastructures and business processes. " ...

Reva Systems develops network‐intelligent products for the emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) market. Eliminating the proprietary design and scalability problems of first‐generation RFID solutions, Reva’s Tag Acquisition Network (TAN) architecture uses proven networking concepts to enable more scalable, repeatable, and reliable enterprise‐wide RFID reader deployments. Founded in 2004, and headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass., Reva is backed by Charles River Ventures and North Bridge Venture Partners.