Kimberly-Clark RFID Data Enables Demand Forecasting and Lower Out-Of-Stock Conditions On Retail Shelves

TrueDemand Software closes enterprise-wide license deal with Kimberly-Clark that integrates RFID technology into the demand forecasting and replenishment system. ...

... "Kimberly-Clark will leverage the TrueDemand Forecast and Replenishment Manager (FRM) Release 2.1 to improve sales by reducing retail shelf out-of-stocks (OOS) for its global consumer product brands, which include Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups and Kotex. TrueDemand's FRM solution will leverage RFID data to provide Kimberly-Clark with greater insight including: perpetual inventory by retail store and selling floor, a daily forecast by product and store, and OOS root causes and lost sales by product and store and retail DC, with prioritized actions for replenishment analysts, retail partners and field operations teams. As a result, Kimberly-Clark will be able to more accurately predict product availability, inventory, execution and out-of-stock problems at the aggregate level across all stores, as well as at the detailed product-store level, and take the appropriate preventive action. TrueDemand’s unique predictive software will recommend specific replenishment, forecasting and store operations actions that Kimberly-Clark can take to help improve sales and market share. It provides out-of-stock root cause analysis and recommendations for continuous improvement for regular replenishment." ...

Via Kimberly-Clark: Kimberly-Clark to Power Shelf-Back Supply Chain (PDF) ...

RFID Company: Customer Satisfaction Is Differentiator

SkyeTek and Impinj differentiate themselves in the RFID marketplace by ranking as the highest rated RFID reader vendors in terms of customer satisfaction. ...

... "SkyeTek and Impinj offer products in different market segments with the former offering reader modules for embedded applications, such as product authentication, smart displays, and patron management, and the latter offering finished readers for applications such as portals, forklifts, and shelves. In comparing SkyeTek to vendors also offering modules, the study shows that SkyeTek's customer satisfaction rating exceeds that of the competition by two to four times. SkyeTek commissioned Amplify Communications to conduct the blind, independent survey by acquiring contact lists from industry standard sources. Over 10,000 professionals were contacted resulting in approximately 400 respondents, each of whom is involved in one or more projects using RFID reader technology.
" ...

Via SkyeTech: Lead RFID Reader Providers in Customer Satisfaction ...

RFID Medical Device Supply Management System Improved

Mobile Aspects, Inc., is shipping iRISupply 4.0, its next generation RFID-enabled medical device and supply management system. Mobile Aspects, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa., is a healthcare technology supplier focused on providing an integrated suite of clinical resource management solutions to automate the management of supply, asset, drug and patient tracking through the One System of CARE solution. The RFID features of iRISupply are ...

... "Adjustable shelving. RFID-enabled shelving within the cabinet-based technology is now adjustable to provide flexibility for the ever-changing needs of medical device and supply storage.

Next generation of RFID tracking architecture. iRISupply 4.0 utilizes an innovative, patentpending three-dimensional reading capability to further enhance the tracking and management of medical devices and supplies. " ...

Via Mobile Aspects: Next Generation RFID Enabled Medical Device and Supply Management System

RFID Multiplexer Product Multiple Antenna

metraTec RFID Solutions launched its family of RFID multiplexers with multiple antenna ports for HF and UHF applications. ...

... "With seven different product versions, metraTec has the world's largest product spectrum for RFID multiplexers. The devices are meant to enable users to easily set up complex RFID systems like RFID shelves or antenna arrays for location tracking at low cost. The products presented are compatible with all readers on the market independent of reader brand. Special emphasis was placed on simple control of the antenna ports and a robust electronics design based purely on semiconductors. All product versions are available as of today. " ...

Via metraTec: RFID Expert metraTec Presents Multiplexer Product Family with up to 16 Antenna Ports

RFID Smart Shelf Dispenser ..

TagSys develops new item-level RFID reader-based devices that target improvement of inventory management for the pharmaceutical, retail, library and industry laundry sectors through an RFID-enabled Smart Shelf and Smart Dispenser products. ...

... "The Smart Shelf simulates the 3D tunnel reader approach on a static standard shelf. The Shelf is designed to read any tag that is placed on the surface of the shelf. Previous designs of RFID shelves have required tags to be perpendicular to the antenna. The new Smart Shelf is designed to provide accurate readings regardless of the orientation of the tag. The Smart Shelf is highly sought after by libraries to help manage high volumes of books and other media, the pharmaceutical industry, where RFID tagged bottles can be tracked and monitored, high-end jewelry stores, and retail, where inventory of items like DVDs and CDs can be monitored to ensure availability during peak seasons of demand. The Smart Dispenser provides a volume based approach to reading the items in the dispenser. A typical dispenser could be a drawer or cabinet used to dispense items to authorized individuals. The items can be placed in any order or orientation in the dispenser. The new design reads the items in the dispenser when the drawer is opened and again when it is closed. The items that are removed are identified through the difference between reads. One user example of the Smart Dispenser is the management of hospital garments (scrubs) used by medical staff. To help hospitals manage hygiene and sterilization requirements, the Smart Dispenser can dispense the appropriate attire to the staff, (e.g. size, number of previous washes, etc.), and also monitor inventory and how that inventory is being managed. " ...

RFID Smart Shelf Dispenser: Via TAGSys: TAGSYS Develops Item-Level RFID Smart Shelf And Smart Dispenser For Pharma, Libraries And Retail ...

RFID Research Lab ...

RFID research lab at Kimberly-Clark ...

... "Research is a key facet of the work being done at K-C, Perkins said. She pointed to the company's RFID lab, which is developing and using technology to help track K-C products from the manufacturing facility to the store shelves. " ...

RFID Research Lab: Via Post Crescent: Kimberly-Clark's Valley presence still strong: After potential cuts, firm will employ 4,400 locally ...

RFID Library SelfCheck Systems: 3M ...

3M introduces two new RFID-enabled self-check systems at ALA event this month, which feature real-time performance. ...

... "Two new SelfCheck Systems from 3M make their first appearance in booth 1256 at the 2006 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Conference on Jan. 20-23 in San Antonio, Texas. Debuting are the SelfCheck System C-Series for material check-in and the SelfCheck System R-Series for material checkout and check-in. Both systems use the power of radio frequency identification (RFID) to help improve materials management, further simplify library self-service transactions, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.

Features of SelfCheck System C-Series for material check-in include: Realtime check-in enabled by accurate read of RFID tags that instantly records returned items and lets customers immediately checkout new items. Simple-to-use 3M Digital Library Assistant connection to help speed sorting and return of in-demand items to the shelves. ... Features of the SelfCheck System R-Series for checkout and check-in include: Accurate read of RFID tags placed on items to provide fast and efficient self-checkout of all library materials. " ...

RFID Library SelfCheck Systems: Two New RFID-based 3M SelfCheck Systems Take the Stage at 2006 American Library Association Midwinter Conference; Customer Satisfaction Increases, Costs Decline ...

Library RFID: New Zealand Town Leads ...

Manukau city in New Zealand leads in the application of RFID in libraries and expects to increase adoption. ...

Library RFID: New Zealand Town Leads: Via Stuff.co.nz: Wider use of RFID likely in libraries ...

... "RFID pioneer Manukau City Council will consider extending its use of the much talked about technology so it can electronically track books in all its libraries. Libraries manager Chris Szekely says a study of Botany Downs Library, which became the first in New Zealand to introduce RFID (radio frequency identification technology) in October last year, supports the move. " ...

The use of RFID in library processes can have a positive impact on quality, throughput, and efficiency. ...

Via ALA: Richard W. Boss on RFID Technology for Libraries ...

... "RFID security and the tracking of materials throughout the library; or it is a hybrid system that uses EM for security and RFID for tracking, but handles both simultaneously with a single piece of equipment. [3M has developed readers that can do both concurrently except for videotapes and audiotapes. These have to be desensitized and sensitized in a separate operation]. In either case, there can be as much as a 50 percent increase in throughput. The time savings are less for charging than for discharging because the time required for charging usually is extended by social interaction with patrons. " ...

Vendors that focus on RFID library systems continue to innovate in the field. ...

Via Bibliotecha RFID Library System: New RFID Handheld Reader improves mobile inventory control ...

... "The data exchange via radio waves provides new possibilities for a mobile inventory control. Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems has now developed a specific RFID handheld reader – called BiblioWandTM – which can be used to maintain the complete inventory in the shelves. For the reader, there is no difference in the processing of books, VHS cassettes, CDs and DVDs. Only the attachment of all material with programmed BiblioChip® RFID labels is required. " ...

There will be challenges in the deployment of RFID in library applications, such as the facility, the age of the collection, and other environmental considerations. ...

Via Libramation: Libramation's RFID technology protects the valuable collection of the Zottegem Library ...

... "The introduction of RFID technology in the Castle a decade later posed unique challenges. Building elements like stone flooring made the physical installation problematic. Melding new technology into the interior design of the library was a high priority. Finally, the new system would need to be flexible, easy to use and adhere to international technology standards. The Libramation solution (installed by Kno-Tech, its sister company in Europe) exceeded all expectations. " ...

Here are a few vendors that specialize in RFID library applications. ...

Bibliotheca is specialized in designing, producing and marketing of RFID systems that is hard- and software for library automation and media security. In Europe the BiblioChip® System is the Number One RFID Library System. Bibliotheca was formed to exclusively focus on the needs of librarians. The BiblioChip® RFID Library System is the result of what librarians have requested.

Libramation is positioned as a leader in library automation equipment technology and ergonomic work environments. We take pride in knowing that our systems and service are continually evolving to meet the needs and expectations of our clients. With its new office in Utah Libramation continues to expand its sales and marketing efforts in the United States. Libramation headquarters is in Edmonton Alberta Canada and has a sister company, Kno-Tech, the Netherlands. The company's contemporary and functional automation products have progressed from front of the house Easy-Check units, to automated return and sorting systems, and our latest, the Lib-Chip RFID Library and Self Check solutions. Libramation systems are in use at libraries in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and throughout Canada.

Linda Dillman Walmart RFID Update ...

Linda Dillman, Walmart CIO, provides update on the Walmart RFID program. ...

Linda Dillman Walmart RFID Update: Via Carthage Press: Wal-Mart: Radio Tags Keep Shelves Stocked ...

... "RFID, or radio-frequency identification tags, has reduced out-of-stock merchandise by 16 percent at the company's stores that have begun to use the technology over the past 12 months, Linda Dillman, WalMart's chief information officer, said at the company's annual analyst meeting Wednesday. WalMart has been able to restock RFID-tagged items three times as fast as non-tagged items ... " ...

RFID Demo Facility

RFID Demo Facility: Advanced RFID Demonstration Facility Opens: Unipart Logistics, Intermec, SAP join forces on RFID project ...

... "This enables the business community to simulate new, advanced logistics processes and technology in a risk-free environment, that allows the assessment of the impact and benefits of RFID deployment in terms of strategy, people and process. Underpinned by SAP's RFID platform, the system uses Intermec's RFID readers and printers. GEM simulates a real-life environment, complete with raw materials, picking systems, pallets and supermarket shelves complete with real goods, to create a physical representation of the cost benefits of RFID technology throughout the supply chain." ...

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include, mobile computing systems, bar code printers, label media and Intellitag® RFID The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations.

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software solutions*. Today, more than 27,000 customers in over 120 countries run more than 91,500 installations of SAP® software—from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize businesses to enterprise-scale suite solutions for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaverTM platform to drive innovation and enable business change, mySAPTM Business Suite solutions are helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP industry solutions support the unique business processes of more than 25 industry segments, including high tech, retail, public sector and financial services. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP."

Unipart Logistics is the logistics and service management division of the Unipart Group of Companies (UGC) and is one of Europe's leading providers of logistics to the automotive, technology, aerospace, rail, leisure and retail sectors.

Walmart RFID Testing ...

RFID technology is making its way into people’s everyday lives in a number of areas ...

... "Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble have tested RFID tags on Max Factor Lipfinity lipstick sold at the Wal-Mart store in Arrow, Oklahoma. Store shelves equipped with Webcams allowed Procter & Gamble researchers in Cincinnati, Ohio, to watch customers as they picked up and looked at the lipsticks. In a separate trial, Wal-Mart and Gillette have tested the usefulness of placing RFID tags on Gillette razor blades sold at Wal-Mart stores. RFID antennas on store shelves tracked when customers picked up razors, when they put them back on the shelf, and when they carried them to the register. The tests were designed to give insight on shopping behavior, prevent shoplifting, and to alert employees when shelves needed to be re-stocked. " ...

RFID Technology Future Discussion

RFID TECHNOLOGY: WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR COMMERCE, SECURITY, AND THE CONSUMER ...

... "And if technical and cost feasibility issues can be addressed, RFID readers, for example, could have the ability to read instantaneously not only pallets but also each unique individual product they contain. This could be done without having to unload any product contents, with inventory being updated in real time. Forecasting would become obsolete, shelves would always be stocked with the most popular brands, and cost savings would be passed on to the consumer. Now this is just one possibility, future possibility." ...

AIAG RFID AIT Forum: Learning ...

AIAG Hosts 10 Annual Forum for Automatic Identification Technologies, RFID ...

... "What do the automotive industry, the family dog, and Wal-Mart all have in common? Radio frequency identification (RFID). ... RFID technology is used to identify lost pets, track stock on store shelves, and control and error proof the production process. Direct-part marking (DPM) uses a two-dimensional (2-D) symbol and contains information like supplier identification and serial lot traceability information, which is encoded on the part, and is used now on vehicular engines, axles and many other parts. " ...

Founded in 1982, AIAG is a globally recognized organization where OEMs and suppliers unite to address and resolve issues affecting the worldwide automotive supply chain. AIAG’s goals are to reduce cost and complexity through collaboration; improve product quality, health, safety and the environment; and optimize speed to market throughout the supply chain. Headquartered in the metro Detroit area, its more than 1,500 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry.

P+G EPC Electronic Product Code Enabled by RFID Technology ...

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology: What the Future Holds for Commerce, Security, and the Consumer: Why P&G is investing in EPC ...

... "Procter & Gamble is pursuing the use of Electronic Product Code (EPC) to create efficiencies in the supply chain. As you have heard from Dr. Sarma, EPC is a way to uniquely identify a pallet, case or individual product using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. It's similar to today's bar code, but with many more potential uses and benefits. P&G is a founding sponsor of MIT's Auto-ID Center because we realized the enormous potential to improve processes in the entire supply chain from our plants to retail distribution centers to store shelves. The real time, automated, accurate information that EPC generates will benefit manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and most importantly, consumers. Today's supply chain systems are outdated and not meeting the needs of our consumers. EPC offers potential solutions for problems like out-of-stocks, theft and counterfeiting, as well as reducing inventory levels. We know that out of stock levels are higher than we, our retail partners and our consumers want. It is frustrating when you go to your local supermarket to buy your favorite flavor of Pringles and the shelf is bare. It can result in a lost sale for P&G and for the retailer. To guard against out of stocks, we keep an average of 65 days worth of product inventory, which costs us $3 billion a year. Theft and counterfeiting are growing problems as well. Worldwide theft costs retailers $50 billion a year and counterfeiting is a $500 billion problem. " ...

RFID Chemical Monitoring: Smart Cabinet ...

ORNL > Newsroom > Story Tips

... "The smart cabinet will track the placement of laboratory chemicals used in a typical research environment inside a small enclosed storage area. The cabinet uses special shelves that have radio frequency reader capability for constant monitoring of placement and removal of chemicals. Changes are recorded in a computer database, and discrepancies are reported to designated personnel through electronic mail or pager. This eliminates the need for physical inventories. [Contact: Fred Strohl; 865.574.4165; strohlhf@ornl.gov] " ...

Radio Frequency Identification Workshop Report ...

FTC Releases Radio Frequency Identification Workshop Report

... "The report and workshop continue the Commission's work on consumer privacy and technology issues, exploring how RFID works, its various applications, and its anticipated uses. RFID involves tiny tags embedded with computer chips that communicate with devices called readers, which are capable of scanning information stored on multiple tags from a distance. A tag can contain information that uniquely identifies the item to which it is attached, such as an electronic product code. As the report describes, RFID technology has important implications for businesses, consumers, and policymakers. Companies are turning to RFID to manage warehouse inventory and to stock retail shelves. Consumers are using RFID tags when they travel on highways, purchase gas and groceries, and protect their pets. RFID also has significant potential for government use as a public safety and anti-counterfeiting tool. " ...

RFID Potential ...

Conferences and Workshops

... "The emergence of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has important implications for businesses, consumers, and policymakers. Companies are turning to RFID to manage warehouse inventory and to stock retail shelves. Consumers are using RFID tags when they travel on highways, purchase gas and groceries, and protect their pets. RFID also has significant potential as a public safety and anti-counterfeiting tool. And as the cost of RFID chips declines, new applications will undoubtedly be developed. " ...

Radio Frequency IDentification Workshop ...

FTC Radio Frequency IDentification Workshop

From FTC ...

... "The emergence of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has important implications for businesses, consumers, and policymakers. Companies are turning to RFID to manage warehouse inventory and to stock retail shelves. Consumers are using RFID tags when they travel on highways, purchase gas and groceries, and protect their pets. RFID also has significant potential as a public safety and anti-counterfeiting tool. And as the cost of RFID chips declines, new applications will undoubtedly be developed. " ...

Submitted RFID comments from Public Workshop: Radio Frequency Identification

Wireless Communication and Smart Card-enabled Route Accounting Drives Efficiency ...

Smart Card-enabled Route Accounting: Zebra Technologies Changes Rules of the Road for Route Accounting ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... It includes wireless communications options such as Bluetooth and 802.11b, and a smart card and magnetic stripe reader module that is EMV certified for use in ...

... When it comes to record keeping and reconciliation at the end of a shift, route drivers who deliver and stock retailers' shelves with beverages, bakery goods, and snack foods, readily admit it's a time-consuming and frustrating chore. While some drivers use automated mobile and in-vehicle systems to record sales orders and issue receipts, those systems are bulky, prone to failure, and inflexible -- severely limiting on-the-spot transaction processing that can save time, increase accuracy and boost cash flow. But now, the rules of the road for route accounting and direct store delivery (DSD) applications are about to change. ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 90 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold four million printers, including wireless/mobile solutions and RFID printer/encoders, and also offers software, connectivity solutions, and printing supplies.

Additional resources on smart card-enabled route accounting ...

Telemetry & Applications: also offers other upwardly mobile features, such as smart card, IrDA, and ... in many scenarios including: field sales, field service, route accounting and ticket ...

Mobile printers, portable printers, Zebra: such as: shelf labeling, bin labeling, product identification and route accounting. ... optional bidirectional MCRs (magnetic card readers) and smart card readers. ...

Route Accounting Solutions from Symbol Technologies: If your organization relies on a mobile workforce for direct store delivery (DSD), route accounting or field service, Symbol Technologies offers powerful ...

Route Accounting, Mobile Computers & Delivery: Route Accounting >. Route accounting is the term used to describe those applications in which goods and services are bought and sold in a mobile environment. ...

FTC View of Radio Frequency IDentification RFID

From FTC ...

... "The emergence of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has important implications for businesses, consumers, and policymakers. Companies are turning to RFID to manage warehouse inventory and to stock retail shelves. Consumers are using RFID tags when they travel on highways, purchase gas and groceries, and protect their pets. RFID also has significant potential as a public safety and anti-counterfeiting tool. And as the cost of RFID chips declines, new applications will undoubtedly be developed. " ...

RFID Tags: Texas Instruments Expands 13.56 MHz Line of Tag-it RFID ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... New Form Factors Satisfy Demand for Item-Level RFID Applications in the Library, Pharmaceutical, Hospital, Patron ID and Supply Chain Management Markets DALLAS ...

... As part of its ongoing development to offer a broad array of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN), a worldwide leader in RFID technology, today announced two new additions to its line of 13.56 MHz Tag-it(TM) HF-I products: the 32.5 millimeter CD/DVD Inlay and the 24.2 millimeter Circular Inlay. Both inlays are compliant with the ISO/IEC 15693 vicinity card standard and the ISO/IEC 18000-3 item management standard, making them suitable for adoption worldwide. RFID systems integrators are implementing TI's new 13.56 ISO/IEC inlays for end-user applications including item-level management of electronic materials in libraries, pharmaceutical products, and consumer products on retail shelves, as well as for patient identification in hospitals and patron ID, ticketing and wireless payment at amusement parks and sports venues. ...

Texas Instruments is the world's largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packagi