Walmart RFID: Gen2 Tag Implementation ...

Walmart will continue its implementation of RFID technology as it expands the number of targeted stores and plans conversion to Generation 2 tags. ...

... "WalMart Stores, Inc. will bring another 500 stores and clubs online with its RFID (radio frequency identification) initiative by the end of this fiscal year, bringing the total number of its retail locations using the technology to more than 1,000. The company has more than 3,900 locations in the United States.

The benefits of RFID, especially with regard to reducing out-of-stocks, as well as reducing excess inventory, have been documented in a 2005 study by the University of Arkansas. Ford noted that all WalMart installations moving forward would only read Gen 2 tags. As the remaining pallets and cases with Gen 1 tags make their way through the distribution network, WalMart will convert all of its systems to only read Gen 2 tags.

As predicted by industry experts, the cost of the technology continues to fall while performance continues to improve. WalMart expects this trend to continue as users adopt the Gen 2 tags, which, as envisioned, are becoming the industry's global standard thanks to significant work by EPCglobal and its members. Ford said that WalMart continues to work with its next 300 largest suppliers, which are expected to begin shipping test cases in October. These suppliers will go live with their shipments in January 2007, bringing to more than 600 the number of supplier companies using RFID technology in concert with WalMart. " ...

Via Walmart Stores: WalMart Continues RFID Expansion

Walmart RFID: Vehicle Mounted Reader ...

Vehicle-mounted RFID reader will be presented at Walmart Supplier Forum. ...

... "LXE Inc., a leading manufacturer of rugged wireless computers that improve the performance of supply-chain execution applications, announced that it will be unveiling its ultra-rugged RX2 lift truck mounted RFID reader at WalMart Supplier On-Boarding Forum and EPCglobal US Tech Expo, April 25 and 26 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The RX2 is the second lift truck mounted RFID reader being developed by LXE, the first one being the RX1 announced last September. The RX2 addresses a need for a simple, easy-to-install, vehicle mounted RFID reader that can be used for standard RFID based forklift pallet move applications such as shipping, receiving, picking and put-aways where EPC RFID based identification of pallet loads and locations are used. The RX2's mounting solution requires no permanent lift modifications or lift truck downtime for installation. The unit is ultra-rugged and has been designed to operate in the extreme environment found on the business end of a lift truck. " ...

Walmart RFID: Vehicle Mounted Reader: Via LXE: LXE Inc. To Unveil RX2 Vehicle Mounted RFID Reader At Wal-Mart Supplier On-Boarding Forum And EPCglobal US Tech Expo ...

Walmart RFID: Linda Dillman Shares Status Update

Linda Dillman shares interim results on the Walmart RFID program ...

Walmart RFID: Linda Dillman Shares Status Update: Via WalMart Stores, Inc.: WalMart Improves On-Shelf Availability Through the Use of Electronic Product Codes

... "WalMart customers found items they wanted in stock more often due to the retailer's use of electronic product codes (EPCs) powered by radio frequency identification (RFID) technology when compared to control stores. This is according to an independent University of Arkansas study's initial findings. Researchers at the University of Arkansas found a 16 percent reduction in out-of-stocks. Additionally, the study also showed that out-of-stock items with EPCs were replenished three times faster than comparable items using standard bar code technology. Equally important, WalMart experienced a meaningful reduction in manual orders resulting in a reduction of excess inventory. This is no longer a take-it-on-faith initiative, said Linda Dillman, executive vice president and CIO for Wal-Mart. This study provides conclusive evidence that EPCs increase how often we put products in the hands of customers who want to buy them, making it a win for shoppers, suppliers and retailers. ...

As part of its standard processes, WalMart has focused on driving improved product availability for its customers through a series of initiatives unrelated to RFID technology. The research was structured to isolate the impact of RFID to be able show the improvements directly attributable to the RFID process improvements. The study showed RFID-enabled stores were 63 percent more effective in replenishing out-of-stocks than the control stores, Dillman said. The WalMart RFID team knew that this technology would have a huge impact on out-of-stocks. Now we have an independent study that confirms RFID has a significant impact in retailing, Dillman continued. However, we are not stopping there. This is only one of many changes that RFID will bring. We are already working on initiatives and enhancements that will build on this success. The 16 percent reduction in merchandise out-of-stocks was determined by physically scanning out-of-stocks at the shelf every day. A baseline was established and this was then compared to the number of out-of-stocks in both sets of stores once the RFID technology was enabled in the pilot stores, explained Hardgrave. The net result of the impact of RFID, removing any other influences, was a reduction of 16 percent in the occurrences of products being out-of-stock on the shelf. " ...

WalMart RFID Program Benefits ...

Walmart is beginning to accrue benefits from its investment in RFID technology. Laurie Sullivan provides update on Walmart's RFID-enabled stores and the inventory management benefits that they are measuring, which includes significant improvements in stock-outs ...

WalMart RFID Program Benefits: Via InformationWeek: WalMart RFID Trial: WalMart RFID Trial Shows 16% Reduction In Product Stock-Outs ...

... "Researchers found a 16% reduction in out-of-stock merchandise at WalMart stores equipped with RFID labels using EPC codes. The study also shows that out-of-stock items with RFID were replenished three times faster than items using standard bar-code technology. " ...

RFID RealTime Performance TimesTen Oracle ...

RFID RealTime Performance TimesTen Oracle: Fast database technology from TimesTen - real-time infrastructure software for the finance, telecom & network industries.

... "With the advent of RFID, applications across the supply chain, from manufacturing to retail, will have the opportunity perhaps the imperative to become more real time. ... As real time has made a subtle but steady progression from think-tanks to Wal-Mart, the underlying technologies have moved from proprietary to standard. The need for custom-built real-time infrastructure software has passed. It is now a competitive disadvantage to waste internal resources on non-core software development, rather than on the business logic that creates distinction. TimesTen is focused on enabling these real-time applications where events, transactions and data must be processed instantly, hundreds or thousands of times every second. TimesTen's real-time infrastructure software has been at the heart of many of these applications, since 1998. " ...

Walmart EPC RFID Compliance Solutions ...

Walmart EPC RFID Compliance Solutions: Deluxe Media Services Achieves Operational Flexibility and Retail Compliance with Manhattan Associates' RFID Solution ...

Deluxe achieve Walmart RFID compliance using Manhattan's EPC-standard supply chain solutions that integrate RFID capabilities ...

... "Manhattan Associates, Inc. (Nasdaq: MANH), the global leader in providing supply chain execution and optimization solutions, and Deluxe Media Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rank Group, plc (Nasdaq: RANKY) and a world leader in technology and media services for filmed and home entertainment, completed implementation of Manhattan Associates' Integration Platform for RFID. With this solution-the heart of Manhattan Associates' award-winning RFID in a Box-Deluxe now meets EPC compliance guidelines for the top U.S. retailers such as Wal*Mart and Best Buy. Manhattan Associates' Integration Platform for RFID integrates with Deluxe's existing ERP software, eliminating much of the time and custom development typically required for integration of RFID. " ...

Deluxe is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rank Group, plc (Nasdaq: RANKY), offering a broad range of entertainment industry services and technologies to an international client base. Services include DVD software and content production, large volume DVD and videocassette manufacturing and packaging, physical and digital asset management, content repurposing and conversion, digital intermediate production, film laboratory services and release printing and worldwide distribution and fulfillment services.

Manhattan Associates, Inc., is the global leader in providing supply chain execution and optimisation solutions. It enables operational excellence through its warehouse, transportation, distributed order management, reverse logistics and trading partner management applications, as well as its RFID, performance management and event management capabilities. These Integrated Logistics Solutions™ leverage state-of-the-art technologies, innovative practices and our domain expertise to enhance performance, profitability and competitive advantage. Manhattan Associates has licensed more than 900 customers representing more than 1,600 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world's leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

Walmart RFID Implementation: Accu-Sort(R) continues FAST Tag(TM) rollout ...

Accu-Sort(R) continues FAST Tag(TM) rollout to Wal-Mart's top suppliers ...

Accu-Sort Systems Inc. has installed its FAST Tag" integrated RFID and bar code system at another of the top supplier to Wal-Mart. FAST Tag increases tag application throughput by up to 10 times and provides customers with tag reporting and tracking that saves them time and money. The system was recently installed at a life science company that produces medications and personal care products that are sold to Wal-Mart.

"These are industrial installations, not pilots," said Jean-Pierre Gintrac, marketing manager with Accu-Sort. "They are turnkey solutions, a key differentiator between Accu-Sort and other companies." The customer chose to install Accu-Sort's fully automated FAST Tag" In-Motion system, which integrates RFID and bar code readers, label printers, tag applicators, controls and data management software that plugs seamlessly into MW, WMS or ERP systems. FAST Tag provides unique features such as tag verification, which ensures that no bad tags are placed on cartons. The system also reads RFID tags in virtually any position, giving companies greater flexibility in where they apply those tags.

Accu-Sort won the competitive contract by offering a turnkey solution that integrates all components in a productized system. It also provides a selective tagging RFID/LPA solution, since not all of the SKUs that pass through the company's distribution center go to Wal-Mart. Another key differentiator was Accu-Sort's ability to provide for optimal tag placement. RFID reading performance is influenced by the product in the cartons. The Accu-Sort system allows the RFID tag to be placed in the best location for the best reading performance, which can be different than the location of the bar code tag. "This is particularly important for certain consumer products such as suntan lotion, which are not RFID friendly," Gintrac said.

FAST Tag works with Class 0 or Class 1 EPC tags and is upgradeable to the Generation 2 EPC standard.

Accu-Sort Systems is a pioneer in reliable auto ID and high-speed compliance solutions with more than three decades of experience deploying and supporting scanning and tracking solutions in distribution, warehousing, manufacturing and retailer environments. The company is also an established provider of convergent RFID and bar code systems with more than 50 RFID installations.