Search the archive: |
| | |
Reva Systems and Sirit have announced that Manor (a large Swiss retailer) is now deploying Reva's 'Tag Acquisition Processor' (TAP) products and Sirit's INfinity 510 RFID readers to enable RFID operations at stores and distribution centres.
Manor will initially leverage RFID to improve warehouse inventory processes, outbound shipping accuracy and inbound store receiving practices.
Infrastructure set-up
Reva's RFID network infrastructure manages Sirit's readers, providing an enterprise RFID architecture which supports current and future programmes. The implementation is being managed by Rodata, a systems integrator headquartered in Switzerland with offices in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Rodata has been instrumental in helping Manor conduct technical evaluations and build the business case that lead to this subsequent rollout.
Manor's RFID programme encompasses its distribution centres in Hochdorf and Möhlin, Switzerland and the department stores around the country serviced by the centres.
How it works
Manor is using case and transport asset tagging for apparel and general merchandise at both warehouses, and is working with several suppliers to pre-tag inbound shipments. In the warehouses, mixed pallets of goods are built and RFID case tags are read while being shrink-wrapped for shipment. Manor also uses RFID to ensure the correct merchandise is loaded on the assigned trucks and shipped to the proper store locations.
Once shipments arrive at the stores, goods are automatically checked in using RFID readers, streamlining the truck unloading and goods stocking processes. Manor expects to see improved inventory accuracy, better labour efficiency and shorter replenishment cycles due to these RFID enhanced processes.
The technology
Manor is using Reva TAP appliances and Sirit INfinity 510 readers in both the stores and distribution centres. Workflows that facilitate the tagging, verification, advanced ship notice (ASN) comparison and real-time handling processes are hosted locally on the Reva TAPs.
As tags are read by the Sirit INfinity 510 readers and their locations determined by the TAPs, the data is passed to an Oracle backend system which is responsible for orchestrating business processes.
Challenges faced
Accurate location association and tag direction are two of the challenges Manor needed to overcome due to the difficult RF environments in their distribution centres. Ambient tags on staged goods, conveyors, pallet shrink wrap machines and bulk loading platforms combine to produce considerable cross reads which the Reva TAPs systematically eliminate.
Transition portals were created that use the Sirit INfinity 510 readers to provide raw read data which the Reva TAPs interpret to determine tag movement and direction. In addition to the accurate data and workflow capabilities, Manor chose the Reva deployment approach for the performance optimization and remote management functions Reva's RFID network infrastructure provides. Sirit's readers were chosen for their good read performance.
For additional information:
· Visit Reva at http://www.revasystems.com
· Visit Sirit at http://www.sirit.com
· Visit Manor at http://www.manor.ch
· Visit Rodata at http://www.rodata.ch
Sources: Reva Systems; Sirit Inc.; Manor AG; Rodata Group
|
