Nissan Selects WhereNet's Tracking Solution

WhereNet Corporation, the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today that Nissan North America, Inc. is deploying the standards-based WhereNet active RFID, real-time locating system (RTLS) technology to help automate its inbound supply chain and outbound delivery chain. As part of a continuous improvement initiative at its 4 million square foot assembly plant in Canton, MI, Nissan will leverage a single wireless architecture to run multiple WhereNet applications, including the WhereSoft Yard Management System (YMS) and Vehicle Tracking and Management System (VTMS), to improve production velocity and throughput, labor productivity, and vehicle quality.

Nissan's Canton assembly plant has the capacity to produce 400,000 vehicles per year, including the Altima sedan, Armada full-size sport utility vehicle, Infiniti QX56 full-size sport utility vehicle, Quest minivan, and Titan full-size pickup truck.

"Amidst soaring demand and several new model introductions each year, the WhereNet system gives Nissan the agility to manage its inbound supply chain on a just-in-time basis to support flexible manufacturing processes. In addition, WhereNet assists on the outbound side by automating pre-delivery processes to bring more new vehicles to the marketplace faster," says Chantal Polsonetti, Vice President of Manufacturing Advisory Services for ARC Advisory Group.

Locatable Active RFID Drives New Efficiency for Nissan

Deploying the WhereNet single wireless infrastructure over the entire Canton complex will take less than 90 days. The hardware consists of 1,500 active RFID WhereTag transmitters temporarily attached to new vehicles as they roll off the assembly line as part of the WhereNet VTMS system; 700 WhereTag transmitters that are permanently fixed to trailers belonging to Nissan's dedicated suppliers or temporarily attached to others as part of the WhereSoft YMS application; 120 WherePort magnetic "exciters" positioned between gates and at key choke points across the complex; and a local infrastructure of 80 wireless WhereLAN locating access points.

Orchestrating Yard Moves Without a Maestro

Nissan also plans to deploy the WhereNet automated gate check-in/out solution known as Fast Gate that supports 24x7 sequenced parts deliveries from Nissan suppliers. Fast Gate senses when a truck is approaching the gate; cross-references detailed information about the truck in a database; and, if authorized, automatically opens the gate to grant entry. Then, based on business rules loaded into the WhereSoft yard management application, the system instructs drivers and yard personnel to deliver the inbound load to the appropriate dock door for just-in-time sequencing of parts based on the assembly line build plan for that work shift.

By automating the check-in/out procedures for the hundreds of daily truckloads and thousands of components arriving at the assembly facility every day, the WhereNet system saves Nissan several hours a day processing deliveries; provides higher velocity and throughput in the yard; and increases flexibility in manufacturing through better utilization of equipment, facilities, and labor.

Accelerating Delivery from Factory to Dealer

When new vehicles roll off the Nissan assembly line, each vehicle is assigned an active RFID WhereTag transmitter that is "married" to the vehicle identification number (VIN). The WhereTag remains on the vehicle until it has been processed and is ready to ship to its final destination. Nissan uses the WhereNet VTMS in off-line areas to manage post-assembly verification and test processes, as well as quality repair, containment, and shipping zones. The system includes a logical hierarchy of rules that manages the processing of every vehicle in accordance with its assigned status so that critical orders are processed before lower-priority units.

Nissan expects to reap numerous benefits from the WhereNet VTMS system through:

• reduced labor cost for vehicle processing;
• reduced on-site dwell time for parts and vehicles, enabling better yard throughput and increased responsiveness to dealer and customer demands;
• higher-quality vehicles as the system ensures that no vehicles with known quality defects get shipped. The system also enhances quality by ensuring that no process steps are missed and that every vehicle departs in accordance with dealer/customer specifications. The system immediately detects vehicles that may have quality issues, preventing them from inadvertently slipping into the delivery chain where rework costs at dealerships average more than five times the cost of a factory repair.

Nissan's partner, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, which is responsible for the distribution of Nissan vehicles from the Canton assembly plant, will also benefit from the WhereNet system as it enables their movement teams to more quickly identify individual vehicles for movement or hold.

"As one of the most efficient vehicle manufacturers in North America, according to the 2006 Harbour Report, Nissan is setting the standard for manufacturing by embracing new technologies like WhereNet to continuously improve processes," says Tom Bacon, Vice President of the Automotive Division for WhereNet. "WhereNet's locatable active RFID system provides a critical foundation for flexible manufacturing as it enables automakers to manage multiple models with meticulous precision, ensuring that the right part is delivered to the assembly line just in time. In addition to helping manufacturers maintain a lean inbound supply chain, WhereNet also drives efficiency on the outbound side, accelerating delivery of new vehicles to dealers through our industry-first, automated VTMS solution." Visit www.wherenet.com.

LXE Releases New HX2 Wearable Computer

LXE has introduced its new HX2 hands-free, wearable computer: a data collection computer that is designed to be worn on the arm or waist of an operator. The small but durable computer allows for a more efficient and effective warehouse inventory operation. LXE integrated feedback from current wearable computer customers to assure a comfortable and easy-to-use module.

The computer's innovative adjustable armbands secure the unit and battery in ready position at all times. As the solution to a common complaint, the unit is held in place rather than spinning around the operator's arm. The operator can chose to wear the bands around the elbow or near the wrist.

A bright and clear color display monitor can be viewed under any lighting conditions and from any angle, while the keys are backlit and customizable by customers. The computer runs on that latest Windows CE 5.0 operating system and an Intel XScale processor, and features a 802.11 radio with Bluetooth technology allowing for real-time business possibilities. Also included is LXE's ToughTalk technology that supports industrial grade voice recognition applications, allowing for one unit to run both voice logistics and barcode scanning application.

The HX2 computer offers both durability and safety features for warehouse operations. A magnesium alloy front and impact-resistant screen protects the computer and the wearable ring scanners, which are built as strong as the computer. The design is smooth and low-profile to reduce snagging, and features multiple breakaway connection points. Visit www.lxe.com.

PowerID Announces ForReel for Tracking Industrial Paper Reels

The PowerID Division of Power Paper Ltd. announces the release of ForReel™ technology, the first UHF RFID solution optimized for tracking industrial paper reels that offers high reliability and affordability.

Tracking industrial paper reels through the supply chain, from the production mill to the end-user, is important both to paper manufacturers and their customers for accounting, efficiency, and operational purposes. Prevailing barcode solutions have two primary drawbacks: human intervention and the fact that once the reel wrapping is removed, reel identification information is lost.

Available RFID technologies have failed to provide a suitable solution. Since companies in the newspaper and media publishing industry require the placement of the label on the core of a paper reel, passive RFID can be read only from short distances, if at all. Active RFID, while providing excellent performance, cannot be integrated into paperboard-based cores and carries a very high price tag for recyclable cores, cutting the profit margins of industry players.

ForReel is the first backscattering UHF RFID tag that allows paper manufacturers and their downstream partners to track paper reels with high reliability. As demonstrated in proof of concept testing and pilots with leading paper manufacturers and newspapers, ForReel labels provide superior omnidirectional reading - 360 degrees around the reel - in the supply chain, from mill to end-user. In addition, the battery aboard the label enables read ranges of up to ten meters away from the reel when the label is placed between the reel core and the paper that is wound around the core.

ForReel operates in the UHF range, namely 850-960 MHz, and utilizes EM Microelectronic's robust iPx air protocol. It is priced competitively with higher-end passive tags, well below the costs of active tags.

"ForReel addresses a genuine problem in the newspaper and media publishing industry, and PowerID has amassed invaluable experience in pilots utilizing ForReel technology at the world's largest paper manufacturers and leading newspapers," says Erez Kahani, Executive Vice President of the PowerID Division. "After years of failing with passive technology, these companies have reacted positively and unanimously to the performance of ForReel and are eager to move from pilots to rollouts." Visit www.powerpaper.com.

Accraply's Gen 2 Ready Thermal Label Printer

Accraply's PA 924 offers the latest in direct thermal and transfer thermal print/apply equipment. Boasting desirable thermal printing features, the PA 924 also holds RFID capabilities and comes Gen 2 ready.

The PA 924 can read, program, and verify tag's EPC codes and automatically generate EPC based print jobs. Customer and label specific data is recorded in the database, as well as production status, good and bad tag status, and audit tracking. The label printer comes with 8 MB of RAM and a slot for a 32MB Compack Flash Card for extended memory and a real time clock, along with many exciting thermal printing specifications.

Labels can be applied to the top, side, or bottom of products at a 12" per second print time, rounding out to around 400 labels per minute. Bar codes, text, graphics, time, date, and consecutive numbering can be printed clearly and applied accurately.

The printer can be used as a stand-alone system or incorporated into existing packaging lines. It comes equipped with two-line LCD displays with four membrane keys, a standard back feed, and comes optional with corner-wrap and dual-label applicators. An effective automatic ribbon saving system is also featured as well as a self-initializing gap sensor adjustable for different shaped labels. Visit www.accraply.com.

Myths Thwart RFID ROI in Retail, says Zebra

Over half of European companies believe that RFID will never be commonplace in the retail supply chain, according to research carried out by Vanson Bourne on behalf of Zebra Technologies.

According to Rod Rodericks, Managing Director, Zebra EMEA, this low confidence in RFID is due to confusion as to how much and when the technology should be applied. "The hype that heralded the arrival of this technology has created many myths that must be dispelled if companies are to realize the value of RFID investment. Tales of unimpressive trials where these labels have been used inappropriately such as tracking individual items in store are undermining the potential ROI when used in the right context."

Thirty percent feel if it catches on at all, it will be later than 2008 when RFID becomes commonplace in the retail supply chain.

The research also revealed strong regional variation regarding confidence in the technology; 83% of French and German companies felt that RFID will never become widespread in the retail supply chain. Confidence was considerably higher in the U.K. with only 7% of organizations holding this view.

The European Labelling Study 2006 surveyed 127 companies in the U.K., Germany and France to explore European businesses' attitudes to barcodes, RFID, and other labeling technology.

"Retailers and suppliers need to take a step back and properly evaluate their labeling strategy taking into account all the possibilities such as 2D barcodes labels rather than simply reaching for RFID," according to Rodericks. Only by deploying smart labels in the right situation will firms unlock the value RFID can bring to the bottom line." Visit www.zebra.com.