IPFW Logistics Boot Camp Advanced Software Technology, Inc. “Achieving Better Performance and Quality Through RFID Systems”

What we will cover Company information & history Bar codes RFID Focus on Wal-Mart Jobs in the logistics industry Math skills for logistics Questions and answers

About Advanced Software Tech Established in 1982 –Manufacturing, WIP, Real-Time Embedded, Inventory Tracking, RFID systems Provide custom & turnkey data collection systems Analyze, research, design, & develop systems tailored to meet “specific company needs” –Barcode- Provide instruction & training –Handheld- Web & middleware development –RFID- Database systems

Markets That We Work In Manufacturing –Inventory –Work in process –Logistics Healthcare –Patient satisfaction –Document/chart tracking –Inventory tracking Auto Racing –IRL –Champ –USAC Emergency Management –Accountability –Access control –Time & attendance –Inventory control –Inspection (fire, safety) –Chain of custody Law Enforcement –Portable data collection –Inventory control

Barcode 101 It is faster and more accurate than human data entry. –Humans make mistakes about 1 in 300 characters. –Barcodes are misread about 1 in 1,000,000 characters (except when reading barcodes on tires). Barcodes can be printed at a very low cost using a variety of printing techniques. It saves time and therefore labor. Wireless equipment makes barcodes a real-time data entry tool.

Barcode 101 – A Brief History First barcodes were developed in the 1930’s. This was before lasers, transistors or even “tube” electronics. They entered the retail market in the 1960’s to improve speed and accuracy of receiving. The UPC emblem came into use in 1972 to speed up check outs. Microprocessors reduced the cost of equipment. 1980’s – The military standardized on code ’s – 2-Dimension barcodes increased the capacity and accuracy of barcodes.

Barcode 101 – Symbologies There are many 1-D and 2-D symbologies Information is coded using different size bars and spaces. Code 39 Code 128 UPC PDF 417 UPS Datamatrix Maxicode

How Bar Codes are Used Product item numbers (UPC) Patient number on wrist bands Package tracking number for FedEx and UPS Drivers license has 2-D bar code Easy to use, very accurate Hardware is fairly inexpensive However, bar codes are labor intensive

Jobs That Use Bar Codes Warehouse and distribution centers Retail sales Healthcare providers Manufacturing planners and inventory handlers Most jobs either use bar codes or receive a benefit from them

Wal-Mart Stock Put-Away Scan ID badge Scan the product barcode Enter the quantity Scan the location bar code System adds a time & date stamp

What is RFID? Radio Frequency Identification RFID is similar to bar codes, except: –Each tag has a unique serial number –Tags are read without human labor A tag has several components: –A computer chip with a small amount of memory (96 – 2048 bits) –A radio circuit –An antenna –A local power source is optional Other components of RFID: –A reader –Software to send tag information to a central computer. 1”

Why do we need RFID?

Passive RFID Tags Passive tags have no batteries –Powered by the incoming RF signal –Re-modulate and reflect back the incoming signal –Read distances are from 1” to 10’, depending on frequency and antennas –Less data capacity: 96 bits, some have additional 128 bits of user memory –Inexpensive, 20¢

Active vs. Passive Tags Active tags have batteries –More power gives them a longer range, 100’ – 1000’ –They have more storage capability (up to 32 KB) –They can power sensors (temperature, vibration, door openings) –Physically larger –More expensive ($15 - $70)

Typical Passive RFID System RFID Server ERP System RFID Reader RFID Antennas -Handles RFID events. -Implements business rules. -Routes RFID data to appropriate systems. RFID Label Printer

RFID Readers A large variety is available –Fixed mount –Lift truck –Walk-through –Tunnel –Shelf –Mouse Pad –Portable

Other Applications Asset tracking –Track equipment by room or responsible person Medical –Files and documentation –Instruments, Devices, Surgical kits –Blood bags –IV pumps –Triage Missiles –Monitor location, temperature, G- force during transit Security –Access control –Vehicle access –Border access Cargo containers –Sensors: temperature, vibration, GPS Electronic pedigree –All items authenticated and accounted for at each check point –Chain of custody for evidence tracking Manufacturing –Store work in process information in tag Toll booths

How RFID is Used Easy Pass toll system Easy pay credit cards Security access at commercial and government buildings Passports (future) Pet and animal tracking Shipping of products to Wal-Mart, Target and the DoD Amusement ride inspection What about privacy?

Jobs in the Logistics Industry Supply Chain Analyst Inbound Supply Associate Customer Advocacy Manager Operations and Transportation Manager

Math Skills for Logistics Statistics – Inventory usage, planning where high-usage items are stored in the warehouse Planning – Minimum inventory level that should be on hand, when should we order more product, is there enough capacity for customer demand Simulations – Warehouse productivity, manufacturing plant layout, truck load planning, transportation routing Forecasting – How much of each product will our customers buy, how much of our seasonal products should we make Finance – Which of several capital projects will provide the best return, how much will a project cost including the cost of interest and inflation Procurement – Purchasing products based on cost, quality, availability, and ability to deliver

Logistics Technology Any Questions? Bill Newcum, Diane Newcum Advanced Software Technology, Inc

Performance Tire System Started project in 1996 with Intermec equipment Upgraded in 2002 to PSC and CISCO Wireless system tracks each tire movement from cradle to grave Provides a chain of custody report: who has the tire, where has it been Built in redundancy--batch or wireless

Performance Tire Tracking reports show: What team leased the tire What event or location the tires were leased from Time and date of each transaction Complete history for each tire – cradle to grave (More details later)

IRL Safety Inspection Many parts get inspected –Helmets –Seats –Fire bottles –Safety harness –Etc. Pass/No Pass is recorded on handheld Receipt is printed with portable printer, handed to Crew Chief

IRL Safety Inspection Tamper-proof barcode labels is placed on critical parts Barcode is scanned again at start of each race to verify that part passed inspection

IRL Tire Verification System Tires are quickly scanned before each race Race officials need to verify the cars “start” with the tires they qualified with Handheld scanner collects information quickly and accurately Historical log is automatically generated

IRL Lunch Pass System Verifies that IRL officials are validated to eat lunch on any particular date Credentials contain barcodes, which are scanned with handheld scanner Saves $$$ by reducing free lunches for off-duty officials and friends.

Logistics Technology Questions? Bill Newcum, Diane Newcum Advanced Software Technology, Inc. Phone Cell