Inventory & Asset Management

How Wireless Technology Can Add Values

2005 Wireless & Mobile WorldExpo

Victor ChenBell CanadaEnterprise Wireless Solutions

Wireless Technologies and Business Applications

RFIDRFID

Asset TrackingAsset Tracking

Supply ChainSupply Chain

Inventory Management

Inventory Management

Wireless LANWireless LAN

Data CollectionData Collection

Mobile DevicesMobile Devices

Fixed ReadersFixed Readers

EPC StandardEPC Standard BarcodeBarcode

Active TagsActive Tags

Data Communication

Data Communication

Wireless SwitchWireless SwitchMobilityMobility

Access PortsAccess Ports

Bridging Wireless Technologies and Business Applications

Wireless Data Collection

Wireless Data Collection

Wireless Data Communication

Wireless Data Communication

Data Management and Processing

Data Management and Processing

Asset & Location Tracking

Asset & Location Tracking

Asset ManagementAsset Management

Inventory Management in Supply Chain

Inventory Management in Supply Chain

Applying Mobility to Business and Operational Process

Handheld Devices, RFID, Barcode

Handheld Devices, RFID, Barcode

WLAN InfrastructureWWAN Network

WLAN InfrastructureWWAN Network Application SoftwareApplication Software

Enterprise Asset ManagementManaging assets that are owned or leased by organizations

IT EquipmentIT Equipment

Restrictive “Mobile” Tools

Restrictive “Mobile” Tools

FacilitiesFacilities

Production AssetsProduction Assets

FleetFleet

Needs and Challenges • Manage all assets critical to the performance of the organizations.

• Keep the organization’s assets operate at optimum efficiency.

• Address budgetary and services issues. Protect significant investment in assets.

• To be aware of the location, condition, availability and utilization of equipment and capital assets.

• Improve asset accountability and regulatory requirement (e.g. Sarbanes-Oxley).

Customer’s Justification for an Effective Enterprise Asset Management Solution

Comply with health and safety requirements

Achieve higher service levels with the same or lower budget and resources

• Reduce asset acquisition costs• Manage costs to budget • Improve efficiency of operation• Reduce maintenance backlog

• Managed 3rd parties operating or maintaining assets• Comply with regulations

• Reduce risk of non-compliance• Retain knowledge of workforce• Improve employee satisfaction

• Improve customer satisfaction• Improve public record/image• Create a better work place

Legal RequirementLegal Requirement

Revenue EnhancementRevenue Enhancement

Cost ReductionCost Reduction

Outsourcing InitiativeOutsourcing Initiative

Risk MitigationRisk Mitigation

Competitive AdvantageCompetitive Advantage

JustificationJustification Physical AssetsPhysical Assets

Wireless Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Solution

Applies enterprise mobility to the EAM process to improve productivity. Keep the organization’s assets and operations at optimum efficiency. Mobile EAM solution provides workers with critical information at the point of activity. Enable faster and accurate distributed assets information to transmitted back to the EAM system.

Mobile Portion EAM Portion

Wireless Switch

802.11WLAN

Access Ports

EAM System Server

EAM Application Software

Switch

Key Components

Enterprise Asset Management or similar function backend software

Rugged Mobile Computers: WLAN 802.11 enabled

WLAN Infrastructure: Access Ports and Wireless Switches OR

RFID Infrastructure: Readers and Tags

Rugged Mobile

Computers(Barcode

and./or RFID)

Enterprise Resource Planning

(ERP) System

Case: Managing Mobile Firefight Equipment

Customer Type:Forest Fire Suppression Agency

Problem • Required to respond quickly to forest fire • Equipment were manually identified, and individually counted and recorded • Lengthy asset management process• Time consuming and error-pronged • Wasting fire fighting recourses • Lost or misplaces mobile equipment

Solution • An Active Tag RFID solution capable of close to 100% read accuracy. • Solution comprises of an Active RFID tag, Mobile and Fixed RFID readers and custom developed software.

Benefits to Customer

• Enable customer to efficiently track its assets across the province • Provide a real-time inventory view of all its assets – with single press of a button• Improve asset tracking and management capability• Improve resource usage

Asset and Location Tracking(Wi-Fi/WLAN based)

Why assets tracking is needed?

Ensure availability of assets critical to

operations• Where is it Now ?• Where is the closest piece of equipment I need ?• What was its last location ? History ? Utilization ? • How many of each type of equipment are out there

and where are they ?

Impact on business and operations• Productivity loss• Increase in capital and expense• Jeopardizing customer service

Asset and Location Tracking Solution

Combines the 802.11 wireless networking technology with location information. Leverages standard WLAN access points without the need for RF antennas and receivers. Location capability: up to 1m average accuracy (4 to 6 access point signals) Fast deployment and lower system deployment cost.

Wireless Switch

802.11WLAN

Access Ports

Applications Server

Asset Tracking and Locating

Software

Switch

Key Components

Wi-Fi location tracking tag (battery powered active radio tag)

Positioning Engine software

802.11 WLAN Infrastructure: Access Ports and Wireless Switch

Wi-Fi Tracking

Tag

Tracking Assets and Patients in HospitalImprove patient care and increase productivity of medical staff

Medical Equipment Tracking• Find misplaced equipment,

increase utilization and reduce new purchases

• Monitor utilization and long-term needs

• Reduce theft and accidental losses

Patients Tracking• Being used in a long-term

care facility to track over 100 patients.

• Improve “wanderers” quality of life by reducing lock downs requirement.

• Receive alarms based on patient movements and profiles.

Location Tracking Applications

Visitor guidance

Personnel tracking

Truck/baggage cart tracking

Tracking portable medical equipment Tracking patients and caregivers

Location-enabling hand-held bar code scanners

Tracking lift trucks, personnel for improved workflows

Increase asset and equipment visibility

Warehousing and Manufacturing

Healthcare

AirportsSecurity Visitor Management Personnel Assignment Asset Alarming

DATADATA VOICEVOICE

WLAN 802.11WLAN 802.11

LOCATIONLOCATION

Inventory Management in Supply Chain

Supply Chain and Inventory Management

Distribution Centers and Warehouses

Manufacturing Plants

Raw Material Facilities

Retail Stores

Inventory Flow in a Supply Chain(Raw materials, work-in-progress and finished inventory)

Consumers

Supplying the rightproducts

Supplying the rightproducts

At the rightmoment

At the rightmoment

At minimalcost

At minimalcost

To achieve objectives

of SCM

To achieve objectives

of SCM

In the right quantities

In the right quantities

Key Solution ComponentsKey Solution Components

• Tags (or Transponders) : • Active vs. Passive

• Read Only vs. Read/Write

• Frequency (LF, HF, UHF, Microwave)

• Read Range

• Data Capacity

• Readers

• Middleware

• Application Software

• Tags (or Transponders) : • Active vs. Passive

• Read Only vs. Read/Write

• Frequency (LF, HF, UHF, Microwave)

• Read Range

• Data Capacity

• Readers

• Middleware

• Application Software

Key Drivers

New Technology

New Standards

Industry Mandates

New Economics

Business Applications

What is Driving RFID today?

EPC/RFID SolutionsEPC (Electronic Product Code) RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

Solutions can help organizations boost productivity, improve customer service, and lower costs

Solutions Description

Warehousing -Automated Shipping & Receiving

Warehousing -Automated Shipping & Receiving

Tagging items at the case and pallet level with RFID tags. Readers placed at warehouse dock doors record the items loaded and unloaded from trucks; backend system verifies contents against PO and ASN.

Tagging items at the case and pallet level with RFID tags. Readers placed at warehouse dock doors record the items loaded and unloaded from trucks; backend system verifies contents against PO and ASN.

Retail -Item-Level Shelf

Monitoring

Retail -Item-Level Shelf

Monitoring

Tagging at the item-level, along with ‘smart shelves’ – units with RFID readers built in, provide immediate feedback for replenishment, in addition to notification of misplaced items.

Tagging at the item-level, along with ‘smart shelves’ – units with RFID readers built in, provide immediate feedback for replenishment, in addition to notification of misplaced items.

Manufacturing -Work-In-Process

Tracking

Manufacturing -Work-In-Process

Tracking

High value items and highly regulated items that require data gathered at various points in the production line are excellent targets for RFID tagging. Record safety test data at each step in the process, automatically.

High value items and highly regulated items that require data gathered at various points in the production line are excellent targets for RFID tagging. Record safety test data at each step in the process, automatically.

EPC Class 1 Label

PackagedProduct Encode/Apply Printer

Manufacturing (Crate/Box Level)

Warehouses and Distribution Center (Pallet Level)

Retail Outlet(Unit Level) ExpressVu boxes with

EPC Class 1 LabelsAntennas

Shelves

Application of RFID in Inventory Management

EPC RFID Portal and EPC RFID tags

Why are Organizations Looking at EPC/RFID?

Component Levers Impacted Variables Benefits

Inventory

• Inventory days on hand• Safety stock• Transit inventory• Recurring inventory carrying costs• Promotion management

• Visibility of real time info• Decrease in supply chain volatility • Lead time reduction• Improved supply chain throughput

Shrink

• Error related shrink• Internal/external theft

• Better tracking and tracing of high value items

• Access to real time info flow• Reduced human error

Labour

• Labour productivity• Supply chain throughput

• More time to complete manual processes

• Improved validation and audit processes

Assets

• Utilization of assets• Depreciation of charge on distribution

owned• Total distribution of asset base• Brand management

• Increased throughput• Better tracking and tracing of assets• Fewer assets required

Transport

• Freight costs• Reverse logistics costs

• Access to outbound load density through better information, planning and improved throughput

The Power of Wireless Technologies

BarcodeBarcode

RFIDRFID

WirelessData Collection &Communication

Technologies

BusinessApplications

Major Customer Benefits

Increase Supply Chain Management

efficiency

Increase Supply Chain Management

efficiency

Increase workers’ productivity

Increase workers’ productivity

Increase data recording accuracy

Increase data recording accuracy

Reduce inventory cost

Reduce inventory cost

Enhance assets tracking capabilityEnhance assets

tracking capability

Increase inventory control efficiency

Increase inventory control efficiency

Enterprise Asset Management

Software

Warehouse Management

Systems Software

Enterprise Asset Management

Software

Warehouse Management

Systems Software

ApplicationsSoftware

Combiningwith

To deliver

Increase asset management

efficiency

Increase asset management

efficiency

Asset Management

Asset Management

Asset & Location Tracking

Asset & Location Tracking

Inventory Management in Supply Chain

Inventory Management in Supply Chain

WLANWWANWLANWWAN

To support

Applying Mobility to Business and Operational Process

Thank You