Nisa-Today's DC Uses RFID to Secure Trailers

GateSuite is a set of modular Windows-based software programs that run on Microsoft.Net and communicate with warehouse management systems or route scheduling systems. The whole software package can be used to prepare delivery routes and schedules, allocate trailers and drivers, control who comes in and out of the yard and manage the yard.

In the first step of the process, Re-vision Logistics personnel in transport planning use GateSuite to determine a route for goods that need to be delivered and assign those goods to an empty trailer in the yard.

The Crypta Data Tag records the time and date whenever a trailer door is opened or closed, and generates a new four-digit random seal number.

This information is entered into the computer, and the trailers are brought to the loading dock. After loading, the Crypta electronic seal on the trailer is closed. When it is closed, the seal's four-digit code is noted by hand on the load's manifest and later entered manually into the system. Hayward expects that during the first quarter of 2007, Bibby will start using a handheld RFID interrogator to read the seal number and enter it into the system, allowing for full automated manifest information. This was not initially implemented because Bibby's route management and warehouse management software didn't allow for it.

The tag inside the seal wakes up when it receives a 134.2 kHz signal from the interrogator and transmits at 433 MHz. Powered by a battery with an expected life of five years, the tag has a read range of up to 100 meters (328 feet). Seals have been tested independently to BS2011 standards and are designed to keep out water, salt and dust.

After the trailer is loaded, the seal is closed and the seal number has been recorded, the trailer is moved to the yard, where an RFID interrogator reads the number and updates the system about which zone the trailer is parked in. Operators then know that the trailer is ready and waiting in a particular zone and can be hitched up to a truck for delivery to a store or multiple stores. If the seal is broken while the loaded trailer is waiting to be picked up, the tag will transmit the new seal number to an interrogator, thereby alerting the system's operators that the trailer is being opened.

In addition to the Crypta seal on loaded trailers, all trailers in the yard and all trucks pulling these trailers carry 134.2 kHz passive tags made by Texas Instruments as part of the initial application that helps Bibby determine that trucks and trailers are properly matched.

The initial system was implemented because Bibby wanted to stop drivers from coming on site and stealing loaded trailers. All drivers are photographed and registered, and information on drivers who no longer work for the company is deleted immediately.

After a driver receives his assignment, he hitches up his truck to the loaded trailer and drives to the security gate at the yard's entrance and exit. The gate is outfitted with a Texas Instruments interrogator with about 4 square meters worth of loops buried in the ground. The loops constantly emit signals to read the passive tags on the trucks and trailers moving about 15 to 20 miles an hour, confirming that tractors and trailers are properly matched.

The interrogator for the active electronic seals is mounted at the gate, and this reading is taken as well. This interrogator can also transmit data back to the e-seals to update information such as electronic manifests (if a customer wants this). The seal has 32 KB of memory.