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OAT Launches RFID Software for Tracking Work-in-Process
OATSystems customer Hewlett-Packard (HP) plans to upgrade to the new software at its printer manufacturing plant in Brazil. To help it monitor these processes, HP currently uses OATSystems' OAT Foundation Suite 5.1, an RFID data-management platform integrated with HP's ERP system.
The company's RFID system in Brazil went into full production in August 2006. To date, says Marcelo Pandini, HP Brazil's manager of RFID and business development, HP has tagged more than 2 million printers assembled at Sao Paolo plant. The company expects that number to grow to 3 million by year's end. Since deploying the technology to track printers as they are assembled, HP Brazil estimates that it has reduced its printer inventory in the supply chain by 17 percent (see Best RFID Implementation: Keeping Tabs on Printers).
The software should help HP abide by the FIFO (first in, first out) principle, designed to ensure that products assembled first are those shipped out first. That's particularly important for HP, Pandini says, because its printers include printer cartridges with specific expiration dates. With the Asset Tracking and Work-in-Process Solution, he says, HP could create a use case in the software that incorporates the rules of FIFO and alerts the company in real-time if printers are shipped out of order.
The Asset Tracking and Work-in-Process Solution is available now. Pricing depends on the number of RFID readers running the software.
Additionally, OATSystems says it has signed up at least six vendors to its OATedge Program, a marketing agreement enabling vendors to distribute their products bundled with the Asset Tracking and Work-in-Process Solution. For example, the company has partnered with Tyco Electronics, which will combine and sell products from its portfolio of RFID hardware with OATSystems' asset-tracking software. This, the partners report, will provide customers an integrated RFID solution that has been tested to make sure its components all work together.
Other partners in the program include Miles Technologies, Rush Tracking Systems, Domino ISG and the printer division at Avery Dennison.
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The company's RFID system in Brazil went into full production in August 2006. To date, says Marcelo Pandini, HP Brazil's manager of RFID and business development, HP has tagged more than 2 million printers assembled at Sao Paolo plant. The company expects that number to grow to 3 million by year's end. Since deploying the technology to track printers as they are assembled, HP Brazil estimates that it has reduced its printer inventory in the supply chain by 17 percent (see Best RFID Implementation: Keeping Tabs on Printers).
The software should help HP abide by the FIFO (first in, first out) principle, designed to ensure that products assembled first are those shipped out first. That's particularly important for HP, Pandini says, because its printers include printer cartridges with specific expiration dates. With the Asset Tracking and Work-in-Process Solution, he says, HP could create a use case in the software that incorporates the rules of FIFO and alerts the company in real-time if printers are shipped out of order.
The Asset Tracking and Work-in-Process Solution is available now. Pricing depends on the number of RFID readers running the software.
Other partners in the program include Miles Technologies, Rush Tracking Systems, Domino ISG and the printer division at Avery Dennison.
