Jakob Jost Tests RFID

Knoll says his company is still working to iron out some technical difficulties. For example, when suppliers of tagged garments send dispatch information (i.e., EPC-based data) to Jakob Jost, that information is moved to the RFID server, which transmits the data to the handheld RFID reader used to process the incoming goods. However, he notes, before workers can interrogate tagged items, they must first scroll through a list of Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC) to indicate which box they will identify, and from which supplier. This process, he says, is time-consuming and cumbersome, and would not work if the company had large amounts of tagged items to interrogate.

Tom Vieweger, a key account manager for RFiT Solutions' German office, says his company has developed software that solves this problem, which will be installed at Jakob Jost next month. "The operator scans the incoming items," he states. "Based on the registered EPCs, the software can filter the numbers and refer to the SSCC to which they belong. This means the worker doesn't have to search for the SSCC anymore. Instead, it is displayed on the handheld after a few items in the batch are scanned."

Starting in early spring, Jakob Jost plans to provide inventory data to its suppliers so that they can manage the replenishment process, but this is not yet possible with the system as it is currently set up. "No provider is able to handle serialized inventory data within the EDI messages," Vieweger explains. "New EDI standards (EANCOM) for serialized messages were discussed and defined in the last weeks and months by GS1 Germany. They will be published in February or March. In parallel, we are developing the serialized electronic data interchange of inventory reports (INVREP), so that we can start the transmission of these data in early spring."

By conducting weekly inventories, Jakob Jost and garment manufacturers should have a much more accurate view of stock levels than what is possible using an annual bar-code-based inventory process. Furthermore, the replenishment process should be improved significantly, thereby avoiding out-of-stocks.

If Jakob Jost opts to implement RFID permanently, the company indicates, it would like to extend its use of the technology to the checkout counter, as well as for theft prevention. It might also consider installing portal readers at its loading docks, to expedite the tracking of incoming and outgoing goods.

According to Knoll, RFID technology is the enabler for a higher availability of goods on the store floor, as well as better customer satisfaction and increased sales. If the company permanently implements RFID, he says, it would work to get more suppliers to send it tagged garments, and try to convince other retailers to begin using an RFID reader infrastructure as well, in order to spread the use of the technology.