U.S. military relies on Zebra for visibility to keep equipment shipments on track
Challenge
As military personnel continue to carry out the mission known as “Operation Iraqi Freedom,†innumerable amounts of material, from food to ammunition to spare parts, need to follow the troops wherever they go. This would be a tough situation for any supply chain, but add to it the austere conditions of the Iraqi desert.
The Department of Defense (DoD) needed a portable system that its movement control teams (MCT) within the transportation movement battalion could use at the point of activity to monitor and report material receipt and shipment, as well as correct any problems regarding shipment identification.
Solution
The DoD turned to Zebra Technologies to create a mobile material tracking system. What resulted was the deployable asset visibility system (DAVS), a self-contained mobile system that utilizes mobile computers plus bar code and radio frequency identification (RFID) to track assets throughout the transportation process. Using this system, soldiers have immediate access to the data necessary to create a new military shipping label or rewrite a tag. Should communication with the DoD host server be necessary, a satellite-based messaging and routing system works with the mobile unit to do the job. The DAVS system also enables the MCT to monitor receipt and shipping, plus correct problems that would otherwise delay the shipment.
Unitech PA600, PA968 & HT680 Certified for use with IntelliTrack
IntelliTrack has certified the latest Unitech PA600, PA968 and HT680 portable data collectors. IntelliTrack now supports Windows Mobile 6.1 and Windows CE 5.0 operating systems installed on these latest product releases.
The Unitech PA600 not only fits in your pocket, but is lightest in its class. Recommended for use with IntelliTrack is the 20-key keypad configuration.
The Unitech PA968 offers a 2-megapixel camera bonus feature along with the ability to work in the harshest conditions. Recommended for use with IntelliTrack is the 24-key keypad configuration.
The Unitech HT680’s compact, rugged design is ideal for manufacturing, retail, logistics and transportation. The feather light handheld boasts rust-proof connector pins and a six-foot drop spec. Recommended for use with IntelliTrack is the 22-key keypad configuration.
RFID Tags Improve Efficiency For Paper Shipping Company
Sunoco, a manufacturer of packaging products, recently invested in RFID technology to make shipment tracking more convenient for its customers.
Many of the Hartsville, South Carolina-based company’s clients are in the paper industry themselves; thus, having paper cores arrive that were RFID-ready will offer Sunoco and its customers a more efficient and effective inventory management system to keep track of their materials.
Logic Controls SB-9090 All-in-One Point of Sale Terminal
Offering the latest Projected Capacitive Touch (PCT) screen technology, simple hardware connectivity, an exchangeable hard drive, hidden cable compartment, and adjustable base, and customer display, the Logic Controls SB-9090 All-in-One Point of Sale Terminal delivers great accessibility and usability to the customers.
Furthermore, to assure a stable and continuing operation, Logic Controls SB-9090 is designed to resist both internal and external sources that might cause potential computer downtime. With its signature fanless operation the SB-9090 is a great fit for harsh environment where dust, dirt, or grease may be present or when fan noise is not desirable. Logic Controls SB-9090 carries the highly efficient Intel Atom 1.6GHz Processor that consumes less power while still achieving high performance.
Professional Canon Camera Now Supports Barcode Readers
Canon is now shipping a special EOS 7D kit that includes support for barcode scanners and has the ability to embed barcode data directly into the picture’s metadata.
New RFID Tag Designed for Jewelry Items
Inventory management researchers recently unveiled a new RFID tagging system that will enable consumers and businesses to track valuable jewelry.
The new tags were created to attach to jewelry items such as necklaces and earrings, allowing individuals to monitor and follow their possessions in real time. Each RFID unit features a small hole, in which the piece of jewelry can easily slide into, therefore mitigating any damage to the accessory.
If a consumer or jewelry store owner accidentally misplaces an expensive pearl necklace or pair of diamond earrings, they can use the new tags – which can be identified within a range of three feet – to find them.
The tag’s slim and light-weight design allow it go unnoticed, while still maintaining a high level of protection.
RFID tags are used commonly in warehouses and retail sectors to increase oversight over supplies and to improve tracking capabilities. Other industries have recently adopted the technology, as the benefits can help a company save money by not having to invest in items because they have mistakenly been misplaced.
