Automation recently announced the opening of a new radio frequency
identification, or RFID, test lab at the company's global headquarters in
Milwaukee. The lab, which simulates a factory warehouse, is designed to help
manufacturers facing production and inventory mandates from retailers understand
how they can make RFID technology an integral part of their distribution
operations.
"RFID will fundamentally change supply chain management and
the way industry tracks, traces and manages the products that are delivered to
retailers and consumers," said Sujeet Chand, chief technology officer for
Rockwell Automation. "With this lab, we're helping manufacturers look beyond the
current, short-term mandates and understand how they can integrate RFID as a
tool for improving future manufacturing efficiencies and distribution."
The Rockwell Automation RFID test lab
replicates situations that are designed to help manufacturers capture detailed,
real-time information that drives line production and synchronizes supply-chain
tracking and tracing. The lab replicates a factory environment to allow accurate
testing and evaluation of a wide variety of RFID products, and lab engineers
offer visitors advice on the best methods for leveraging RFID-gathered data to
improve factory efficiency and productivity.
Simulating a factory
conveyor, packaging station and a dock door, the Rockwell Automation test lab
currently incorporates the company's own products as well as elements from Alien
Technology Corporation, FKI Logistex, SAMSys Technologies Inc., ConnecTerra Inc.
and Zebra Technologies Corporation to help test and integrate RFID technology in
distribution centers and factories.
To mark the official opening of the
lab June 21, nearly 75 business and academic representatives from the University of
Wisconsin E-Business Consortium recently spent a day touring the facility
and learning about the long-term business benefits that can be achieved by
integrating this new technology with existing systems.
"RFID technology
is still in its infancy," said Professor Raj Veeramani, director of the UW E-Business Consortium. "The
Rockwell Automation RFID test lab will help manufacturers look before they leap,
providing them with direction and a way to see how they can integrate this new
technology into their existing infrastructure."
Rockwell Automation is a
provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions. |
|
