Server: Microsoft-IIS/3.0 Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 19:34:29 GMT Content-Type: text/html Accept-Ranges: bytes Last-Modified: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 14:47:05 GMT Content-Length: 15767 Smart Source Tagging


Enables Sensing and Tracking By Combining the Security
of Ultra·Max EAS
with the Intelligence of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Universal Product Protection Products Contact Information

Smart Source Tagging
The new Sensormatic Intelligent Tracking Systems, based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, will introduce Smart tags into the consumer goods supply chain. Over the last 10 years tremendous advances in Warehouse Management have made dramatic changes to the way goods are moved through the distribution process. Items can now be moved at speed, and monitored more accurately. It could be said that bar codes have created a revolution in the Logistics industry. Indeed some might see the present systems as utopia. However in the fast paced world of Electronic Commerce and Auto Data Capture there is constant desire for improvement.

What is an Intelligent Tracking System
Using RFID smart tags the system will have the ability to sense and track goods providing total asset visibility to products from the point of manufacture to the point of sale and beyond. The process is based on smart tags which will combine the security of Ultra•Max® EAS with the intelligence of radio frequency identification (RFID). The tags have read/write capabilities and can store and transmit data normally supplied from bar codes. The ability to transmit this data by radio will speed up the flow of goods throughout the consumer goods supply chain while providing a higher level of security than previously thought possible…through a process called “Smart Source Tagging.”


Who Will
Reap the Benefits
of Smart
Source Tagging?

Corporate Headquarters for asset protection of capital equipment such as laptop computers and fax machines.

Retail Stores for perpetual inventory management, refund control and improved levels of security.

Manufacturing and Distribution Centers for fast sensing and tracking and logistics control.


Benefits of Smart Source Tagging

Manufacturers

• Total asset visibility

• Protection of expensive component parts

• High level of security for inventory

• Anti-counterfeiting capabilities

• Reduced lead times for distribution

• Full lot control

• Full service history / warranty information

• Date of manufacture

Warehouses and Distribution Centers

• Total asset visibility

• High level of security for inventory

• Reduced inventory stocking levels

• Faster sorting and picking

• Faster cross-docking

• Full external freight and shipping control

Retailers

• Total asset visibility

• High level of security for inventory

• Point of sale history recorded on each item

• Reduction in refund fraud

• Reduction in write-offs and mark downs

• Electronically stored features and benefits

• Reduced safety stock levels

• Full service history / warranty information

• Tracking of returned goods

• Speed up checkout

• Perpetual inventory management

All of these benefits are ultimately passed on to the consumer. Retail out-of-stocks are reduced or eliminated, tracking of paper receipts are no longer necessary and operational costs are reduced. These savings could be passed on to the consumer through lower prices!


Why Smart Source Tagging with Ultra•Max?
Combining Sensormatic’s RFID and Ultra•Max acousto-magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology offers users the highest quality sensing and tracking system available. Only Ultra•Max offers excellent detection rates, 100% reliable deactivation and unlimited unobstructed system widths to meet the needs of consumers, retailers, manufacturers, distributors and transit companies. What’s more, Ultra•Max smart source tags can be deactivated and reactivated an unlimited number of times. This is a major requirement for RFID tags. They must be capable of being reused throughout the product supply chain.

Why Smart Source Tagging with Sensormatic?
Sensormatic has a long history in sensing and tracking of goods, assets and people with our SenTrac ID Electronic Asset Protection Systems. This hands free RFID tracking system was utilized by athletes, officials and guests at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Building on the foundation and development of the SenTrac RFID Systems, Sensormatic is now partnering with Texas Instruments and Micron Technologies to design a new range of sensing and tracking systems which generate benefits throughout the full consumer goods supply chain.

We are members of various international associations working on standards and practices to develop an open architecture to support Smart Source Tagging. Sensormatic’s long-standing relationship with these organizations will ensure our customers get immediate access to emerging open standard RFID technologies as they become available.

Sensormatic has the solutions and resources to implement EAS and Source Tagging for your organization today and we can lead you into the future with Smart Source Tagging solutions for tomorrow.

 

Synchronized movement of Products and Information through a hierarchy of Smart Source Tags

Data stored to smart
source tags on consumer
goods or product
components

consolidated to Case Tag consolidated to Pallet Tag consolidated to Shipping Tag

CONSOLIDATION OF INFORMATION

Consumer Units
Small low priced smart tags are used to encode information on individual consumer products. The RFID portion of the tag is scanned at various points along the supply chain, including the point of sale. Information can be programmed onto or received from as many as 50 tags in one second. This seamless flow of data will speed up the whole process of JIT, Quick Response and Perpetual Inventory Management. At the store level information including place of sale, price of sale and date of purchase will aid the management of returns and warranty claims.

Boxes and Containers
As individual consumer units are packed into a box or container, all tag history is transferred to a larger tag which is fixed to the outside of the unit.

The “case” tags for tagging master cartons have more capability than those placed in consumer goods. Information can be written to, or read from master cartons as they move along conveyors or through picking systems. Information recorded on the master carton would include the contents, the ship-to location and the information needed to speed up the receiving of merchandise by the retailer. This smart source tag could also house an Ultra•Max EAS tag for protection of goods stored in warehouses or retail
distribution centers.

Pallets
Information from the case tag is now consolidated onto larger pallet tags as cases are stacked on pallets.

Pallet tags are either battery powered or passive and are typically reusable. These more powerful RFID tags can be applied to shipping containers or pallets. Shipping container tags will be read as a pallet is wrapped or as it enters a loading area. A bill of lading, purchase order information and full description of merchandise contents are just some of the data that can be stored. These RFID tags may also contain EAS labels for security protection of goods throughout the distribution process. This is possible since the Ultra•Max technology can be read at very wide ranges.

Transport Vehicles
Inventory manifests are transferred to a master tag which will be affixed to trucks, trains, ships and planes. Utilizing GPS and cellular transmission networks, movement of the vehicles and manifests can be tracked throughout their routes. The master tag will be battery-powered for tracking trucks, planes or ships and will be affixed to the transportation vehicle itself. Information recorded on these reusable tags would include vehicle identification numbers, point of origin, destination and a full manifest of the cargo contained in the shipment.

Current News

Beta Tests - are now underway in North America and Europe.

Through the next six months Sensormatic will be conducting a limited number of field trials with large Corporate HQ operations, and a number of it's retail partners. Operations interested in taking part in these limited beta tests should contact Sensormatic by Email.

These trials will test various aspects of the RFID technology at Consumer Goods - Tote Box - Pallet - and Transport stages.

Product Launch

March 1998 will see the launch of the new Corporate HQ system, CCURE Trac. This will be the first asset tracking system in the world that is capable of matching people to assets.

July 1998 is targeted for the launch of the Intelligent Retail system. Initially based on a new Sensormatic reusable tag to be called Super TagID.


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Copyright © 1998 Sensormatic Electronics Corporation