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RFID Barcode Scanning Backup |
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Pharmaceutical service provider
Transpharm uses RFID as a backup for barcode scanning
Other topics: RFID
Barcode Scanning Backup,
RFID Conference Program Track
noFilis
August 11, 2008
Transpharm Logistik GmbH, the logistics service provider of
Ratiopharm is teaming with noFilis, one of the world's leading
providers of AutoID Device Management Technology, to automate and
secure warehouse internal goods movements based on a combination of
barcode and RFID technology.
Transpharm acts as a full service provider for the pharmaceutical
and healthcare industry |
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In order to exceed the customer requirements, Transpharm develops
and runs logistical service concepts and solutions - including the
necessary IT system landscape. The service provider focuses on the
Pharmaceutical and Healthcare sector and offers a complete portfolio
comprising distribution, warehousing, order processing and
transportation towards end customers. Because of the high volume of
daily goods movements, Transpharm is very interested in the usage of
AutoID - technologies in order to optimize logistics processes. In
the distribution center in Ulm/Germany, where the noFilis
installation just went live, more than 5000 cases and around 350
pallets pass the goods issue gates every day.
RFID is used as a backup for barcode - scanning in warehouse
internal movements
"We decided to use RFID technology as a backup for our stationary
barcode scanners" says Gerhard R?der, head of distribution logistics
at Transpharm. "This might be a new approach, as most of the
companies use these technologies vice versa: barcode technology in
case RFID does not work." At the end of production, the pharma
pallets are shrink - wrapped and transported via a conveyor belt to
the warehousing area. The shrink - wrapping process is not only
necessary because of the stability of the handling unit, but also to
reduce theft and shrinkage: the value of each pallet is up to 150
K?. The issue with the stationary barcode scanners lies in the
necessary line-of-sight and the reliable placement of barcode labels
at the sweet spot. 95 % of the moved pallets have been identified in
the last years without any problem, the remaining 5 % have caused a
lot of manual work. "In case the barcode read was not successful,
the pallet gets bumped-out in a little sorting machine right after
the read point. The regular non-reads caused a lot of money and time
consuming manual work in the put-away process", says Patrick
Hartmann, Global Sales Director at noFilis. "Today, the label
applicator attaches a combined label with barcode and passive EPC
UHF Gen2 RFID information. The CrossTalk Edgeware checks, whether
the barcode read was successful and triggers the Intermec IF5 RFID
reader if necessary." With the combination of barcode and RFID
technology, these manual steps can be reduced to the highest
possible extend. Due to the realtime - interface of the noFilis
CrossTalk software, Transpharm was able to integrate the RFID
hardware into the existing infrastructure and the automation and
conveyor system without any major changes and within a very short
timeframe.
noFilis CrossTalk configures, manages and integrates AutoID read
points at Transpharm
The noFilis Crosstalk agent based Peer-To-Peer Architecture enables
Transpharm to set-up a distributed and highly scaleable service
network, with fully automized integration of AutoID - and sensor -
information into business processes, including the management of all
relevant AutoID devices. The so-called noFilis CrossTalk Agent
requires minimal system-resources and can be installed and run
directly on fixed RFID devices, mobile devices, PLC controls and
forklift terminals. An automized Micro Process System of the noFilis
CrossTalk Agent translates all requirements of physical processes in
a supply chain-, logistics- or production-environment into several
noFilis CrossTalk Micro Processes. Standard Protocols of EPC Global
like LLRP and ALE are fully supported by CrossTalk and the
integration into various ERP Systems works via embedded noFilis
CrossTalk Software Services.
Further potential of RFID and sensor technologies already identified
"Based on the very positive experiences in our first RFID project,
we have already identified further areas of optimization in our
logistics processes and the offered service portfolio", says R?der.
"Next steps for the utilization of RFID and sensor technologies
might be our cool chain applications as well as the optimization of
warehouse internal picking and goods issue processes."
About noFilis:
noFilis, a software company with in-depth expertise in RFID, AutoID
and sensor technology, focuses since late 2004 on the development of
CrossTalk. The noFilis Device Management CrossTalk is a
state-of-the-art solution stack for transforming business
rules/commands into physical device tasks. The Edgeware takes care
of a transparent and smooth integration of smart devices into a
distributed data network. Besides offering one of the leading
solutions for device integration and data capturing, noFilis is
member of EPC Global, the committee for AutoID standardization. |
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