EPC-Enabled Enterprise Mobility

An Integrated Architecture for RFID Success

There’s Not a Lot of Debate … RFID is here .. NOW!

“Widespread RFID adoption is inevitable and will have a transformation impact on supply chain execution”

- Business Integration Journal, 1/04

EPC Pallet and case tagging mandates

We Have a Standard

EPC (Electronic Product Code) enjoys widespread support – no other practical alternative exists

Emerged from the MIT Auto ID Center, driven by leading retailers, CPG companies, and technology companies, including Symbol Technologies and Manhattan Associates

Will continue to evolve – as all standards do

The Business Drivers are There The benefits are known .. now …

Automatic scanning allows ..

Increased accuracy and visibility … drives …

Real-time decision making … drives …

Supply chain efficiencies (cost DOWN) .. Plus

Increased responsiveness to customer demand (sales UP )

Sales liftslowers

OPEXimproves Supply chain visibility

The Technology Works

Tagging and reading at the pallet level works reliably with the current generation of tags and readers

Tagging and reading at the case level works when cases are singulated on a conveyor or other material handling system

EPC …Pervasive in the Supply Chain

Supply chain is just the beginning …

Manufacturing Distribution RetailTransportation

HealthcareGovernment

EPC will be pervasive .. period

Pilots Today are Defining What is Needed for Success Tomorrow

Pilots are happening today .. And will continue to grow in scope through 2004

These pilots are showing what works .. And where improvements are needed as we move towards a broad rollout at an enterprise scale

Lesson learned: What works at a pilot scale may not work at an enterprise scale

Make It

work

Phase 1

Make It

manageable

Phase 2

Make It

essential

Phase 3

Make It

ubiquitous

Phase 4

The Phases of Technology Adoption

Make It

transparent

Phase 5

DELIVERED2004 2005

What is Needed to Bridge the Gap?

Integration with other data sources and devices such as bar code, wireless networks, and portable data terminals

Solution suppliers with a proven track record

Integrated, end-to-end solutions

Modular and configurable solutions

Manageable and scaleable reading and software infrastructure

Expansion of existing solutions (WMS, etc.) to include EPC

Meeting the Needs

Capture information in real time at the point of business activity

Move information instantly to and from the point of greatest impact

Manage the unimpeded flow of information and the devices that supply it with exceptional efficiency and security

Provide the benefits of this architecture to the applications and systems that drive business value .. such as Warehouse Management Systems and Transportation Management Systems

An Architectural Solution

A point solution will not suffice

Capture, Move, Manage can only be delivered with an integrated architecture

Symbol’s solution is an integrated Enterprise Mobility architecture

= Enterprise Mobility

Move

Manage

Internet Access

Hot SpotWAN

Capture

Enterprise Mobility Reference Architecture

RFID Tag

Web Server Database Server

MSP

Move

Manage

Capture

Enterprise Mobility Reference Architecture

RFID Tag

Internet Access

Hot SpotWAN

Web Server Database Server

MSP

Enterprise Mobility Requirements

Enterprise Mobility cannot be delivered with only point products.

EPC-Enabled Enterprise Mobility

Where Does RFID Fit in an Enterprise Mobility Architecture?

A natural and essential extension of the enterprise mobility services architecture

RFID must be seamlessly integrated in order to achieve its real-world potential

Every bit as important as the other elements of the architecture – just as critical as bar codes, wireless data networks, and management tools

What Does the Market Need?

Portal / Gate Reader

Forklift Reader

Conveyor Reader

Hand Held

Management Software & Appliances

Device and Data Management

The goal must be to provide management of RFID data and devices as part of an integrated toolset that also manages all aspects of mobility and data capture – i.e. bar codes, portableterminals, and wireless networks

These must be offered as part of a larger integrated enterprise-enabled suite of data and device management tools and appliances (e.g. Symbol’s Mobility Services Platform)

There can be no RFID information islands

What Design Philosophy Will be Needed?

“EPC Plus” – everything you have today PLUS EPC

No functional or performance compromises in any respect

The environment does not change when you add EPC

Example: MC9000-G Terminal Prototype

“EPC Plus”

Integrated high-performance imager engine capable of reading most popular 1D and 2D bar code

Designed with real-world usability in mind – not a “clip on” that will fail at deployment

Lightweight antenna structure to support full shift usability

Directional (60 degree forward) field generation to support read isolation

Innovative antenna design/manufacture technique designed to withstand repeated 6’ drops to concrete

What Can an Integrated Architecture Do?

Adaptive interaction between architecture elements

Example: system detects heavy inbound shipments and adjusts Class of Service (CoS) of wireless VPN upwards to compensate

Only possible with tightly integrated architecture

What Can an Integrated Architecture Do?

Bar code and RFID scanning

Workers can move dynamically between EPC-tagged and bar code tagged object

In a typical mixed environment, transitions may occur within inches and secondsof each other

What Can an Integrated Architecture Do?

Integrated management tools

Single interface for managing a wide variety of devices and data

Reduction in complexity

Reduction in training

Reduction in cost

What Can an Integrated Architecture Do?

Combine data from a variety of RFID reading equipment

Will be a requirement in real world RFID systems

Architecture can present a unified view of RFID data… AND non-RFID data

…Innovation Will Continue RFID devices must be seamlessly managed in order

to derive maximum business value

Market will move toward an increasingly integrated product strategy that seeks to exploit convergence between wireless data and RFID infrastructures wherever possible

Expertise in both RFID and wireless systems will be required to drive this convergence

… closing thoughts As RFID evolves from

pilots to enterprise roll-outs, point products are giving way to RFID integrated with end-to-end Enterprise Mobility solutions

EPC-Ready Enterprise Mobility plus Manhattan Associates – the one/two punch that gives you the power to succeed!

Questions ?