TRANSPORTATION

Initiatives Using RFID in Transportation are significantly increasing... There's little doubt about the potential of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The benefits of automated asset tracking are continually being demonstrated and no longer require high-profile mandates (such as those at Wal-Mart and the US Department of Defense).

Pilots are quickly being replaced with implementations. Traditional companies like Union Pacific Railroad and creative new alternative companies like iGP are now using RFID to track and manage their assets in conjunction with logistics solutions. These are large scale industry wide solutions that may prove to be predecessor of more advertised supply chain solutions.

For many decision makers in the Transportation, Automotive and Aerospace industries, deploying RFID solutions is not a question of “if” but “when.” Many companies understand the potential improvements to business processes; and as RFID usage grows, RFID capability becomes a market or competitive requirement. The key issues with regard to moving forward with RFID solutions are “is it deployable yet?” and “does it have a return on investment (ROI)?”

• How do you construct a realistic business case for RFID?
• How do you architect solutions that fit existing infrastructure?
• How do you maintain flexibility and avoid proprietary solutions that limit future options?
• How do you deploy solutions without disrupting critical business processes?
• How do you mitigate risk?
• How do you manage the inherent complexity, both of the infrastructure and of the increased data stream that results?

...But Why Right Now?

Oracle and Intel have played leading roles in the development and maturation of RFID technologies and solutions. With support from Alien Technologies, both have participated in creating real-world RFID solutions that prove deployability and demonstrate solid ROIs. The companies combine this expertise to provide joint solutions that make now the time to deploy RFID – by helping to reduce the risk and accelerate ROI. Specifically, these are comprehensive, end-to-end enterprise solutions that:

• Are standards-based to maintain affordability, flexibility and extendibility
• Integrate into existing systems
• Reduce deployment risk and operational risk