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Tracking system leverages existing Wi-Fi networks
May 23, 2007
A new tracking system leverages existing Wi-Fi technology to locate products and objects throughout
the supply chain.
Due to increasing concerns about food safety, processors are required to track and record the
status of their products along the supply chain.
Wi-Fi, popularly known as an acronym for wireless fidelity, could
be an alternative to other technologies, such as radio frequency identification, that are currently being used by companies
to track their products in real time.
G2 Microsystems said its Wi-Fi Asset Tracking System leverages existing technology
to help solve the number-one problem facing supply chain managers - the limited visibility of their product's status throughout
the supply chain.
The system leverages global Wi-Fi infrastructure to eliminate such "blind spots" in
supply chain tracking, said John Gloekler, president and chief executive officer of G2 Microsystems.
"If
your product could talk, you would always be informed of its condition and status," he said. "Our Wi-Fi asset tracking
system is the next best thing, delivering critical information at the edge of the supply chain."
The G2 Wi-Fi
Asset Tracking System provides location information as well as information such as temperature changes, tampering, tilting,
shocks and light exposure.
The system uses Wi-Fi asset tags and G2 software to check the status and condition
of products at key distribution points throughout the supply chain.
The system uses SAP's Event Management
software to send alerts to management when exceptions to the parameters are detected by the Wi-Fi tags.
The SAP
software will also present a dashboard with information on how each party along the supply chain is expected to react to a
problem.
"Wi-Fi tracking is the only solution that doesn't require additional hardware infrastructure
or software integration at each supply chain node, resulting in the lowest total cost of ownership," G2 claimed. "This
solution is particularly compelling for tracking high value assets, fragile items, or items that require special handling
like chemicals and cold chain products."
Wi-Fi access points have grown exponentially over the last five years.
The demand has extended the communications technology to manufacturing floors, warehouses, and distribution centres.
The G2 system takes advantage of the existing network by using Cisco's Unified Wireless Network. The Wi-Fi asset tag
can transmit location and sensor information from a supply chain partner's facility while maintaining the integrity of
its network security.
This is accomplished with the EAP-FAST protocols used by Radius servers in most companies
throughout the world, G2 stated.
The company is working with Cisco Systems and SAP on pilot projects with a number
of companies. It plans to roll out full deployments in 2008.
Wi-Fi is the same communications technology that
home computers and laptops use to connect to the Internet without wires.
Source: FOODproductiondaily.com
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