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Transforming the Supply Chain with RFID Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) represents a disruptive technology with the ability to revolutionize supply chain operations as we know them today. RFID unlocks the potential for cost-effective, high-velocity data collection and real-time visibility of unique products, material and assets (trucks, containers, equipment, etc.) as goods move through complex supply chains. As a recognized leader in providing process-driven supply chain solutions that synchronize the flow of goods and services to effectively meet customer demand, Yantra is uniquely positioned to help companies execute transformational supply chain strategies utilizing RFID technology. Benefits Beyond the Warehouse The benefits of RFID have been widely touted. Leveraging RFID will deliver tremendous value through super efficient supply chain processes. Key benefits include reduced labor costs, increased inventory accuracy and fewer exceptions, and increased organizational responsiveness to customer demand. To date, much of the focus on RFID has centered inside the four walls of the warehouse. While Yantra recognizes the value of RFID in the warehouse, the benefits extend much further. RFID also provides mutually beneficial value to customers, suppliers and partners across the supply chain - eventually providing the realization of the real-time supply chain, with zero latency information access and the ability to make decisions faster. Yantra's business process-centric architecture and breadth of applications take the powerful information collected by RFID and extend it out into the supply chain. With Yantra, customers have unprecedented ability to tailor supply chain processes to take advantage of real-time, detailed inventory and logistics information provided through broader implementation of RFID, including:
Think Transformational Traditional supply chain applications were designed to stand alone and depend on direct data input from users and limited automation utilizing line-of-sight data collection devices. Bound by proprietary tools, languages and designs that "hard wire" critical processes and procedures, these applications were built in a different era and with technology that will fail to address the realities of a real-time supply chain connected through broad implementation of RFID technologies. In short, with the oncoming adoption of RFID, current supply chain application models are becoming obsolete. If organizations are to realize the benefits and efficiencies of RFID technology within their own operations, then new supply chain application models will need to be deployed. The adoption of RFID technology as a common real-time data collection system across heterogeneous organizations and processes in the supply chain will require the following:
"The real returns from RFID will come when you begin to re-engineer business processes around RFID - what Gartner refers to as 'creating RFID-centric business processes.' At this point, the most-appropriate venues for focusing on creating RFID-centric business processes are in manufacturing, warehousing and, in the longer term, at retail stores." — Use RFID Only If It's Intrinsic to the Business Case Consistent with its philosophy of providing process-centric supply chain applications built on industry-proven technology and standards, Yantra enables implementation of RFID in a manner agnostic to the emerging technology specifications found in different tags and readers. Yantra enables organizations to focus on understanding the impact of RFID in relation to existing supply chain applications and processes. RFID Drivers Today and Tomorrow Highly publicized mandates from Wal-Mart and the United States Department of Defense, requiring RFID compliance by 2005, have generated and will continue to generate further impetus and urgency for adoption of RFID technologies. "CPG manufacturers currently see RFID as a two-phase project: gaining Wal-Mart compliance, and then using the compliance to seek potential ROI in their own supply Chains." — RFID in 2005: The What Is More Important Than The When With Wal-Mart Edict Additionally, in 2003 the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection required all shippers to declare the commodity level of all shipments entering the United States (known as the Container Security Initiative). Though not currently driven to RFID levels, this is an example of how RFID technology can increase security and accelerate current lengthy clearance processes. These types of initiatives have suppliers scrambling. Yantra is working closely with its customers to ensure they exceed today's compliance standards. In the future, Yantra will continue to define new business processes utilizing the power of RFID including: lot, serial number and warranty track and trace; evaluated receipt settlement; improved out-of-stock control; and reduced theft/counterfeiting through services to authenticate ePC codes. Yantra is RFID Yantra's research efforts go beyond the standards set by the Auto-ID Center, now EPCglobal, Inc., with significant resources invested in Yantra's Business Process Platform and applications to help companies reap the benefits of RFID technology in the supply chain today and in the future. Additionally, Yantra has forged partnerships with the top middleware, reader and tag vendors for those seeking a full solution. Yantra is ready to help its customers RFID-enable their processes today. The capabilities in Yantra's current offering address the most critical path items.
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