Pervasive Computing

Some of you may have read about the Bloomingdale results, article here, it has been recorded that there is significant improvement in visibility of items within a store. The interesting outcome for me was that it also accounted for improvements in processes, in this case cycle counting. Cycle counting as you know is also a very common process in Warehouse processes – often complemented with physical counting.

In one of the more interesting evolutionary branches of RFID, tags and applications designed for temperature sensitive environments and products are being adopted in varying degrees (no pun intended).

During recent times, there have been many innovations in temperature sensor development which enabled more sensitive detection, accurate monitoring and real time notification, sensing capabilities of heat sensitive environments.

http://bbc.co.uk/thebox

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/business/2008/the_box/default.stm

More multi-modal goodness, this is an example of voice picking in a warehousing environment. Here a check digit is used to attach location to the item picked for inventory reconciliation later on or in Oracle's case real-time into the Warehouse Management application. There is a similar solution using voice-insight available from Oracle. You can find the demo and booth at Open World, the booth id#: 218 Moscone South.

         The demands on Supply Chain Execution nowadays involves integration to sensor, mobile devices and automation equipment including conveyors, sortation equipment to enable uninterrupted, streamlined work in the DC's, yards and

Was browsing through youtube and I found a couple of very interesting viewpoints and recordings of RFID usage in supply chain, fulfillment and logistics.

The first one is a presentation from Patrick Dixon, here is that video.

      I recently met with Antti Korhonen, Founder of Ekahau and got a little education on the progression and history of RTLS especially with relation to WiFi.

For those who missed it, here is the archived TV webcast. it was a great experience discussing mobility with the folks who really know the subject ground up. I will also be hosting a webcast to update our customers and the field on RFID.

http://www.cisco.com/go/semreg/motvjuly15/163994_8

Some key content from the presentation material:

youtube video on RFID

Video on youtube on RFID applications in the Supply Chain.

How multi-modal capabilities empower ubiquitous computing.

Centered around the user, multi-modal computing is as much a hybrid approach to user input as multiple drive trains are to a Prius. we will attempt to answer the following questions:

When measuring the efficiency of a supply chain, there is no better indicator of fulfillment man holes and planning stop signs than that holy grail of metrics - "The Perfect Order". It is an elusive goal to most and is subjected to various influencers like the "perfect" matching of supply to demand as close to the pickup time as possible, maintaining as real a visibility picture of the various echelons of supply etc.

Live on Mobility TV

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• See the Power of Context-Aware Mobility

Improve Asset Visibility Through Context-Aware Mobility:

Register Here: http://www.cisco.com/go/semreg/motvjuly15/163994_8

Live Video Webcast, Tuesday, July 15, 2008
10–11 a.m. Pacific Time/1–2 p.m. Eastern Time

As part of Cisco's Motion release, we are going live with a webcast. I will be appearing on the webcast to explain the design collaboration and solutions that Oracle and Cisco are planning to offer. These solutions impact Logistics, Mobile Applications and Visibility in the Healthcare, CPG and Distribution industries and leverage RFID, RTLS technologies.

Keep a lookout - webcast details coming soon, for more details contact daio.syngkon@oracle.com

We have been receiving interview requests, inquiries from customers, analysts regarding the nature of our partnership with OAT. From Oracle's POV, our strategy and vision of device/technology convergence means that we are looking to leverage this Live Heartbeat data that comes from RFID/RTLS to enable our applications to enable better decisions - this is akin to having real-time streaming stock quotes instead of day old information.

Most of you may have heard about Cisco's announcement around its Motion approach to mobility and Mobility Services Engine product. Oracle along with Cisco collaborated for the next generation buiness mobility and pervasive solution for enterprises.