Healthcare providers throughout the world have been implementing Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) systems in order to ensure traceability of their surgical instruments, improve patient safety and optimize asset management. An area of particular concern was the instrument reprocessing cycle, particularly to and from sterilization. Ultimately, the goal of the system is to save costs through a more efficient process and better asset management.

Healthcare providers have already started to implement two-dimensional barcodes directly on their surgical instruments. Because of this, the GS1 Healthcare established a group to develop appropriate industry standards, which underwent the GS1 Global Standards Management Process (GSMP) and Application Standards for Small Medical/Surgical Instrument Marking have now been established. The implementation of this standard is definitely a significant accomplishment towards the goal of improving patient safety.

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With the advent of Automated Data Collection (ADC), warehouses have drastically changed from a mere place of storage to a finely tuned machine that ultimately increases the flow of goods throughout the supply chain. According to writer Steve Banker’s article on Task Management, “Improved productivity is one of the primary benefits of a WMS, and task management is the core functionality that drives labor efficiencies. If a WMS does not have task management, then it is not, by definition, a warehouse management system.”

Because of this, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have become increasingly more important and intricate in order to address customer needs. Currently, the following trends are being used in order to increase throughput and productivity:

Receiving Function

Includes the physical receipt of material, shipment quantity and damages, identification of delivery, and the preparation of receiving reports.

Put-away Function

Consists of removing materials from the dock, transporting them to a storage area, placing it in a staging area, moving it to a specific location and then recording where the material has been placed.

Order Picking

Involves selecting the required quantity of the right products for movement into the packaging area and documenting the movements of the materials.

Staging and Shipping

Entails physically moving material from the packing area to a staging area based on instructions related to an outbound vehicle or delivery route for shipment and consolidation.

Inventory Cycle Counting

Inventory is counted on a cyclic schedule rather than once a year.

As you can see, current WMS applications automate essential warehouse activities in order to work more efficiently and effectively.

For more information on WMS software, learn more here.

As you can imagine, kiwi is a popular fruit for New Zealand to export. However, with growth in the volume of trade and rising food safety guidelines, the kiwi supply chain needed some upgrades in order to ensure that New Zealand is a consistent provider of quality kiwi.

In order to create unique identifiers on each kiwi carton label, traceability of fruit from the orchard to customer was important. However, the success of this solution was dependant upon the speed at which an individual label could be requested and printed.

After searching for a solution, the Intermec PM4i thermal printer was selected due to its intelligent capabilities such as Fingerprint programming language, built-in LCD and keypad. Paired with custom software, labels could be printed quickly, on demand, in addition to mostly eliminating operator error. In addition to these qualities, the Intermec PM4i also offers:

• Integrated serial,USB and Ethernet interfaces
• Elimination of host PC
• Peripheral device control
• Remote access

Even during the height of kiwi season, the Intermec PM4i and custom software were able to keep up. With their new and improved kiwi supply chain, New Zealand suppliers were able to better cater to European labeling requirements, in additiong to refining their internal practices. If you’re interested in learning more about the Intermec PM4i, you can to so here.

August is filled with automated data collection events throughout the world, all of which Intermec will be attending. Below is a list and brief description of the events. If you’re interested in learning more about Intermec, you can do so here.

Movimat 2009
When: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 – Friday, August 7, 2009
Where: São Paulo, Brasil
Description: Come see Intermec and its new products and solutions for the transportation and logistics industry.
Target Industries: Transportation and Logistics

CBP OIT
When: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 – Friday, August 7, 2009
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Description: Join Intermec at this annual event which focuses on CBP that provides security at America’s borders and ports of entry. OIT implements and supports information technology, research and development functions, and automation of technological strategies for meeting mission and business needs.
Target Industries: Public Sector, Federal Government

ABAD
When: Monday, August 10, 2009 – Thursday, August 13, 2009
Where: Recife, Brasil
Description: Join Intermec at this “sweet” convention dedicated to the consumer goods manufacturing companies and retailers. Stop by the Intermec booth to see the latest in mobile computing solutions.
Target Industries: Retail, Consumer Goods

Scan China 2009
When: Thursday, August 13, 2009 – Saturday, August 15, 2009
Where: Bejing Exhibition Centre, Bejing, China
Description: Join Intermec at Scan China 2009. This industry event is designed to update and educate attendees on the latest in bar code computing, bar code printer, RFID and mobile computers.
Target Industries: Industrial, Retail, Consumer Goods Manufacturing, Transportation and Logistics

Xchange 2009
When: Monday, August 17, 2009 – Thursday, August 20, 2009
Where: Washington DC, USA
Description: Intermec will join Synnex to promote the latest in mobile computing and bar code solutions for the federal government.
Target Industries: Government

GITEX Technology Week
When: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 – Saturday, August 22, 2009
Where: Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE
Description: GITEX Business Solutions aims to provide three distinct areas for Network & Security, Office Technology & Supplies, and IT Solutions. Visit the Intermec booth where you will meet with professionals who are local and understand your unique needs.
Target Industries: Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods, Retail, Logistics

The two forms of automated data collection used today are barcode systems and RFID systems, both with advantages and disadvantages.

RFID, or radio frequency technology, uses a tag applied to a product in order to identify and track it via radio waves. The 2 parts that make up the tag are an integrated circuit and an antenna. While the circuit processes and stores information, the antenna transmits signals to the RFID reader, also called an interrogator, in order to interpret the data in the tag.

In contrast, a barcode is an optical representation of data that can be scanned and then interpreted. The data is represented by the width and spacing of parallel lines, and are often used in POS applications, in addition to tracking objects throughout the supply chain.

Advantages of RFID
RFID technology is more comprehensive than barcode technology, allowing tags to be read from a greater distance. In addition, RFID tags can be read much faster than barcodes because barcodes require a direct line of sight, whereas about 40 RFID tags can be read at once.

Advantages of Barcodes
The greatest advantage seen by most companies is that barcodes are cheaper than RFID technology. Barcode tags are also much lighter and smaller than RFID tags, making them easier to use.

While barcodes and RFID technology currently co-exist, many speculate as to whether RFID technology will overtake the barcode. Personally, I don’t think that will happen any time soon, but what do you think?