Intelligent logistics and office automation
29.02.2008
The RFID Business Unit is benefiting from the rapidly growing demand for RFID-based solutions. Elatec is expanding its focus beyond traditional logistics and intralogistics applications specifically into solutions for office automation.
Multifunctional reader for push/pull printing
As companies replace desktop printers with high-performance department printers, they face growing issues of security and transparency. For instance, sensitive documents are read at the printer or accidentally taken by the wrong person, and printing costs cannot be allocated to specific cost centres. Here is where RFID-based solutions come into play that only release the documents once the author or recipient identifies himself at the printer (push/pull printing).
The wide range of available transponder standards previously represented a true challenge for printer manufacturers, value-added resellers and system integrators in the area of office automation. However, with Elatec’s new multifunctional reader it is now possible to read all common RFID signals from different manufacturers and on different frequencies. The Elatec reader is quickly connected via standard interfaces (USB, RS232) to printers or print servers. This enables manufacturers and integrators of push/pull solutions to flexibly respond to customer demands for RFID access control transponders and add these cards to their range of office automation products. Lexmark and the Danish system integrator Safecom were among Elatec’s first customers.
Making logistics more intelligent
Logistics remains one the core applications for RFID technology, particularly in the area of intralogistics, where RFID applications are growing in popularity. One such example is tool tracking, which employs transponders attached to the tools to monitor all movements in the warehouse and in production. For instance, the often very similar tools for robots and machines used in warehouses are correctly identified and located more quickly. RFID also provides a further advantage for production: by comparing the RFID identification with the loading software, the robot is itself able to verify the identity of the equipment. This significantly reduces the error rate compared to equipment checks performed manually by the operators. With certain RFID-based tracking solutions, it is even possible to save the tool's aggregate deployment times. This enables worn-out tools to be systematically removed from use before these begin to affect the quality of the production output.
