Container Tracking: Container Tracking Pilot Highlights The Benefits Of RFID Standards In Port Management, Says ABI Research
A recent EPCglobal pilot project using active RFID tags along with software from Oracle and Savi Technology has highlighted the importance of common standards in maximizing the benefits RFID can bring to port operations. The pilot tagged seaborne shipping containers traveling between Hong Kong and Japan to provide real-time tracking information to EPC Information Services (EPCIS), a draft EPCglobal standard enabling trading partners to communicate in a common computer language on objects moving throughout the supply chain.
Research director Michael Liard of ABI Research says, "Container tracking can deliver supply chain management benefits – both cost reductions and revenue increases – that may add up to thousands of dollars per container. Smaller inventory, fast transportation and routing troubleshooting, lower insurance, greater efficiency and heightened security are all demonstrable advantages that RFID tracking can provide."
The benefits seem clear, but many vendors and end users believe that the prerequisites for greater RFID adoption in this sector are a common nomenclature for RFID data, and a standard framework for the way in which that information is shared via open standards such as EPCIS. "The EPCglobal pilot with Savi and Oracle represents a significant step towards the practical realization of a truly useful standard," notes Liard. "It is the first real-world demonstration among port operators of the potential created when multiple trading partners and service providers can ‘speak the same language'."
ABI Research's "Cargo Container Security Tracking: RFID, Cellular, and Satellite Communications for Supply Chain Management and National Security" www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/Container_ Security_Tracking (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.) examines and evaluates evolving solutions and technologies for global electronic container security tracking, including RFID, GPS, cellular, satellite, ultra-wideband, and optical character recognition, and identifies key market drivers. It is part of three of the company's annual Research Services: RFID www.abiresearch.com/products/service/RFID_Research_Service, www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Commercial_Telematics_ Research_Service (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.), and M2M www.abiresearch.com/products/service/M2M_Research_Service.
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations supporting annual research programs, intelligence services and market reports in broadband and multimedia, RFID & contactless, M2M, wireless connectivity, mobile wireless, transportation and emerging technologies. For information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.
SOURCE: ABI Research