RFID Enabled At John Deere
John Deere partnered with RFID physics experts ODIN technologies to plan, design, and deploy a complete RFID work-in-process solution in four weeks. The solution uses UHF passive RFID to track totes and engine parts for the Deere internal supply chain. ODIN led the testing, hardware and middleware selection, solution design, and deployment providing a single point of project management and complete custom RFID network architecture.
ODIN technologies worked side-by-side with internal John Deere staff to deploy the portals, hand-helds, printers and middleware at two facilities located in Waterloo, Iowa and Fargo, ND. The solution tracks high-value engine parts in re-usable tote containers.
"We wanted to prove that RFID is a viable technology that can benefit our business. Utilizing ODIN's RFID expertise, we were able to deploy a full RFID solution, from designing the process to deployment in four weeks. ODIN understands the nuances of RFID and surrounding technologies. The commitment of their team delivered the results we were after," commented Jim Harl, Manager, Supply Management e-Business.
"We knew from the start that John Deere's objective to design, procure and deploy an RFID asset tracking system in two facilities in one month would be a challenge. In addition to the complexity and tight deadline, the items Deere wanted to track were metal components, not very RFID friendly. It required a comprehensive understanding of the physics of RFID, a wellhoned process for system design, and a company that can scale to meet the client needs. ODIN technologies' automated deployment software combined with our and proven RFID methodology make this a notable case study," remarked Patrick J. Sweeney II, President and CEO of ODIN technologies.
About John Deere
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) is the world's leading manufacturer of agricultural and forestry
equipment, a major manufacturer of construction equipment, and a leading supplier of
equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care. Additionally, John Deere manufactures and
markets engines used in heavy equipment and provides worldwide financial services as well as
landscape and healthcare services.
About ODIN technologies (www.odintechnologies.com)
ODIN technologies is the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, deployment and
certification. ODIN technologies leverages its team of RF engineers, physicists and software
developers combined with its laboratory facilities to provide RFID consulting services to major
retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, United States government agencies and other RFID
early adopters. In addition to client deployment services, ODIN technologies is also the
publisher of the RFID Benchmark Series, the industry's first and most referenced head to head
performance analysis of leading RFID tags and readers. ODIN's President and CEO, Patrick J.
Sweeney II is also author of RFID for Dummies published by John Wiley & Sons. ODIN
technologies is privately held and has labs and offices in Dulles, Virginia and a systems
development office in Dublin, Ireland.