The RFID Accelerator provides organizations a quick and easy solution for enhancing the efficiency of their buy-side and sell-side programs. By enabling the synchronization of trading partner information and the integration of EPC data with existing EDI document flows, the key causes of supply chain inefficiency can be removed.

• Reduce time/cost of RFID implementation
• Create immediate bottom-line ROI by use of RFID/data synchronization
• Eliminate need for additional technical and support staff
• Integrate EPC data with existing internal and trading community information flows

Overview
The RFID Accelerator kick-starts your RFID and data synchronization project in many ways:

• Eliminating inefficiencies caused by inaccurate item data – By adopting Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) standards, trading partners can streamline product information exchanged electronically over the network. Established item/data synchronization rules provide a solid foundation for executing critical functions in the supply chain such as: Ordering, Replenishment and Tracking items.
• Meeting major customer RFID initiatives – Retailers like Wal-Mart, Metro, Tesco and Best Buy, along with organizations like the U.S. DoD are setting RFID specifications and guidelines. Suppliers are asked to meet these specs as initiatives are rolled out across the US and internationally.
• Improved control of stock and other assets “In Store, On Shelf” – At any given time, a typical retail store has 6% - 8% out-of-stock resulting in sales losses of about 4%. A recent study by the University of Arkansas showed Wal-Mart reducing out-of-stocks of RFID-tagged merchandise by 16%, with RFID-tagged product space replenished three times faster then space inhabited by products tracked with barcodes.
• Improved efficiencies in the supply chain – Enterprises gain through faster, more accurate and automated exchanges of information among collaborating enterprises. Collaborative business environments are enhanced through the integration of data and documents to create business context.
• Increased accuracy and visibility
• Real-time decision making
• Greater throughput
• More data-usage flexibility
• Greater collection flexibility
• Tracking of shipments – RFID enables tracking throughout the supply chain, with suppliers, retailers and even end-users potentially tracking the location of goods on order. Many organizations must comply with strict regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of restricted goods. RFID improves the traceability of goods in the manufacturing process and can assist in conducting product recalls as a result of safety concerns (Smart Recalls).
• Reduced shrinkage/theft – Tags can be attached to high value items to validate authenticity, or guard against theft—within the supply chain of the organization or at retail outlets.

Features

The RFID Accelerator is the first, wizard-driven RFID software to provide an easy way for organizations to take advantage of the efficiencies gained from trading community data synchronization and the requirement for compliant RFID solutions that meet mandates from organizations such as DoD, Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy. It consists of two components:

Data Pool Accelerator powered by GXS:

• Full support for GS1 standards-based item data model
• Provision of a wizard-based installer that automatically installs the software and enables the user to get started on data synchronization in a matter of minutes
• Secure connection to the data pool via HTTPS
• Capability to upload item data to Data Pool Accelerator in a CSV format
• Capability to manually enter item data in a secure web page in a phased manner
• Full support for packaging hierarchy – i.e., the user can establish parent/child relationships in the user interface
• Full support for GDSN-based validations. The system will not let you publish item data until all validation errors are fixed. Errors are displayed online to the user with comments around what was wrong with the data – attribute by attribute
• All data synchronization activities carried out through the supplier’s chosen data pool are summarized in a Synchronization Activity Report and emailed to the supplier
• Support for all GDSN-based commands such as Add, Change by Refresh and Delete
• Ability to publish items to retailer/s (GLN) as per GS1 standards
• Automatic email notifications are sent to the supplier at various stages of data synchronization such as: ‘Item successfully registered at Global Registry’, ‘Item Load Status Report’, ‘Item Publication report’
• Pre-populated drop down values (acceptable values per GS1 standards) to minimize data entry errors
• Automatic connection to a GXS-powered data pool

RFIDTagManager powered by epcSolutions:  (epcSolutions is a GXS Partner)

• SensorOS: SensorOS is an operating system for RFID. Basic functions include hearing, recognizing, filtering and optimizing input from the reader-antenna-tag interface; connecting to and monitoring all peripheral sensor/RFID hardware devices; housing the EPCIS; and enabling security.
• DESIGN:
• Configure RFID Hardware – Allows for population all of the fields necessary for configuring the RFID Hardware necessary for your solution. The assigned IP addresses, location and role for each RFID device are entered as the network is set up and developed.
• Create your RFID label – Takes advantage of the epcSolutions label library, or use your own BarTender™ label format. Seagull's BarTender labels can be seamlessly integrated into the RFIDTagManager solution.
• CREATE: Label printing & tag encoding – Allows configuration of compliant RFID labels for Wal-Mart, DoD, Best Buy and other organizations’ requirements.
• VALIDATE: Tag validation/verification – Once tags are created and applied, verification ensures they are working and/or correct throughout the supply chain.
• INTEGRATE: Integration with your back-office systems – Allows for an end-to-end solution that links to an ERP or WMS, effectively communicating your RFID data within your enterprise. RFIDTagManager is highly customizable and can connect to any systems, database applications, such as Oracle and SAP.
• Network device monitoring & management – Allows for monitoring of all devices that were configured as part of your network through the Design-Time wizard. Green lights clearly indicate a functioning device, red lights mean that there is a problem.
• Reporting functions – Compile tag reports of all RFID-enabled labels created by a printer within a user-defined time period. Reports can be saved as a CSV file that can be exported to other applications and read in Microsoft Excel.