January 2007

Welcome to the first quarter 2007edition of our RFID and Barcode Technology newsletter. We hope you find this information to be relevant and timely. If there is a particular topic that you would like us to address in the future, please send us a message.

Control Solutions Integrates RFID

Small to medium sized businesses can now comply with the toughest EPC, DOD and RFID standards.

Control Solutions’ Supply Chain Management Logistics Applications, which consist of OpenWMS (Warehouse Management), OpenAsset (Asset Tracking), OpenLogistics (Proof of Pick-Up & Delivery System), OpenFMS (Facility Maintenance System), OpenWIP (Work In-Process) powered by OpenTrak, offer complete RFID enabled processes & edge solutions for manufacturing, distribution, industrial process control, real time locator services and EPC and DOD-compliant solutions.

Our customers achieve fast ROI through tight integration to standard accounting and distribution solutions. Now, with RFID enabled processes & edge solutions, our customers can more efficiently track products, assets and work in process with real time visibility across their enterprise.

Where Are your Assets Right Now?

Keep close tabs on mobile assets such as vehicles, racks, furniture, laptops, servers, work stations hand held computers, virtual assets (telecom circuits) or any other asset you have.

OpenAsset provides a capability to dynamically track or locate individual assets real time using the latest RFID & RFDC technologies, and maintains complete historical maintenance and repair information. It enables you to determine where assets are used, to identify under-utilized assets that may be deployed elsewhere and to evaluate performance relative to repair costs. It even features a unique capability to define target inventory levels for spares and to automatically report variations.

New items can be scanned or read into inventory as they are received, and if an item does not contain a barcode asset identification number or an RFID tag, you can use e-Bar to create a barcode label or birth a tag for the asset. As items are placed into storage, their barcode labels/RFID tags and inventory locations are simply scanned or automatically read. Inventory levels and pinpoint locations are automatically adjusted. It doesn't get any easier or more accurate.

RFID Wal-Mart & DOD Compliance Kits Unveiled

Kits allow companies to comply easily with Wal-Mart and DOD RFID mandates

Control Solutions Inc. has released several RFID kits that allow companies to comply with Wal-Mart & DOD mandates as well as provide the technology for future use in their own supply chain. Currently there are three main reasons why companies are purchasing RFID technology: they are complying with customer mandates, they are evaluating the technology for their own use, or they are preparing for the future. Control Solutions has created three kits, each addressing one of these reasons.

The RFID Mandate Kit allows companies to comply with customer mandates by creating EPC compliant Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN). The software will then extract data from their ERP system which is then included in an RFID tag that is placed on each carton and pallet that is shipped. These kits are a one-stop solution to allow companies to continue selling to Wal-Mart, the Department of Defense, and other customers that are requiring RFID tags on shipments.

The RFID Evaluation/Lab Kit allows companies to experiment with RFID technology by using it in a controlled environment to better understand how the technology can be used in their supply chain. It includes an RFID printer/encoder, a portable RFID reader, a fixed mount RFID reader, RFID tags, and RFID encoding software.

The RFID Readiness Kit is designed for companies that anticipate the future use of RFID, yet do not want to lose any of the investments they are currently making in automated data collection technology. All items in the readiness kits are firmware-upgradeable to RFID. Printers from Zebra Technologies along with Intermec mobile computers make up this kit.

“RFID is here to stay. Implementing a new technology, especially RFID, will always pose its challenges. However, one way to minimize the up front work involved in researching the right products is to look for a “Ready, Out-Of-The-Box” solution,” said Ron Robinson, Director of Marketing for Control Solutions Inc. “Control Solutions Inc. is the leader in the field of automated data collection and has put together a series of RFID kits to make the leap into the world of RFID an easy one. The promise of RFID technology is that it can improve almost any company’s workflow, however the RFID market is still young and many companies are remaining cautious.”

The RFID kits are priced between $5000 and $25,000. Implementing a full-RFID system with full tractability can easily exceed $1 million, depending on the size and scope of the project.

LANpoint XL Forklift Terminal

The NEW Lanpoint XL data collection terminal is now available for vehicle-mount and mobile application!

The Lanpoint XL is a natural for use in applications with forklifts and other material handling cehicles. Features include high quality touch screen, RF Ethernet wireless network connectivity, IP54 or IP65 waterproof cable covers, shock and vibration mounting accessories, and power supplies suitable for gasoline, diesel, natural gas or all-electric vehicles.

The industrial metal case with choice of 12.1” or 10.4 LCD and standard touch screen has integrated function and useful keys. Also included is the state-of-the-art Windows CE.NET version 4.2 or Windows XP embedded operating system -- and all other additional features that you have come to expect from Control Solutions!

The Lanpoint XL is very durable and built to last. It includes many utilities and networked remote management functions for easy mix-and-match with other terminals in the LANpoint product family. Pick the mix of terminals that maximizes your investment in your unique business environment.

Consumable Products & Specialty Services Division

Control Solutions’ Products & Services Division supplies thermal transfer and direct label stock; thermal transfer ribbons; bar code verification equipment & testing services, preprinted bar code label service bureau and maintenance on bar code hardware products.

We sell and service our clients with high performance products for ALL types of thermal/thermal transfer bar code printers. We offer a wide selection of labels, tags and ribbons in a variety of sizes and configurations. Many of these are in stock and ready to ship.

We are ready to provide you with the high level of service that makes your labeling identification project easy and affordable. Call us for quick service; no-charge samples; knowledgeable specialists who can assist with any application; custom quotes and over 75 years of combined bar code application experience.

Call us Toll Free at 1-888-400-SCAN (7226).

New Product Announcement

LANpoint X 7 Fixed/Vehicle Mount Computer for Weatherproof Operation

The DNet X 7 ia a compact CE-Terminal for Industrial applications. Its processor is an Intel PXA270, the so-called XScale chip, which runs at up to 520 MHz.

Of course, there is more to the DNeT X 7 than processor performance: protection class IP54/IP65, WLAN/GSM connectivity, a 7” color TFT touch screen display, two serial ports, two USB ports and great vibration/shock resilience make the DNeT X 7  the ideal terminal for modern industrial and logistics applications. To accommodate outside and even deep-freeze conditions, the DNeT X 7 can operate reliably and safely at extreme temperatures.

Accelerate Your Logistics

Open Series of Supply Chain Management Software Updates

Our OpenWMS best of breed software solution will help improve your shipping and receiving process, Inventory control, materials movement and pick-pack functions using state of the art RF and RFID technology. In addition, better information flows and operational efficiencies will result in improved customer service and cash flow. Open WMS also features modular sub-systems that can be added for Work in Process, labor tracking and logistics etc. The complete system is available with a financial package that brings affordability and turnkey operation to the world of ERP.

Our Open Suite of products features scalable and modular solutions for warehousing (OpenWMS), logistics (OpenLogistics), work in process (OpenWip), inspection management (OpenInspect), asset management (OpenAsset) and facilities maintenance (OpenFMS). Control Solutions continuously releases new and improved state of the art features and functionality, keeping the Control Solutions’ OpenSuite not only current, but maintaining a leadership role in supply chain solutions.

Some of the more current OpenSuite releases include:

• Web services based structure (.Net)

• Enterprise shipping module providing the ability to use FED EX, DHL, UPS and LTL to establish best rate shipping method, email feature to your customer informing them of ship information, tracking numbers, etc.

• Automated waive pick module

• The ability to break down  multiple ship to sales orders by line item, ensuring accurate shipments, precise updates to ERP system for accurate billing and providing email notification to customer on shipping and tracking information.

• New RMA console feature that will allow the ability to search and seek out blind returns, and process accordingly

Control Solutions is a leader in the design of factory automation, process control and automated data collection systems, including products and services for “real-time” communications and information management. For more information on how we can solve your supply chain problems, please contact us at (908) 526-9083 or email Ron.Robinson@csi-posdata.com.

Control Solutions Is Here To Help

We know it takes more than hardware and software to provide a complete solution. It takes commitment to understand your business and data collection needs. It takes the ability to tie together all the elements critical to solving your business problems. And it takes the expertise to integrate them with your host computer systems in order to increase your organization’s efficiency and lower your operating costs. We’re here to help consult your company through every step of your automated data collection project. From design and installation to support and training, Control Solutions is here to help. 

About Control Solutions Inc.

Control Solutions Inc. helps business and government organizations deploy supply chain technology, including bar code scanners, wireless terminals, mobile computers, RFID systems, and related software. Clients include manufacturing, distribution, healthcare and warehousing companies, and state, local and federal agencies. The company’s corporate technology center is based in Branchburg, NJ. <See our other locations>

Please visit our website for additional information or contact Ron Robinson at 908-526-9083 ext 210.

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