International Paper (IP), which is deploying radio frequency identification (RFID) throughout its operations, has established a Smart Packaging business to help customers benefit from the technology.
To support this effort, it has set up a customer solution center (CSC) in Memphis, TN. The CSC and IP's production facilities rely on a warehouse tracking system developed with integration help from Esync, middleware from GlobeRanger and supply chain execution software from HighJump Software.
Designed as a working warehouse, the CSC features conveyors, portals and material handling equipment, as well as readers and smart label encoding, printing and application equipment from multiple vendors. The flexibility enables testing of an almost infinite combination of tags, labels and hardware to optimize tag selection and placement as well as confirm product/tag viability during distribution.
This article is repurposed from the January 2005 edition of Managing Automation magazine.