Small and mid-size manufacturers and distribution companies can now take advantage of wireless RFID or bar code scanning technology for inventory control with a cost effective solution driven by Virtual Factory Inventory Manager

Harnessing the power of wireless inventory tracking systems need no longer be the privilege of large manufacturers with big budgets. Small and mid-size manufacturers and distribution companies can have Orbit Technology Corporation build them a customized system powered by Virtual Factory Inventory Manager using wireless handheld reader technology for a fraction of the cost of systems using stationary readers.

(PRWEB) May 7, 2004 -- Most large manufacturers implement wireless systems that use stationary RFID readers, but these can represent a substantial cost investment running easily into six or seven figures. However, small and mid-size manufacturers with more limited budgets can implement wireless RFID or bar code scanning systems that employ top quality handheld readers for a fraction of that cost. The read range of handheld RFID or bar code scanners is relatively short (1 – 3 inches), but the accuracy is usually much better than that of stationary reader-based systems. The handheld readers can be programmed to beep" when a tag or bar code has been successfully scanned, ensuring that data is accurately entering into the systems database every time.

A Virtual Factory Inventory Manager-powered RFID system can provide a number of documented benefits to companies with manufacturing and warehousing operations. According to an article in a top supply chain trade magazine, a large tractor manufacturer who installed a wireless automated data collection system realized a number of substantial benefits. These included a tripling of the number of picks per hour, the near elimination of picking errors, and a same-day ship rate increase from 20% to 98%. This allowed the manufacturer to increase handling capacity by 25%, enabling them to add more employees the following year. (Deep Impact," C. Wright, APICS: The Performance Advantage, March 2004).

Benefits of Virtual Factory Inventory Manager:
·Extremely easy for workers to scan data on the plant or warehouse floor. Just pass the PDA (for RFID applications) or scan wand (for bar code applications) near the tag or bar code and move on to the next item to be scanned.
·Data can be uploaded to the network in real time or at periodic times (e.g., end of work shift) using standard or wireless connections.
·1/10th (or less) the cost of systems using stationary readers, usually with better accuracy given the close reader-tag proximity and read confirmation" options.
·Use scanned data to create inventory reports and perform real-time checks of item locations.
·User can set up events" in the software to trigger alarms which will automatically notify key personnel via cell phone or e-mail when important assets or inventory items are moved to an unauthorized or unwanted location in the facility.
·All software features and inventory data can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection.
·Works with applications involving metal, including placing tags directly onto metal surfaces (Note: this is usually impossible when using stationary high frequency readers, due to interference problems with metal parts, shelves, machines, etc.)
·Immediate audible or visual confirmation when an RFID or bar code is successfully read by the reader.

One-Stop Shop
Orbit Technology Corporation can supply manufacturers an entire wireless inventory management system, including the hardware and software components. There is no need for companies to contract with different providers for the scanner, wireless system, data management software, and alarm/notification software. In addition, our solutions incorporate top brand hardware and employ industry-standard RFID frequencies (13.56 MHz) that are projected to be in widespread use for decades to come. With Virtual Factory Inventory Manager, small and mid-size manufacturers no longer have the excuse to take a wait and see" attitude concerning where bar coding and RFID technologies are headed. Our low cost, low risk solution means they can start taking advantage of the benefits of these systems today. The future of inventory management is here and is within very affordable reach.

Sample Applications
Virtual Factory can be connected to almost any brand of RFID scanner in order to perform a number of data logging and notification functions. Examples include:

·Instantly determine the location of a particular part or raw material inventory item within a storage room or in a large outdoor storage area.
·Run a report that shows the number of times a certain specialty tool was utilized in a particular staging area on your production floor.
·Receive a telephone call with a pre-recorded message telling you that a forklift has entered into a restricted and potentially dangerous area of your fabrication facility.
·Receive a page indicating that a particular item has exceeded the suggested time limit for passing through all of the stages of a work process.
·Receive an e-mail whenever a large ticket item moves from Work In Process to Finished Goods status.
·View a status panel display on your computer monitor that flashes a warning message whenever a key piece of expensive equipment exits one of your facility doors.

What is RFID?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification." Using RFID, tiny radio transmitters – called tags – can be attached to a critical piece of inventory or equipment. The tag transmits the items location to scanners positioned nearby. Tags can be as inexpensive as 20 to 50 cents each, making RFID affordable for small and medium-size operations. Read ranges of scanners vary from 1 to 50 meters (or more). RFID is beginning to replace traditional barcode methods for many monitoring applications. RFID technology can be a critical component of Six Sigma and lean manufacturing initiatives because it feeds process and inventory data immediately to operations managers.

For more information about how you can put Virtual Factory to work for your company, contact Jed Jones at jed@otc.net or at 1-949-981-7001.

About Orbit Technology Corporation
Founded by manufacturing automation experts in 1993, Orbit has made its name supplying factory automation, CAD/CAM and Web-based collaboration software solutions to its international base of clients.

Orbit employs a staff of highly educated, multi-lingual software solution experts who specialize in the manufacturing sector. The company's innovations continue to give its clients the power to access, manage, and control the data essential to their manufacturing success. Orbit maintains close ties with private industry and leading universities.