Toy manufacturer Hasbro Inc. is rolling out a radio frequency identification (RFID) system from Hewlett-Packard (HP) to help comply with retailers mandates to use the technology in the supply chain.
Hasbro has selected HP as its strategic RFID technology provider and, based on successful pilot programs, is increasing its investment in the technology with HP and Shipcom Wireless, a provider of supply chain RFID solutions.
"HP is enabling Hasbro to implement RFID technology in a cost-effective and low-risk manner to meet our own customer requirements and, at the same time, make supply chain improvements," said Steve Marcolini, vice president of IT, business integration, Hasbro.
HP has also launched an RFID Center of Excellence and joined RFID standards body EPCglobal, as well as begun deploying RFID within its own operations.
"HP regards RFID as a key technology that will help retailers, manufacturers and other users reduce supply chain costs while speeding the flow of merchandise from the factory, through the distribution center and to the retail store, ultimately providing customers with better product availability," said Jim Milton, senior vice president, customer solutions group, and managing director, HP Americas. "HP is uniquely qualified to help customers take advantage of this emerging technology because of our depth and breadth of expertise, partners and experience from being an early RFID adopter in our own manufacturing facilities."
HP is also helping Conros, manufacturer of PineMountain firelogs and SummerLights citronella candles, meet Wal-Mart's RFID mandate. The company selected HP Services to oversee its RFID implementation, which incorporates solutions from Shipcom for RFID software and Matrics' EPC-compliant reader infrastructure and tags.
"By being one the first suppliers to integrate RFID technology with our business processes in compliance with the Wal-Mart mandate, Conros will gain a competitive advantage as well as demonstrate our commitment to lower overall supply chain costs and improved service levels," said Navin Chandaria, Conros CEO.
HP helps lead standards development
HP has launched the first of several RFID Centers of Excellence at HP Labs in Palo Alto to showcase the company's vision of RFID.
A second RFID Centre of Excellence in Taiwan opened in April. Future centres are expected to provide a demonstration and lab environment where customers can build their RFID roadmaps, conduct proofs of concept and understand their RFID infrastructure requirements. HP plans to open other centres in Geneva, Singapore, Tokyo and the United Kingdom.
Dick Lampman, HP senior vice president of research, and director, HP Labs, will be the company's representative at EPCglobal.
www.hp.com/
