November 1, 2001
Eight Leading Companies Are First Licensees of Open-Source Initiative
Ensuring Broad Industry Support to Optimize Automatic Data Collection Technologies
Savi Technology, the leader of real-time supply chain asset management and collaboration software, today announces the open licensing of its Universal Data Appliance Protocol (UDAP), which for the first time provides a common interface linking information from leading wireless data collection technologies to Savi's web-based software platform.
Eight leading data collection companies providing the full range of barcode, radio-frequency identification devices (RFID), real-time locating systems (RTLS), wireless application development and integration services are among the first UDAP licensees to join the UDAP Interoperability Alliance. They will receive a royalty-free license and technical support to integrate the protocol, which supports real-time communication of captured data directly to Savi's SmartChain(R) software platform on the Internet.
"As a supporter of the UDAP protocol, we are pleased to offer our customers a complete supply chain asset tracking and visibility system that includes identifiers, related hardware, software and services," said Dr. Judith Benham, business director, RFID Products, 3M Packaging Systems. "The UDAP protocol provides convenient access to Savi's suite of supply chain management software platform for real-time management of global supply chain information."
"Savi is an innovator in simplifying data collection for logistics management," said Douglas Karp, senior director, RFID Group, Checkpoint Systems, Inc. "As a leading developer of RFID tags and readers, Checkpoint applauds Savi's efforts to establish a universal data integration platform for its software that's easy to install. This achievement will add efficiencies to the supply chain and opens avenues for future applications."
"The benefit of using our tags is that large amounts of data can be captured very easily, rapidly and reliably," said Jack LeVan, CEO of SCS Corporation. "But users only enjoy the full value of being able to read hundreds of tagged items in a couple of seconds when they have a commonly used, readily available tool to get that data into their systems. Savi recognizes that fundamental fact and UDAP can be that tool."
"We're glad to see Savi taking the initiative in facilitating hardware independence which will allow customers to pick the RFID technology best suited to solving their unique business challenges," said Barry Allen, vice president of technology for Identec Solutions.
"WhereNet views the UDAP protocol as a useful tool to enhance connectivity between existing technologies," said Matt Armanino, vice president of business development for WhereNet. "This enhanced connectivity will benefit common customers of WhereNet and Savi, especially those in the federal public sector."
The initial members of the UDAP Interoperability Alliance are:
-- 3M, a globally diversified sciences and technology company that manufacturers more than 50,000 products serving industrial, commercial and consumer markets.
-- Checkpoint Systems, Inc., a provider of supply chain management and security solutions worldwide, and developer of advanced RFID technology.
-- Identec Solutions, an international company that provides high-speed, low-cost, active RFID technology and system integration services.
-- RF Code, Inc., which designs, develops and manufactures
high-performance, low cost Real-Time Locating Systems for long-range wireless data communications that accurately manage and track physical assets, information and personnel.
-- SCS Corporation, a manufacturer of high-performance passive RFID tags and scanners.
-- TydenTek, which specializes in high-tech cargo security and tracking, offering a range of electronic sealing systems and complementary components.
-- WhereNet Corp., which designs, builds, and markets wireless Real-Time Location Systems providing supply chain visibility solutions for locating, tracking, and managing supply chain resources.
-- VYTEK Wireless, Inc. a global integrator and applications developer for wireless devices from various manufacturers.
In addition to the partnerships in the UDAP Interoperability Alliance, Savi's existing relationships from its SmartChain software applications has enabled the company to integrate the UDAP protocol with hardware systems for Symbol Technologies and Intermec Corporation.
"Savi's more than 12 years of experience developing, deploying and maintaining multiple data collection technologies puts us in a unique position to provide logistics service with an open-source interface linked to our asset management and collaboration software," said Lance Trebesch, Savi's vice president of Strategic Alliances. "UDAP helps solve the problem of disparate data gathering systems not being able to communicate among themselves or with other information systems. Now, the UDAP Interoperability Alliance partners will be able to provide their customers with access to a comprehensive set of software solutions to manage all forms of conveyances, from pallets, racks and ULDs to auto racks, truck trailers and railcars."
Savi's commitment to define and drive the adoption of an industry-wide data appliance protocol expands on its proven experience building and operating the world's largest real-time, wireless tracking systems for the U.S. Department of Defense. In addition, Savi has partnerships with all major RFID and barcode vendors and is a member of an industry wide consortium spearheaded by the MIT Auto-ID center to test new automated tracking systems for the retail sector.
UDAP provides a common language software translator that enables interoperable "plug and play" functions between the Savi SmartChain(R) platform and various data collection hardware, such as bar code scanners, radio-frequency readers, handheld devices, PDAs and other wide area data collection systems. As a result, information captured by these different data collection technologies can be automatically aggregated and presented to shippers and logistics service providers through a comprehensive suite of software solutions in one place on the Internet.
UDAP-enabled devices capture and interpret data at critical junctures in the supply chain, and automatically transmit the data to a local Savi Site Manager, which then sends it through the Real Time Event Engine to the Savi SmartChain platform. From there, the data is converted into actionable information that can be managed through a web interface called the Savi Logistics Portal. From the Portal, the Savi Asset Management application enables users to optimize the utilization of their own assets by managing and monitoring them via different modes, nodes and functions.
In addition, the Savi SmartSeal(TM) function helps ensure the security of containers by automatically detecting whether its lock has been tampered with or violated, and then sends an alert to the asset's manager through the Logistics Portal.
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