2/3/04
Wincor Nixdorf's "Future Lab" demonstrates end-to-end optimization of in-store processes using RFID
Wincor Nixdorf is demonstrating in its RFID Future Lab how end-to-end use of RFID technology optimizes and simplifies processes within stores at the same time as making major improvements in customer service - from goods inwards through to the checkout.
Working with Texas Instruments, one of the leading innovators in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Wincor Nixdorf has built this new technology to great effect into the processes in operation within a clothing store, demonstrating the benefits of RFID in the four areas of goods inwards and price labeling, presentation of goods, advice and guidance and advertising in changing rooms and at the checkout.
At goods inwards, incoming items with RFID tags are recorded by passing them through a stationary tag reader. The recorded goods are compared in real time with the supply data held on the back-office system. Item information such as size and color are simultaneously taken up into the inventory management function.
In the store, intelligent shelves - so-called "smart shelves - make life easier for sales staff. The shelves are equipped with stationary tag readers which read the information held by the RFID tags attached to the goods and provide this to the back-office system. Because this information is available all the time, sales staff can respond quickly and easily to questions from customers as to what shelf an item in a specific color can be found.
RFID enables literally "tailored" advertising and advice and guidance inside the changing room. A built-in reader in the changing cubicle detects the item being tried on. A large display in the cubicle then offers multimedia product information on the items along with matching combinations of other items of clothing and accessories.
In the Future Lab customers can experience what it is like to check out quickly without queuing: prices of purchased items are read without physical contact, with a built-in EAS function (Electronic Article Surveillance) replacing the current separate security tags. Payment is also conducted "on the fly", without physical contact, using RFID tags built into a key ring communicate with the point-of-sale system.
"The Future Lab has been kitted out exclusively with technology available on the market today. In selecting components, we were keen to choose RFID technology which is able to be used right now without any restrictions or special approvals", explains Axel Bretthauer, Wincor Nixdorf's project manager responsible for RFID. He says Wincor Nixdorf's aim is to promote RFID as a future technology in the same way as the introduction of barcodes 25 years ago, building it into products and solutions. The Wincor Nixdorf consulting subsidiary, Wincor Nixdorf Retail Consulting, in particular, will assume the role of implementation partner for retailers.
About Texas Instruments RFid Systems
As the largest, fully-integrated supplier of the broadest range of RFID products, Texas Instruments RFid Systems has led the development of new RFID applications in a host of industries including automotive security - with the introduction of its immobilizer system now used to protect 200 million cars - and cashless wireless payment - with the introduction of the ExxonMobil Speedpass™ in 1997, today used more than 6 million consumers. Marks & Spencer and 3M are among the companies that have implemented RFID systems for supply chain management using TI's technology. In 2001, the Gap completed a three-month field test of TI's 13.56 MHz smart label inlays for item-level tracking of denim apparel that improved inventory management, supply chain efficiency and increased sales. Texas Instruments RFid Systems has been making investments in UHF technology since 1999.
Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid™) Systems is an industry leader in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and the world's largest integrated manufacturer of RFID tags, smart labels and reader systems. With more than 350 million tags manufactured, TI-RFid technology is used in a broad range of applications worldwide including access control, automotive, document tracking, livestock, product authentication, retail, sports timing, supply chain, ticketing and wireless payment.
