IDC’S ZIGBEE TRACKING SYSTEM PROVIDES REAL TIME END-TO END VISIBILITY OF LOGISTICS, DISTRIBUTION & RETAILING OPERATIONS.
The combination of IDC's latest product development of Zigbee wireless tracking modules and its expertise in warehousing and logistics is enabling the company to provide retailers and distribution specialists with end-to-end visibility of their operations in real time.
The IDC system seamlessly integrates wireless intelligent sensors and interactive handheld devices with IT systems to provide complete end-to-end control and visibility of the logistics, distribution or retailing operation and, at the same time, the flexibility to track a particular part or person on the factory floor.
The key to achieving end-to-end visibility is IDC’s Zigbee asset and personnel asset tracking modules. These have built-in location engines which enable tracking devices to be located throughout the warehouse by the suitable positioning of access points. In addition, the tracking devices can hold data on the contents of the pallet or tote and can automatically send alarms, for example, when the temperature is exceeded or expiry dates have been reached
Typical applications for this technology include: the location of pallets and totes throughout the warehouse; the tracking of pallets and totes onto lorries & containers; the health and positioning monitoring of mobile machinery; automatic control of mobile machinery in restricted areas; charging station battery management; and location and contact with key personnel in the warehouse.
IDC’s Zigbee modules overcome the problems inherent in using RFID for tracking; true, RFID offers the ability to track components, but it is a very short range technology with no embedded intelligence, and has limited data logging facility and networking ability. In addition, whereas RFID is a method of remotely storing and retrieving data using RFID tags and readers, Zigbee goes much further.
It is a full- blown telemetry system in its own right, with the ability to provide wireless personal area networking (WPAN) i.e. digital radio connections between computers and related devices, such as sensors. This kind of network eliminates the use of physical data buses such as USB and Ethernet cables. As such, Zigbee it is the ideal system to provide the copper-less warehouse or factory.
When used in a tracking application, Zigbee does not require the read portals or the associated management software that RFID systems do. Instead, it provides two-way communications, so users can not only monitor and keep track of inventories, they can also feed this data to a computer system for data analysis. In addition, Zigbee nodes offer the ability to be interrogated remotely by authorised personnel, enabling changes in system parameters or distribution patterns where necessary.
One of the key benefits of Zigbee is that, unlike RFID tags, its nodes can relay each other’s traffic, bypassing wired networks completely. In contrast, Wi-Fi devices connect directly to an access point, which is wired to the enterprise network using Ethernet, while Bluetooth devices connect to another wireless device, usually a phone, which acts as a hub.
Compared to Bluetooth, another of the global 802.15 Group protocols, Zigbee has lower data rates and doesn’t offer such a high bandwidth. However, its strength is that it can be incorporated into small chips that consume little power and are relatively inexpensive. These chips can then be integrated into low-cost, low -power devices that can “sleep” for 99% of the time until awakened by a beacon signal.
IDC has wide experience of providing warehouse management solutions in the medical, retail, and clothing sectors. The company provides feasibility studies, project specifications, and full project management, including software, for all its wireless tracking systems.
About Zigbee: Why the ZigBee Standard?
It is now widely acknowledged that standards such as Bluetooth™ and WLAN are not suited for low-power applications due to their high node costs and complex, power-hungry RF ICs and protocols.
The ZigBee standard, however, allows simple, low-cost wireless networks to be integrated with various types of equipment from any number of vendors. These types of networks are typically used for monitoring and control purposes and require very little power, which means they can run for years on inexpensive batteries.
IDC Ltd.
Intelligent Distributed Controls (IDC Ltd) is based in Derby and has a highly skilled team of dedicated hardware and software design, development and application engineers. We have specialist application knowledge of controls systems applied to warehouse distribution, logistics and manufacturing. Our applications experience has enabled us to develop key skills in real time control, RFID and wireless technology and to develop niche products for these industries and related OEMs. Our customer base includes Toyota, Toys-R-Us, ASDA George, Smiths Areospace, Astra Zeneca and Vestas Wind Systems A/S.
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For further information contact: Peter Hadley, IDC Ltd, Keynes House, Chester Park, Alfreton Road, Derby. DE21 4AS. Tel: +44 (0) 1332 604 030 Fax: +44 (0) 1332 604 031. E-mail: sales@idc.gb.com Website: www.idc.gb.com