IEN: How do MH vendors handle lean/agile manufacturing mandates?
Jiner: One mandate that needs to be addressed is the FDA''s new packaging rules. The pharmaceutical companies have to figure out how they are going to deliver their output. They have certain processes in place. Their next step is implementing RFID on the item level. Related to this, for us, is to be able to manufacture smart labels to meet the FDA mandate.
IEN: What innovations are in store for users of MH vehicles, equipment, systems, components, materials, software, and services?
Jiner: You''ll see more RFID mounted on vehicles. And more RF sent to a central location, a central server. Along with that, software has to happen. RFID already is on smart labels on a container. You''ll see aisles, bins, and racks using RFID in transit to a server. Software plays a big part in this.
IEN: What advances do you see in plant floor connectivity? Web services? Remote material handling? Supply chain? Simulation? Wireless applications?
Jiner: The plant floor already has RF . . . you''re also seeing web services in that area. RFID will be used to move product from one location to another. It will play a role in allowing companies to mix products -- it is critical to have all raw materials on time. You can build alarms into that. For example, you could put a tag on a tow motor, find out whether it is left in a location where it does not belong. If tow motors aren''t charging, that could hurt production.
IEN: What are the R & D hot spots? Which ones are closest to commercialization?
Jiner: On the RFID side, some of the areas are different readers able to read multiple technologies. Some of those readers are being proven in field. The end user will be able to perform more tasks.
IEN: Do you believe there is potential for RFID in material handling applications in the manufacturing, assembly, and/or processing space? Please explain.
Jiner: Products in reusable containers have to be tracked, and RFID would play a big role in that. Warehouses could have 50 or 60 readers for tracking.
IEN: How and where are RCM, web-based monitoring, and embedded maintenance solutions being applied in material handling? Other solutions?
Jiner: Middleware could be upgraded remotely, with minimal downtime.
IEN: What steps have been taken toward resolving safety and security concerns?
Jiner: Personnel could be protected by RFID, which could keep track of people walking through different doors. In a fire, for example, RFID tags can be combined with selected read points in critical areas to tell whether workers are present. Firefighters carry active tags that are ruggedized. In hospitals, RFID can be used to track wheelchairs, transportation staffers taking people to radiology, paddles, and pumps.
IEN: How do you cope with the pressure of evolving standards?
Jiner: Every time we prepare a timeline. We use project management to define each step of the way, through testing and manufacturing. Lack of preparation creates more cost, development time, and testing time.