Tag Archives: cloud

RFID in Japan, Oct 2014

I have just returned from my second incredible visit to Japan this year. Still fighting jet-lag, so 5:00 AM is the perfect time to reflect and share my thoughts and experiences. Like last time, this trip was imprinted with natural disasters. Japan’s Mount Ontake volcano erupted while I was inbound, we performed RFID cycle count control tests in Typhoon Phanfone, and departed the day before ‘powerful’ Typhoon Vangfong hit Japan’s main islands.

Many companies in Japan are seeking ways to use RFID, and Japan’s government supports and promotes RFID advancement. eChain Technology has been fortunate to have great access to the Japan’s forward thinking companies, and this influence has helped guide the development of our RFID solutions that include fast cloud-based applications, multi-language, multi-byte interfaces and databases, and wireless (WiFi) capable RFID reader and application infrastructure.

During this visit, we had opportunity to implement a pilot solution/Proof of Concept (PoC) in a traditionally unfriendly environment for passive RFID – a commercial equipment rental company. We were asked to test whether our application would work on fueled generators, pressure washers, construction lights, steel carts, etc. in an open/covered concrete bunker facility with steel shelves and rows of heavy equipment stacked to the ceiling. If that weren’t hard enough, the client wanted “instant inventory cycle count,” and thus, we were asked to achieve a high level of reads after the system had been turned off for days at a time.

I am impressed to say that our pilot system successfully averaged 93-94% read accuracy over 3 cycle-count tests in the commercial equipment rental environment.

While in Japan, we had the opportunity to talk with several other companies working with, or looking for RFID solutions for extremely different types of applications. Tracking medical tools and equipment, raw materials for fabrication, and working with a global leader in mechanic tool manufacture. We had the opportunity to meet with an engineering company who is doing exciting things with UHF antennas – very thin and powerful – for bookshelf application and portals.

If you are interested in learning more, please “like” this post, and send me a note. We will be compiling more information about these and other very interesting projects we are working on and glad for the professional insight and support. Thanks!