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DHL and IBM Collaborate to speed supply chain |
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RFID expertise improves processes
DHL, the world's leading express delivery and logistics company, announced it will be unveiling its radio frequency identification (RFID) pilot project being developed in partnership with IBM at CeBIT, the annual information and technology trade fair in Hannover, Germany, from March 9 to March 16, 2006. DHL and IBM will demonstrate how the use of RFID-tagged packages can improve tracking and security for customers.
This pilot project is the first example of the "DHL Innovation Initiative" led by Deutsche Post World Net. The initiative, which is a strategic collaboration involving IBM, Intel, Philips and SAP, aims at developing innovative logistics solutions to increase the efficiency of supply chains.
DHL and IBM are working together on integrating RFID technology to improve the chain by using RFID-tagged repair boxes, RFID readers staged at key points in the transport chain, such as transfer of packages on containers and pallets, loading and unloading on aircraft, and to and from a customer. It is expected that the pilot project will dramatically improve shipment visibility, and reduce the inbound and outbound scanning process by 90 percent, saving valuable time for transporting shipments. IBM is working as the project management and integration partner on this initiative.
"DHL sees RFID as one of the key technical advancements in the future of supply chain management, with the potential to alter the global supply chain in an economically positive way," said Fred Beljaars, executive vice president of operations at DHL Americas. "The use of RFID creates value for DHL customers by offering them innovative product solutions and real-time visibility on the location of goods and cargo. We will continue to work with leading technology partners like IBM to bring the benefits of RFID to our U.S. market and worldwide," added Beljaars.
"RFID tagging represents the next generation in fast and secure package shipping," said Robert Mayberry, Vice President of Sensor and Actuator Solutions at IBM. "RFID tagging can greatly speed processing through single location environments such as airports and hub sorting centers, improving security and enabling better consignment control."
Source: DHL
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