Applications Improve Productivity, Safety and Asset Utilization for a Rapidly Expanding List of Industries and Professions
3M Track and Trace Systems for a broad range of medical, industrial and office applications are on display here at the RFID World conference, at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel.
3M Track and Trace Systems deliver customer value by improving asset utilization, safety and security. The diverse and rapidly expanding fields of application now being implemented include health care, safety and security, aerospace and defense, mineral extraction, fleet management, supply chain, construction, utilities, libraries, and document management. In addition to RFID, 3M Track and Trace Systems employ RTLS and GPS technologies.
Following are descriptions of 3M products highlighted at RFID World (more information can be found at www.3mtrackandtrace.com):
3M RFID Tracking Systems
Major corporations, law firms, educational institutions and medical clinics, along with the U.S. Government and local governmental agencies, are using 3M RFID Tracking Systems for the efficient management of paper files, including rapid location and retrieval, and ease of inventory functions. 3M’s RFID-based tracking systems boost productivity wherever they have been applied.
Medical Specimen Management
3M RFID, combined with special application software and systems integration technology, is being employed at one of the world’s leading medical clinics to ensure the efficient and accurate transfer of collected specimen data to its pathologists.
Tracking of Underground and Buried Assets
3M Dynatel Electronic Marking System is new-to-the-world technology, designed to make the job of precisely locating underground facilities easier and faster. The basic component of the system is a durable electronic marker buried above key underground elements, such as oil and gas pipe/cable routes, valves, fittings, stubs, transition fittings, path marking for plastic pipe and other facilities of special interest. Locators are microprocessor-based systems that give a digital readout in inches, feet and inches, or centimeters (user-selectable). The system is designed to eliminate many of the problems associated with conventional above-ground marking and electromagnetic locating techniques, including inaccurate or missing records; congestion; the absence of metallic conductors and more.
Tracking High-Value Assets with RTLS
3M has teamed with Ekahau to bring its Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location System technology to 3M customers by offering another dimension in tracking valuable assets. RTLS supports business process optimization through rapid identification and effective management of critical needs, such as tracking high-value assets and enhancing overall process efficiencies. The RTLS platform is a comprehensive solution that leverages common 802.11 WLAN infrastructure to accurately locate both tagged items and Wi-Fi-enabled devices – such as laptops and personal digital assistants.
3M RFID Systems for Libraries
Designed for public and institutional libraries, the products in this group enable staffs to expand the services they offer by improving efficiency and productivity. A growing list of major-city library systems are using 3M RFID Systems to identify materials, simplify check-in and checkout processes (for customers as well as staff), automate sorting and handling and manage inventory. Enhancements even allow customers to pay fines on site without any contact with staff.
Supply Chain Solutions
Warehouse Management
3M’s HighJump Warehouse Advantage offers advanced functionality to manage even the most complex warehouse environments. This powerful system helps to ensure fast, accurate fulfillment through directed, optimized workflow, utilizing the most advanced wireless and bar code technologies, including RFID. Containerization, wave planning and slotting drive further efficiencies. The system executes strategic processes such as receiving, put-away/flow-through, inventory management, order processing, replenishment/pick/pack, loading and shipping. Additionally, HighJump Warehouse Advantage features RFID enablement, including compliance and other key processes.
Manufacturing Execution
To effectively deal with such challenges as demand fluctuations, machine malfunctions and material shortages, manufacturers need timely, accurate information to make decisions and communicate directions. HighJump Manufacturing Advantage provides a robust and affordable approach to capturing, managing and executing mission-critical manufacturing processes. From receipt of materials to shipping of product, and everything in between, the system provides the tools necessary to turn today's production challenges into tomorrow's competitive advantage. By putting up-to-the-minute work instructions at the fingertips of workers producing goods, product quality and employee efficiency are enhanced. And by capturing real-time data from the shop floor, the system allows supervisors and managers to closely monitor production and make better decisions when unforeseen situations arise.
Supply Enablement
HighJump’s Supplier Advantage enables companies to dramatically increase the speed of receiving operations, while lowering inventory levels and moving work such as labeling to their suppliers, regardless of whether those suppliers are around the corner or across an ocean. A secure Web portal provides the basis for real-time information sharing and improved inventory visibility, which are critical factors in enhancing collaboration and streamlining supply chain operations. Achieving and maintaining collaboration between distribution centers and supplier networks reduces cycle times through real-time communication of demand, order status and potential exceptions. In addition, HighJump Supplier Advantage incorporates robust event management functionality to promote proactive issue identification and resolution.
3M provides comprehensive, practical and easy to use Track and Trace solutions for customers in diverse markets, including health care; safety and security; aerospace and government; oil and gas; process industries; supply chain; construction and utilities; libraries and legal. Utilizing RFID, GPS and RTLS technologies, our asset management, protection, and utilization solutions enable customers to reliably and accurately track and manage high-value assets. Unlike similar offerings, based on components rather than complete solutions, 3M Track and Trace is designed with full implementation in mind, deploying the right solution, with the right technology, suited for the customer.
About 3M - A Global, Diversified Technology Company
Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company’s customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers around the world, the people of 3M use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.
Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command, HighJump, Dynatel and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.
3MColleen Harris, 651-733-1566http://www.3m.com/PressContactorLVM Group Inc.James Kimer, 212-499-6571At RFID World, cell: 917-355-0717james@lvmgroup.com
