Swiss Retailer, Manor, Deploy Reva and Sirit for RFID
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RFID Infrastructure in department stores and distribution centers
delivers optimal RFID system performance and manageable operations
TORONTO and CHELMSFORD, MA, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Reva Systems, the
leading RFID network infrastructure provider, and Sirit Inc. ("Sirit") (TSX:
SI), a global provider of radio frequency identification readers, tags and
embedded modules, today announced that Manor AG, the largest retail business
in the Swiss market, is deploying Reva's Tag Acquisition Processor(TM) (TAP)
products and Sirit's INfinity 510 RFID readers to enable RFID operations at
stores and distribution centers. Manor will initially leverage RFID to improve
warehouse inventory processes, outbound shipping accuracy and inbound store
receiving practices. Reva's RFID network infrastructure manages Sirit's
industry-leading readers, providing an enterprise RFID architecture which
supports current and future programs. The implementation is being managed by
Rodata AG, a systems integrator headquartered in Switzerland with offices in
Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Rodata has been instrumental in helping
Manor conduct technical evaluations and build the business case that lead to
this subsequent rollout.
Manor's RFID program encompasses its distribution centers in Hochdorf and
Mohlin, Switzerland and the department stores around the country serviced by
the centers. Manor is utilizing case and transport asset tagging for apparel
and general merchandise at both warehouses, and is working with several
suppliers to pre-tag inbound shipments. In the warehouses, mixed pallets of
goods are built and RFID case tags are read while being shrink-wrapped for
shipment. Manor also uses RFID to ensure the correct merchandise is loaded on
the assigned trucks and shipped to the proper store locations. Once shipments
arrive at the stores, goods are automatically checked in using RFID readers,
streamlining the truck unloading and goods stocking processes. Manor expects
to see improved inventory accuracy, better labor efficiency and shorter
replenishment cycles due to these RFID enhanced processes.
Manor utilizes Reva TAP appliances and Sirit INfinity 510 readers in both the
stores and distribution centers. Workflows that facilitate the tagging,
verification, advanced ship notice (ASN) comparison and real-time handling
processes are hosted locally on the Reva TAPs. As tags are read by the Sirit
INfinity 510 readers and their locations determined by the TAPs, the data is
passed to an Oracle backend system which is responsible for orchestrating
business processes. Manor relies on their integrator Rodata as a trusted
technology partner. Rodata's RFID Competence Centre developed the workflow
applications which control the RFID capturing process, and was responsible for
the RFID system design and physical implementation.
Accurate location association and tag direction are two of the challenges
Manor needed to overcome due to the difficult RF environments in their
distribution centers. Ambient tags on staged goods, conveyors, pallet shrink
wrap machines and bulk loading platforms combine to produce considerable cross
reads which the Reva TAPs systematically eliminate. Transition portals were
created that use the Sirit INfinity 510 readers to provide raw read data which
the Reva TAPs interpret to determine tag movement and direction. In addition
to the accurate data and workflow capabilities, Manor chose the Reva
deployment approach for the performance optimization and remote management
functions Reva's RFID network infrastructure provides. Sirit's readers were
chosen for their best-in-class read performance.
"Sirit readers have the highest tag read rate capabilities in our operating
environments and Reva TAPs overcome the technical hurdles that were holding us
back, providing the foundation for Manor to deploy the high performing,
manageable and flexible RFID systems we need. We have confidence that our Reva
and Sirit-based solutions will support us into the future as we add equipment,
applications and use cases that encompass item-level tagging," said Mr.
Schurmann, director of Manor's Mohlin distribution center.
"The selection of the Sirit INfinity 510 as the reader for the Manor
deployment substantiates that the Sirit readers offer the functionality and
performance necessary to support and optimize global supply chain
deployments," said Norbert Dawalibi, president and chief executive officer for
Sirit. "We are excited to be a part of this solution and look forward to
continuing to work with Manor to expand the use of RFID into additional
applications within their business."
"Manor is highly regarded for retail innovation in Europe and their decision
to rollout RFID using Reva's products validates the RFID network
infrastructure approach," said Ashley Stephenson, chairman of Reva Systems.
"Reva's RFID network infrastructure is built for accuracy, scale, and reliable
deployments. By delivering these capabilities, Reva enables Manor to reduce
operational costs while increasing service levels. This is exactly why RFID is
such a powerful tool for leading enterprises."
About Manor
Manor AG, based in Basle, is a subsidiary of the Maus Freres Holding in
Geneva, whose subsidiaries are united in the Manor Group. Among the group's
members are 72 Manor department stores with Manora restaurants and the sports
outfitter chain Athleticum as well the Fly furniture warehouses. For more
information, visit www.manor.ch
About Rodata
Rodata Group, headquarters in Switzerland and represented by subsidiaries in
Germany and Austria, is one of the leading system integrators in the area of
Mobile Computing and Automatic Identification. The success is based on more
than 25 years of experience in consulting, developing and implementing
innovative AutoID Solutions for logistics issues. Rodata's RFID Competence
Centre focuses on the automatic capturing of goods movement along the supply
chain, the transformation of RFID-data to useful business-information, and its
integration into an enterprise application. For more information, visit
www.rodata.ch
About Reva Systems
Reva Systems develops RFID network infrastructure products that enable
customers to rapidly deploy scalable solutions in any environment. Reva's
standards-based Tag Acquisition Processor (TAP) products facilitate improved
system performance, manageability and accuracy while significantly lessening
implementation time and complexity. Reva products are delivered by a global
network of partners and deployed worldwide by enterprises leveraging
innovative RFID applications to generate value in diverse industries. Reva was
founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass. For more
information, visit www.revasystems.com
About Sirit
Sirit Inc. (TSX: SI) is a global provider of Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) readers, tags and embedded modules. Harnessing the power of Sirit's
enabling-RFID technology, customers are able to more rapidly bring high
quality RFID solutions to the market with reduced initial engineering costs.
Sirit's products are built on more than 14 years of RF domain expertise
addressing multiple frequencies (LF/HF/UHF), multiple protocols and are
compliant with global standards. Sirit's broad portfolio of products and
capabilities can be customized to address new and traditional RFID market
applications including Supply Chain & Logistics, Cashless Payment (including
Electronic Tolling), Access Control, Automatic Vehicle Identification, Near
Field Communications, Inventory Control & Management, Asset Tracking and
Product Authentication. For more information, visit www.sirit.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Except for the statements of historical fact contained
herein, the information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievement of Sirit to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those
indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and
uncertainties impacting Sirit's business which are discussed in the section
entitled "Description of the Business - Risks Factors" in Sirit's Annual
Information Form dated March 19, 2007 as filed with the securities regulatory
authorities in Canada via SEDAR. Although Sirit has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there
may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. Sirit does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new
information, further events or otherwise.
"Sirit", the Sirit Design and "vision beyond sight" are all trademarks of
Sirit Inc. All other names of actual companies and products mentioned herein
may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Reva, Reva Systems, and Tag Acquisition Processor are registered trademarks of
Reva Systems Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Sirit Inc.
Pamela Nelson, Reva Systems, (978) 337-3153, pnelson@revasystems.com; Tawnya
Clark, Sirit Inc., (619) 393-2645, tclark@sirit.com; Rene Wyss, Rodata AG, +41
44 824 36 04, rene.wyss@rodata.ch
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