RFID Inside Track- November 2007, Interview with Stratum Global

What RFID markets does Stratum Global serve?

Stratum Global delivers TagNet: release-managed RFID application software solutions for asset management, access control/security, DoD, manufacturing/ distribution (closed-loop inventory, WIP, and object-tracking) retail, and compliance that easily integrate into any enterprise system. “Start Small, Think Big” is Stratum Global’s strategy for RFID adoption, which provides a phased approach to deployment and investment with a staged return on investment (ROI).

What problems are you solving for customers?

Today, TagNet is driving significant value to our customers within all areas of RFID object management—providing visibility where it was impossible before, and resource management reductions, both in cost savings as well as increases in efficiencies that create additional bottom line value.

How is hardware selection made for each implementation?

Use case drives the hardware selection for our customers. We look at requirements for near field and far field, the number of tags to be read in a given instance, the physical read zone, wired versus wireless network connectivity, the antennas (and are those antennas FCC certified for a given reader), and finally price to ensure that the solution will work within our customer’s budget.

How did you come to select Impinj's Speedway® reader and Monza™ chips?

Impinj provided far superior ‘near field’ capabilities compared to any other commercially available passive reader we tested for a recent customer. Tag selection was dictated by the small footprint of an object to be tagged—and there were few options other than the Impinj Paperclip™ inlay design. We selected and configured a reader, antenna, and tag combination that included all Impinj products. The resulting value to our customer is that they can work with one manufacturer for both near- and far-field applications.

What value do you add to the products?

The Impinj Speedway reader is a fully supported product in TagNet's Reader Management Module, enabling plug and play operation for rapid deployment of RFID use cases, including near-field and far-field applications using Impinj antennas and tag inlays. Stratum Global’s application solutions provide as close to “out of the box” RFID available in the market today. Customers can implement an RFID solution in days, not weeks and months, including hardware infrastructure, software, and enterprise integration that will provide a foundation to scale upon.

What pilots/deployments are you working on?

One customer comes to mind who was challenged with small manufactured components assembled into trays that required “one at a time” bar code reading of each object. Using the Impinj Speedway reader and Brickyard™ reader antennas, the customer is able to read trays of 50 tagged items in seconds as they are manufactured and then aggregated into larger shipping cases. Bottom line benefits to the customer include incredible savings in labor and operational throughput.

How can customers get ROI out of their RFID deployments?

There are so many areas within an organization that could benefit from RFID. Stratum Global confidently provides its customers with a methodology for discovery and a “phased approach” to implementing RFID. Our customers leverage Stratum Global’s process methodology combined with TagNet that delivers a scalable, cost-effective solution and foundation for enterprise-wide RFID deployment and calculated ROI.

What are some misconceptions customers have about RFID?

The biggest misconception today is that many are still talking about the potential or possibility of RFID. RFID is here today and is driving value through object management without a line of sight requirement or human intervention. With the right solution (like TagNet), RFID works extremely well and is providing hard dollar savings with ROI metrics of months, not years.

© 2007, Impinj, Inc.




	INDUSTRY INSIDER: STRATUM GLOBAL INTERVIEW WITH ALAN CHRISTENSEN CTO of Stratum Global What RFID markets does Stratum Global serve? Stratum Global delivers TagNet: release-managed RFID application software solutions for asset management, access control/security, DoD, manufacturing/ distribution (closed-loop inventory, WIP, and object-tracking) retail, and compliance that easily integrate into any enterprise system. “Start Small, Think Big” is Stratum Global’s strategy for RFID adoption, which provides a phased approach to deployment and investment with a staged return on investment (ROI). What problems are you solving for customers? Today, TagNet is driving significant value to our customers within all areas of RFID object management—providing visibility where it was impossible before, and resource management reductions, both in cost savings as well as increases in efficiencies that create additional bottom line value. How is hardware selection made for each implementation? Use case drives the hardware selection for our customers. We look at requirements for near field and far field, the number of tags to be read in a given instance, the physical read zone, wired versus wireless network connectivity, the antennas (and are those antennas FCC certified for a given reader), and finally price to ensure that the solution will work within our customer’s budget. How did you come to select Impinj's Speedway® reader and Monza™ chips? Impinj provided far superior ‘near field’ capabilities compared to any other commercially available passive reader we tested for a recent customer. Tag selection was dictated by the small footprint of an object to be tagged—and there were few options other than the Impinj Paperclip™ inlay design. We selected and configured a reader, antenna, and tag combination that included all Impinj products. The resulting value to our customer is that they can work with one manufacturer for both near- and far-field applications. What value do you add to the products? The Impinj Speedway reader is a fully supported product in TagNet's Reader Management Module, enabling plug and play operation for rapid deployment of RFID use cases, including near-field and far-field applications using Impinj antennas and tag inlays. Stratum Global’s application solutions provide as close to “out of the box” RFID available in the market today. Customers can implement an RFID solution in days, not weeks and months, including hardware infrastructure, software, and enterprise integration that will provide a foundation to scale upon. What pilots/deployments are you working on? One customer comes to mind who was challenged with small manufactured components assembled into trays that required “one at a time” bar code reading of each object. Using the Impinj Speedway reader and Brickyard™ reader antennas, the customer is able to read trays of 50 tagged items in seconds as they are manufactured and then aggregated into larger shipping cases. Bottom line benefits to the customer include incredible savings in labor and operational throughput. How can customers get ROI out of their RFID deployments? There are so many areas within an organization that could benefit from RFID. Stratum Global confidently provides its customers with a methodology for discovery and a “phased approach” to implementing RFID. Our customers leverage Stratum Global’s process methodology combined with TagNet that delivers a scalable, cost-effective solution and foundation for enterprise-wide RFID deployment and calculated ROI. What are some misconceptions customers have about RFID? The biggest misconception today is that many are still talking about the potential or possibility of RFID. RFID is here today and is driving value through object management without a line of sight requirement or human intervention. With the right solution (like TagNet), RFID works extremely well and is providing hard dollar savings with ROI metrics of months, not years. © 2007, Impinj, Inc.	Upcoming Events RFID Journal Live! Europe 11.6.07 – 11.8.07 Learn more ... NACDS RFID Track & Trace Health Care 11.11.07 – 11.13.07 Learn more ... NRF 2008 1.14.08 – 1.15.08 Learn more ... FEEDBACK Is there an RFID-related topic you’d like to see covered in future issues? Did you find this newsletter helpful? Please send your comments, questions, and suggestions to RFIDinsidetrack@impinj.com