Cisco Tracks and Manages Data Center IT Assets with RAIN RFID
Cisco Systems uses RAIN RFID to automatically monitor movement and location of blade servers and other IT assets for more accurate and simplified equipment tracking.
Hands-free system simplifies datacenter tracking, reduces errors
Cisco Systems needed a solution to reduce errors associated with manually managing and tracking the movement of valuable assets. RFID Global Solution built a system using RAIN RFID technology to automatically track the location of assets which allowed Cisco Systems to gain:
- Accurate, hands free tracking of IT assets
- Automatic records of asset movement and inventory counts
- Delivery of key data and information to asset management system
Connecting assets to the internet for easy monitoring
After realizing that employees lacked an understanding of how to correctly move IT assets between locations, Cisco implemented a RAIN RFID system that automatically tracks asset movement and eliminates manual recording processes for more accurate and simplified tracking of equipment:
- Each blade server, networking equipment and other IT asset receives a RAIN RFID tag with a unique ID number at a central receiving facility before being shipped to its final location
- Items are checked-in as they move through a RAIN RFID-enabled doorway or are scanned with a handheld device
- When selecting readers for Cisco’s 28 facilities throughout the United States, RFID Global Solution found that the advanced capabilities of Impinj Speedway readers could better handle the larger doorways that saw heavier traffic of tagged items
- Relevant location, time-stamps, and item information are delivered to Cisco automatically and are available on-demand
From a business perspective, the project has been a success, because we now have the ability to find and locate assets a lot faster than ever before. By site, we've cut our cycle-count time down from a few weeks to a few hours. Our employees like it because they can get access to devices quickly for, say, a data-center deployment.
Easy, accurate delivery of assets and information
Improve inventory visibility with automated counts and tracking
By automating counts and location tracking, Cisco gained insights into inventory whereabouts and can guarantee the location and movement of items. Cycle-counts that used to take a few weeks now only take a few hours, resulting in more efficient business processes.
Removing human error from the equation
With automated shipping and receiving verification, errors are reduced. Assets that should not leave the lab, or need frequent calibration can be easily monitored. Further, automatic alerts let Cisco take immediate action to rectify mistakes, ensuring superior customer service and timely, accurate delivery of IT assets.
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Monday, May 26, 2014
ABOUT THE CUSTOMER
Cisco
Cisco Systems is a worldwide leader in networking, communications and collaboration technologies. Cisco has over 70,000 employees and is the largest networking company in the world.
ABOUT THE PARTNER
RFID Global Solution
RFID Global is a leading provider of enterprise asset management and supply chain solutions for the Aerospace, Government, IT, Manufacturing and Industrial Sectors. Visi-Trac, the company’s software platform, helps companies to better manage their inventory, ensure employee safety and improve supply chain performance.
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