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RFID set to make waves at Futurex 2004

RFID identification - or transponder - technology is set to make waves at Futurex 2004, which takes place from 18 to 21 May 2004 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

So says Brett Rousseau, sales manager at bar code and mobile solutions specialists, Harmonic Group, who believes 2004 will be the year the promise of RFID becomes reality.

"RFID bar codes, for example, provide a host of features, including a unique radio frequency for each bar code, and the ability to be read from either direct contact or from metres away. They have been available for some time but because of costs, were not widely adopted."

"However, just as the adoption of ordinary bar codes took off only when championed by a major player in the supply chain, so RFID has required a similar boost. This has now happened with Walmart in the United States, insisting that all products supplied to the giant retail chain carry RFID identification. The result? RFID identification is likely to become as ubiquitous as the one-dimensional bar code," he says.

Unattended bar code scanning

Harmonic will showcase its RFID offerings at Futurex, where it will also introduce the Accu-Sort range of unattended bar code scanning and RFID products to the local market. Accu-Sort sales manager, Christoph Palliot will be on hand on the Harmonic stand to demonstrate the Accu-Sort bar code imaging systems.

"Accu-Sort's unattended bar code scanners allows for a fully automated bar code scanning process. Some 80% of all parcels shipped in the USA are scanned by Accu-Sort, for example," Rousseau says.

GPS and GIS solutions

In addition to RFID and in line with its focus on mobility and intelligent data collection and transmission, Harmonic will also be exhibiting a range of new and revolutionary mobile products at Futurex. This includes GPS (global positioning system) and GIS (global information system) mapping solutions as well as bar code scanners and imaging systems, and label printers.

"Utilisation of mobile and wireless technologies is becoming the norm in many businesses - including the auto-identification market, bar coding, remote data capture and POS arenas in which Harmonic is already an industry leader," he says.

"We will be exhibiting our warehouse management software solution, eWarehouse, and asset management software, eAssets. In addition, the Gotive H41 wireless enterprise communicator will be on display, as well as the Argox range of label printers. The HHP and Datalogic range of bar code scanners and the Datalogic portable data terminals will complement this."

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