rollouts
RFID tracking technology: The Intelligent Tracking and Control
System (ITCS) from RF Controls LLC provides long-range tracking
of ultra-high frequency (UHF) passive RFID tags. ITCS automatically and accurately locates arbitrarily placed items with RFID
tags, providing efficient inventory and asset management.
The product is based on military tracking technology and
“smart antennas,” which deliver precise three-dimensional tag
location information. ITCS has an operating range of up to 350
feet, depending on which product and type of tag is used.
The system can help automate warehouse tasks such as receiving, shipping, stocking, and cycle counting. Instead of scanning
items with a handheld reader, the process is entirely automated,
removing the data collection burden from warehouse workers and
allowing them to transport products faster and more accurately.
The ITCS system can reduce capital costs as well, by eliminating the
need to purchase expensive dock door portals and handheld and
overhead readers. (RF Controls LLC, http://rf-controls.com)
Industrial and noise curtain walls: Randall Manufacturing has
introduced a new line of noninsulated industrial and noise curtain walls. These walls can be used to divide warehouse and
work spaces and protect employees and the work environment
from harmful noise levels, environmental contaminants, and the
outside elements.
According to the manufacturer, Randall Industrial Curtain
Walls are easy to design, install,
and maintain. The curtains come
in a variety of vinyl, PVC, mesh,
and antistatic materials.
The noise curtain walls consist
of modular acoustical curtain
panels and a reinforced barrier
back, which provides durability. The walls have an STC (sound
transmission class) rating up to 32 and NRC (noise reduction coefficient) rating up to . 85. They have a barrier decibel reduction up
to 27 and a composite decibel reduction up to 32. (Randall
Manufacturing–Warehouse, www.randallmfg.com/warehouse)
Refrigerated intermodal service: Cold Train is expanding its
express refrigerated intermodal service from Portland, Ore., to
complement its existing expedited service out of Quincy, Wash.
Cold Train currently departs Portland six days a week and takes
approximately 4 to 5 days to travel between Oregon and the
Midwest and about 6 to 7 days to travel between Oregon and the
East Coast. Cold Train also has dray or truck service to pick up fresh
produce and other perishable or refrigerated products in and around
the greater Portland area, and can pick up in many nearby locations.
Cold Train’s expanded eastbound service out of Portland will
deliver to the same destinations and locations it serves from
Quincy, including Central Connecticut, Northern Delaware,
North and Central Florida, Southeastern and Central Georgia,
Northern Illinois, Northern and Central Indiana, Northern
Maryland, Central and Eastern Massachusetts, Western and
Central Michigan, Northeastern New Jersey, Western and
Southeastern New York, Central North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Central South Carolina, Southeastern Virginia, and
Central and Southern Wisconsin.
Rail Logistics launched the Cold Train Express Intermodal
Service in partnership with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
and the Port of Quincy in Washington state in 2010. Since the
Rail Logistics Cold Train service was launched, it has grown rapidly in popularity with perishable shippers in the Pacific
Northwest and the Midwest and East Coast. (Rail Logistics LC,
www.rrlxcoldtrain.com)
Inventory tracking solution: Wasp Barcode Technologies has
released InventoryControl version 7, an inventory tracking solution for small and medium-sized businesses. Wasp
InventoryControl version 7 is available in three editions:
Standard, RF Professional, and RF Enterprise.
Wasp has developed a QuickBooks Connector Module for
InventoryControl version 7. This integrated platform can help reconcile inventory and accounting systems, allowing small businesses to more effectively plan, execute, and optimize their operations.
In addition to QuickBooks compatibility, InventoryControl version 7 comes with many other enhancements, including the ability to schedule and receive e-mail alert notifications, the ability to
mass update customer and inventory records, enhanced security
features and permission controls, drop ship support, and
advanced forecasting tools.
InventoryControl version 7 comes with free, unlimited technical support and getting-started training. Priced from $995,
InventoryControl version 7 also comes with a fully refundable 30-
day satisfaction guarantee.
InventoryControl can be bundled with a mobile device and bar-code printer. (Wasp Barcode Technologies, www.waspbarcode.com)
Bulk intermodal service: Schneider National Bulk Carriers has
launched a bulk intermodal transportation service based on a new
40-foot tank container that can be used both on the rail and on
the road. The new service will haul liquid bulk chemicals across
the United States, with plans to expand into Canada and Mexico.
Liquids and chemicals have been hauled across North America
by both truck and train for years; however, each mode required
its own special container to move the product. This resulted in
supply chain inefficiencies as product had to be pumped from
one container into another for last-mile transport. The new container used in Schneider’s bulk intermodal service enables these
products to be transported across both modes using the same
container. Additionally, the container has virtually the exact same
dimensions as an over-the-road tank-trailer.
Schneider currently has a fleet of nearly 100 of these containers and expects that number to double by the end of 2013.
When loaded onto a chassis (which is then pulled by a lightweight day cab to the final destination), the unit stands 11 feet,
5 inches high and can haul close to 48,000 pounds or 5,800 gallons. This allows customers to load 5 to 6 percent more product
than they can in a traditional over-the-road truckload move.
Customers typically can expect their shipments to arrive within 24 hours of the time it would take for the load to move solely by truck, according to the company. Schneider’s bulk inter-modal service is already operating at rail ramps in 10 cities across
the United States (Cleveland; Savannah, Ga.; North Bergen, N.J.;
Atlanta; Chicago; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; New Orleans;
Houston; and North Kearney, N.J.). The company plans to
expand to other sites soon.
Although Schneider is currently approved to haul only nonhazardous chemicals, the company expects to gain hazmat certification from the railroads later in 2013. (Schneider National Inc.,
www.schneider.com)
