Microsoft's Technologies Provide Solid Support for Manhattan Associates, Alien Technology(R) RFID Efforts
Tuesday May 18, 10:21 am ET
Microsoft .NET Framework and Microsoft Windows CE Power RFID in a Box(R)
ATLANTA and MORGAN HILL, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Manhattan Associates®, Inc. (Nasdaq: MANH - News) and Alien Technology Corporation, together with Microsoft Corp., have teamed to bring high performance Electronic Product Code-compliant solutions to the enterprise market through their RFID in a Box® solution. By leveraging the Microsoft .NET Framework for Manhattan Associates' RFID-enabled supply chain execution applications and the Microsoft Windows CE device platform for Alien Technology's reader hardware, these companies are able to offer an RFID solution that is both standardized and easy to implement.
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"The comprehensive toolset and built-in enterprise services in Window's CE enable developers to create custom applications and integrate Web services seamlessly into devices," said Janet Kennedy, managing director of Microsoft's Retail & Hospitality Industry Solutions Group at Microsoft. "Alien's decision to support our Windows CE device platform will facilitate easy integration with Manhattan's Microsoft .NET-based RFID solution and will make it even easier for users to build custom applications for handling RFID tag data and optimizing RFID reader functionality. This decision was a natural step in further advancing the ease of implementation of RFID in a Box."
The pre-configured RFID in a Box solution contains the necessary servers, Alien Technology RFID readers and tags, and electronic product code printers. Manhattan Associates' Integration platform for RFID, in concert with the business solution components of the company's Integrated Logistics Solutions, enable generation of RFID tags within a business as well as at remote suppliers.
Alien Technology recently began developing its enterprise-scale RFID readers to leverage enterprise services built into the Microsoft Windows CE device platform. Taking advantage of the enterprise networking and communications services in Windows CE, the readers will improve the scalability, manageability and security infrastructure for companies to implement RFID in compliance with upcoming mandates and beyond. The readers use third generation reader technology, which drives Alien's current industry- leading ALR-9780, and will include support for multiple EPC protocols, including Class 1, Class 1 Gen 2, and Class 0.
"Current readers are meeting the need for the initial deployments of RFID in retail and DoD supply chains. But, when suppliers begin installing thousands of readers, easy, rapid deployment and IT integration will become a dominant consideration," said Stav Prodromou, CEO of Alien Technology. "The built-in services in Windows CE provide a solid basis for delivering a security-enhanced and manageable reader infrastructure on such a scale."
Microsoft, Manhattan Associates and Alien will operate product testing, development, and demonstration labs in Atlanta, GA, Redmond, WA and San Jose, CA in the U.S., and in a variety of locations throughout Europe to showcase RFID in a Box for global customers. Please visit www.manh.com for additional information on this alliance and the companies' solutions.
About Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates, Inc., is the global leader in providing supply chain execution and optimization solutions. It enables operational excellence through its warehouse, transportation, distributed order management, reverse logistics and trading partner management applications, as well as its RFID, performance management and event management capabilities. These Integrated Logistics Solutions leverage state-of-the-art technologies, innovative practices and our domain expertise to enhance performance, profitability and competitive advantage. Manhattan Associates has licensed more than 900 customers representing more than 1,600 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world's leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers. For more information about Manhattan Associates, visit www.manh.com . |
