RFID: Bringing Visibility to the Edge

1. RFID:Bringing Visibility to the Edge Simon Holloway Principal Consultant

2. Agenda • What is RFID? • The Microsoft RFID platform • Building RFID solutions

3. Chip Antenna Tag Reader Antenna What is RFID ? • Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) is a method of remotely storing and retrieving data using devices called RFID tags and RFID readers • RFID is an enabling technology with the potential to simplify processes • Technology has been around for a long time • Recent momentum driven by mandates Reader Mobile CPU

4. Basic Operation Antenna • Tag enters RF field of reader • RF signal powers tag • Tag transmits ID, plus data • Reader captures data • Reader sends data to computer • Computer send data to reader • Reader transmits data to tag Tag on item, box or pallet Computer Reader

5. Defence Automotive Aerospace Utilities CPG High tech Construction Leisure Oil & Gas Pharmaceuticals Travel Healthcare Logistics INDUSTRY Retail Manufacturing Animals

6. Agenda • What is RFID? • The Microsoft RFID platform • Building RFID solutions

7. Microsoft BizTalk RFID Overview

8. Microsoft RFID InfrastructureEnabling the event driven enterprise with an intelligent edge • Platform, tools, and components to design, deploy, manage RFID solutions • Device abstraction & management • Event processing • Robust, scalable, performant, secure architecture • Part of Windows Server System • Supported on Windows XP, 2003, and beyond

9. Product Overview Partner Solutions LOB Apps Designers, Tools & Adapters RFID Infrastructure OM / API’s RFID Engine & Runtime Engine & Runtime EPC-IS interface Microsoft RFIDInfrastructure Store Rules Engine Device Management Device Service Provider Interface (DSPI) Custom Providers EPC Provider EPC Reader Current Devices Next Gen Devices Sensors Hardware ….

10. DSPI at work Host GetTagListResponse() Commands from Host Response to command from Provider GetTagList() Service Provider for Device Raw Response 1. set taglistformat = xml 2. get taglist 1. TagListFormat = XML 2. <ABC-RFID-Tag-List> <ABC-RFID-Tag> <TagID>8000 FFEE 1000 0001</TagID> <DiscoveryTime>2004/08/30 07:26:06</DiscoveryTime> <LastSeenTime>2004/08/30 07:26:06</LastSeenTime> <Antenna>0</Antenna> <ReadCount>66</ReadCount> </ABC-RFID-Tag> </ABC-RFID-Tag-List> Device Conversion to a series of Device Specific commands

11. Logical overview

12. Device Simulator - Design RFID Service IHV Provider ACME Provider Reader Host Protocol ACME Plugin IHV Plugin Virtual Devices Device Simulator

13. Managing RFID Server

14. BizTalk RFID Key Take-Aways Plug-and-play hardware eco-system with uniform device abstraction and management Multiple providers and devices - physical and simulated Robust, scalable, performant, secure server platform for RFID solutions Clear separation between design and deployment activities Agile process architecture for rules and workflow at the edge Rich managed APIs and tools for process lifecycle Extensible event handling infrastructure Axapta 4.01 ships with RFID application functionality

15. Agenda • What is RFID? • The Microsoft RFID platform • Building RFID solutions

16. The Complexity of a RFID Based Solution

17. RFID Requirements Circle RFID Applications Hardware Tags Scanners Readers Microsoft RFID Middleware Business Case ROI ERP Applications Systems Integrator BI and EAI Software Building Design BI Applications Radio Frequency Consultancy

18. Microsoft RFID Solution Architecture Edge Centre

19. Let Me Tell You a Story ….

20. Major Issues in Construction • Productivity of the labour effort • Complex operations scheduling • Processing of contractors onto site • Locating spares, equipment and personnel • Shrinkage of materials • Late deliveries and high cost expediting • Verification of work completion • Compliance to health, safety and environment laws

21. Requirements of Main Users • Management: reliable up-to-date information readily available • Contractors: a system that is simple to use, robust and, if they are to buy equipment, cheap • Health & Safety: a system that is fully featured with mobile accessibility • Facilities management: adaptability and long life • Suppliers: a system that is cheap and simple to incorporate into existing systems • Client: traceability and accessibility

22. Sean Solid’s Story • Current business • House and small industrial unit construction • Building services, including plant hire and HSE checking • Market channels • Word of mouth • Yellow Pages • Internet • Business issues • Getting paid for plant hire (based on delivery) • Knowing where all my assets are • Knowing which of my assets I have to check • Planning my employee and sub-contractor workload

23. RFID Project Phases

24. Analysis • Techniques • Site survey • Workshops • Outcomes • Site report • Site layout • Rules • By location • By integration to back office • By integration to third party • Process • Reports • By role • By location • By device

25. Workshop Issues Identified • Where are my assets on site? • Getting the customer to pay for asset delivery because of poor delivery mechanism • What equipment do I need to check and how can I prove that it has been checked? • Digging the holes for cable and pipes in the right place • Knowing who is on a site • How can I provide a better after service and also develop new services based on after service? • Ensuring that I only get what I ordered • Better supplier management

26. Identification and Prioritisation High PIMS HSE Check high priority medium priority After Service Plant Asset Tracking Plant Maintenance low priority eProof of Delivery Business Impact Pipe/Cable Placement People Asset Tracking Low Hard Easy Opportunity Matrix Ease of Implementation

27. Project Roadmap Planning - Strategic Roadmap High Review HSE Check Benefit Cumulative eProof of Delivery (hurdle) - Asset Tracking PIMS Low / Negative Time

28. Pilot Project – PIM and Asset Tracking the Problem • Need to quickly find assets in the yards • Fixed asset registry not in synchronisation with actuals • Details of assets not completely recorded leading to HSE issues • Lose assets through leaving them at places of work

29. Pilot Project – PIM and Asset Tracking Asset Tracking Architecture .net PIM Application Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, workshop Client Microsoft Windows CE or XPe Microsoft ISA Server Fixed Asset Register Server Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, Standard Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Microsoft Windows Server 2003

30. Electronic Proof of Delivery ProjectThe Problem • Business Services • Have a number of disputes over whether we have delivered the goods to site or not and if so at which gate • Leads to inefficient billing and poor customer relations • Need to improve turnaround time at own depot & customer site • Construction • Reverse scenario to building services division • Leads to production delays while material is found or re-ordered • Require • Mobile solution that is easy to use and able to work in rugged environment

31. Electronic Proof of Delivery Project Architecture .net ePOD Application Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, workshop Client Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Microsoft Windows CE or XPe Microsoft ISA Server Material Mgt & Finance Systems Server Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, Standard Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Microsoft Windows Server 2003

32. HSE Checking Project The Problem • Only qualified people use equipment • Equipment is not used when it exceeds it life between service points • Incidents are recorded easily for management attention and possible reporting to HSE

33. HSE Checking Project Architecture HSE Application Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, Workshop Client Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Microsoft Windows CE or XPe Microsoft ISA Server HR Training & Equipment Maint Systems Server Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, Standard Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Microsoft Windows Server 2003

34. RFID Application RFID Mobile Reader Microsoft Mobile Microsoft ISA Server HSE Application PIM Application Microsoft Office System ePOD Application Edge Server Messages Microsoft BizTalk Server, Workgroup Edition SITE Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Mobile Microsoft Small Business Server Pocket PC Phone Edge Server Web Services Microsoft ISA Server Exel, BSM ERP Microsoft Office System Microsoft Integrated Identity Server Microsoft BizTalk Server, Enterprise Edition BI Application Microsoft SQL Server, Enterprise Edition Microsoft Server 2003 OFFICE Enterprise Server

35. End Comment RFID as a technology cannot exist on its own. It always has to integrate with existing systems and collaborate with other technology to provide the required solutions. You have to remember that it is no good just collecting the data if you don’t know what you are going to do with it once it is collected.