Software provides supply-network management and security

Vizional Delivers Innovative RFID Solution for Enhanced Integration, Management and Security of Advanced Supply Networks

March 4, 2003; http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/20375

Vizional Adaptive Identification Management system is an extensible, distributed Java-based agent platform utilizing peer-to-peer adaptive agent technology. It provides interfaces to AIDC hardware such as RFID tags and readers as well as access authentication, data encryption, and data recovery services to insure against tampering or data loss. It allows companies to intelligently and securely manage Auto-ID assets and information across supply network in real-time.

Vizional Adaptive Identification Management Application Empowers Companies to Intelligently and Securely Manage Auto-ID Assets and Information across the Supply Network in Real-Time

CHICAGO, Ill. National Manufacturing Week March 4, 2003 Vizional Technologies, Inc., a provider of adaptive supply chain software that bridges the gap between planning and execution systems by using agent-based technologies, today announced the general availability of the Vizional Adaptive Identification Management application to enable real-time global visibility and dynamic supply network optimization. The Vizional Adaptive Identification Management system, comprised of the Vizional RFID Network Enabler module, incorporates patent-pending technologies, enabling companies to set up and manage Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC)-based supply networks that can identify, track and secure inventory, assets and in-transit goods in real time.

The Vizional Adaptive Identification Management application provides companies with enhanced supply network visibility and end-to-end security, better inventory, asset and high-volume transaction management, more accurate supply chain execution, and shorter times to process shipments of finished goods. The first module, the Vizional RFID Network Enabler, is an advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution that allows companies to easily integrate, manage and secure RFID networks with existing enterprise systems to realize the full value of supply network investments.

"Until now, companies wanting to enhance supply networks through the introduction of AIDC technologies such as RFID were hampered by the lack of standards for dealing with the myriad devices and protocols available on the market," said Vizional Chairman and CEO Joseph H. Dugan. "The Vizional Adaptive Identification Management application will enable companies to 'plug-and-play' any AIDC technology into the supply network without regard to hardware or software specifics. This allows companies to gain control of information and assets at the edge of the supply network where the bits hit the atoms."

The Vizional Adaptive Identification Management application is an extensible, distributed Java-based agent platform, utilizing peer-to-peer adaptive agent technology to provide interfaces to AIDC hardware such as RFID tags and readers as well as access authentication, data encryption and data recovery services to insure against tampering or data loss. The application allows the collection of heterogeneous AIDC devices to be treated by enterprise software applications as a reliable distributed database. The Vizional Adaptive Identification Management software offers the following features:

• Security & Reliability seamlessly integrates advanced updateable RFID and other AIDC devices and offers protection against unauthorized access to data. Loss and tampering of data on devices can be automatically identified and recovered, with alerts triggered to provide early warning of potential security violations.
• Scalability - peer-to-peer topology can scale to multiple partners allowing organizations to effectively share resources dynamically in a multi-enterprise deployment. Can also scale in terms of storage, allowing users to access extensive histories of tags read, status and captured data.
• Extensible & Configurable - Targeted applications can be easily built on top of the Vizional Adaptive Identification Management application. The flexible interface allows custom views and integration options for any company in a heterogeneous environment.
• Device-Agnostic - works with any AIDC hardware technology, including active and passive RFID readers /tags, real-time location services, electronic seals, etc.
• Event-Driven - provides real-time presentation of supply chain status, as well as batch loading of historical data, depending on company needs and business rules. Decision-driven with alerts that inform key decision-makers at the right time.
• Open Architecture and Cost-Effective Deployment - can be quickly deployed throughout any organization or across the supply network. Offers flexibility by allowing companies to change hardware as AIDC technology evolves, and provides powerful, real-time integration with enterprise systems via XML messaging.

The Vizional Adaptive Identification Management Application works in conjunction with the Vizional Adaptive Collaboration Platform, and is part of the Vizional Adaptive Planning and Execution suite of applications. By employing innovative adaptive agent technologies and an event-driven architecture, the suite allow companies to effectively and quickly address complex business problems and reduce supply chain uncertainty, intelligently resolve supply chain exceptions, and proactively uncover and capture resulting profitable opportunities through intelligent inventory, demand, and capacity management. The Vizional suite of products enables companies to dynamically synchronize demand with supply, offering unprecedented levels of security and real-time visibility into inventory and actual demand across the supply network, thereby aggregating demand, offsetting order variability, accelerating time-to-market, and enhancing customer service levels.