RFID - What difference can it make to your business?

What is more suitable for your business, barcodes or RFID?  Dependant on your environment RFID tags could be the most suitable solution for your operations.

 

Please follow the link below for a Blog by one of our partners Glantus, and find out if RFID can make a difference to your business.

RFID and You

New Video - Web-Based User Experience - Return Transaction Demo

Please find below a new video demonstration of a Return Transaction in QAD using Eagle RF Express, in the new Web User Interface.

Web-Based User Experience - Screenshots

High Point Development Program - A preview of the new screen designs from the new web-based user interface;

Eagle Achieves 'Honda Approved' Software Validation

Eagle Achieves 'Honda Approved' Software Validation:

 

Eagle Consulting & Development a leading provider of enterprise data collection software for QAD Enterprise Applications and services for global manufacturing companies, announced today that it has completed one of the most comprehensive and stringent software validation processes in the automotive industry by achieving Honda “Approved Software” running on the QAD Cloud  in conjunction with QAD Cloud EDI solution. Eagle was already recognized as a Honda “Approved Software Provider” for other environments and partner solution combinations.

Honda North America, Inc., a global leader in automotive manufacturing, requires its original equipment manufactured parts suppliers to use an authorized integrated EDI, barcode and demand management solution. Software vendors must complete a rigorous eight-step testing and validation process to ensure the suite of applications complies with Honda’s requirements for electronic data validation and barcode label conformance.

"By completing this test you have demonstrated that your EDI and bar coding system has proven to comply with Honda’s requirements as defined in the April 2015 version of Honda’s EDI and Bar Code Label Implementation Requirements,” stated Honda logistics representative Daryl Collins. 

Eagle announces Web Based User Experience - High Point Program

Eagle announces Web-Based UI through it's High Point Program:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagle conceived the High Point product development program as a way to provide a consistent and device-independent user experience. The web-based UI allows for mobile automated data collection access for QAD Enterprise Applications to any device with a modern browser. Eagle see’s the web-based UI as a natural complement to Eagle’s already available native automated data collections apps for QAD Enterprise Applications (IOS, Android, and Win Mobile).

Please find the Video below;

 

Screen Posting Example;

Traceability in Manufacturing

The importance of having track and trace solutions within a manufacturing environment is as clear as ever.  With the recent high profile recalls of millions of cars due to defective  air bags, organisations need to have a clear strategy to have automated solutions that can help find key data quickly.

For a detailed look at this, Glantus, a long standing partner of Eagle, have documented the key elements of having effective traceability in a manufacturing environment.  Please click on the below link and read their white paper.

Traceability in Manufacturing White Paper   

To discuss how Eagle can help with your traceability requirements, please contact us. 

GS1 Update - GLN Registry

Global Location Numbers assigned by GS1 worldwide, are actively used across many industry sectors to identify functional and physical locations.  Typically GLN’s are assigned to physical, functional and legal entities e.g. the ordering party, (functional), ship-to locations (physical) and corporate HQ domicile (legal). 

 

GS1 UK is embarking on the creation of a GLN Registry to act as a repository of GLNs across multiple sectors that are actively maintained by their licensed owners. The provision of the UK’s first central UK Global Location Number (GLN) Registry will provide a single trusted source of location information for use by companies’ within their existing operations and externally with their trading partners.

 

The proposed Registry will be accessible in real time by applications and individuals, some of whom may be outside the UK time zone.  In operation, the registry allows authorised users within organisations to add and maintain GLNs allocated by GS1 UK to that organisation.  This is achieved by an online dialogue with the Registry via a user interface, accessible as a GS1 UK service through the GS1 UK member web site. 

 

In summary GLNs can be added singly or in bulk and, optionally, the Registry can assign GLNs from the range of numbers allocated by GS1 to an organisation.  Information is validated at the point of addition and a second approval stage allows additions to be reviewed before being made active (published).

QAD EMEA Conference - Registration Now Open!

Save the Date!

 

Registration for the QAD EMEA Conference is now open.  This year's event will be held at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, near Manchester, on November 4th 2015.  Customers can register at HERE

 

Eagle will be sponsoring the event, and will have a customer speaker presenting about their RF Express Implementations.

 

We look forward to seeing you all there.

 

The Eagle Team

New RMA Functionality in Eagle

New Functionality Alert!

 

QAD’s Service and Support Module allows  the user to create RMA (Return Material Authorisation) to manage simple returns from end users. It is possible to receive a returned item and issue a replacement item with an RMA. To enable this done be done on a handheld device within the warehouse, Eagle has added RMA Shipment and Receipt programs to their RF Express 2015EE release.

Are you realising the importance of Wi-Fi Security?

In the modern day office it is vitally important to realise that a Wi-Fi network does not end at the office walls, in many cases it is possible for the network to extend over 300 feet through the air.

If your Wi-Fi access points are not properly secured people outside your business may be able to gain access to it.

 

If someone were to gain access to your Wireless Network it could mean more than them simply having internet access via your network.

People who are able to access your wireless router or network may also be able to;

• Gain access to all of the files on your computer/shared network and spread viruses

• Monitor all of the websites you visit, copy log-in names and passwords

• Gain access to sensitive emails

• Slow down computers & laptops and the internet connection speed

• Send spam

• Carry out illegal activities using your Internet connection

How to keep your Wi-Fi secure:

Use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

Many access points still offer the older WEP standard of security, however this is leaves your network open to hacking. It is vital that a network is secured using a WPA protection or the more recent WPA2 encryption.

 

Utilise a Secure WPA/WPA2 Password

When creating a password for your Wireless network always avoid anything memorable or related to your business. Instead a random assortment of letters both upper and lower case,        numeric and symbols can be used to create a long password that would be difficult to recreate.

 

Check for Rogue Wi-Fi Access Points

Rogue Access points can present a huge security threat. These would not be authorised by your company but instead have been installed by a visitor, employee or even intruder. These can then be used to gain access to your network with relative ease.

 

Make a separate network available for guests

If you have visitors to your building and wish to allow them access to the internet via your Wi-Fi network it is highly recommended that you create a guest account. Many Wi-Fi      solutions allow you to create extra networks but give you the ability to restrict their access.

 

Restrict access to devices that present risk

Some solutions offer WIPSs (Wireless Intervention Prevention System) that can automatically detect devices that present a potential risk and restrict their access. Cisco Meraki offer one of the best with Air Marshall.

GS1 Order to Cash Implementation

GS1 Order to Cash Implementation -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordering, delivering and paying for goods is what most companies do. Automating the process, using GS1 standards, makes it faster, more accurate and cheaper.

 

Order-to-cash is the process where goods are:

•Ordered

•Delivered and received

•Invoiced and paid for

 

Whether you are ordering or delivering the goods, this process is critical for almost all businesses. Many businesses, of all sizes and across many industries, have automated the entire process using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and GS1 standards.

 

Find out more here

New Eagle Functionality - Continuous Backflush & Eagle Portal

Continuous Backflush

Eagle is please to announce its new Continuous Backflush Process (CBP). This process is standard for Enterprise Editions (EE).

 

The Eagle CBP transaction reads the file, performs the backflush, creates the container and generates the container label in QAD in real time, using data sent by shop-floor equipment/PLC.  

 

The smart architecture allows customers to use their existing PLC and software to create the input files from various production lines.  The product design allows customers to have one CBP session for multiple lines or unique CBP sessions per line for transaction monitoring.

 

Eagle Portal

 

The Eagle Portal is a collection of tools to help customers get more out of their existing Eagle investment. For example:

 

Eagle's Business Intelligence (BI) tool set allows supervisory monitoring of plant / warehouse usage of Eagle transactions. 

 

Eagle BI provides for simple charting of key transaction utilization and other metrics for operations improvement.

New Functionality at QAD Explore 2015

As part of Eagle's ongoing commitment to investing in the RF Express product, our developers have been hard at work over the winter, and we are pleased to announce some that some of the new functional advancements will be available to see at our booth at QAD Explore 2015, May 3-6, at the Gaylord National Resort in Washington DC.

 

This includes;

• Eagle .Net SSH Client for Windows based PCs 

• Machine Integration into QAD Enterprise Applications 

• Visual Item Validation

• Android and iOS Interfaces

 

Please come and visit us for more information.

For more about Explore please go to the QAD Explore Blog here

Curious about The Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is where objects, animals or even people are provided with unique identifiers. While the IoT is still taking shape, it’s already making incredible strides as a new frontier for the connected world in which people, devices, environments and virtual objects are all connected and capable of interaction using wireless technologies, micro-electromechanical systems and the Internet. There’s a new wave of technology platforms targeting the need to bridge these sophisticated communications, as well as hardware manufacturers producing physical devices and sensors to power the IoT.

 

A thing, in IoT, can be a person with a heart monitor implant, a dog with a biochip transponder, a smart parking sensor -- or any other natural or man-made object that can be assigned an IP address and provided with the ability to transfer data over a network. So far, the Internet of Things has been most closely associated with machine-to-machine (M2M) communication in manufacturing and power, oil and gas utilities. Products built with M2M communication capabilities are often referred to as being smart. (e.g. smart label)

 

However this is just the beginning. Pockets of “Internet of Things” solutions will occur in high-value manufacturing floors as the emergence of technology in that industry has changed the face of operations. Supervisory control and data acquisition systems in industrial processes in conjunction with IoT will introduce significant cost reductions in manufacturing operations, utilizing WLAN for interconnectivity, manufacturing and distribution. As reported by Gartner, the IoT-installed base will reach 26 billion by 2020, with incremental revenue exceeding $300 billion. 

 

A new era of computing technology is here and will offer connectivity to a vast number of smart “things” interacting and communicating with each other on manufacturing floors to generate a tremendous volume of useful data with the potential to increase efficient operations and positively impact every aspect of the manufacturing life cycle. This interaction and exchange of data between machines is no longer pivotal on smartphones alone. Rather, any object and appliance on the manufacturing floor, once connected, will generate data to streamline every aspect of the manufacturing process. The objects on a manufacturing floor can become smart with the integration of embedded processors, and once they become smart, the next step is the need for remote communication. Wi-Fi is among several connectivity technologies such as NFC, Sub-Gig, ZigBee, GPS, BT/BTLE, RFID and cellular. Once the connectivity is established, the automation of processes will follow.

Useful Links:
RCR Wireless 2015 Predictions
Zebra - IoT in Healthcare

iOS Interface for Eagle

How have Vascutek invested in technology to improve operations?

 

Vascutek, a Glasgow based medical device manufacturer, have utilised Eagle and iOS technology to trace materials more effectively, including the use of the Eagle iPad interface on mini iPad's within the clean rooms.

 

Find out more on the following link

NEW GS1 HEALTHCARE GUIDELINES - ARE YOUR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES COMPLIANT?

With complex supply chains that cross national and international borders, healthcare is by nature, classified as a global sector. This classification has led to the need for a global standardised system for traceability of products from point of manufacture, right through to patient treatment, to be able to comply with increasing legal requirements.

Through its implementation of standards, the GS1 System facilitates the ability of the healthcare industry to maintain an efficient supply chain worldwide due to uniquely identified products, logistic units and locations. The standards that they set are global, neutral, non-ambiguous and non-significant.

Their purpose is to allow product and data flow between the various partners along the supply chain including suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, logistics providers, transporters and hospitals just to name a few. Their processes and procedures also help automate data capture and data management, increase data flow, reduce cost and secure the supply chain.

Last month saw the release of Version 3 of the Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) Healthcare Implementation Guideline which updated its standards and added new sections on Human Readable Interpretation (HRI) and updated Direct Part Marking (DPM) which will be implemented across the industry over the coming months.

The full document can be found here.

AIDC Standards for Healthcare trade items have also been incorporated within the GS1 General Specifications. The outcome of this will have huge implications on the Healthcare industry by providing stakeholders with a shared set of data and data carriers to be applied to medical products at every packaging level. The AIDC Standards also offer specific guidance for manufacturers on the selection and use of:

·        Suitable GS1 Product Identification Keys

·        Additional product and production data (batch/lot numbers, expiration dates and serial numbers)

·        GS1 Data Carriers, which include linear bar codes, two-dimensional bar codes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags

The Application Standard for AIDC in Healthcare was developed to target approximately 80% of the Healthcare products currently in the global marketplace. Future efforts will target additional AIDC marking needs.

The AIDC Healthcare Standards support the ability for sector-wide implementation of AIDC systems which are aimed at improving patient safety, reducing medication errors, facilitating anti-counterfeiting and enabling effective product recalls. The approved systems will also aim to address inefficiencies throughout the global Healthcare supply chain and allow stakeholders to improve and integrate their processes.

Eagle are experts in ensuring compliance and safety throughout the supply chain in your medical manufacturing. To speak to us regarding the changes to the GS1 / AIDC Standards, or for any other issue relating to life sciences manufacturing, please get in touch with a member of our team.

Android Interface

Eagle already has interfaces for Windows and iOS based devices. Many mobile devices are now taking advantage of the Android  operating system including many tablet devices. 

Eagle are pleased to announce that a new and fully updated version of the .Net interface will be available for Android and will be available at Explore 2015. This will allow our customers to take advantage of many of the latest cost effective data collection devices.