RFID in the Auto Industry

Sep. 15, 2010 — 11 AM to 1 PM EDT

Premier Sponsor:
Zebra Enterprise Solutions

Platinum Sponsor:
Omni-ID

Association Sponsor:
OAIAG

Gold Sponsor:
Lowry Computer

Automobile manufacturers have been among the biggest users of RFID systems for car immobilizers and other applications. This virtual event will explore new ways in which leading-edge auto makers and parts suppliers are employing RFID to track parts, work-in-process, tools and other critical elements of their business.

By attending you will learn:

How to choose the right RFID technology for your environment
The benefits to the supply chain of a single tag carrying both types of information
How RFID can reduce inventory inaccuracies caused by human error
And so much more!

Each session will be followed by a brief question-and-answer period with the speakers.

Agenda:

11:00 AM

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker:
Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal

11:05 AM

AIAG Case Study Using Two Types of Standards-Based Information on a Single RFID Tag
AIAG's Radio Frequency Identification Work Group members will present the results of a Returnable Container RFID case study conducted to validate and demonstrate the benefits of using a single tag to carry EPCglobal-based data, as well as ISO Data Identifier-based information.

Speakers:
Fangming Gu, Ph.D, Mfg. Systems Research Lab, GM R&D Center and Planning, GM
Bill Hoffman, Chair: Radio Frequency ID Work Group, AIAG

Takeaways:
• How an RFID tag was used to carry information critical in manufacturing, logistics and retail processes
• The benefits to the supply chain of a single tag carrying both types of information

11:40 AM

Improve Your Vehicle Launches by Leaning Out Off-Line Vehicle Processing
Working for an automotive OEM, you know how hectic a vehicle launch can be. Whether it's dealing with labor shortages, supplier quality campaigns or the large number of vehicles on hold, things can get turned upside-down very quickly. Once you get those problems straightened out, you've still got to ensure that vehicles ship correctly and in a timely manner. Zebra Enterprise Solutions, a division of Zebra Technologies (the makers of the bar-code printers you've probably got running in your plant), has a solution to make your life easier during vehicle launch and beyond. Learn how to ensure that your off-line processing runs smoothly, using a solution already implemented successfully by other automotive OEMs. Zebra combines lean principles, queuing theory and a solution known as Vehicle Tracking and Management System (VTMS) to help you manage vehicles through post-assembly verification and test processes, quality repair, containment and shipping activities.

Speakers:
Mike Mulligan, Director of Solutions Management, Zebra Enterprise Solutions
David Phillips, Director of Sales Engineering, Automotive, Industrial Manufacturing and Government, Zebra Enterprise Solutions

12:15 PM

A Strategic Approach to Sensor Network Implementations Incorporating Auto-ID Technologies
Companies seeking to improve their operations using sensor networks based on RFID and other auto-ID technologies often begin with a project-based approach. In many cases, the project team focuses on the operational aspects of readers and tags, while data-management and IT-integration efforts are limited or deferred to a later stage. But existing IT infrastructures are seldom designed to handle the nature or volume of data that can flow in from a sensor/auto-ID network, making post-pilot results less rewarding than expected. An early consideration of business needs, IT infrastructure and operational processes from a strategic perspective can significantly increase the likelihood and degree of program success. This session will explain the benefits of considering auto-ID adoption in both ways—strategic and operational—and examples will show how automotive customers have been successful with such an approach.

Speaker:
Dirk Spannaus, Managing Consultant, Strategy and Transformation Management Consulting, IBM

12:40 PM

DHL's RFID Strategy and the RFID-Based Automotive Network Initiative (RAN)
As a logistics service provider, DHL facilitates business processes across industries, and is thus required to handle multiple industry standards. In the automotive industry, the firm sees a field of action in managing full, as well as empty, part shipping units that it covers within the Automotive Network Initiative (RAN) project, as well as monitoring buffer zones close to production. This session provides an overview and explanation of how and where DHL uses RFID, with a special focus on the automotive industry. The presenter will explain how DHL employs standardized components to offer central services to the company's business units and customers.