(TORONTO, ON & ATLANTA, GEORGIA) September 13, 2005 Allstream, one of Canadas leading national business communication solutions providers, today announced at the EPC Global U.S. Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, the expansion of its recently launched Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution portfolio. Allstreams portfolio of innovative end-to-end solutions, which includes a hosted RFID trial solution, are now available in all major centres across Canada. Allstream is leveraging its enterprise solutions expertise and advanced network capabilities to offer comprehensive services to meet the needs of various industry sectors including government, healthcare, transportation, retail, and consumer packaged goods.
With Allstreams expanded RFID portfolio, customers can now choose from three options to test or implement a RFID solution with the following enhanced offerings:
RFID Go!
* A wireless discovery tool kit that allows customers to first test the validity of using RFID technology within their specific environments before full implementation.
* A comprehensive RFID bundle that includes hardware, software, services and support.
* Access to the Allstream RFID verification rules engine which provides near real- time feedback on tag reads at customers sites.
* Access to Allstreams RFID hosted customer portal giving customers the ability to review RFID tag readers and download activity reports.
RFID Comply
* Production solution for organizations that have been mandated to implement RFID.
* RFID Hardware validation.
* Tag/carton profiling and tag validation.
* Onsite installation and equipment testing.
* Dock door, conveyor and pallet portals available.
* Standards based and scalable.
RFID Custom Solutions
* Provides customers with an end-to-end customized solution, installed and supported RFID implementation.
* Professional Services consultants to advise customers on process mapping and workflow design. Custom solutions include all the necessary hardware, software, services and support needed to meet customers specific and unique business requirements.
* Integrate the RFID solution with internal systems and Global Data Synchronization (GDS) initiatives.
As part of this expansion, Allstream has built a network of leading partners in order to deliver comprehensive and scalable RFID solutions for customers. These partners are leaders in their space and include: Cactus Commerce a provider of e-business software and services that form the foundation for Allstreams RFID Go! offering; Symbol Technologies and Intermec Technologies Corp. companies leading in the creation and adoption of RFID technology equipment; eXray Broadband wireless mesh networking devices that enable RFID infrastructure; ConnecTerra® a leading supplier of enterprise software for RFID and device computing; and Venture Research Inc. a leading hardware integrator that Allstreams RFID Comply offering is built on. Furthermore, Allstream is leveraging its managed services and professional services capabilities to deliver customized solutions that will enable customers to easily deploy RFID technology to protect the security of their assets.
With RFID Go!, Allstream is offering an innovative hosted RFID trial solution in the Canadian market allowing customers to quickly and cost effectively deploy this technology without a lot of upfront capital, said Ron McKenzie, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Allstream. The Canadian RFID market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years and we see this as an opportunity to become a market leader in this space through our unique solutions. By leveraging the expertise of our supplier network, customers avoid the complexity of sourcing their own suppliers for RFID solutions. We are their strategic partner to work hand- in-hand through all aspects of implementation.
Allstreams enhanced RFID solutions offer a range of benefits:
* More accurate and faster delivery of products to vendors, partners and end customers;
* Improve security of inventory through better tracking solutions;
* Capture detailed product information allowing for improved decisionmaking within the business;
* Enhance the quality of customer service levels by ensuring accurate inventory management;
* Reduce labour costs by automating manual processes related to inventory control; and
* Remain competitive by complying with new RFID requirements mandated by vendors.
Todays announcement follows Allstreams recent solution launch in May of this year and the delivery of a supply chain management solution using RFID to Hospital Logistics Inc. The solution included the development of a hosted application to allow for online real-time access of scanned RFID tag information. The project has been very successful to date and Allstream expects Hospital Logistics to further expand the solution.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is increasingly replacing barcodes as a way of tracking inventory. Using this technology, businesses can use RFID tags/transponders and readers to remotely store and retrieve information to track materials, in real time. An RFID tag has both a microchip and an antenna, and can be attached to (or incorporated into) a product and/or its packaging. The RFID tag on (or in) the product transmits identification and tracking information to an RFID reader device, allowing the company to have real-time, accurate control of its inventory, as well as up-to-the-minute supply chain management information.
Whether a customer is looking to test and explore the potential benefits of RFID or implement a complete solution due to corporate requirements, Allstream provides the expertise and technical knowledge to ensure a measurable return on investment, said McKenzie.
For more information, please contact Joseph Carbonetto- 1-416-345-2805 or 1-888-811-6301
