SATO Integrates Microsoft BizTalk RFID Platform to Provide Robust and Cost-Effective RFID-Enabled Supply-Chain Solutions
CHARLOTTE, NC - May 1, 2007 - SATO, a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry and a leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, today announced that it is working with Microsoft Corp. to integrate the capabilities of Microsoft BizTalk RFID with SATO's industry-leading RFID solution development experience.
Manufacturing and retail supply chain end users increasingly rely on RFID technology for end-to-end visibility. SATO RFID printers and devices, consumables and software can now use the power of BizTalk RFID to enable customers to identify products and materials in real-time, and track and trace them throughout their lifecycle and throughout the supply chain.
Supply chain systems today do not collect and keep track of information critical to managing products and materials flow and keeping operations efficient and profitable. There are obstacles that prevent end users from benefiting from a fully realized supply chain RFID-enabled solution such as a lack of standards, differing access protocols and limited integration with the third-party or legacy systems.
SATO-developed RFID Device Provider software works with BizTalk Server 2006 R2 to provide a uniform way to remotely connect, communicate and manage the SATO CL408e RFID printer on the Windows platform. The Device Service Provider makes use of the abstract classes in the Microsoft BizTalk RFID platform to easily find, configure and connect SATO printers.
"SATO has field-proven experience in complex, ground-breaking RFID deployments. METRO Group is the world's fourth largest retailer and the first retailer to use RFID technology in its supply chain since November 2004. More than 70% of its major suppliers are now able to deliver their product pallets tagged with SATO RFID solutions and thus meet the Group's compliance requirements," said Brian Lang, Senior Manager of SATO International and head of the Solutions Sales & Marketing team. He commented, "Microsoft has created scalable, flexible RFID solutions aligned with our business approach of seamless integration on any scale. We work with application developers and systems integrators to offer solutions that tightly and seamlessly integrate with various business information systems."
"BizTalk RFID has all the tools developers need to build successful plug-and-play vertical applications," said Steve Sloan, senior product manager in the Connected Systems Division at Microsoft. "SATO products are built on BizTalk RFID to optimize customers' business processes for end-to-end supply chain management."
To learn more about SATO RFID Device Service Provider software and how it fits in the Microsoft RFID Service Framework, please visit the following link:
http://www.satoworldwide.com/software/msRFID.html
About SATO
SATO is a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry and the inventor of the world's first electronic thermal transfer barcode printer. It revolutionized the barcoding industry by introducing the Data Collection System (DCS) & Labeling concept - a total barcode and labeling solution providing high quality barcode printers, scanners/hand-held terminals, label design software and consumables. SATO is one of the first in the industry to introduce a complete, multi-protocol EPC-compliant, UHF RFID solution.
SATO is publicly listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan. It has worldwide offices in the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and China. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, it reported revenues of US$587 million.
For more information, contact SATO America at satoamerica.com .
About SATO International
SATO's international global headquarters, SATO International Pte. Ltd is located in Singapore. Previously an international division, it was incorporated as a holding company in Singapore in 2001 to oversee the sales, marketing and customer services activities of all its Group Member Companies.
More information about SATO International can be found at www.satoworldwide.com
Contact:
Junko Ono,
Manager, Communications & Business Planning
SATO International PTE. LTD.
438A, Alexandra Road #05-01/04
Alexandra Technopark
Singapore 119967
Tel: (65) 6271-2122
Fax: (65) 6271-2151
Email: junko.ono@sato-int.com
