Jan/Feb 2006

The product track and trace system offered by Microlise's innovative RFID Trailer Portal, unveiled by the company last year, has been integrated into a broader IBM-developed concept called "Intelligent Transport Strategy", and also includes contributions by Intermec.

Microlise is ambitiously positioning the enhanced package as a comprehensive supply-chain workflow management solution, offering automated routing, delivery and fleet scheduling. It says this can maximise driver and vehicle utilisation and minimise costs.

There are various elements to the overall system, including telematics-based vehicle tracking, which is handled by Microlise's Fleet & Distribution product. This offers real-time visibility of goods, vehicles and drivers, using GPS positioning technology.

The company's clever Trailer Portal "RFID-enables" the loading door area of the delivery vehicle or trailer, making it possible to monitor goods entering or leaving the vehicle automatically, assuming they carry RFID tags. For this element, Microlise is using UHF-frequency RFID readers and tags from Intermec.

IBM steps in to take care of the data transfer, storage and processing - functions that are being handled by its WebSphere Business Integration (WBI) message broker. This uses IBM MQtt, a lightweight TCP/IP-based publish/subscribe protocol, to download route and manifest data, and deliver transaction data in real time to all relevant parties, using Wi-Fi or GPRS telecommunications.

According to Doug Clark, IBM's UK leader for sensors and actuators: "Microlise will ensure we can deliver and easily integrate this strategy within the business systems of our clients."

Bob Harbey, business development director of Microlise, says the company believes the combined system "provides a compelling business case that is truly scaleable from the smallest fleet to the largest enterprise."