Case Studies

Dassnagar Infosystem's technical expertise is pronounced by the type of projects that have been executed :

RFID asset tracking systems :

Air line cargo container tracking
Freight container tracking
Library Management System
Air Line Food trolleys

  Air line Cargo Container tracking

The Challenge

An airline at JFK needs 14 cargo containers shipped to LAX tonight, yet only has 11 containers at JFK, then the inability to manage container inventory costs the airline a loss in shipping revenue. There is another challenge. When a forwarder receives a container, and does not return it to the originating airline, the airline must purchase new containers to maintain a workable inventory. In fact, most airlines maintain a higher than necessary inventory to mitigate just these two problems alone.

The inability to have cargo containers at the location needed for shipping is costing shippers millions of dollars each year. This impact is immediate because of the loss of shipping revenue. The long-term impact is damaged customer relationships. In addition, the complete lack of charges for demurrage (the fee a container owner charges for a container being held by the recipient longer than a preset time), cost carriers additional millions of dollars each year. The current processes used to track containers employ inefficient, paper-based, manual methods that rely on outdated software programs using outdated computer systems. These old mainframes do not communicate the data effectively or efficiently to the internal video terminals or to the new outside PC terminals. The processes are slow and prone to error. These outdated systems simply do not meet today’s rapidly changing business needs.

The Solution

Dassnagar uses :

  Freight Container Tracking system

The Challenge

The purpose of the proposed Container tracking system is to identify the current location of 20’ and 40’ freight container at any point in time and to allow correct billing to user of freight container. The current manual system does not allow the identification of current locations. The system uses manual data entry through forms filled in by people at different locations. The forms are returned for central data entry into the computer system, mainly for billing purpose.

Problem areas with this method have been identified as :

The result of the above possible mistakes leads to :

Quantities

Currently there are approximately 50,000 containers in circulation. Approximately 3,000 containers are lost or become in-operable every year and 2,000 containers are added to the total on an annual basis 5,000 containers are purchased every year.

Entry and exit point to identify Container's are:

The Solution

To rectify the identified problems, an automated identification and tracking system is considered.

Plausible technological solutions may be :

Barcode: Using barcode technology to identify the container and its location has been eliminated as an option due to the possibility of barcode being duplicated, blurred or destroyed through the lifetime of the container, though it would be the least expensive option.

RFID Technology : RFID technology has been identified as the preferred solution. Containers that are tagged can be identified at any point in time with elimination of the above problems.

GPS: Container can be identified at any point in time after being loaded onto trucks if required. At this point in time it has not been considered as high priority. However, having active tags in place on each container allows the identification of a container wherever it is lying may be in a ware house or a junkyard or on a railway wagon, ship.

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems, based on GPS/GSM technology, can be used to transmit the container location real-time back to any location if real-time tracking is a criteria.

Conclusion

Due to the nature of this application (containers are maintained within a closed loop i.e only used within the same company) an RFID passive tag system is recommended. The recommended system does not allow real-time locating of container, as this has not been a requirement. The system is based on the last know position of a container, making the assumption that this is the current location. The only limitation is the "capture field" which is upto 3 cm. The reason being that the passive tags operate in lower frequency bands and the power supplied by the hand held readers to activate the powerless tags is limited. Using Stationary readers and passive tag systems may increase the capture field upto 1.5 meter.

Putting a system in place where the actual position of each container can be identified at any point in time would make it necessary to use an active tag system in combination with fixed reader stations at each possible location. The cost for such a system is un-proportional to the requirements currently identified.

  Library Management System

Dassnagar offers a dedicated Asset Management system designed for Library Management (automation of the book handling process including checkout, inventory maintenance, and check-in activities). When combined with automatic or Computer Assisted sorting equipment, RFID facilitates and speeds up book sorting. Automating this process allows librarians to spend more time with customers increasing customer satisfaction.

The system provides an intelligent way for libraries to maximize their investment in RFID with optimized memory and built-in EAS features. As an RFID systems provider, Dassnagar has invested significantly in developing and certifying an international standard and state of the art RFID systems offering, and has built strong partnerships with library automation equipment providers to offer complete integrated solutions for libraries management.

Benefits

Conclusion

RFID systems in Libraries can eliminate significant manual labor, generating typical ROI under 1 yr.

  Airline Food Trolley tracking system

The Challenge

Maintain complete and easy control of expensive catering trolley inventory. Increase usage per trolley, reduce trolley purchases, and monitor maintenance by trolley manufacturer. Of most importance is the ability to automatically manage location awareness. Make sure that the right trolleys are at the correct catering facilities to meet daily flight schedules and airline requirements.

The Solution

Dassnagar uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and readers combined with logistics software. Trolley tracking is done with an inexpensive real-time location system. All trolley information is online and available to all qualified companies and individuals. In addition, an intelligence package supervises location requirements to eliminate trolley shortages and last minute emergency movement of trolleys to fulfill flight requirements.

The heart of the solution is a web-based, multiple airline, tracking system operated by DIS. This system allows owners and users of food trolleys to see the location of their trolleys via their own browser.

A small multiple read rugged RFID tag is attached to the bottom of each food trolley for identification. Rugged tags are not damaged by steam or chemical cleaning processes.

A floor reader is placed at the front and rear doors of the caterer delivery trucks, and the receiving and delivery doors of each participating catering service warehouse. Readers are placed in the cleaning, trolley preparation, storage-hold, and shipping areas. Each reader is wirelessly linked to the central online tracking system operated by DIS.

The tracking software records each identification tag to the trolley with its description, owner information, and usage history information. Then, every tag read from each location is recorded. The accumulated information will display the last recorded location of the food trolley.

All information is available via a secure connection to the hosted database. Access rights will allow trolley owners to see only their own asset information.

The information that is needed in tracking food trolleys:

Depending on the size of the catering facility, additional wireless products will be needed. In all cases, Dassnagar installs and implements the tagging and tracking applications. All communications are placed into the DIS system. The fees for these applications vary based on the size of installation. Tags and readers used by DIS are currently in use in airport facilities and need no special testing or permits.

Identification and tracking will quickly produce:

For a custom software development quote, email us at dis@dassnagar.com or call us at +91 9831262564.

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