AquiTec International, Chicago, Ill., a provider of supply-chain execution software, said it will offer a formal RFID-compliance guarantee to its licensed customers.

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, a wireless technology that fills the same logistics functions -- and in many cases is replacing -- bar codes.
According to its announcement, AquiTec promises to update its technology products to comply with emerging RFID-standards, which are important to the retail industry due to recent push for top suppliers and manufacturers to place "EPC-compliant" RFID smart labels on cases and pallets by Jan. 1, 2005. EPC stands for Electronic Product Code.
Major manufacturers and retailers moving to RFID include Gillette, Home Depot, The Gap, Proctor & Gamble, Target and -- perhaps most notably -- Wal-Mart. The retail giant has notified its top 100 suppliers to fully support RFID for inventory tracking by 2005.
“RFID compliance is taking precedence over other industry issues and we would like to make sure that we provide our customers with the necessary means to make this adoption as seamless and effortless as possible,” says Rik Schrader, VP of Strategy and Services for AquiTec.
AquiTec is working closely with EPC global and other RFID-solution providers to ensure that its warehouse, labor, procurement and order management solutions conform to emerging RFID industry standards.
“By including any RFID standard in our compliance guarantee, our objective is to help speed the adoption of RFID in the grocery and retail distributor’s supply chain so that all players can benefit from this industry initiative,” said Schrader.
AquiTec provides supply-chain execution software for traditional and e-commerce distribution channels. AquiTec solutions allow companies to use the Internet and conventional communication methods to manage the flow of inventory from procurement through to invoicing the customer.
For more information visit www.aquitecintl.com.