RFID-enabled inventory tracking system

"TCM-RFiD, a Singapore-based real-time tracking solutions and RFID consultancy has been awarded a contract by the SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT) for a warehouse inventory system using RFID technology.

The RFID-based system will be used to keep track of items such as engine spares and components used in the maintenance of buses, taxis and trains operated by SMRT, Singapore's premier multi-modal public transport operator.

"The system is designed to improve productivity and enhance shelf-life tracking in inventory management, which will lead to higher service standards in public transportation in Singapore," said Michael Oh, the managing director and founder of TCM RFiD.

"It provides a self check-out system on a 24/7 basis that enables SMRT technicians to correctly identify and retrieve spares thus enabling faster turnaround times for repairs and maintenance," he added.

The project is one of two by TCM RFiD that will benefit from co-funding from the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR), under the RFID Innovation Platform initiative.

A*STAR has earmarked a sum of $4.5 million to co-fund 30 RFID pilot projects developed between 2008 and 2012 in both the public and private sectors.

According to Dr Lee Eng Wah, Director, National RFID Centre (Singapore), the pace of innovation in RFID is picking up with Singapore well placed to increase the adoption of RFID in many of its industry verticals.

He added that the RFID Innovation Platform has committed to date, S$1.25 million to fund 11 innovative RFID adoption projects, which has a total value of $3.7 million. "These projects are expected to save the adopters million of dollars through operation cost savings, productivity gains, and business growth," said Dr Lee.

Another project by TCM RFiD that is receiving a financial grant from A*STAR is a RFID-enabled weighing scale that can be used to reduce processing errors, improve efficiency and reduce raw material wastage for a label and barcode printing and solutions provider, Honsen Printing Industries for its inventory management.

TCM RFiD is also the lead solutions provider for a $4 million automated medication system currently deployed by the National Healthcare Group (NHG) for its hospitals in Singapore.

The system - Intelligent Medicine Dispensing System (i-MDS) - is the first of its kind in Asia and runs on customized software developed by TCM RFiD. It is designed for patient safety to prevent inadvertent errors in the dispensation of drugs.

"The system is set up to ensure that all the right procedures are being followed when it comes to the administering of drugs to patients: The right drug, right dosage to the right patient at the right time and by the right method - whether orally, intravenously or by injections," said Mr Oh.

TCM RFiD was one of the winners in the start-up category at the Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2007 held in Singapore on the strength of its innovative efforts for the development of the i-MDS.

It has also developed an inventory management system currently deployed by a local wine retailer to improve sales and increase staff productivity at its outlet, which was on display at the RFID World Asia 2009 exhibition in Singapore between 22-24 April."

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