Metro Group and Checkpoint Systems expand RFID program

Checkpoint Systems, Inc., a supplier of technology solutions for retail security, has decided to be a part of the expansion of Metro Group's ‘Tag It Easy’ pilot program. The second phase of the pilot will enable an additional 70 consumer goods suppliers in China and Vietnam to apply RFID labels on shipments to Metro Group's facilities in Germany.

Tag It Easy is part of Metro Group's Advanced Logistics Asia (ALA) initiative to jointly enhance logistics processes with its Asian suppliers using RFID to track merchandise throughout the supply chain.

‘Our Tag It Easy RFID solution is a breakthrough, showing how integrated RFID solutions benefit both suppliers and retailer,’ said Dr Gerd Wolfram, MD of MGI Metro Group information technology.

The RFID labels provided by Checkpoint store the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC), which is read at several points along the supply chain between Hong Kong and Unna, Germany. Metro Group receives an electronic advance shipping notice detailing the contents of each shipment, and the suppliers receive automatic proof-of-delivery notifications. Suppliers order the RFID labels through the company’s global supplier portal Metro Link.

Metro Group has standardized on UHF EPC Gen 2 tags for this project, and so far has reported read rates meeting Metro Group’s expectation in the early stages of the pilot. The first phase of the project, which was launched in May, included 30 Chinese suppliers. Phase 2 was launched in early November, with the first tagged shipments expected in December. Metro Group will conduct a three-month evaluation to explore other opportunities for improvement.

‘Metro Group continues to be a leader in the adoption of RFID technology in the supply chain,’ said George Off, CEO and chairman of the board of Checkpoint Systems. ‘We look forward to partnering with Metro Group as their RFID initiatives continue to evolve to other areas of their supply chain.’