T-Systems South Africa is adding radio frequency identification (RFID) technology-related services to its extensive portfolio of innovative business process solutions.
The use of business processes enabled with RFID technology requires a combination of IT and telecommunications know-how and the ability to successfully combine both aspects into a successful business process that not only ensures quality production but, more importantly, saves time and money.
"Businesses want to rely on end-to-end service providers, and making a strict distinction between RFID components, IT and telecommunications, between fixed and mobile technologies, or even technology and business drivers is no longer an option. We are finding that customers do not want to deal with the different technology component suppliers, but require a partner that understands the business realities that they face and then not only develops the best process and integrated technology, but manages it too," explains Jean Roux, business manager for T-Systems SA's Systems Integration division.
With electronic part registration, manufacturers are always aware of what they have in stock and what they need, which allows them to optimally control the entire production process from end-to-end. The automotive industry in particular is a focus area for T-Systems, not only internationally, but also locally.
T-Systems' international expert on RFID technology Mike Becker says because the RFID technology can track the position of any one product in the delivery chain at any one time, issues such as theft of stock can be prevented. "RFID, as part of an integrated business process approach, is becoming increasingly relevant and crucial to the European market and we believe that South Africa can benefit from the lessons we have learnt. We also believe the South African automotive and logistics industry stand to benefit most from this technology."
Roux agrees that South Africa has a large automotive industry and T-Systems sees this as an area where RFID technology can make a particularly positive impact on how effective large automotive companies, and the automotive parts suppliers, control and manage the production cycles.
"This technology gives companies more control of their product life-cycle, and the more control they have, the easier it is to manage, and being able to manage it better makes it simpler to control their costs, so it provides for an ongoing cycle of improvement within the business."
The automotive industry is not the only one in South Africa where T-Systems hopes to introduce RFID, with other areas to be targeted including the public sector transport market, for the tracking of trucks, trains and cargoes, as well as the healthcare sector.
"The public sector transport market is governed by big players, and these entities want to work with an organisation like T-Systems, which covers the entire value chain, because for them it is about more than any single technology. Our solutions like Intelligent Tracking Management and Collaborative Container Management are end-to-end solutions ideally suited for this market.
"RFID can also play a role to increase the efficiency of government in providing healthcare to disadvantaged people. Through this smart technology personal details of a patient as well as previous and current medical treatment can now be stored and accessed through RFID methods, which will lead to more efficient and effective treatment of the patient.
"This data can also be used on a national or provincial scale to detect health trends in a given region, so outbreaks of diseases can be pro-actively managed."
There are innumerable applications for RFID technology, from streamlining processes to batch management, to control of luggage and passenger movements at airports to security, but the core value that T-Systems brings to the table is the fact that it offers customers a single player to talk to across all the various technology offerings, of which RFID is just one.
"T-Systems' offering goes beyond the technology and focuses on the bigger picture - which is the business process surrounding this technology and the true benefits it brings to the market and the customer," concludes Roux.
For more information contact Ronèll Stutzer, T-Systems, +27 (0)11 254 7563, ronell.stutzer@t-systems.co.za
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