Integrated RFID solutions that specify return-on-investment as their central busisness objective are now available from Avery Dennison Retail Information Services. The solutions, which reflect the business concerns of apparel and footwear retailers and are designed to provide them with convenient, cost-effective programs for their labeling needs, range from a preliminary analytical review of a retailer’s RFID labeling needs to a complete business case analysis and project implementation program.
Putting RFID to the ROI Test - According to Phil Calderbank, Avery Dennison RIS’ director of marketing – RFID & Security, the integrated RFID solutions enable apparel and footwear retailers to deal with just one company for all their item level applications. In addition, the company can deliver services that allow retailers to fully determine the potential impact that item-level and other RFID programs can be expected to have on their bottom line.
“Retailers want to feel confident that they understand all the components which are necessary to implement a full RFID solution,” Calderbank reports. “RFID can be complex and involve front and back store application software, middleware integration to ERP, tags, labels, printers and readers. We don’t want our customers to feel unsure that they have covered all the issues. Now Avery Dennison is offering a ‘One Stop Shop’ and will provide solutions ranging from first-stage project overview through to high-end software integration."
"A case in point is a major apparel and footwear producer that is currently testing an Avery Dennison solution," Calderbank continues. "For this customer, we are conducting an exhaustive case analysis based on in-store item-level RFID testing. The tests will identify the procedures and processes that can best support this particular retailer's business model and provide an estimated ROI for the customer's RFID investment."
Calderbank adds that the Avery Dennison RIS RFID analysis is designed for executive board review. "It's imperative that persons at the board level understand what the business is trying to achieve with RFID," he says. "Ultimately, support for funding and decisions to evolve existing operational procedures through to RFID require support from the highest ranks. Successfully demonstrating ROI has been the missing link in the past and yet is most often the deciding influence."
New Capabilities Through Technology Innovation & Alliance
To address the specific needs of its customers, Avery Dennison RIS is launching a new set of antenna designs based on printed ink technology. Combined with advanced production techniques, the designs will enable Avery Dennison RIS to supply apparel and footwear retailers with RFID "edge on"readable tags at the most economical price.
"Our new designs allow us to produce tickets and tags on very thin label stock, making the RFID element less obtrusive,"Calderbank explains. "Plus, our manufacturing process incorporates some novel concepts that result in higher yields, thereby reducing waste."
"Our customers will benefit from both the cost savings and the higher quality of our RFID products."
As part of the alliance, Avery Dennison RIS will now deliver cost-efficient RFID pilot program options to apparel and footwear producers and retailers.
The combination Avery Dennison RIS and Vue product offering makes RFID pilot programs affordable for companies that may have previously found them cost-prohibitive.
