Integrated technology solutions provider Netlink officially unveils RFID arm at one-day seminar

Dubai, March 2005:Emphasising the benefits and cutting-edge competitiveness RFID solutions will bring to Middle East businesses, a one-day seminar held by the Dubai-based integrated technology solutions provider, Netlink, today said that radio frequency solutions will revolutionise supply chain management and bring in cost savings in operations enhancing the competitiveness among regional businesses.

Netlink also officially unveiled its RFID arm, Netlink RFID, at the seminar organized by the IT major as part of its efforts to educate and highlight the seamless efficiency radio frequency solutions will impart to business processes across a range of business sectors in the regional economy. Experts from Scanpak Inc., Printronix and Sun Microsystems, global providers of RFID solutions, made presentations at the seminar, outlining the value proposition RFID solutions will bring to regional businesses.

Commenting on the seminar, Mr. Puneet Singh, General Manager, Netlink RFID, said: "Our aim is to be a provider of versatile RFID solutions across those segments of the society and economy in the region. Awareness and adoption of RFID may be at early stages in the regional market, but we are confident that the potential is very high which is why we have decided to focus on RFID to generate growth."

Mr. Singh said Netlink intended to host such seminars across the region in its effort to generate interest in RFID and helps mature the regional market for radio frequency solutions. "RFID is a revolutionary technology and deploying these solutions in enterprises will lead to streamlining its business process end-to-end with total visibility," he added.

Presenting RFID as a technology which is flexible in its application, Mr. Willy Stieger, Senior Account Manager, Scanpak Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "RFID solutions allow integration of a range of business needs including new technology, standards and industry mandates in a seamless manner. It will allow better supply chain visibility, partner collaboration, inventory tracking and Just-in-Time deliveries, among others."

He said RFID solutions automate manual processes resulting in increased reliability of system on a 24/7 basis. "The major benefits of deploying RFID solutions include reducing errors in business processes and optimum management of assets. Globally, RFID solutions are now recognised to bring in tremendous cost savings by achieving a new velocity and visibility across an extended chain of suppliers, partners and customers," Mr. Stieger said.

Terming RFID solutions as smaller, cheaper and better, Mr. Waleed Hosny, Sun Microsystems said that RFID solutions have been found to contribute immensely in ensuring business continuity in a whole host of business segments. Sun has a pool of RFID resources in the Middle East including a $1.5 million iForce demo centre in Dubai.

Further highlighting the benefits of RFID, Mr. Hosny said: "The use of RFID solutions cut across many sectors. For instance, RFID solutions can be effectively used to track items from manufacture through distribution, purchase, use and disposal. These solutions also help manage quality sensitive parts as well as assets and will support just-in-time delivery."

Netlink has identified RFID solutions as a key focus area of its business and the segments like hospitality, transportation, logistics, retail industry and education are expected to generate demand for these solutions. Netlink RFID will cater to the RFID market in the Middle East and India, which will provide an array of enterprise solutions using standard Wi-Fi wireless networks as an infrastructure.