A quick note: Cisco-Eagle is a sponsor of the University of Arkansas RFID Research center. We’ve been involved with the center since its 2005 inception. I’ve visited the center a number of times, and have seen the innovative work that’s being done.

The center continues to excel with this study on the effect of RFID technology on inventory accuracy.

The study confirms that RFID can have a significant positive effect on retail inventory accuracy. For players like Wal-Mart, this means millions of dollars in savings. A preliminary analysis demonstrated that an automated, RFID-enabled inventory system improved accuracy by about 13% in test stores compared to control stores.

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We’re preparing to release the latest Cisco-Eagle publication: “10 Ways to use Material Handling to Increase Security.” It’s common sense that the way you store, handle, segment, and track inventory has a great deal to do with security. Material handling is important because it’s a persistent, passive enhancement to regular security procedures and equipment. Material handling certainly doesn’t replace guards, careful hiring, a culture of honesty, and camera systems, but it can make all of them better.

1. Store the most valuable, highest risk inventory & tools in secure areas
2. Secure palletized loads, even when stored in racks
3. Tightly control dock door access
4. Secure valuable inventory as early as possible after receiving it, and prior to shipment
5. Enhance security with automated material handling systems
6. Lay out your plant with security considerations in mind
7. Utilize cycle counts, irregular monitoring to detect & deter pilferage
8. Separate staging areas from loading & shipping docks
9. Secure inventory “where it sits” during receiving
10. Erect a barrier between shipping and receiving doors

Sadly, most industrial operations suffer more from employee-based pilferage, since they don’t face shoplifters or other intruders. There is a fully developed industrial security area relating to material handling on our website, with articles, products, specifications, links and more information. Check it out. If you want to receive a copy of the upcoming paper, sign up for Material Handling Tips & Info, our award-winning newsletter. All subscribers will receive a link to the digital version when it publishes.

A recent development in conveyor technology is dynamic zone allocation. Zero and minimum pressure accumulation systems have been around for years, but suffered from variable loads. If you have zones of, say, 24″ and some cartons that are 15″, the smaller cartons have to take up space as if they were the longest load on the system. An animation depicting DZA can be found here.

This results in what amounts to wasted space on the line and slower throughput since the conveyor can handle fewer items simultaneously.

Dynamic zone allocation automatically adjusts the conveyor’s zone length to accommodate the length of the carton being conveyed. Longer cartons are easily and efficiently conveyed in singulation mode, giving you better control of conveyed boxes. Carton throughput is increased, as well as accumulation density and system flexibility. This naturally makes your conveyor system more flexible and more efficient. You can size your zones for the smallest carton in the system and still deal with the largest one. What’s more, longer cartons can be introduced after installation and don’t obsolete your conveyor investment.

Dynamic zone allocation is part of Hytrol’s EZLogic Gen 3. If you need the kind of product density and conveying flexibility it offers, it’s a worthwhile option.

The Distribution Group is offering a free report on the year ahead in warehousing to anyone who completes a brief survey.

Survey participants get a complimentary copy of the “looking ahead” issue of their print newsletter, “Distribution Center Management,” which will discuss the survey findings and offer expert insight and advice on the trends and challenges you will be facing in 2008.

Check the survey out here.