Travis Asset Management provides a tracking facility making use of RFID technology to provide effective asset tracking and inspection – goodbye clipboards, hello tags and readers – take a look at the full story .. more ..
Travis – an RFID system in action in SA
February 8th, 2011Implementing an RFID solution
January 18th, 2011Radio frequency identification (RFID) is emerging as a viable tool in many different areas. But its not just about banging a tag on a box and reading it with one or another device. The RFID technology has to fit into the business system with which it is associated. Because it often takes the place of a manual system, where human brains identify objects and apply common sense to decision making (well, sometimes), the RFID application has to be developed using the disciplines associated with any software development environment. RFID will prove to be the trigger for business system change. Do you have a need for RFID? Contact us at frank@fcbs.co.za
RFID in hospitals
January 11th, 2011An increasing number of hospitals around the world are using radio frequency identification to keep track of their often incredibly expensive equipment.
It might sound odd that hospitals would be targets for thieves but there is always a market for stolen goods, from beds to x-ray equipment and everything in between.
Hospitals in South Africa are most definitely at risk. With the cost of healthcare always on the increase some asset care might be a good idea. RFID tags on every piece of mobile equipment to enable tracking of its movements would provide a cost effective solution to an expensive problem. .. more ..
Datarapt for Syspro 6.1
November 8th, 2010Datarapt for Syspro 6.1 has been released. Syspro 6.1 provides the option of immediate updating of the General Ledger when a batch of transactions is entered in one of the sub-ledgers, as well as the traditional step-by-step batch update.
When the immediate update option is chosen (by the really brave bean-counters) Datarapt doesn’t have to worry about sub-ledgers being out of balance with the GL because the step-by-step procedure hasn’t been followed.
But the other problems that sometimes cause tears before bedtime such as data dropped due to network nasties, operators choosing incorrect control accounts and even program bugs, will still exist after you upgrade to Syspro 6.1.
Datarapt will continue to provide a brilliant and time-saving analysis tool for customers as they upgrade to Syspro 6.1 and 7.0, which is said to be upon us in 2011.
RFID on the shop floor
October 8th, 2010Its one o’clock in the morning and an operator changes a tool on a machine and sets it incorrectly, and a batch of product is delivered out of spec.
The losses incurred include wasted material, possible damage to the tool, disruption of the production schedule, cost of transport to the customer of a new batch, an unhappy customer and time consumed on the post mortem in plant.
So who did it? It’s not always possible to tell, nor to know when the incorrect change actually took place.
What about an RFID solution? In most factories these days, employees have access cards. Connect an RFID reader to each machine so that the operator has to present his access card to the close proximity reader. A software application behind the scene checks his identity, ensures he has access to the machine and logs his entry and exit time.
The question of who, when and where is resolved. You could save a lot of time, trouble and money. .. more ..
Controlling access to your multi-function printers
October 6th, 2010PaperCut is a software package for controlling printer costs. It intercepts print queues and allocates costs to departments, users or clients, depending upon your requirement. It can be used across a network containing a variety of multi-function printers.
PaperCust includes access control using the latest RFID readers – .. more ..
For more information on PaperCut please contact us – .. more ..
or visit the South African distributors – .. more ..
Syspro Process Modelling
October 6th, 2010All new Syspro implementations will in future include the Syspro Process Modelling (SPM) module. SPM replaces those long and argumentative JAD sessions with a modelling tool that aligns your business processes with the generic processes provided in the Syspro ERP system. Nothing gets left out because SPM asks all the questions. And you can add in your own unique processes where necessary.
Existing Syspro customers would be well advised to investigate SPM as most could do with a review of current business processes to ensure that they are taking full advantage of Syspro’s many new features Read the rest of this entry »
Access control via RFID
September 21st, 2010Access control is a growing industry.
Organizations require controlled access to buildings, multi-function printers, shop-floor terminals, industrial machinery, elevators, coffee machines and many other types of equipment.
Current access methods include the use of PIN codes, magstripe readers, fingerprint sensors, iris identification and smartcards.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provides a simple and cost effective alternative. Standard access cards can be used to provide controlled access to any piece of equipment where cost, confidentiality, security or process requirements are a factor.
Secure ID supplies RFID readers, cards and associated equipment … .. more ..
Software as a Service (SaaS)
July 1st, 2010Software as a Service (SaaS)
What is SaaS?
SaaS is software on tap – instead of buying your software and the hardware to run it, you plug into a web-based system and do your thing. Software, hardware, training and implementation are covered by the monthly rental.
This is not the same as a “hosted” system – where a service provider runs your software on his server (or maybe your own) on his premises, and your people access the system from the own PCs, for a monthly management fee. Here you still have the capital expenditure up front, but you generally don’t have to employ IT people to handle infrastructural maintenance because that is part of the service.
For companies which require a specific software solution – for example, a payroll system, a SaaS solution could be a good fit.
For small to medium organizations, first prize would be a total business solution delivered as a web-based service.
With bandwidth costs set to drop as time goes by, SaaS becomes a viable alternative to the traditional (and often painful) ownership of your own system.
But don’t hold your breath looking for a complete Saas offering in South Africa – there don’t seem to be many around just yet, however we continue to investigate.
Call us for more information.
NMMU offers ERP course
June 4th, 2010NMMU is one of the few, if not the only, university in South Africa offering ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) as part of its B.Com Information and Business Management degree. Apparently, the ERP system used to demonstrate how ERP works is the well-known Syspro product, which provides a wealth of experience built into its accounting, distribution and manufacturing modules. This is great news for industry in general as graduates will in future be armed with practical knowledge of one of the really cost-effective products on the market. And students will be happy in the knowledge that Syspro sites are dotted about the globe, in at least 60 countries. Read more on Syspro .. here ..