What is Radio Frequency Technology?

Radio Frequency technology allows for wireless communication between a software application’s end users and the host system. Utilizing radio waves, the end user may interact with the host system from anywhere in the building from which the radio signal can be received. This gives the end user mobility to walk around the facility while maintaining communication with their software application. Typically speaking, there are "Access Points" attached to the main system’s network. These Access Points contain a radio receiver and transmitter which collects information from the handheld terminal (which also has a receiver and transmitter), and allows communication back and forth from the host system and the end user.

The handheld terminal is essentially a dumb terminal that allows presentation of character screens. In theory, an end user could access SX.e character screens, enter an order in OE, check Unix email if it was available. The limitation is screen size. While most traditional dumb terminals have a screen size of 32 rows by 82 columns, handheld terminals have a much smaller screen to facilitate mobility.  There are different types of radio signals that are available with radio frequency technology. The most common is 2.4Mhz Narrow Band and 902 Spread Spectrum. For applications that need a lot of bandwidth,  2.4Mhz is preferable as it broadcasts more information in a shorter period than its Spread Spectrum predecessor. While you get a larger bandwidth with the 2.4 technology, you also decrease the coverage area which the signal can be transmitted and received. A general guideline for 2.4Mhz coverage area is 30,000 square feet. Facilities needing larger coverage areas would need to add Access Points accordingly to give proper coverage.

The 902 Spread Spectrum technology’s advantage over 2.4Mhz is that it allows for a larger coverage area.  Typically speaking, you can expect coverage of 75,000 square feet with Spread Spectrum technology. While the 2.4Mhz provides a larger bandwidth for information to be sent back and forth to the host and handheld unit than the 902 Spread Spectrum technology, it is pretty much wasted on Infor Global Solutions’s applications. This is because the information being sent back and forth between TWL and IBC to the handhelds is relatively small.  The good news is that Infor Global Solutions’s software will work with either technology allowing the end user the ability to select the technology that most closely matches their requirements.

What Does Infor Global Solutions Recommend As Far as RF Vendors?

When Infor Global Solutions developed software compatible with Radio Frequency and Barcode capture technology, we had to make a decision which RF provider we would build our software around. We chose Teklogix, Inc. There are many RF technology providers in the market place from which to choose. Symbol, Telxon,  Intermec are just a few vendors which have great name recognition with whom we could have partnered.  We chose to partner with Teklogix, Inc. over all other radio frequency technology providers. There are many reasons for this decision, but most importantly, we chose Teklogix because of screen size of their units, industry focus and superior support of their product.

It is true that other RF technologies will work with Infor Global Solutions’s Total Warehouse Logistics and Integrated Barcode modules. If the technology supports VT220 terminal emulation, then it should be able to connect to the Unix box where the Infor Global Solutions software is located, and display these screens to the end user. One of the main concerns with the display of the Infor Global Solutions software screens is the display size. SX.e’s product id and product description fields are 24 characters long. As such, our RF screens have been written to fit on 16 (rows) by 24 (character) displays. The mass majority of RF providers’ displays are 16x20 or 16x21 display screens. The Teklogix displays are 16 rows by 26 characters, not only giving ample room to display the entire screen, but also allowing the end user to enlarge the font making it easier to see information presented on the screen.

Another concern with the Radio Frequency hardware is durability. While Symbol, Telxon and the majority of other RF hardware providers have targeted retail applications, Teklogix markets to manufacturing and distribution companies. A side by side comparison of a Teklogix unit with a Symbol or Telxon unit shows that the Teklogix unit is a more rugged handheld terminal. Rated for multiple six-foot drops to concrete,  sealed to be waterproof, and available with an extreme weather condition option, the Teklogix unit will stand up to more abuse than its competitors. This increases the life of the unit and reduces downtime lowering your cost of ownership.  Rounding out a superior product, is a superior company and support. Teklogix’ annual sales is well over $200 Million annually and they sell there product world-wide. Their dedication to their end users starts with installation and continues through very capable and experienced technical support. In all actuality, we have very few issues with the Teklogix hardware installed at our customers’ sites. On the rare occasions when we do, we can always count on Teklogix to assist us to get the problem resolved quickly and efficiently, saving time and effort on the end users’ part.

If you would like to get more information on Radio Frequency technology or the Infor Global Solutions applications that have been written to be displayed on RF equipment, please contact:

Aaron Horn
Sr. Product Specialist ­ Warehouse Products
Infor Global Solutions
(719) 264-4747
ahorn@nxtrend.com

or visit Teklogix’ web site at:  www.teklogix.com

Information on Infor Global Solutions’s Total Warehouse Logistics and Integrated Barcode modules can be accessed at:  www.nxtrend.com