PEAK's RFID Test and Integration Lab allows customers to understand the best ways to utilize the technology through a detailed lab process that includes testing packaging composition in terms of RFID signal propagation; tag placement and orientation; read range validation and antenna selection; portal and product-conveyor performance; and a host of other best-fit solutions. The PEAK RFID Lab will test hardware from fixed and mobile reader manufacturers Symbol/Matrics, LXE, PSC, Intermec and SAMSys; printer/encoders from Zebra and Printronix; printer applicators from CTM Integration; Teklynx Codesoft and Seagull BarTender RFID label design software.

The RFID Test and Integration Lab also includes a 750-feet-per-minute conveyor system featuring both live and belt rollers to simulate the diverse range of conveyor systems used throughout factory, distribution center and warehouse environments. In support of case and pallet level tracking, PEAK has installed multiple RFID portal readers at one of its warehouse dock doors to allow for further reader and tag testing in a live environment.

"The PEAK RFID Test Lab allows our customers to minimize risk by receiving an objective assessment on the best combination of RFID readers, printers and tags to ensure real-world success with their specific products," said Adrian Thomas, President and CEO, PEAK Technologies, Inc. "RFID is dramatically changing supply chain automation and our new lab will further assist customers in evaluating the technology to help them determine the long-term strategic benefits of deploying RFID."

Consumer goods companies who are faced with RFID compliance requirements from industry retailers will also be able to preview the PEAK Compliance solution suite as part of the RFID Lab offering. PEAK Compliance is a turnkey solution that supports the Electronic Product Code (EPC) commissioning process; the encoding, printing & validating of tags; the printing of barcode labels as well as maintaining a hierarchical relationship between case and pallet utilizing mobile and fixed RFID readers.

For customers running SAP in their manufacturing, warehousing or distribution center operations, the PEAK RFID Lab will also be equipped with a complete SAP NetWeaver-compatible RFID solution consisting of SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure software utilizing the PEAK Automation Controller. The PEAK Automation Controller is a SAP NetWeaver-compatible RFID device controller and application software package written in ABAP, the native language of SAP. This setup will allow customers to test the seamless deployment of RFID encoders, printers, applicators, readers, and input/output (I/O) controllers in a native SAP software environment.

For Oracle 11i eBusiness Suite users, plans are under way for PEAK's RFID Lab to fully support and demonstrate RFID leveraging the advanced functionality within Oracle AS10g and the Oracle Warehouse Management System (WMS) 11i application module.