METRO Group establishes RFID test environment that simulates real-world conditions

The METRO Group RFID Innovation Centre, which opened its doors on 7 July 2004, is featuring two of SATO's new products. SATO is the world's leading manufacturer of label and bar code printers, and a specialist in data collection systems (DCS). A total of thirty enterprises will exhibit innovative RFID and supply chain solutions to METRO Group members and suppliers at the 1,300m² test centre. Within the scope of the METRO Group Future Store Initiative, these suppliers will begin using RFID labelling on pallets and packaging within the next few months. The Innovation Centre will present the SATO CL408e RFID desktop printer and the M-84Se RFID print module, integrated into a RFID label application system.

 The METRO Group RFID Innovation Centre will encourage knowledge transfer among manufacturers of RFID technology. Similarly, it aims to extend RFID use in practice, and to promote standardisation. In this context, SATO will concentrate on the automation of RFID labelling for pallets and packaging. With the objective of guaranteeing reliable high-volume data capture, SATO and its technology partners will also test and develop antenna designs at the METRO Group RFID Innovation Centre.