Hunter Paine Enterprises (HPE) announces the launch of its latest product, the SmartStick. Designed to provide quick, inexpensive, reliable and permanent integrated RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tracking for pallets, the SmartStick is embedded with one or more RFID tags and mounts directly to the stringer boards or blocks of a pallet. Located in the deck plane between existing deck boards, the SmartStick is protected from forklift tine impact and direct contact by product loads. Because the SmartStick is thinner than other structural deck boards, the RFID tag floats below the pallet load providing improved read rates over the conventional slap and stick mounted tags.
Hunter Paine management is currently working with RFID tag manufacturers, infrastructure and middle ware service providers to incorporate the SmartStick into programs currently being implemented by retailers, manufacturers and the pallet industry. With an integrated RFID solution for product tracking, users realize lower supply chain costs and higher overall profits. The SmartStick attaches to any pallet using conventional nails and is easily integrated into pallet manufacturing and repair operations. The SmartStick comes in various widths and lengths, accommodating virtually any customer specified RFID tag or pallet structure. The enclosed structure deters intentional tampering of RFID tags, protects the tags from the elements and protects against accidental tag loss or damage. Adding the SmartStick enhances the integrity of RFID systems being implemented.
Created primarily to meet the needs of the pallet industry, we expect the SmartStick to greatly enhance the adoption and implementation of RFID based inventory management systems in both retail and manufacturing environments, says HPE Chief Operating Officer, Colin Proudfoot, We are very pleased with and encouraged by the enthusiastic response and support from pallet users and RFID technology suppliers. The company expects the SmartStick to be in use in various market applications by the second quarter of 2006.
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