BusinessObjects XI: Redefining How Information Empowers Users

White Paper Description
Can you deliver integrated and reliable information in a format that all users can understand? Are you able manage that from a single console that allows you to support your performance management, reporting, and query and analysis requirements? By extending the reach of knowledge within the organization, you can efficiently and effectively manage your operations through better visibility and transparency.

Related Topics: Data Management and Analysis, Business Intelligence (BI)

Related Industry: Information

Related Keywords: Business Objects, BusinessObjects XI, business intelligence, BI, performance management, query and analysis, multidimensional data, data sources, dashboards, key performance indicators

SEEBURGER B2B Gateway - Platform Support for RFID

SEEBURGER's B2B Gateway is the most comprehensive and cost-effective business integration platform in the industry. Designed to cut administrative costs and accelerate business processes by automating trading relationships throughout the supply chain, it is the only middleware solution capable of integrating 100% of an organization's applications and trading partners --- including smaller customers and suppliers that still do business on paper. Over 6,500 customers in 35 countries utilize SEEBURGER's business integration solutions.
Unique B2B Gateway Features and Capabilities


* 100% trading partner integration, with special solutions that automate document exchange via email, Web portal and even paper in order to extend connectivity to smaller trading partners that are not electronically enabled.
* Automated processing of paper transactions, including faxed documents, through a combination of OCR, artificial intelligence and data validation/exception handling that dramatically reduce manual data entry.
* One-platform architecture, with all components and adapters developed in-house by SEEBURGER to ensure compatibility, provide a common work environment, and simplify maintenance across the extended supply chain.
* Rapid deployment, typically two to three times faster than other solutions, via thousands of reusable industry-specific processes and templates, an extensive library of adapters, and a rapid implementation process.
* Reduced integration costs, achieved through a broad range of processes and components preconfigured for different industries and B2B/EDI standards, resulting in a faster return on investment.
* Modular implementation options, including the ability to deploy point solutions for Paper2ERP conversions or RFID data management, or implement a new protocol, without a full-blown application integration project.
* Extensive installed base and ERP vendor relationships, including the distinction of being the only B2B/EDI provider resold by SAP, Peoplesoft, and SSA Global.


Key B2B Gateway Components

* Configuration console providing one view to establish and administer integration scenarios and trading partner relationships
* Adapters and connectors for seamless integration of applications, databases, marketplaces and/or portals.
* Conversion engine, a drag-and-drop tool for mapping any-to-any message conversions and creating rules for message standards and relationships.
* Communication gateways for establishing connections to external business partners, providing transport and transmitting required acknowledgements.
* Business process & workflow designer for defining, modifying and running rules-based business integration processes.
* Monitoring tools that track business integration processes, flag problems requiring user intervention, and facilitate document searches.
* RFID Workbench, an optional tool for managing RFID data, tags and hardware and integrating data into core systems.

B2B Connectivity Options for Smaller Trading Partners


* Paper2ERP, enabling faxes and other paper documents to be processed electronically to reduce the time and error risks of manual data entry.
* XMLMail, offering two-way interactive email integration that automatically converts preconfigured populated forms sent by email into XML documents.
* WebForms/Portal, permitting electronic data exchange via Web browser with automatic generation of shipping notices, bar codes and other documents.
* Hub & Spoke, a centrally managed add-on component installed by smaller partners that integrates with the SEEBURGER B2B Gateway as well as the supplier's back-end application for seamless collaboration.

RFID Workbench - Meeting Industry Mandates

The majority of major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Albertson's, as well as the Department of Defense are instituting mandates for compliance by their major suppliers. These organizations will not be the last. Movement toward RFID initiatives can already be seen in other industries including Healthcare, Medical Devices, Automotive, and Pharmaceuticals. These new mandates leave many suppliers with two core questions:

1. What do we have to do in order to comply?
2. How can we turn this cost into a positive investment?

The emergence of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology as a force in the supply chain has created the need for middleware that can manage the flow of data between tag readers and enterprise applications in order to facilitate intelligent use of information generated by RFID tags. Multiple vendors are entering the RFID middleware space, but most lack the ability to provide an end-to-end solution that can serve basic needs such as reader connectivity as well as more advanced requirements such as application integration. SEEBURGER's RFID Workbench is designed to address the full spectrum of RFID middleware needs, enabling an organization to implement RFID on a phased basis without changing middleware packages or engaging multiple providers.
RFID Workbench- Compliance Functionality

* Connecting to Hardware: Workbench communicates directly to printers and devices allowing organizations to seamlessly program and link EPC and UPC codes.
* Programming of RFID Infrastructure: Workbench provides validation and authentication functionality ensuring the tags are working correctly and can be programmed with the required EPC Codes.
* Data Catalog - Logging your Compliance: For mandates driven by companies such as Wal-Mart, an organization must validate that the tags which are being transferred work correctly. By storing them in our system catalog you can verify that when they left your facility, they did in fact work. Therefore, your company avoids penalties or additional fees. Additionally, Workbench provides a searchable time log if research requests are initiated by the receiving organization.
* Tag Consolidation: Throughout the RFID process, case data must be consolidated to pallet tags. In Workbench, cases are read during packing and the combined data is matched to a single pallet tag. This is necessary as it is very difficult to get a 100% read of packed cases on a full pallet due to interference caused by packaging, tag locations, and load types (i.e. liquids can cause interference during the reading procedure).

RFID Workbench: Understanding the Basics

The use of RFID has shown a remarkable increase in the United States and in Europe during the past few months as a larger number of companies have been able to appreciate the benefits of applying this technology to their production, logistic, as well as sales and planning processes.

The participants in a supply chain classically exchange information based on computer data exchange (CDE) and bar code data exchange. This approach has enabled productivity increases that no one today would have imagined possible. The same process is now ongoing with RFID, in areas where bar codes reach their limitations.

The limitations of bar codes are well known:

* Around 10% reading error
* Linear reading (one code follows another), therefore slower than a broadcast reading
* The reading often requires human intervention (moving and orienting the object for scanning etc.).
* The need for the bar code to be visible
* The impossibility to apply a bar code in a problematic environment (dust, mud, vapour etc.) and to reduced size objects or to those with improper shape for sticking on a paper label
* The impossibility to use bar code to overcome shoplifting.

Today, a second generation of workbench technology enables us to move beyond these limitations. RFID helps actualize a vision of perfectly integrated logistical and commercial chains. However, the stages to surpass before getting there must be evaluated in a pragmatic way. Using RFID in your organization implies direct changes concerning the processes involved and the information you'll have at your disposal in RFID processes. RFID changes the way your employees work. It has a direct impact on their productivity and your investments productivity. It also enables you to base your decisions on more accurate information. However, the real impact RFID can have on your bottom-line is not easy to quantify. Just as setting up bar codes required tests and full-scale models, setting up RFID is undergoing a validation test that, in itself, enables us to certify the concrete impact of this technology on your profession. The best method to grasp these changes in your environment in a concrete way is to test them on a defined perimeter and involving the processes that have the most direct impact on your activity.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a state-of-the-art technology, which has become a central discussion point for applications such as logistics, material management, industrial automation and services. An RFID system is composed of a transponder, a reader with antenna and the application software.

The RFID Workbench is a client/server system which provides visualization, analysis and processing of RFID Data through any phase of an RFID project, i.e. evaluation and simulation to backend integration. The RFID Workbench is accesible via a web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firebird. The RFID Workbench enables the user to realise complete RFID business processes. These processes can integrate with the customer's backend system using EDI or ERP proprietary formats or protocols such as IDOCs or RFCs.

Software as a Service: Next-generation Network Performance Management

An estimated 55 percent of users of business critical applications work in remote locations. With so many users working remotely, networks become congested and user productivity suffers. Until now, wide area network (WAN) monitoring and shaping has required special appliances, but there’s a new alternative software-based solution available that leverages the power of the user’s PC—providing unprecedented traffic control.

Related Topics: Accounting and Financial Management, Outsourcing, Security Services, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Data Management and Analysis

Related Industries: Manufacturing, Information, Finance and Insurance

Related Keywords: network performance management, WAN, specialized IT resources and skills, network service providers, software as a service, Netpriva, wide area networks, network appliances, software based solution approach, distributed working arrangements