ATLANTA, Jan. 3, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- LXE Inc., a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computing solutions that improve the performance of supply-chain execution applications, announced today a demonstration of the next evolution in technology for logistics and supply chain execution -- ARIA -- at Promat 2007, to be held Jan. 8-11 in Chicago.
ARIA represents a suite of mobile computing technologies designed to work in harmony, almost transparently, with warehouse operators in the execution of warehouse transactions. ARIA is designed to provide a technological platform for companies to develop new, more efficient processes that result in truly sustainable productivity gains.
"Traditional auto-ID (AIDC) technologies and the supply chain execution systems they support are proven productivity boosters, but the relationship between the operator, the warehouse management system and the AIDC technology can be too structured at times," says Peter Fausel, LXE's senior VP of sales and marketing. "Warehouse operators still have to 'serve' these systems. True productivity gains will come from empowering workers with more flexible combinations of AIDC technologies designed around human behaviors, not the other way around. These technologies must also quickly adapt to changes in process driven by real-time changes in demand. This new technology suite is ARIA."
From Structured to Adaptive
Market trends are driving the need for more adaptive supply chains. ARIA technologies are adaptive by nature, enabling processes that are more fluid, flexible, intuitive and efficient. Adaptation drives long-term productivity gains by adjusting to process, system and operator interface demands in a more natural and self regulating way. Adaptive technologies enable real-time improvements to optimize business processes. Properly combining technologies, like voice recognition, RFID and wearable computing, leads to these dynamically adaptive solutions.
From Identification to Recognition
Warehouse management solutions must move beyond "operator-initiated" identification to support real-time automatic intelligent recognition. ARIA technologies are designed to automatically recognize process changes and inventory anomalies, and to support mid-task adjustments that are virtually transparent to the operator executing the task. These "transparent" adjustments are expected to allow operators to maintain their work flow momentum, thereby increasing overall productivity.
Real-Time Information Assurance
Today's warehouse systems are largely based on trust -- trust that the warehouse operator actually executes warehouse management system-directed tasks error-free. With ARIA technologies, the accurate collection of critical information can occur automatically in real-time in the normal work flow -- not before or after the task is completed. The result is expected to be an unprecedented level of information assurance, delivering 100% order integrity, eliminating rework, and significantly improving customer satisfaction.
"Achievement of the next level of efficiency in the warehouse will require the coexistence of a variety of AIDC technologies. And the application should ultimately drive the selection of the most appropriate mix of solutions," says David Krebs, Director, Mobile and Wireless Practice, Venture Development Corporation. "However, the integration of these technologies -- be it traditional bar code scanning, RFID and/or voice recognition -- will continue to be the challenge for end users and integrators. In ARIA, LXE is both acknowledging the shift in AIDC technology application and addressing the unique complexities in integrating tomorrow's systems."
Anticipated ARIA Benefits
-- ARIA technologies drive significant productivity gains from
minimizing and improving operator interaction with the warehouse
management system.
-- With ARIA, your "system" serves the operator versus the operator
serving the system, resulting in more natural and efficient
processes.
-- ARIA provides a platform to develop productivity-improving
processes previously not possible with traditional stand-alone
AIDC technologies.
-- ARIA technologies are intuitive, easy-to-use, and easy-to-
understand resulting in more rapid operator acceptance.
LXE anticipates that, with ARIA, customers will see turbo-charged operator productivity, increased inventory accuracy, reduced training time and more satisfied customers.
LXE also plans to take a leadership role in creating awareness for the potential for ARIA based solutions and in mobilizing the supply chain execution software and integration communities to develop the applications that harness the power of ARIA based technologies.
Live demonstrations of ARIA in action start Jan. 8, at 11 a.m. at LXE's booth #3946. Also, a press conference is scheduled at Promat for Monday, Jan. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Promat Press Conference Room.
About LXE Inc.
LXE Inc., a subsidiary of EMS Technologies, Inc., improves supply chain performance by applying over 36 years' experience developing wireless products and solutions. From rugged mobile computers, advanced auto-ID technologies, and secure wireless network infrastructure, to our award-winning customer support -- LXE's easy-to-use products are as reliable as the people who install and support them.
Based in Norcross, Georgia, LXE also offers a full range of turnkey services, including radio integration, project and installation management, network design, technical support, and repair services.
The LXE Inc. logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1621
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) is a wireless and satellite solutions leader serving the aeronautical, defense, maritime, commercial space and supply chain markets. Through its LXE, EMS SATCOM, and Defense & Space Systems divisions, EMS keeps people and their data connected, wherever they are -- on the ground, in the warehouse, in the sky or in space. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide and operates major manufacturing facilities in Atlanta and Ottawa, Canada.
For more information, visit the Company's website at www.ems-t.com.