Nissan taps WhereNet's RFID system for supply chain

06.12.2006
Nissan North America Inc. is real-time locating system technology from Santa Clara, Calif.-based WhereNet Corp. to help automate its inbound supply chain and outbound delivery chain, according to the companies.

Nissan is installing the standards-based, active RFID system at its 4 million-square-foot assembly plant in Canton, Miss., and plans to use a single wireless architecture to run multiple WhereNet applications. Those applications include the WhereSoft Yard Management System and Vehicle Tracking and Management System (VTMS) and are designed to help the automaker improve productivity and vehicle quality.

The system is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2007, according to Gary Latham, director of industry solutions for WhereNet's automotive division. Nissan officials could not be reached for comment today.

The hardware consists of 1,500 active RFID WhereTag transmitters temporarily attached to new vehicles as they roll off the assembly line as part of the WhereNet VTMS system; 700 WhereTag transmitters that are permanently fixed to trailers belonging to Nissan's dedicated suppliers or temporarily attached to others as part of the yard management application; 120 WherePort magnetic "exciters" positioned between gates and at key choke points across the complex; and a local infrastructure of 80 wireless WhereLAN locating access points, according to WhereNet.

"The two systems will use the same technology infrastructurewise," Latham said. "The first is a yard management system that will make their inbound supply chain yards more efficient. The second is a vehicle tracking system that will help their delivery chain become more efficient."

Nissan is rolling out the two systems at the same time, Latham said.