Wherenet opens ASEAN HQ in Shanghai

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Zone : IT in manufacturing
Published : 31 Jan 2007 13:35

WhereNet Corp., a Zebra Technologies company and provider of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today the opening of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai in response to growing market demand.

The WhereNet(r) active RFID, real-time locating system (RTLS) technology was certified by the China State Radio Regulation Committee in 2004 and is already deployed at several automotive manufacturers in China. With the opening of the Shanghai office, WhereNet continues to expand its presence as a global solutions provider of active RFID, RTLS technology to reduce operational costs and inventory while increasing throughput and productivity.

"Our recent 'RFID Worldwide Perspective' survey shows that China represents a significant opportunity for RFID investment as manufacturers look to improve supply chain visibility and asset management," said Kimberly Knickle, program director for Manufacturing Insights, an IDC company. "The real value of RFID in China today can be seen in reducing inventory and out-of-stocks. As global companies increase manufacturing in China, more complexity is injected into the supply chain, further accelerating the need for real-time location-based applications to mitigate uncertainty and overcome the obstacles of an extended global supply chain. We anticipate future benefits will also come from reducing labor costs and improving customer service."

To keep up with its significant growth in China, WhereNet is also adding staff; the company recently hired Jinbo Yang as manager of WhereNet solutions for China. A respected executive with a strong background in location-based enterprise applications and domain expertise in China container-terminal infrastructures and operations, Yang will manage WhereNet's Shanghai office. In addition to being responsible for partner development, training and support, Yang will help design, implement, and manage customer deployments.

Although WhereNet sees a significant growth opportunity for all of its vertical markets in Asia, the company is currently focusing on two markets in China, automotive and transportation, distribution, and logistics.

* Automotive - Already installed at several Shanghai General

Motors (SGM) plants in China and more than 100 automotive facilities around the world, the WhereNet solution has proven its portability in the Chinese market. Given the ever-increasing volume of manufacturing in China coupled with the fact that these manufacturers mandate common systems across their enterprise, WhereNet sees large growth opportunities over the next several years in China, following similar market development in North America and Europe.

* Transportation, Distribution & Logistics - China's escalating

manufacturing output drives a corresponding increase in the need for improved logistics management associated with the movement of goods from China. While global positioning systems are commonly deployed in China marine terminals to track large cranes, WhereNet fills a void with its marine terminal solution that uses "virtual tagging" to track and automate the movement of containers as well as drayage trucks in high-volume, high-velocity ports. Deployment of the WhereNet solution supports quicker vessel turn times, improved return on assets, and better operational efficiency.

"As the world's fourth-biggest economy, China is a driving commerce force in Asia. By successfully expanding there, we are creating a strong foothold for further penetration across Asia," said Matt Armanino, executive vice president of worldwide field operations for WhereNet. "As customers continue to pull us into new geographies based on successful installations in other parts of the world, we are fulfilling our vision as a global solutions provider of proven applications that deliver a consistent return on investment in less than one year."

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