Press release: Air Canada Partners with Franwell to Implement RFID Tracking

Lakeland, FL. – April 13, 2010 – Air Canada Cargo (ACC) has partnered with Franwell, Inc. to explore the possibilities of using RFID to improve real-time tracking of shipments with minimal human intervention or disruption to the workflow. Together, Franwell and Air Canada have developed a plan that includes a pilot project that will track cargo shipments between Air Canada’s London Heathrow (LHR) and Montreal (YUL) facilities. The pilot project is scheduled to take place in June 2010.

In an effort to prove the benefit of RFID for cargo tracking and as the first step to design a large-scale implementation, Air Canada Cargo has worked with Franwell to develop an RFID pilot that will implement the infrastructure and applications necessary to perform real-time tracking of shipments with minimal human intervention. The pilot project will provide end-users with a single interface and tracking information will be available through a web-based system.

Upon successful completion of the pilot project, Air Canada Cargo will look to implement an RFID solution that will provide: improved track and trace, with real-time visibility and performance down to the piece level; reduced processing time; increased precision and improved data collection through a simplified and automated process. Air Canada Cargo plans to use Franwell’s rfid>Sleeve wearable RFID reader to ensure that they can seamlessly capture data with minimal interruption to the normal workflow. This improved data collection will also enable a simplified and more accurate billing process for ACC.

“The data we will be able to capture with RFID will be invaluable to achieving our goals for improving cargo and mail tracking, there is no other technology that will let us capture this level of detailed data with minimal disruption to our normal workflow and processes,” said Barbara Johnston, General Manager of Postal Affairs for Air Canada Cargo. “But it is also more than that, we fully expect to improve our processes throughout the facilities when this is rolled out”, said Johnston.

The teams have worked together to design process maps that incorporate RFID, the software and hardware have been selected, designed and developed and the pre-install site visits have recently been completed. The concept and the process maps have been shared with the pilot stations, which are now anxiously awaiting equipment install, employee training and launch of the pilot.

After successful completion of the pilot project, it is the objective of ACC to build a business case to justify automation of cargo activities with RFID integration resulting in improved service, enhanced billing integrity and improved communication to customers.

About Franwell

Franwell, Inc. is a technology company dedicated to the development of leading edge products and services with a focus on supply chain solutions and RFID integration. Our staff provides complete consulting and system integration services to support the effective implementation of RFID solutions in a variety of industries, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cargo. www.franwell.com