Acsis Launches Latest RFID Platform; DataLink 4.1 Supports Integration with VeriSign's EPC Starter Service and Bolsters RFID Data and Device Management

Business Wire, Sept 29, 2004

MARLTON, N.J. & BALTIMORE -- Acsis, Inc., focused on delivering supply chain and business process automation solutions, today announced the launch of DataLink 4.1, the latest version of Acsis' platform for radio frequency identification (RFID) and enterprise device integration. DataLink 4.1 eases the implementation of comprehensive RFID systems by combining new device and information management capabilities with integration support for VeriSign's EPC Starter Service(SM).

Acsis is showcasing DataLink 4.1 at the EPCglobal US Conference held Sept. 28-30, 2004, in Baltimore, Maryland. Acsis is located in booth #203 at the event.

As an early adopter of RFID technology and with six years of experience implementing complete RFID systems for major consumer products and pharmaceutical manufacturers, Acsis continues to pioneer data collection integration developments. In developing DataLink 4.1, Acsis worked closely with VeriSign, which operates the Object Naming Service (ONS) on behalf of EPCglobal.

DataLink 4.1 enables users to leverage VeriSign's EPC Starter Service(SM), which provides a network infrastructure for retailers and manufacturers to start sharing and secure important supply chain data. VeriSign's EPC Starter Service(SM) delivers the critical network services that enable storage, discovery and sharing of RFID product information so companies can explore the value of information about RFID-tagged products generated across various points in the supply chain.

DataLink 4.1 also boasts additional features providing not only for increased control of EPC data but also better management of RFID devices, like readers and label printers, which collect and transform EPC/RFID data into actionable information and insight into supply chain events. The key integration and enterprise management enhancements available include:

--Device Configuration Wizards - DataLink 4.1 provides templates to ease the configuration of new devices into enterprise RFID systems. Plug-and-play capabilities allow RFID readers, printers and other devices to be quickly integrated into enterprise systems.

--XSLT Support - Acsis offers powerful data conversion and support for XSLT, the industry standard for transforming data from RFID tags into meaningful business information. Users can transfer data to a wide array of back-end enterprise systems, including leading enterprise resource planning and supply chain suites and legacy or homegrown applications.

--Software Development Kit - Providing open APIs, Acsis' Software Development Kit extends the range of implementations possible. Organizations or their integration partners can autonomously implement DataLink 4.1 into any enterprise system environment.

--Structured Storage - DataLink 4.1 facilitates a hierarchical storage structure that allows users to easily track and identify any type of RFID-tagged item anywhere in the composition of a box, case or pallet. Users can view the location of a specific item within a pallet containing thousands of other RFID-tagged items.

--EPC Management - Global EPC management features transform existing industry standards like UPC bar codes, converting these formats into the correct EPC data and managing this data throughout the enterprise.

--SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure Integration - DataLink 4.1 supports the technical enhancements and new features for process management, reporting, and data management available in the latest release of SAP's RFID integration platform, the SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure.

"Without the proper management and integration solutions in place, RFID systems will burden enterprise applications and stymie business processes," said Acsis' Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Dave Harty. "The enhancements available in DataLink 4.1 alleviate this problem by adding the necessary layer of management and control to RFID implementations."

About Acsis, Inc.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Marlton, N.J., Acsis, Inc., is a worldwide leader in delivering supply chain solutions for companies deploying Enterprise Resource Planning software solutions. Acsis specializes in real-time business process automation, specifically mobile data collection and RFID solutions with a specialty in SAP solution environments. An EPCglobal member, Acsis is an early implementer and adopter of RFID and other data collection technologies, combining its proven software applications with an experienced service-oriented approach to deliver practical solutions for today's supply chain challenges. Acsis can be found on the Web at www.acsisinc.com.