Indiana University and Manhattan Associates Bring RFID to the Classroom; Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Latest Technology Using Simulated Supply Chain

"Companies are looking for employees who have experience with RFIDtechnology," said M.A. Venkatarmanan, chairperson of the KelleyUndergraduate Program and a professor in the Operations and DecisionsTechnologies Department. "By using actual RFID equipment in theclassroom, students can understand the technology's role in helpingcompanies track goods through the supply chain, see into inventory andeliminate out-of-stocks--ultimately increasing revenue. It's somethingquite different from just seeing it animated on a computer screen orreading about it in a textbook."

Indiana University is one of the first business schools to decideto build a working model of a RFID environment. Davison Schopmeyer,senior director of RFID Professional Services at Manhattan Associates,invited Venkataramanan, Ashok Soni, chairperson of the Operations andDecision Technologies Department, and Daniel Conway, a Kelley Schoolprofessor, to tour Manhattan Associates' RFID Lab in Atlanta earlierthis year. The professors have created an RFID lab that is used toteach RFID to the university's graduate and undergraduate classes.This lab uses miniature train sets and radio-controlled trucks, RFIDtags, readers and antennae to create a scale model of how goods flowthrough the supply chain--from manufacturer to warehouse to retailer.

The trains and trucks carry goods with product names and equippedwith tags. Antennae read the tags as the miniature carriers pass by.The students track how the tags are read, collected and presented on acomputer. The school will continue to move ahead with RFID as animportant part of its curriculum.

"One of the biggest concerns people have is the shortage of peoplewho have knowledge about RFID," said Eddie Capel, ManhattanAssociates' senior vice president, product management. "IndianaUniversity is staying at the forefront of this technology, and it isexciting for Manhattan Associates to be able to take part. IndianaUniversity is empowering its students to enter the market equippedwith knowledge about this latest technology and its place in movingproducts through the supply chain."

Manhattan Associates has provided its RFID solutions to more than60 companies in the consumer goods, life sciences, food and grocery,retail, logistics service providers and high tech and electronicsindustries. Manhattan Associates was recently cited by ARC AdvisoryGroup as the leading supplier of RFID, based on software and services,with 31.3% market share.

About Manhattan Associates, Inc.

Manhattan Associates(R) is a leading supply chain solutionsprovider. The company's demand intelligence, advanced planning, supplychain planning, supply chain execution and business process platformcapabilities enable its more than 1200 customers worldwide to enhanceprofitability, performance and competitive advantage. For moreinformation, please visit www.manh.com.