RFID technology to HPCL Nashik plant: IBM

Mumbai, Sep 4: In one of the single largest deal, IBM will be implementing RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) based tracking technology for HPCL's Nashik LPG plant with an order worth USD 2.2 million. IBM, in a release here, said it would provide end to end RFID tracking solution for the Nashik plant, involving infrastructure services, businss consultancy services and middleware solution.

Under the agreement, IBM will design, deploy and integrate the RFID solution for tracking LPG cylinders from plant to the end-consumer. The solution will streamline the process of identification of LPG cylinders during bottling, distribution and supply chain, and is expected to cover 5,00,000 cylinders in the initial phase. HPCL intends to evaluate the technology and deploy the same in a phased manner to cover the entire supply chain from bottling plant, logistics, and distributors to the end-consumers.

Commenting on the project, HPCL Executive Director-LPG G A Shirwaikar in a release issued here, said, ''RFID-based cylinder tracking project is the first of its kind in India. Considering the magnitude of our operations, which continue to grow significantly, it has become imperative for us to bring greater efficiency in our supply chain. We aim to achieve this with RFID-based tracking solution. We are happy to partner with IBM, as their global expertise in deploying such solution would help HPCL strengthen its supply chain of LPG cylinders end-to-end, and finally result in significant operational benefits for the organization. We also expect to rollout this solution to other plants in India (additional 42) besides extending it to dealers for integrated supply chain.''

UNI