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Today's Automation News Headlines from Automation.com

Accu-Sort announces FAST Link Software
 
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Accu-Sort announces FAST Link Software
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – December 1, 2007 - New FAST Link software from Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. now makes it easy to link data from real-time automatic identification devices with enterprise IT systems. FAST Link removes the barrier of integrating auto ID devices by providing information that existing IT resources can access and utilize, eliminating the need for in-house custom code development.

The centralized system-configuration management built into FAST Link software eliminates integration complexity. Users simply connect a device, configure the network address and select where and how to send the data. Users can start with a single auto ID device and then add multiple devices and lines as needed to support expansion and growth.

In addition, FAST Link provides a level of fault tolerance for device integration, ensuring against loss of data from automation devices and processing lines while any issues are diagnosed. This fault tolerance capability ensures that an organization receives the benefit of its investment in automation technology, instead of missing the critical information it originally intended to capture.

"Automation projects, both big and small, often present many challenges to an organization before, during and after implementation. FAST Link is a packaged software tool that makes it easy to integrate automatic identification devices into enterprise systems. Users save money by avoiding programming costs, and they avoid competing for internal IT resources in a long project that can sometimes take months to complete," said Mike Kuhno, Accu-Sort Systems Product Manager. "In contrast, FAST Link can be configured and communicating information in less than an hour."

Application Background
Bar code readers, RFID tag readers, label printers, sortation systems, and other devices on material handling lines provide real-time data for processes running in a facility, information critical to making informed business decisions. Integrating these devices usually requires custom code development that adds to the workload of typically overburdened IT departments. In addition, some IT departments lack the resources to efficiently capture and process this real-time data. As such, systems integration is usually difficult for an organization to undertake internally, and often results in delays, development which supports one particular need and is not scaleable, and lacks long term support as IT personnel changes.

Product Details
FAST Link is a stand-alone, Windows-based software package that runs on a variety of Microsoft Windows platforms and supports a variety of SQL databases. Specific features and functionalities include:
  • Full scalability enables the addition of an unlimited number of auto ID devices and complete automation lines, without writing custom code.
  • A variety of automatic data-collection devices is supported, including bar code scanners and RFID devices available from Accu-Sort Systems and other hardware suppliers. Support for other types of auto ID devices will be added over time.
  • Built-in fault tolerance and redundancy stores information within the FAST Link database to protect against loss of process line data if, for any reason, the enterprise system is not running or a catastrophic network failure occurs. The software can continue to collect data while network problems are addressed.
  • Data transfer from the FAST Link database to the enterprise IT system can be configured to match enterprise requirements. It can transfer directly (negates redundancy), it can be automatically transferred at defined intervals, or it can be held until the enterprise system retrieves it. The method of data transfer can be changed at any time by re-selecting the setting in the software, without costly code changes.
  • FAST Link can be configured to connect to a single enterprise system or to multiple systems (ERP, billing, shipping, etc.), to fit almost any IT environment.
  • FAST Link enables users to know the status of all system devices, without having to walk out to the line. The software provides remote monitoring by showing whether a device is online or offline, what the last message from the device was, and when that information was received.

    Part of a Complete Suite of Software Solutions
    FAST Link is part of Accu-Sort's FAST Suite, a collection of flexible, configurable applications that can be used as stand-alone products or combined to provide systems solutions to satisfy a company's automation needs. Accu-Sort provides complete solutions from concept to integration, including installation, training, and comprehensive service and support.

    About Accu-Sort
    Accu-Sort Systems is a pioneer in reliable auto ID and high-speed compliance solutions with more than three decades of experience deploying and supporting scanning and tracking solutions in distribution, warehousing, manufacturing, and retailer environments.
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