Those are just some of the words and phrases being used these days to describe the intent of the latest developments in automatic data capture (ADC) and related software. Or to put it still another way as Jeff Kaufman, director of networking at Zebra Technologies (www.zebra.com), did at the Frontline Solutions event, "networking is not just for the office anymore."

In fact, there has never been more interest in making all the right links between how data is collected, where it is used, and who uses it. Gone are the days when it was sufficient to scan bar codes in one department and let the information remain there. It's not even enough anymore to ensure the information is available to other departments. Now, information systems have to be connected across the enterprise and to supply chain partners on demand.

Exactly where any company is in that progression varies. While some are pushing the envelope, most operations managers are still in the early stages of assembling the infrastructure.

But as Craig Levinsohn, vice president of marketing for HighJump Software (www.highjumpsoftware.com), makes clear, the various forms of connectivity don't have to sit on a wish list some place. He explains that managers he has worked with lately were primarily focused on a warehouse management system (WMS). "But when they find out that visibility and collaboration capabilities are within reach, they go for it," he says.

And from all indications at November's Frontline Solutions Expo, suppliers are ramping up as quickly as possible to offer information connectivity in whatever form managers need. A tour of the show floor proved this true in several areas from wireless systems and mobile computing to bar code label printer management and supply chain software.

Consider radio frequency data communications (RFDC). By their very nature, these wireless systems, which exchange data between mobile terminals and a wired network, are connected. But as could be seen on the show floor, there is still opportunity to become even more connected.

Start with the operating systems in hand-held and vehicle-mount RFDC terminals. Until recently, Windows-based operating systems were spotty at best. But at the show, Intelligent Instrumentation (www.lanpoint.com), LXE (www.lxe.com), Intermec (www.intermec.com), and Symbol (www.symbol.com) were all displaying new Windows-based systems including CE, Pocket PC, and 2000. The intent is to bring these mobile terminals more into line with the enterprise's standard operating system, making data management that much easier than is possible with non-compatible systems.

But the move to expand connectivity with wireless systems goes still further – beyond the four walls of the plant or warehouse to wide area networks (WAN). These allow mobile workers to stay in the loop even though they may be many miles from their home base.

To this end, Symbol announced SymbolAir which links mobile computing devices with data networks such as DataTAC and Mobitex, providing direct connectivity to corporate networks from remote locations. In a similar vein, LXE hooked up with Cloudberry (www.cloudberry.com) to create a WAN that allows two-way messaging and automatic vehicle location tracking over the Mobitex network.

Even the terminals used by mobile workers received attention. Psion Teklogix (www.psionteklogix.com) un-veiled a new class of rugged hand-held tablets. According to Dan Schachtler, director of product management, the company's netpad terminals combine a 1/2VGA screen in a unit that measures 8.5 inches by 3.4 inches by 1 inch for the task-oriented workforce. Schachtler says wireless capable models will debut in mid-2002. Meanwhile Symbol displayed its own new hand-held terminals with wireless capabilities at the Expo.

While wireless terminals that meet 802.11b standards for wireless interoperability dominated, the Bluetooth wireless standard started to show up, especially in mobile label printers. Bluetooth is a worldwide standard for low-power, short-range communication between devices. Because its range is typically limited to 30 feet or a little more, Bluetooth is generally considered to be a cable replacement technology rather than a rival to standard RFDC systems that communicate over far greater distances.

Although generally more widely incorporated into devices used in Europe, Bluetooth is beginning to show up in the U.S. Zebra, Cognitive (www.cognitive.com), O'Neil Development Products (www.oneil-pdi.com ), Extech (www.extech.com), and Intermec all released portable printers with Bluetooth capabilities. In each case, the concept is to increase worker mobility by allowing them to roam the floor within the range of the system, receiving information on the fly for on-demand label printing. Data can generally be exchanged at the rate of 1 Mbps.

Fixed-position printers were also brought much more into the connectivity loop with several new printer management networks. Traditionally, label printers have required one-on-one attention from technicians. If new programming was needed, the technician did the work at each individual printer. And if it ran out of media or suffered another problem, people generally discovered the situation only when they ran short of labels, often disrupting operations.

With network management systems, these issues can be dealt with over the network. From a central location, explains Andy Scherz, Printronix' director of marketing, new software can be downloaded to large numbers of connected printers. "If you run out of ribbon, the consumables person will get paged. If a printhead needs service, the call will go to the appropriate person in maintenance," Scherz adds. In addition to Printronix (www.printronix.com), Sato America (www.satoamerica.com), esync (www.esync.com), and Zebra announced new printer network management offerings, many of which are Web-based for maximum connectivity.

Yet another hot spot in ADC is radio frequency identification (RFID). Programmable tags carry information that is read when it comes within range of an antenna, transmitting the data to a network or workstation. While RFID tags can exchange information with a local area network, they have at this point little ability to network with other RFID tags because they lack the interoperability of wireless terminals, for instance. Global standards efforts to change that are underway. In addition, companies such as FEIG Electronic (www.feig.de) are introducing readers said

to be capable of reading tags from several different manufacturers. However, true interoperability of RFID systems is still some time off.

In the meantime, many companies are starting to look at RFID tags as the network themselves. During the RFID Summit that preceded the Expo, Neco Can senior supply chain manager at The Gap, explained the retailer is working with Intermec to create a system that uses RFID to better manage merchandise at the store level. Using a proprietary system, it is possible to know if clothing with an RFID tag has actually been removed from the shelf in the store. As a result, the retailer can begin to build a history as to what clothing has interested shoppers and to what degree.

Another RFID-related technology, real-time locating system (RTLS), is helping Associated Food Stores to track the position of over-the-road trailer trucks in its 600-acre shipment staging yard. As Tim Van De Merwe, general manager of the grocery distributor, explained at the summit, a tag on each trailer emits a signal at regular intervals, allowing the RTLS to identify its exact location to within a few feet. The system, developed by Wherenet (www.wherenet.com) allows Associated Food Stores to move into position the precise trailer needed for each shipment. For the complete story see Modern Materials Handling , Dec. 2001, pg. 41.

To build still a third type of information network, RFID supplier Intermec, systems integrator Marconi InfoChain (www.marconi-infochain.com ), and closed-loop pallet supplier Chep (www.chep.com) announced a joint venture to track wooden pallets throughout the supply chain. With each pallet carrying an RFID tag, it will be known when the load arrives and departs warehouses and other locations. Initially, tagged pallets will be tracked through Chep's repair and inspection facilities.

And just as would be expected, supply chain execution (SCE) software suppliers are certainly hot on the trail of improved connectivity. Not only are they trying to ensure that all key data are available in real-time within the warehouse, but these suppliers are focused on making all the right connections beyond the four walls. They want to give partners better supply chain visibility into the location and status of inventory even before it is received and long after it's been shipped. As companies be-come even better connected, they will be able to collaborate more closely than ever, making initial plans then remaking those plans on the fly as conditions change.

To this end, McHugh (www.mchugh.com) unveiled new SCE capabilities that allow companies to increase visibility, collaboration and velocity. The idea is to allow manufacturers and suppliers to synchronize their operations by sharing order, inventory and shipping information through a Web-based logistics portal.

Meanwhile, Provia (www.proviasoftware.com) focused on improving workflow as exceptions occur during order fulfillment. "There are always gaps in process flow," says John Pulling, COO, "but this software fills many of those gaps by automating the flow and processing of those exceptions." As a result, customers are kept in the loop automatically and managers are ready to focus more on the 20% of exceptions that they don't see regularly.

Increasing logistics coordination and process flow are also behind news software from Irista (www.irista.com) and HighJump.

In short, ADC and related software systems are all about getting better connected.