Marks and Spencer has become the first customer of a
managed radio frequency identification (RFID) offering from BT and
Microsoft Europe.
BT has combined its RFID data management and systems integration
expertise with Microsoft's experience in data capture and analysis,
to make it easier for European retailers and their suppliers to
adopt RFID technology for pilots or full-scale rollouts.
In February, BT was selected by Marks & Spencer as the main
contractor to extend the RFID trial in its clothing supply chain.
From spring 2006, the number of stores participating in the trial
will extend from nine to around 50.
BT's Auto-ID Services venture has chosen to deliver its solution
for Marks & Spencer using Microsoft’s .net application
development platform running on Windows Server 2003, along with the
SQL Server 2000 database.
Ross Hall, chief executive officer of BT Auto-ID Services, said:
“Working with Microsoft at Marks & Spencer will make the
deployment of RFID more affordable and less risky.
“It also makes adopting a uniform RFID strategy across Europe a
whole lot easier.”
Dilip Popat, managing director of Microsoft’s European retail
industry unit, said: “Combining BT's RFID solutions with
Microsoft's solutions will give retailers improved business
intelligence, better inventory accuracy and the real-time
visibility they need to face the growing demands of today's
consumer.”