Apr 28, 2004
WASHINGTON, DC — April 28, 2004 — Highlighting one of the most revolutionary technologies currently being piloted in the food retail and wholesale industry today, the electronic product code (EPC), the Food Marketing Institute will unveil a new EPC Showcase at the 2004 FMI Show later this week. The Show will be held May 2-4 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in downtown Chicago.

“The EPC Showcase will enable technology innovators and suppliers to demonstrate real world EPC and RFID applications for retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers who are interested in learning more about this compelling technology,” said FMI Director of Industry Relations Patrick Walsh. “It is certainly a must-see for anyone involved in distribution, loss prevention, IT, procurement, management and store operations.”

The Showcase will feature hourly demonstrations of EPC and RFID technology, specifically its application in warehouse and distribution center environments. The 12-minute long demonstrations will focus on pallet unloading and receiving. A semi-trailer truck, forklifts and other equipment will be brought in to enhance the experience.

Rounding out each hour will be educational sessions presented by companies actively involved with developing and implementing the EPC, including exhibit sponsors Intermec, Manhattan Associates and The Gillette Company. Session titles and presenters include:

The EPC Network: An Enabling Technology for Maximizing Retail Availability, Gerry Jastremski, Director of Retail Availability, Gillette

The RFID Landscape: Scenarios for Strategy & Business Case Development, Ray Boyd, Senior Manager, Retail and Consumer Industry Programs, Accenture

RFID: A Practical Approach to Deployment, Randy Dunn, Director of RFID Sales & Marketing, ADT Security Services

Future Proofing Your RFID Investment, Mike Sitek, Business Development Manager, Intermec Technologies

How the RFID Revolution is Impacting the Food Industry, Greg Utter, Senior Product Consultant, Manhattan Associates

EPCglobal Update: Building the EPC Network, Chris Lemmond, EPCglobal

Data Synchronization: Building the Foundation for EPC, Bob Bersani, Chief Global Standards Officer, and Rhonda Horn, Director of Global Adoption Strategies, Ahold USA.

Other components of the EPC Showcase include the FMI Data Synchronization Resource Center, a central reference source where retail and manufacturing company representatives can obtain detailed information on data synchronization, and the Intermec Café, a wireless network environment where attendees can use their wi-fi computers to connect to the Internet.

The EPC Showcase will be open during regular exhibit floor hours.

The FMI Show — The Place to Be in 2004

The 2004 FMI Show will be an event like no other, offering unprecedented service and customized benefits. Participants of all sizes will find value, efficiency and productivity in this once-a-year gathering of industry leaders from all over the world. For more information, contact FMI convention services at 202-452-8444; call FMI’s Fax-on-Demand Show Infoline at 1-800-890-SHOW (7469); or visit the 2004 FMI Show Web site (www.fmishow.org) for details on exhibitors and workshops, and to register online.