UPS to deploy Bluetooth, wireless LAN network

Computerworld - United Parcel Service Inc. plans to deploy the world's largest wireless LAN and short-range wireless Bluetooth network throughout its worldwide distribution hubs.

The project, which will cost slightly more than $100 million, is expected to pay for itself within 16 months by enabling package sorters at the hubs to work more efficiently and by standardizing the company on single terminals and network systems, said David Salzman, UPS's program manager for information services.

Project Paybacks UPS's wireless network is expected to yield the following tangible benefits: Equipment and repair costs reduced by 30% Uptime improved by 35% The amount of spare equipment needed reduced by 35% The number of no-trouble-found returns reduced by 35% Battery life doubled Intangible benefits include the following: Reduced purchases to replace lost equipment Reduced software-support expenses (one software system replaces seven) Reduced hardware-support expenses (two terminal models replace nine) Elimination of confusion caused by multiple scanning systems Improved user efficiency Improved data integrity Reduced purchases to replace lost or damaged equipment

Atlanta-based UPS plans to start testing the new Emerald scanners at its mammoth square-mile capacity distribution center in Chicago in September. That will be followed by a rollout next year of some 50,000 Motorola Inc. terminals to its 2,000 worldwide distribution centers, which will be equipped with industry-standard 802.11b wireless LANs, said Salzman.

The integration of a wireless Bluetooth ring scanner into the terminals used by package sorters in the UPS hubs "is a very big deal to us [because] it eliminates the cord between the scanner and the terminal. The primary use of Bluetooth is for cord replacement, and [sorting packages on belts] is a perfect example of where cords are a big problem," Salzman said.

He added that the new Windows CE-based terminals developed by Motorola would replace a wide variety of older terminals running on seven different operating systems.

Salzman said the Emerald terminals stand out as the first successful marriage of Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless LAN technology in one device, a difficult technical challenge because both operate in the unlicensed 2.4-GHz frequency band. Salzman credited Symbol Technologies Inc. in Holtsville, N.Y., with resolving the potential signal-conflict problems.

Barry Isbenner, vice president for worldwide logistics at Symbol, said the company has resolved any potential 802.11b/Bluetooth signal conflicts "with intelligent software in the 802.11b access point that manages the traffic flow by telling the 802.11b radio to be quiet when Bluetooth is communicating."