ORLANDO, Fla. — A RFID solution from NCR Corp. is helping entertainment logistics firm CR Media keep track of one of the travel industry's first fully portable, pre-loaded video entertainment players.
Nickelodeon and The Hertz Corp. first introduced "Nick on the Go" video entertainment players to Hertz customers in late 2007. Preloaded with more than 40 hours of programming from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., the units are designed especially for kids and can be used while in the car, at the pool or wherever travel time takes them.
A travel amenity designed for families, the compact units also posed a potential asset-management dilemma for CR Media, which owns and manages the players. CR Media turned to NCR for a turnkey RFID solution built on the NCR TransitionWorks software platform with active RFID tags and readers from RF Code. The NCR Asset Visibility solution enables CR Media to monitor all ‘Nick on the Go' media players through the Internet – with no effort required on the part of Hertz personnel.
Initially installed by NCR at 21 Hertz locations in just six days, the package is currently deployed at more than 40 leisure travel airport sites across the United States, with several thousand media players available for rental.
The NCR solution includes an active RFID tag integrated in the sturdy case of every media player. A fixed-position RFID interrogator, installed in the storage room or closet where the units are kept at each Hertz location, alerts the system as each unit is removed or returned. The NCR software provides a Web interface allowing appropriate CR Media personnel to monitor the available inventory at a glance, as well as access further details for each individual location. CR Media is considering future enhancements to the solution, including additional device status indicators such as returned by customer, inspection/preparation, or out for repair.
