HighJump Software® Announces a Fully Configurable, RFID-Enabled Supply Chain Execution Offering

HighJump’s RFID Configurator™ Empowers RFID Compliance and Maximum Operational Flexibility With Option to Select Most Appropriate Auto Identification Technology by Customer or by Process

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN (Nov. 11, 2003)—HighJump Software, a premier provider of robust, adaptable supply chain execution (SCE) solutions, today announced that it has radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled its comprehensive supply chain execution offering, Supply Chain Advantage®. With enhancements to existing solutions and several new applications, HighJump now provides a broad and flexible collection of RFID-enabled solutions for warehouse management, visibility and tracking, shop floor data collection, and RFID compliance. This is made possible with HighJump’s RFID Configurator™, an easy-to-use Wizard that empowers companies to quickly configure specific processes to utilize RFID, bar codes or both, depending on their individual customer requirements.

RFID Configurator empowers companies to flexibly deploy RFID and/or bar codes at multiple points within the supply chain through the following HighJump solutions:

Warehouse Advantage®: HighJump has extended its warehouse management solution to include RFID compliance as well as workflows that support RFID. All HighJump customers now have the option of selecting which activities they want to perform with RFID, bar codes or both.

Compliance Advantage™: This solution allows suppliers to quickly and easily achieve RFID compliance as mandated by leading retailers such as Wal-Mart as well as the Department of Defense. This highly configurable solution can also be adapted to meet evolving RFID standards and future mandates.

Tracking Advantage™: This solution provides tracking for returnable containers and other high-value assets in closed-loop environments. In addition to providing hands-free recognition of inbound and outbound containers, this application ensures total management and visibility of these containers throughout the supply chain.

Data Collection Advantage®: HighJump is bringing the benefits of RFID to the manufacturing shop floor. Manufacturers can now track work in process and finished goods with RFID technology, which is especially important to manufacturers that track items in lots or by serial number.

With the introduction of RFID Configurator, HighJump offers a unique and powerful approach to incorporating RFID into existing supply chain processes. This approach allows customers to effectively position their operations to meet RFID mandates from Wal-Mart, the Department of Defense, and others, while preparing for additional RFID utilization and compliance requirements as they evolve. By leveraging this Wizard, HighJump customers can easily pilot or adopt RFID-based processes for their Supply Chain Advantage applications while simultaneously utilizing bar codes, depending on the requirements of each business process or trading partner. This approach fully supports the co-existence of bar codes and RFID that most industry experts predict will be necessary for many years.

For example, because configuration capabilities are available at the trading partner level, truck loading for Wal-Mart could be configured to use RFID processing while bar codes are used for other retail customers. This can be accomplished on a stand-alone basis or by adopting integrated solutions that link the information flow from suppliers all the way to customers.

“The range of RFID-based applications is great, from closed-loop manufacturing systems to Wal-Mart and Department of Defense compliance,” said Chris Heim, president and CEO of HighJump Software. “HighJump enables companies to incorporate RFID where it makes the most sense or is required by trading partners, and then migrate cost-effectively to increased adoption over time with the flexibility of using both RFID and bar codes in supply chain processes.”

“By basing its RFID solution on Microsoft technology and ensuring the use of RFID and bar coding at the same time, HighJump is delivering a solution that addresses customers’ needs now while also giving them a scalable and flexible path forward as the technology advances,” said Chris Colyer, industry manager for general manufacturing at Microsoft. “This unique approach to RFID empowers HighJump customers to move ahead with this important technology without sacrificing customer service, operational performance or profitability. In addition, basing its Advantage Platform on SQL Server not only allows HighJump to build an enterprise-ready solution, but also positions the company for strategic integration with additional Microsoft technologies in the future, including Microsoft .NET.”

HighJump’s Advantage Platform, the toolset foundation that enables the company to deliver robust, adaptable SCE applications, is based on the Microsoft technology stack (C, C++, SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft’s Internet Information Services). This combination empowers HighJump to provide the adaptability critical to delivering RFID-enabled solutions to the marketplace and allow customers to configure the behavior of their solutions as their business needs change.

About HighJump Software®

Founded in 1983, HighJump Software is a premier provider of robust, adaptable supply chain execution (SCE) solutions that deliver competitive advantage to manufacturers, distributors, retailers and third-party logistics companies. HighJump Software offers SCE solutions that can be easily and precisely tuned to fit the operational needs of a wide range of organizations from midsize to large companies and divisions of the Fortune 1000. HighJump's SCE systems are in use at more than 700 companies today. Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn., HighJump Software can be reached by e-mail at HJinfo@mmm.com; by phone at 800.328.3271; or by visiting the Web site at www.highjump.com.

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