Enterprise Sensor Integration Archives

Achieve Total Asset Visibility with Sensor Integration & RFID

May 15, 2019

One of the most complex and vital tasks facing the Department of Defense (DoD) is managing its supply chain to effectively and efficiently provide spare parts, equipment, food and other critical supplies in support of U.S. military forces. The DoD’s goal and challenge is to deliver the right items to the right place at the right time – and the right cost – yet it still struggles with achieving Total Asset Visibility (TAV) .

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wyatt L. Anthony

By its very nature, the military supply chain is extremely complex and risky. It involves an unstable and unpredictable demand, moving end supply points, and ensuring equipment readiness for war. The DoD is also challenged with fragmentation across its extensive network infrastructures, along with disparate sensor technologies that track the whereabouts and status of its assets.

The U.S. military has made steady progress achieving its TAV goals with advances in automatic information technology, including implementing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for asset tracking. However, it continues to face interoperability challenges due to “stovepiped” networks and IT systems that were developed independently with differing requirements and data formats. The challenge is providing a unified infrastructure that can effectively capture massive amounts of data – and turning that “Big Data” into actionable insights.

This is what the Internet of Things (IoT) is all about. The IoT is changing lives in the commercial sector, connecting everything from smartphones, smart appliances, smart home thermostats, wearables and much more. The application of the IoT in the manufacturing industry – dubbed the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or Industry 4.0 – leverages intelligent, connected devices to greatly improve operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability across manufacturing plants and supply chains.

With the rapidly evolving IoT market, the DoD is looking to capitalize on civilian successes and lessons-learned to help manage the sheer volume of data produced for both tactical and logistics operations. DoD representatives actively engage with industry leaders and participate in conferences such as RFID Journal Live to keep abreast of the latest advances in RFID and related IoT solutions, including Tapestry’s Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) technology.

Leveraging ESI’s Commercial Successes

ESI has been deployed across Boeing, including the massive Everett plant, pictured here.

With its proven success in the commercial industry, ESI holds great potential for asset/tool tracking, sustainment and supply chain management for the defense sector. In the commercial aerospace & defense market, ESI has significantly enhanced asset visibility, increased production rates and reduced costs for Boeing and BAE Systems.

At Boeing, ESI has interconnected nearly every aspect of the organization’s asset management and supply chain across 27 major manufacturing sites comprising over 300 buildings. This unity of information, powered by sensor integration, has saved Boeing more than $100 million in the first year alone. The technology, proven to handle up to 6-10 billion RFID tag reads each week, continues to save Boeing millions each year. Today, ESI saves the company an estimated $80 million in recurring annual savings through reduced labor costs, increased workflow efficiency, asset loss prevention, and improved decision-making based on the Big Data analytics.

BAE Systems also rolled out an award-winning ESI-enabled RFID solution last year at several manufacturing sites, including its Electronic Warfare Integrated Manufacturing Center (EW-IMC) in Nashua, NH. Because of its successful implementation, BAE Systems recently captured an award for “Best Manufacturing RFID Implementation” at the 17th annual RFID Journal LIVE conference.

BAE Systems’ primary task was to replace existing manual processes with RFID to effectively track and manage inventory, assets/tools and work-in-process (WIP). The RFID technology, driven by ESI, has automated the tracking of more than 200,000 assets, 30,000 parts and about 6,500 work orders at its plants. BAE Systems reported that it saved 2,400 hours tracking WIP, and an additional 1,248 hours in searching for missing items.

ABOUT ESI

As an IoT middleware solution, ESI integrates disparate sensor technologies to connect people data and processes across factories and supply chains. ESI solves connectivity challenges caused by the proliferation of proprietary IoT devices and tracking solutions that cannot share data with other sensors or networks.

Download ESI White Paper

ESI features a unique “sensor-agnostic” platform that ensures interoperability with various hardware and software vendors’ IoT solutions, regardless of brand or data formats. ESI connects sensors ranging from RFID position-information tags, passive and active GPS-enabled WiFi tags to embedded hardware and complex ERP systems, both legacy and next generation technologies. ESI also includes real-time alerts and integration with sensors that monitor temperature sensors, pressure and humidity.

The software platform can be implemented across a global enterprise, either in the cloud or on dedicated servers. With ESI, decision makers have total asset visibility of equipment, tools, cargo and processes – anywhere at any time for 360° supply chain clarity.

As a successfully deployed IoT platform, ESI can help military forces increase efficiencies, reduce costs and enhance situational awareness across its supply chain networks. For more details, download White Paper or watch video below.

About Tapestry Solutions

Tapestry Solutions, Inc. is a global provider of information management software and services for defense, government and commercial markets. We provide mission planning, training and simulation support to maximize readiness for our warfighters. We also help solve logistics challenges for the world’s largest and most complex supply chains. Supporting customers from more than 50 locations worldwide, Tapestry Solutions is part of Boeing Global Services.

Operating as one of Boeing’s three business units, Global Services is headquartered in the Dallas area. For more information, visit www.boeing.com/services.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Boeing Global Services
janet.l.dayton@boeing.com

The appearance of U.S. DoD visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Boeing’s Tapestry Solutions’ Sensor Integration Platform Goes Live at BAE Systems

April 9, 2018

Boeing [NYSE: BA], through its subsidiary Tapestry Solutions, today announced that its Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) software platform has gone live at BAE Systems’ Nashua, New Hampshire, facility.

The rollout of Tapestry’s ESI is part of BAE Systems’ large-scale effort to standardize and automate the infrastructure for its manufacturing operations. Plans are now underway to implement ESI at additional BAE Systems’ manufacturing plants in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Texas and California.

ESI integrates myriad sensor technologies that track, monitor and control assets and workflow processes. ESI also integrates smart Internet-enabled devices, or Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, into one intelligent and interactive network. The software harnesses the power of big data and analytics to boost manufacturing efficiency, productivity and profitability.

As a sensor-agnostic solution, ESI solves connectivity challenges in the evolving digital landscape. It also integrates with an organization’s legacy and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and operates in the cloud or on dedicated servers.

“We are pleased to provide BAE Systems with a flexible, sustainable platform that not only integrates with existing networks, but is also scalable to allow for future growth,” said Michael Spencer, Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing for Tapestry Solutions. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with BAE Systems.”

The ESI installation at the Nashua plant involved the integration of Impinj Speedway Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers, Mojix STAR wide-area RFID sensors and readers, and several ERP and asset management/ordering systems.

ESI mirrors Automated Identification Technology (AIT), the sensor integration solution implemented across 50 Boeing assembly plants. AIT saved Boeing more than $100 million in its first year alone through decreased assembly time, automated asset receipt/payment, enhanced inventory management and improved quality and safety.

About Tapestry Solutions

Boeing Global Services, headquartered in the Dallas area, was formed by integrating the services capabilities of the government, space and commercial sectors into a single, customer-focused business. Operating as a third business unit of Boeing, Global Services provides agile, cost-competitive services to commercial and government customers worldwide.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
Boeing Global Services
tapestrymarketing@boeing.com

Watch video to learn more about Tapestry’s ESI technology:

An IoT Primer: What You Should Know about the Internet of Things & How to Lay the Foundation for Success with Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI)

February 27, 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is far from a new topic in the manufacturing, industrial and defense logistics sectors. Although the IoT is moving beyond a buzzword to real-world utilization, not all stakeholders fully understand this transformative technology. So exactly what is the Internet of Things and why should you care? Here’s what you need to know to successfully lay the foundation for the IoT and ensure long-term success.

Making Sense of the Internet of Things

Wikipedia describes the Internet of Things as a “network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.”

In the private sector, the Internet of Things connects smartphones, smart appliances, smart home thermostats, wearables and much more. The rapid expansion of devices connected to the internet is intended to make our life better, including saving us time and money.

The application of the IoT in the manufacturing industry leverages intelligent, connected devices to greatly improve operational efficiency, productivity and profitability. The digital transformation within manufacturing and supply chains is dubbed the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Industry 4.0. and the Industrial Internet.

Connecting People, Data & Processes to Improve Efficiency

The Industrial Internet allows organizations to connect their people, data and processes so business leaders have a complete, accurate picture of their enterprises. Companies are achieving substantial costs savings with the IIoT due to automation, predictive maintenance, and real-time production and supply chain data.

The Internet of Things relies on application programming interfaces (APIs), which tie together the connected “things.” The APIs essentially serve as the messengers between applications and connected objects. The IoT also relies on the cloud to provide the integration and computing power to fulfill the promise of a connected world.

One of the most significant benefits of the Industrial Internet is the ability to rapidly collect large volumes of data, or Big Data, that can be analyzed for insights that drive smarter, faster and better decisions.

A Growing yet Fragmented IoT Marketplace

IoT providers are flooding the market, which has led to a proliferation of disparate sensors and devices that track and manage assets.

By 2020, analysts estimate that the number of connected devices worldwide will range from 20 billion to 47 billion, and global spending will range from $267 billion to $1.2 trillion, according to data compiled by WeSpeakIoT. Although the IoT figures vary drastically, there is no doubt that the Internet of Things will have a huge impact on our lives and economy.

However, there is enormous fragmentation in the larger IoT industry. Providers of IoT software and hardware solutions are entering the market en masse, which has led to a proliferation of sensors and devices that speak different languages.

As a result, organizations are facing major challenges with interoperability between devices and machines that use different protocols and architecture. They’re often dealing with multiple vendors with multiple, disparate IoT hardware and sensor solutions. So how do you bring it all together?

Establishing a common IoT platform for the data stream will allow multiple sensor technologies to communicate seamlessly; this is what Tapestry’s Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) is all about.

Why is Enterprise Sensor Integration so Appealing?

It all boils down to situational awareness: Manufacturing and supply chain operations want complete visibility of their enterprises, not spreadsheet reports. They need to know the immediate status, including the location of their important assets. They need a common platform to host their hardware and software tracking technologies – a solution that can integrate with newer IoT applications as well as legacy ERP solutions.

ESI connects people, data and processes at 50 Boeing assembly plants, including its Everett, WA factory, pictured here.

Large and small enterprises also need a cloud-capable solution that can process enormous amounts of data. Above all, they require a sensor-agnostic solution that will ensure interoperability.

ESI software meets all these requirements. In fact, ESI is the first system of its kind that has been successfully implemented at enterprise-level scale. The first customer was Boeing – the world’s leading aerospace company. Tapestry implemented ESI across 50 Boeing plants, including the Everett factory, the largest manufacturing facility in the world. In the process, ESI has saved Boeing $100 million in the first year alone.

So How does ESI Work?

Through data fusion, ESI connects multiple sensors, devices and systems into a single integration platform. Because it is “sensor agnostic,” supply chain visibility is not completely dependent on one manufacturer or sensor type. This ensures total asset visibility of equipment, tools, cargo and processes anywhere in the world.

ESI integrates sensors ranging from RFID tags, GPS-enabled WiFi tags to complex servers.

ESI connects sensors ranging from RFID position-information tags, passive and active GPS-enabled WiFi tags to embedded hardware and complex servers. It also seamlessly integrates customers’ legacy and next generation systems. It works in the cloud or on dedicated servers to meet the needs of large enterprises.

Among its applications, ESI provides sensor device and infrastructure management; real-time automated alerts; mapping applications; and integration with temperature sensors, thermostats, pressure sensors and humidity sensors.

Additionally, ESI generates automatic notifications when parts or assembly kits arrive; monitors equipment for improper handling; and ensures compliance with all storage and inventory management requirements.

Let Tapestry Help Your Organization Tap the Power of the IoT

The possibilities of connecting billions of people and “things” through the cloud and networks – with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity and access to knowledge – are virtually limitless. These possibilities are multiplied by emerging technologies in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, 3-D printing, nanotechnology and quantum computing.

However, enterprises must first lay a solid foundation to ensure successful entry into this rapidly evolving landscape. The key benefits are total asset visibility, improved productivity and, above all, significant savings for your organization.

Learn how to tap the power of the IoT today and improve your bottom line by requesting a Tapestry ESI Demo or emailing tapestrymarketing@boeing.com.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
Boeing Global Services
tapestrymarketing@boeing.com

IoT for Military Asset Management (Part II): Tapestry’s Sensor Integration Solution, ESI, Changes the Game for Defense Supply Chains

January 17, 2018

Decades ago, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) played a critical role in laying the foundation for the Internet of Things (IoT) with sensors, extensive computer networks and communications technologies. Today, as the IoT transforms the world around us – from smart homes to smart factories – leveraging the IoT for the defense supply chain seems like the logical next step in the military’s digital transformation. But it’s not that simple.

Over the years, the U.S. military has focused its IoT-related deployments on combat operations, primarily network-centric warfare – the centerpiece of military transformation that relies on sensors, platforms and networks for battlefield situational awareness. The DoD also continues to drive innovation with machine-to-machine communications and artificial intelligence.

In the area of asset management, the military uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track shipments and manage inventories, but RFID sensors are just part of the IoT equation.

The IoT Elephant in the Room: CONNECTIVITY

The IoT has become a ubiquitous term with all the hype surrounding sensors and smart devices in the private sector. The Internet of Things actually involves much more than a network of sensors and smart devices collecting data. The ultimate challenge is connecting these technologies as part of an intelligent network, and transforming “Big Data” into meaningful information. Connectivity, therefore, is key to a true IoT infrastructure.

IoT systems are more than just sensors collecting massive amounts of data. To be a true IoT system, the data must undergo analysis and be used to effect some type of physical or virtual response,” as noted in the CSIS report, Leveraging the Internet of Things for a More Efficient and Effective Military.

A major challenge is that information is often collected from sensors that are not designed to communicate with one another, and this poses a major problem in managing supply chain assets. Rather than extracting data from each sensor type, a true IoT platform fuses the data from multiple sensors in real time, providing timely, actionable information to decision makers.

In the commercial sector, the IoT is transforming everything from manufacturing and supply chains to transportation systems and maintenance management systems. It is significantly improving productivity, efficiency and profitability. However, the military has not kept pace with commercial IoT deployments for several reasons, including security concerns, shrinking budgets and interoperability challenges.

While the military has been a driver in connected and machine-to-machine communications such as radio frequency identification, more commonly known as RFID, it has been slow to adopt true IoT applications that knit these communications into interoperable, automated cycles. Communications remain within their given channels, not easily shared or aggregated,” according to the Deloitte article, Continuing the march: The past, present, and future of the IoT in the military.

With this in mind, broader deployment of IoT technology across the military “requires investment in increased connectivity, digital analytics and improved interoperability,” noted to CSIS authors Denise E. Zheng and William A. Carter.

ESI: Solving the Interoperability Challenge

Tapestry Solutions provides the gateway to the IoT with its Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) technology. ESI effectively bridges disparate sensors together via a single interface, solving challenges related to interoperability. It also delivers automation, real-time alerts, mapping applications and analytics – the full offerings of the Internet of Things. This ensures total asset visibility of equipment, tools, cargo and processes anywhere and at any time.

In fact, Boeing – the world’s largest aerospace company – has already reaped the rewards of ESI. At Boeing, ESI has integrated its asset tracking and supply chain management systems on a common platform across 50 assembly plants. This unity of information, powered by sensor integration, saved Boeing more than $100 million in the first year alone, and it continues to generate huge savings each year.

The ESI platform integrates sensors ranging from RFID position-information tags, passive and active GPS-enabled WiFi tags to embedded hardware and complex servers. ESI also seamlessly integrates customers’ legacy and next generation systems. As a “sensor agnostic” solution, ESI can communicate with many different hardware and software vendors’ IoT solutions. The platform can be implemented across a global enterprise, either in the cloud or on dedicated servers.

With sensor fusion as a core capability, Tapestry Solutions has been delivering enterprise-level solutions to commercial and military customers for decades. Let’s take a closer look at Tapestry’s asset management solutions of the past and how these technologies eventually led to the development of solutions like ESI.

BCS3: A New Age in Information Sharing

Dating back to the U.S.-Iraq War, Tapestry Solutions developed the Army’s Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BCS3) in response to mounting pressure for better asset tracking. First fielded in 2004, BCS3 represented the start of a new age in sustainment information sharing. BCS3 was among the first battle command systems for logistics that helped commanders filter critical logistics information.

Still in limited use today, BCS3 provided commanders with a joint logistics common operating picture. It tied together information from numerous, disparate Army logistics systems, in-transit visibility systems, and other fragmented data sources. This enabled operators to view the supply stockage levels in warehouses and track the movement of supplies as they traveled through the distribution systems via air, land and sea.

Among the subsystems feeding into BCS3 were RFID tags and fixed-site interrogators. BCS3 processed RFID tag data and graphically depicted the data on a map or report (shown above).

The RFID tags work like “wireless bar codes” that record, track, and manage the supplies and equipment of a modern networked military, according to the article, “RFID Technology: Keeping Track of DoD’s Stuff.” There are many benefits to RFID, including improved asset tracking, inventory management and automation. However, the DoD had faced challenges of achieving widespread RFID implementation, mainly because it was unable to demonstrate the return on investment.

Improving the Effectiveness of RFID – and Multiple Sensor Technologies

Fast forward to today. As the costs of using RFID technology decreased phenomenally, RFID has been deployed across military supplies and assets, including aircraft, tanks, weapons and ammunition, soldiers and equipment.

It is estimated that the military has over 3 million active RFID tags in circulation, including over 3,000 tag-reader devices in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Pakistan, according to ToolHound, a developer of web-based tool management software. RFID is often used with barcodes to record, track and manage military equipment and supplies.

The information collected by RFID tags is significant, but its value is limited if the data remains siloed, or isolated from other data sources. Its true potential can only be realized when connected to other sensors and asset management systems via an Internet of Things platform, like Tapestry’s ESI.

By fusing data from multiple sensor technologies from multiple vendors, ESI gives decision-makers a complete picture of their asset movements and inventory. For instance, if an enemy mobilized against the U.S., military officers can immediately identify what is happening, determine which assets are nearby, mobilize those assets and ensure they have enough equipment, supplies, and soldiers to overcome the opposition.

Despite the challenges of adopting IoT for military applications, ESI can help defense organizations leverage this interconnected architecture to increase efficiency, reduce costs and enhance situational awareness across the full spectrum of defense logistics management.

It’s all about information-sharing – and achieving information superiority in the battlespace – because military commanders have always lived and died by information.

he appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information
does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
tapestrymarketing@boeing.com

Watch ESI Commercial to Learn More

Tapestry to Showcase Military Applications for its Internet of Things platform, ESI, during RFID in Aerospace & Defense Conference

December 12, 2017

As a proud sponsor of RFID in Aerospace and Defense 2017, Tapestry Solutions will demonstrate how its Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) platform can help reshape fragmented supply chains and communications gateways by leveraging the Internet of Things, or IoT, that can improve the readiness and mobility of military forces.

During the conference, held Dec. 13 in Arlington, Va., company representatives will demonstrate ESI’s powerful capabilities at the Tapestry booth. Tapestry’s Patrick Lubinski, Business Development Director, will also present a case study during a presentation, “Connecting Aerospace & Defense (A&D) Supply Chains with Integrated IoT Sensor Solutions.” He will highlight the rollout of ESI across 50 Boeing factories – saving the aerospace giant over $100 million in its first year alone.

Lubinski will discuss how ESI can transform fragmented A&D supply chain operations, significantly optimizing asset tracking, inventory management, warehouse and fulfillment operations, and workflow management.

ESI is a revolutionary integration platform that provides a centralized hub for any sensor, regardless of hardware type or brands, and it can be offered as an on-premise or cloud-hosted solution. This “sensor-agnostic” IoT solution provides enterprise visibility and a common operating picture. It integrates digital analytics, enabling commanders and logisticians to easily digest massive amounts of data to facilitate relevant, instant decision-making.

By bridging disparate sensor technologies through a standard interface, ESI solves military’s challenges by obtaining real-time, relevant data from multiple sensor sources and networks. ESI addresses communications gaps caused by massive data collection from disjointed systems, rapid changes in globally dispersed operations, and increasingly complex distribution and supply chain operations.

WHY MILITARIES NEED TO ADOPT IoT TECHNOLOGIES

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nick Cerilli)

Unlike the consumer supply chain, the military supply chain involves an unstable and unpredictable demand, moving end supply points, and ensuring equipment readiness for war. These challenges present complications such as difficult inventory and asset management, inefficient equipment maintenance and repair operations, overstocking of spare parts, and long ship times for spares that are not immediately available in the shop.

The lack of automation also presents a challenge for defense organizations. Data collection is dependent on manual entry, and there is limited processing of massive data collection through data analytics tools. This leads to a fragmented information technology structure – a major issue facing militaries today.

The military lacks a cohesive IT architecture that can support the Internet of Things, according to the CSIS eBook “Leveraging the Internet of Things for a More Efficient and Effective Military.” The authors noted that the armed services and the Department of Defense (DoD) agencies are connected to DoD networks, but these networks are developed independently and with different requirements.

“Often, multiple services are involved in an operation, or multiple agencies are involved in a process, but information has to be passed between their stovepiped systems manually, which is inefficient and allows for human error. Fragmentation across DoD’s IT architectures complicates the development and use of common security protocols and practices across DoD network,” according to CSIS.

THE ESI APPROACH TO MILITARY CHALLENGES
ESI ensures all IT systems are interoperable, enabling the military to leverage the full potential of the IoT. It ensures standardization across the enterprise, allowing asset management and tracking systems to talk to each other in the larger IoT ecosystem.

ESI automates workflow processes, and together with digital analytics, enables decision-makers to easily process the sheer volume of data, reducing data overload.

In the area of supply chain management, ESI enables logisticians to efficiently track and manage complex assets and individual supplies down to the tactical level. It allows decision-makers to see a complete picture of asset movements and inventory at any given time.

ESI collectively processes data from sensors such as RFID position-information tags; passive and active GPS-enabled WiFi tags; and embedded hardware and complex servers, both legacy and next-generation systems.

As noted by CSIS, IoT technology can significantly reduce costs in the following areas:

Inventory Management – Real-time supply chain visibility and predictive analytics enable the military to order parts and supplies on demand, and reduce stockpiling and loss.
Real-Time Fleet Management – Adopting IoT devices for real-time fleet management, including sensors for cargo, geolocation, status, fuel efficiency and weight; can reduce fuel costs by as much as 25 percent and increase fleet utilization by two percent.
Condition-Based Maintenance — Retrofitting vehicle fleet with onboard sensors to monitor engine performance and parts facilitates on-demand ordering of parts, which in turn, reduces unanticipated failures.
Base Management and Energy Efficiency – Smart thermostats have saved consumers up to 15 percent on heating and cooling. Even half those efficiency gains could save the DoD $700 million per year on energy.

Tapestry Solutions, Inc. is a global provider of information management software and services for defense, government and commercial markets. Backed by our parent company, The Boeing Company, we provide mission planning, training and simulation support to maximize readiness for our warfighters. We also help solve logistics challenges for the world’s largest and most complex supply chains. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Tapestry supports customers from more than 50 locations worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Afghanistan, Kuwait, the UK, South Korea, Australia, Germany and Italy.

WATCH VIDEO TO SEE ESI IN ACTION

Tapestry White Paper Addresses Solutions to Fragmented IoT Supply Chain; Read How Data Fusion & Sensor Integration Provides Seamless Gateway

June 21, 2017

The Internet of Things (IoT) is fueling a fourth Industrial Revolution, and with it, comes significant interoperability challenges for industries. As you’ll read in our white paper, “The Sensor Revolution,” there’s been a proliferation of stove-piped IoT sensor technologies that are not designed for the larger IoT ecosystem.

Tapestry Solutions has addressed the interoperability challenges with its Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) technology. Cloud-based ESI utilizes data fusion and a sensor agnostic platform that ensures interoperability across all brands, manufacturers and ERP systems. ESI has global enterprise scalability that ensures total asset visibility of parts, equipment and processes – anywhere in the world.

ESI leverages technologies that Tapestry developed for Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company. Here, the technology has interconnected nearly every aspect of Boeing’s asset management and supply chain – not just at a single factory, but across more than 50 Boeing sites.

Our sensor integration solution saved Boeing over $100 million in its first year alone and continues to generate savings year after year. It has improved productivity, reduced inventory costs and increased supply chain velocity. With ESI, there is also better situational awareness and actionable decision-support capabilities as well as enhanced safety and security at the assembly plants.

ESI is a flexible platform that supports a broad range of missions and operations including:

Global Supply Chains
Industrial Manufacturing
Depot Maintenance Operations
Defense Logistics Operations
Commercial Asset Tracking

Download white paper

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
tapestrymarketing@boeing.com

Tapestry to Integrate its IoT Platform for Major Defense Manufacturer

May 4, 2017

Tapestry Solutions has entered into another agreement with a major defense manufacturer to integrate Tapestry’s Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) software at its assembly plants throughout the United States. The technology will provide the defense contractor with automated asset tracking, workflow and material replenishment processes using touchscreen monitors and handheld RFID readers.

The first installation is set to go live in August, with additional installations expected to follow at more than two dozen plants under a multi-phase project approach.

“We are proud to offer a package that no other vendor was able to match,” said Michael Spencer, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Tapestry Solutions. “The customer made it clear that they chose Tapestry because no other vendor demonstrated our unique understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) hardware, software, operations and customer centric implementation.”

Unlike other sensor solutions, ESI is a sensor-agnostic IoT platform that can be scaled across the global enterprise. It is also available as a cloud-based solution for factories of all sizes and supply chain operations.

With ESI, supply chain visibility is not dependent on one manufacturer or sensor type. ESI interfaces with major RFID vendors as well as sensor solutions from providers including Oracle, SAP and IBM Maximo. This ensures total asset visibility of equipment, tools, shipments and processes anywhere in the world.

ESI is based on automated information technology that Tapestry rolled out across 50 Boeing plants. Boeing reported a savings of more than $100 million during its first year by reducing labor costs, increasing workflow efficiency, preventing asset theft, lowering rental equipment expenses and improving decision making based on the analytic data. Tapestry estimates a recurring savings for Boeing of $70 million annually.

As a result of the successful implementation at Boeing, Tapestry launched the commercially available ESI product line in November 2016.

Media Contact:
Janet Dayton
tapestrymarketing@boeing.com

Tapestry Solutions Launches IoT Sensor Integration Solution; ESI Leverages Enterprise Technology Deployed at Boeing

October 25, 2016

SAN DIEGO, November 16, 2016 – Tapestry Solutions, Inc., a non-fully integrated subsidiary of Boeing [NSYE: BA], has launched its Enterprise Sensor Integration (ESI) software platform that will transform supply chain operations and help businesses tap the power of the Internet of Things (IoT). Tapestry’s ESI middleware solution seamlessly connects people, processes and data on factory floors, supply chains, and across the enterprise. By providing a standard infrastructure for data and analytics, ESI gives decision-makers a complete picture of their inventory and asset movements during the production process.

Wing Sets in the 747 Factory in Everett
(Photo: Jeff McNeil/Wikimedia Commons)

“ESI is a game-changer in the industry. It will modernize supply chain and manufacturing operations, and in the process, help businesses grow their bottom line,” said Robin Wright, President & CEO of Tapestry Solutions, Inc.

ESI is based on Tapestry’s field-proven technology recently deployed at 50 sites throughout The Boeing Company – the world’s largest aerospace company. At Boeing, the custom technology is known as the Automated Identification Technology – Information Management System, or AIT-IMS. In its first year alone, AIT-IMS saved Boeing approximately $100 million through decreased assembly time, automated asset receipt/payment, enhanced inventory management and improved quality and safety.

The software harnesses the power of Big Data, boosting manufacturing efficiency, productivity and profitability. It serves as the foundation for the IoT, where internet-enabled devices are connected, intelligent and interactive.

“ESI not only will give businesses a competitive advantage, it will also help accelerate industry innovation around the globe. We are proud to be part of this IoT sensor revolution,” added Jens Pohl, Vice President of Engineering, Tapestry Solutions.

Tapestry’s commercially available ESI solution features expanded capabilities, including a cloud-based platform and integration with temperature sensors, thermostats, pressure sensors and humidity sensors.

Through data fusion, ESI integrates a myriad of sensor technologies that track, monitor and control assets and workflow processes on a common platform. It synthesizes data from sensors, software and electronics – everything from bar codes, active and passive RFID, Wi-Fi and GPS tags to scanners and ultra-wideband wireless systems can securely and seamlessly interact with one another.

ESI also unlocks the massive opportunity of the future IoT, where everything is smart and interconnected – from smart cities and homes to smart factories. From a manufacturing perspective, the sensor management system is not limited to tracking assets and enhancing supply chain visibility, however. It can also be linked to a building’s infrastructure and equipment, such as managing and controlling heating, lighting and door security systems as well as machine sensors.

The enterprise-class platform has interconnected nearly every aspect of Boeing’s asset management and supply chain. As a result of its successful implementation, AIT-IMS will serve as the platform for Boeing’s IoT integration efforts. (See AIT-IMS Case Study)

Tapestry Solutions, Inc. is a global provider of information management software and services for defense, government and commercial markets. Backed by our parent company, The Boeing Company, we help solve logistics challenges for the world’s largest and most complex supply chains. We also provide mission planning, training and simulation support to maximize readiness for our warfighters. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Tapestry supports customers from more than 50 locations around the world, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Afghanistan, Kuwait, the UK, South Korea, Australia and Germany.

Media Contact:
Janet Dayton
tapestrymarketing@boeing.com