May 30, 2005

Today, Allstream Inc. announces it has inked a deal to provide health-care supply-chain manager Hospital Logistics Inc. with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology for use in its warehouse facilities.

Terms of the deal were not released. Toronto-based Hospital Logistics provides supply chain management to five Toronto-area hospitals.

Allstream, formerly AT&T Canada and now a division of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., said the technology will help Hospital Logistics to review scanned information and be alerted to order discrepancies before products leave the warehouse.

The technology replaces bar codes and allows for remotely storing and retrieving data using special devices, the company said. The tag has both a microchip and antenna that can be attached to or incorporated into a product and its packaging to identify and track physical objects.

"Allstream will program RFID tags that will be associated with each order to ensure that the medical and surgical supply inventory has been accurately delivered to HLI's customers, as well as providing real-time information to warehouse staff for any discrepancies," Allstream stated.

"In the next phase, the solution will be expanded to include an inventory management tracking system for HLI's external suppliers."

Shares in Manitoba Telecom rose 38 cents to $46.84 Monday morning on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Source: Canada.com