Netc N·VISION RFID WatchDog™

Tracking the movement of data tapes within the data center seems simple enough. However, your experience tells you it can often be a daunting task. Conducting tape library audits is an essential but time-consuming and labor intensive task often dictated by compliance regulations and industry best practices. And, you know that shipping data tapes to and from offsite vault facilities is not for the faint of heart. Is there a way to solve these challenging issues with a simple, yet comprehensive solution? Is there a vendor who will work with you to meet your business requirements rather than telling you that you have to do things their way?

The Netc N·VISION RFID WatchDog™ system with PassPort Technology™ utilizes state-of-the-art RFID technology to help you manage your valuable data tape assets. How does it work? It starts with the Netc N·VISION RFID media barcode label. The label is specifically designed for tape media using the same quality label material used in regular Netc media barcode labels. With more than one hundred million Netc media barcode labels deployed worldwide, you know that you are using a label that is field tested and proven to perform in every type of robotic tape library. We designed the RFID antenna to fit neatly in the human readable portion of the label so the printed barcode would not be compromised. We selected a UHF Gen2 RFID chip that contains the Electronic Product Code (EPC) where the VolSer resides. The EPC is written-once-read-many times (WORM) and is permanently locked for additional security. The internal RFID label schema, developed jointly by Netc and IBM, and published by IBM, ensures that each label may be uniquely and distinctly identified. As an option, we have also provided an additional 56 characters of custom user data that may be used to further identify and manage your tape media. These are some of the reasons IBM selected Netc N·VISION RFID media barcode labels for their LTO and 3592 tape media.

The Netc N·VISION RFID WatchDog™ system enables you to effectively manage the movement of your data tape assets. PassPort Technology™ lets you create your manifest (list) of data tapes to be tracked and monitored through the PassPort portals deployed in your organization. As the tapes move through each PassPort portal checkpoint, the N·VISION RFID labels are interrogated and verified against the manifest for accuracy and completeness. This process takes just a few seconds to authorize the operator to proceed to the next checkpoint. During the interrogation and authorization process an indicator light on the PassPort portal will turn yellow. Once the manifest is verified the light will turn green and the operator may proceed. If the manifest cannot be completely verified, the light will turn red. The anomaly and status will be visible on the PassPort touch screen monitor and the operator may take the appropriate remedial action. This may include using a portable RFID wand to read the RFID tape labels that are “missing” from the tape manifest. If the operator can verify all the tapes in the manifest are accounted for, the operator may override the anomaly message(s) and proceed through the portal. The WatchDog™ system is completely scalable from one to many portals depending upon your business requirements. The system also features a complete reporting engine facilitating management reporting, analysis and real-time security alerts.

A PassPort™ Hand-Held unit is available to complement the Netc N·VISION RFID WatchDog™ system. The portable RFID unit contains hardware and software to facilitate the tracking and auditing of your data tape assets. The PassPort™ Hand-Held contains a UHF Gen2 RFID reader that reads N·VISION RFID VolSer labels. It also can read both 1 and 2 dimensional barcodes. The intuitive, easy to use software works with you to expedite the tape inventory, auditing and location process.

Here are some of the major advantages of Netc N·VISION RFID WatchDog™ system

• Netc N·VISION RFID Gen2 media barcode labels
  • Increased Security
  • Permalocked (WORM) VolSer and media type
  • Each label has a unique label identifier schema for discrete tape identification
  • Encrypted User Data with password protection

• Faster Tape Library Audits
  • RFID chip may be read without line of sight (barcode)
  • RFID reader reads faster than barcode reader
  • Each Netc N·VISION RFID label is uniquely identifiable

• More Accurate Tape Tracking within the Data Center
  • Monitor tape movement within your data center
  • Monitor tape movement to offsite vaulting locations
  • Ability to update Netc N·VISION RFID User Data onsite, in real-time
  • More secure, controlled and compliant data center environment
  • Saves time, people and money

• Open Architecture
  • Netc N·VISION RFID easily interfaces with your current software
    • Tape Management System (TMS)
    • IT Asset Management System (ITAMS)
    • Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
  • WatchDog™ is a completely integrated RFID solution
    • Minus the pain, time and expense of extensive system integration
    • Works right out of the box
  • Netc can provide a feed to your software solution provider
  • Netc software developers will work with you to create a custom solution for your company

• Netc N·VISION RFID Solution Suite
  • Single-Source, integrated system solution
    • Netc Label System - N·VISION RFID Enterprise Edition
      • Do-IT-Yourself N·VISION RFID labels
    • Netc Label Architect - N·VISION RFID Media Barcode Labels
      • Real-time N·VISION RFID label design, approval & purchase
      • Netc printed and enabled N·VISION RFID labels
    • Netc N·VISION RFID Blank Label Stock
    • Netc N·VISION RFID writeRFID System
      • Hardware & software to RFID enable N·VISION RFID labels
    • Netc N·VISION RFID veRiFID System
      • Hardware & software to verify N·VISION RFID labels
    • Netc N·VISION RFID Re-Write System
      • Hardware & software to update custom user data on N·VISION RFID labels
    • Netc N·VISION RFID WatchDog™ System
      • Hardware & software to manage and secure N·VISION RFID data tape

Please visit WatchDog.LabelArchitect.com or email NVISION@netcllc.com for more information.