The Client

Our customer is a high-volume ISO 9000 registered contract packager that provides services primarily to the automotive and retail industries. The company assumes total responsibility for packaging, warehousing, order processing, sequencing, and shipping. Shipping destinations include all 50 US states as well as many foreign destinations including Canada, Mexico, Shanghai, Saudi Arabia, Africa, and much of Europe.

The Requirements

First, implement a secure wireless connectivity LAN consisting of wireless handheld device scanners running Pocket PC 2003 to be used at any location throughout the 160,000 square feet of facility. These scanners will have access to a web based application tied to the SQL server back end. This application will enable users to verify packaging materials and parts to be packaged, maintain in-process packaging, and close shop orders. The application will also allow users to access freight destinations for sequencing and shipping, allow users to deploy freight, and ship and bill all freight. Secondly, to setup terminals with infrared scanners on each packaging line. These terminals must have access to the same web based application. Each line will scan in the bar codes from parts both before and after they are packaged to ensure correct order shipments.

Our Solution

After a site survey, it was recommended to install six wireless Access Points (APs) throughout the facility at specified locations to ensure optimum coverage of the entire warehouse and office areas. Security precautions utilized on this network were as follows:

Turn off broadcast of the SSID. Use WEP Encryption. Control access by MAC address. Segment the wireless network - based on the configuration of the network.

A firewall was used to control what traffic is permitted to and from the wireless segment. By using security zones on the network all traffic on the wireless network was permitted only to access port 80 on the SQL Server. To provide hardwired ethernet coverage for the APs a central Cisco 3550 switch with a battery backup was installed in the middle of the warehouse. The wireless Symbol 2846 Monochrome Portable Pen Terminals with Pocket PC 2003 and built-in 11Mbps wireless connection.were installed and configured. The Internet Explorer browser on these units also allowed for access to the web based application. For each shipping line a mobile wireless enabled Windows XP PC was installed. Finally, the barcode scanners were connected with the PCs via the USB ports. Post installation testing was done over a two days period to monitor reliability and bandwidth usage. All system performed seamlessly.