3M Track And Trace Solutions

Case Studies
3M is implementing a broad range of track and trace applications. Here are some cases in point:

Fish and Richardson, P.C.
The 128-year-old law firm of Fish and Richardson today defends more patent litigation than any other firm in the United States and is the leading firm for patent cases at the International Trade Commission. It files more than 4,000 patent applications each year and almost 500 new trademark applications. Lacking an automated system for tracking its physical files, employees were devoting countless hours to searching for files. When the 3M RFID Track and Trace System was installed within the Trademark Group of its Boston office, file accuracy was improved by 60%. The annual value of the time saved searching for files is estimated at $144,000. The unqualified success of the test program in Boston, based on more than a year of experience, resulted in a decision to install the 3M system in Fish and Richardson offices nationwide.

Florida State University
Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, FL is the first educational institution to use the 3M Track and Trace System for file management. FSU had the system installed to assist its offices of Sponsored Research Services and Sponsored Research Accounting Services, which administer more than $182 million of research grants for some 1,200 projects. The university maintains more than 3,000 project files to which more than 40 employees have routine access. A missing file can delay an invoice or interrupt the progression of a project and, with so many people having access to the files, the potential for inefficiency is high if the files are not tracked and managed adequately.

U.S. Tax Court
Following a similar move by the tax division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Tax Court is using a 3M RFID Track and Trace System to boost productivity and efficiency in tracking and retrieving its case files, which currently number approximately 100,000. It is also applying the same 3M system to the law library of books, periodicals, and documents.

U.S. Army
The U.S. Army is using a 3M RFID Track and Trace System to track medical files at its massive Fort Hood installation in Texas. The active medical records of more than 150,000 service men and women and their dependents are housed at five sites at Fort Hood, and as many as 70,000 files may be in use at the base’s six clinics during the course of a month. The system provides continuous automatic inventory monitoring and error notification, essentially eliminating human compliance issues.

Mayo Clinic
Thanks to the 3M RFID Track and Trace System, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN has enhanced its ability to manage specimen and tissue samples from the collection state to the pathology laboratory. Use of the 3M system has resulted in quantifiable operational efficiencies in the specimen management process, accurate communication of data, and verification of information. Expansion of the track-and-trace system within the endoscopy practice will be taking place in planned, controlled phases.

Product Description
Using RFID, RTLS (real-time location system), GPS, and other innovative technologies, 3M partners with organizations to provide versatile and easy-to-use solutions that help reliably protect and manage their assets. Our solutions deliver customer value by improving asset utilization and increasing patient or worker safety. Our RFID systems include hardware, software, and professional services, ensuring a solution that integrates with current systems and has a single point of accountability. 3M offers track-and-trace solutions for industries including healthcare; safety and security; aerospace and defense; mineral extraction, oil, and gas; fleet management and field service; supply chain; construction and utilities; libraries; document management, legal, and government. 3M also offers location services technologies such as RTLS and GPS.

Company Overview
3M is a global, diversified technology company that has been serving customers in more than 200 countries for more than 100 years. Its operations are managed in six business segments: industrial and transportation; healthcare; display and graphics; consumer and office; safety, security and protection services; and electro and communications. 3M’s six business segments bring together common or related 3M technologies, enhancing the development of innovative products and services and providing for efficient sharing of business resources. These segments have worldwide responsibility for virtually all 3M product lines.

3M is among the leading manufacturers of products for many of the markets it serves. Most 3M products involve expertise in product development, manufacturing, and marketing, and are subject to competition from products manufactured and sold by other technologically oriented companies.

3M Track And Trace Solutions
3M Center Bldg. 225-4N-14
St. Paul, MN  55144-1000
PH: (800) 554-9107
Web site: www.3Mtrackandtrace.com