Maximize Your Warehouse Capabilities With RFID – Part 2
As discussed in Part 1, your warehouse may need to upgrade its functionality to improve its effectiveness and remain competitive. Planning and installing a new WMS (warehouse management system) featuring RFID (radio-frequency identification) are perhaps the next steps for every warehouse in your organization. Part 2 will discuss RFID technology in greater detail in relation to warehouses.
How RFID is Being Used Today
RFID technology is being implemented by companies to improve the tracking of the storage and movement of products contained in their warehouses. As a result, they are maximizing their warehouse capabilities. Greater efficiency is the result due to the streamlining of the shipping and receiving of goods.
An RFID system has the four main components below:
- RFID Tags
- Scanning Antenna
- Transceiver
- Transponder
The two main kinds of RFID tags are “active”, which has its own power source, and “passive”, which is powered by the scanning antenna. A semi-passive RFID tag has a battery powering its circuitry, and an RFID reader powers its communications. An RFID tag is attached to products stored in a warehouse that runs WMS software.
The combination of a scanning antenna and transceiver are referred to as an RFID interrogator or reader. The two types of RFID network-connected readers are mobile readers and fixed readers. Using radio waves, readers transmit signals that then activate an RFID tag. An RFID tag then uses a transponder contained within to transmit signals containing data to the scanning antenna.
RFID Technology Benefits for Warehouse Management
- Prevention of product overstocking and understocking
- Improves security produces stored in a warehouse
- Increases data capabilities, including tracing and tracking of products
- RFID tags provide data automatically when scanned, reducing labor costs
- Unlike barcodes, line-of-sight is not required for scanning or tracking
- Complete supply chain visibility from maximizing data
- Robust, RFID tags have much greater longevity than barcodes
- Increases productivity by scanning faster than the best handheld barcode scanners
- Accelerates tracking, checking, and processing significantly
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking cost-effective solutions. Working together, Progressive teams are committed to getting your data cabling, access control, and telecom systems installed and operating while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll-free number (800) 614-4560 today.
