Why Your Warehouse Should Implement RFID Technology – Part 1
Constant changes in supply chains and the resulting operational difficulties have led to a growing need for dependable real-time data in warehouses. Fortunately, radio-frequency identification (RFID technology) benefits facilities desiring accurate, efficient and streamlined data collection. Moreover, as listed below, RFID offers several advantages over manual data and barcode collection methods.
- Improved warehouse inventory management
- Line of sight is not required when collecting data
- Capable of storing 100 times more data than a barcode
- LF, HF, and UHF tags provide scalable read ranges
- Speedier reading of several tags with a single scan
- Tag positioning flexibility is ideal for reading each item on a pallet
- Improved warehouse interior and exterior functionality, including in harsh environments
RFID technology allows warehouses to execute workflows more accurately, efficiently, and efficiently. By streamlining processes, facilities can increase throughput and lower operating costs. The following will discuss five ways to leverage RFID technology in warehouses.
1) Accurate Inventory Management
RFID enables automated data collection, with critical information like SKU (stock keeping unit) numbers, quantities, and locations being fed directly into a database for processing. Applying an RFID tag to a pallet or product allows handheld and fixed readers to collect data. The information is then delivered to ERP (enterprise resource planning) or WMS (warehouse management system) software, which can provide important data regarding inventory location and movements.
Advanced RFID location solutions allow a company to monitor items as they are transferred to different zones inside a warehouse or from one facility to another. This generates an accurate inventory record, eliminating the time and effort required to locate pallet and SKU locations.
2) Instant Verification
The installation of RFID portals at dock doors can eliminate errors that may result during the process of loading or unloading items. At the same time, they are being simultaneously scanned into and out of inventory. Implementing an RFID solution consisting of fixed readers and passive tags will allow your warehouse to verify products instantly when they pass a checkpoint.
RFID software can also provide alerts for scanned items that do not match the documentation listing what was supposed to be shipped. Similarly, RFID checkpoints can be utilized to find outbound shipping errors and increase fulfillment accuracy.
Part 2 will discuss more ways to leverage RFID technology in warehouses.
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