Warehousing RFID and Distribution Solutions

RFID Systems are extremely valuable for warehousing operations. RFID tags present very flexible reading capabilities, and RFID Systems are becoming more and more innovative. The applications of RFID today are astonishing. Many different and new RFID applications are written about on the internet each day. Every day people and companies are finding new and innovative ways to use RFID. RFID systems are even being tied to social media allowing people to update their Facebook profiles automatically. www.RFIDJournal.com is just one of many very informative websites that can be found.

RFID in Warehouses

Warehousing RFID systems will return numerous significant benefits. One of the factors making RFID technology a great resource for the warehousing industry is that tags do not require a line of sight as bar codes do, they are orientation independent, and can also be read unattended. Unattended means that a warehouse worker does not need to be present to pull a trigger in order for a reader to read an RFID tag. RFID readers can be set up in read zones that automatically monitor and record all movements for certain areas of the facility such as a shelf, secure storage areas, a dock door, or a container yard. Eliminating the need to scan items in a warehouse will save tremendous amounts of time and item movement will be automatically recorded improving inventory control and shipping accuracy.

In terms of increasing worker productivity, imagine picking operations where workers scan shelves and bins with an RFID reader to automatically detect the storage location of the sought items. Readers would also automatically detect items stored in the wrong location and alert operators to the problem. Using RFID for these applications enables items to “self-report” their locations, rather than requiring workers to find them, thus reducing errors, saving labor, and lowering costs. The benefits of this application alone are great, then add other common warehousing applications that can benefit and it is easy to see why more and more companies are integrating RFID systems into warehousing operations.

Another great benefit is that RFID technology provides multi-read capabilities. Image the time that can be saved from not having to break down pallets or cases to scan and record products as they are received. Take a pallet containing multiple products of different quantities. When each item on the pallet has an RFID tag on it as the pallet moves through the dock door with an RFID reader fixed in place, all items and quantities are immediately recorded and inventory levels are automatically updated in the management system without a worker having to enter any information or scan each item.

In addition, RFID systems can be programmed to monitor business rules so that alerts will be sent if certain conditions are present, such as items being moved after hours, unusual transaction volume, or others depending on the operations of a company. RFID systems can be integrated into warehouse management system (WMS) asset management and other software applications. Warehousing operations will receive tremendous benefits from RFID systems that are properly integrated.

Benefits of Warehousing RFID

Above some of the benefits that are received from integrating RFID systems into warehousing operations are explained in detail. Below is a short and concise list of some of the major benefits of Warehousing RFID systems.

• Increase Operational Productivity
• Reduce Costs
• Improve Customer Service
• Improve Warehouse Safety
• Improve Employee Satisfaction
• Reduced Inventories In The Supply Chain
• Increase Product Security

Fully Integrated Warehousing RFID Solutions

BCI will design and integrate warehousing solutions to integrate RFID technology into current operations based on a company’s specific needs. From start to finish, BCI will piece together the Software, Hardware, and Integration Services to create a cost-effective RFID Solution that will pay for itself over and over again, maximizing the Return on Investment.