Warehouse Management System using RFID
Strengths and Benefits
SageData is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
It is surprising how many stores and small warehouses still operate with
minimal technology assistance, primarily relying on cards, paper lists, or "old George"
who knows where everything is. Most stores, and warehouses have long moved on to
barcodes, and many are now considering RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).
There are many strengths and benefits from using RFID, but two significant ones are the ability to read tags
without requiring line of sight, and the ability to read many tags "at one go". The
practical benefits are that cartons, crates or equipment can be identified quickly and easily, and
if necessary with tags that can be hidden (particularly appropriate when managing
weapons). It also means that items can be tracked in a sealed container, without opening
the container. And "lost" items are more easily found (see story below..).
The best compliments are the accidental ones.
The following story occured some years ago. We had provided a warehouse management system for a
large company, tracking completed product ready to be shipped to a client in a distant
country. This was a very large installation. As the shipment was being prepared, one
critical item was missing. The records showed that it had been delivered to a specific
warehouse, but it could not be found, and the conclusion was that it had been placed in
the wrong box, and was hiding on one of the shelves.
This was a multi-million dollar shipment. The crisis reached the point where the whole
executive management team took off their suit jackets, and turned out to help. The
warehouse staff lifted all the cartons to the floor, and the search commenced. Four hours
later the missing item was found. Much merriment ensued. As the execs put on their suits,
one smiling executive commented to the warehouse manager, "actually nice to get out of
the office Dave, quite like old times" He then expanded, "we used to do this four or five
times a year, hasn't happened in at least three years - what happened"?
What had actually happened, was that the warehouse manager had installed BassetPro three
years earlier. Such errors had largely been eliminated. This had been one of the last of
the old stock problems finally surfacing. The best compliments are the unconscious ones.
The link lower on this page will connect you to a short video that explains how RFID can
be applied.
This short video describes the strengths and benefits of RFID in a warehouse management system. For more information, we invite you contact SDS (SageData Solutions) by phone or email.
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
For more information consider browsing the following links:
- barcode knowledge hub
- RFID knowledge hub
- an introduction to
BassetPro
QAOK50534370
