As labor shortages continue and the cost to hire workers keeps on rising, every business needs to look for opportunities to do more with less, and that includes how we manage our supply chain, inventory and assets.
Traditional automation methods such as barcoding can certainly help in this area if you’re still working with paper-based and largely manual processes. For many warehouses, manufacturing plants, and transportation and logistics hubs where barcoding is already in place, the new challenge is to figure out how to automate tracking processes even further.
That’s where radio frequency identification (RFID) comes into play. RFID is now one of the world’s fastest-growing automation technologies as businesses look to improve their tracking, traceability, and overall operational efficiency.
RFID has become well-established across many industries over the past 15 years, and here’s how it works.
RFID uses radio waves, much like Wi-Fi does, to locate and track items wirelessly and automatically. It all starts with an electronic RFID tag, which is printed and encoded with a unique identifier and then adhered to an object much like a barcode label.
The tag’s unique ID is tied to a database and used to identify the object and pinpoint its location to within a few feet.
Unlike a barcode, tags can be read wirelessly and automatically, even while they’re moving. All they have to do is come within range of an RFID reader. Whether you’re using a handheld RFID reader and walk through a room to scan for tags, or if tagged items move within range of a fixed RFID reader (above a doorway, in a warehouse aisle, at a dock door, etc.) an RFID solution will track materials as they move through your operations.
Handheld RFID readers are mobile devices like a handheld scanner, or even a mobile computer that can run business apps and RFID software to read tags, record their updated location and status, and then transmit that data over a network to your systems or databases. Alternatively, fixed readers do the same thing by reading tags and transmitting related data to your RFID software or other systems.
Readers usually have a range of 5 to 10 feet, depending on your environment and your RFID tag types. But ranges can be adjusted and customized, and a lot depends on the type of RFID tags and technology you’re using.
For example, if you need true real-time locating and tracking of your tagged assets with complete automation, you can use RFID tags with built-in batteries that power up the tags at regular intervals and send signals to nearby readers. These tags cost more due to having their own on-board power source, but they’re frequently used in applications where you need to track high-value assets with real-time and pinpoint accuracy. Alternatively, you can use standard UHF RFID tags to track your inventory or assets, and these tags cost less because they rely on RFID readers to send them a signal that wakes them up and also provides wireless power.
RFID’s Big Advantages for Labor-Saving Automation
With an RFID tag, you don’t need to line up a scanner or even have line-of-site access to a tag, and you can read an entire pallet or an entire room’s worth of tags in just seconds or a few minutes. Tags are read wirelessly and remotely, even if they’re not physically visible or accessible, and that saves a huge amount of time and labor when it comes to conducting inventory counts or locating assets.
You can also use RFID for real-time tracking of assets as they move through processes or through different areas of a building, especially if you’re using fixed RFID readers at entryways or in aisles. This way, you can eliminate the need for workers to manually scan barcodes or read tags, and the entire process can be automated. And you can always know the most recent location of an item and its status, for better inventory or asset management.
Typical RFID Applications
RFID can be used in any application where you need to identify, locate and track products, assets or materials. It’s often used in warehouses, distribution centers, and retail to automate inventory and eliminate manual barcode scanning and cycle counts.
RFID is also commonly used in manufacturing for traceability and tracking of parts and materials as they’re received and as they move through production processes and become finished goods.
Some manufacturers use RFID tags with validation and alert systems to track the parts arriving at each stage in their production processes. If the wrong parts or components arrive for a given job, mobile alerts are issued to workers and/or warning lights are trigged to create a visible indication that there’s an issue that needs to be addressed, before those parts are used and put into production.
Hospitals are also using RFID to positively identify and track patients for better patient care and to avoid medication mix-ups.
Determining if RFID Can Help You Save Labor and Costs
RFID requires investment in hardware, printing, tags, software and a complete solution for any given use case. But the resulting gains in efficiency, tracking accuracy, and automation often generate a significant return on that investment.
The exact cost depends on your specific needs, how you’ll be using RFID, and what kind of RFID tags and technology will be required. There are also environmental factors you need to keep in mind to ensure that RFID will work for your application. For example, specialized RFID tags are used if you’re trying to track inventory or assets in areas where there are large volumes of liquids or metals. These can interfere with radio signals, but tag technology has rapidly evolved to help compensate for this.
Our technology partners at Zebra are one of the top RFID hardware and tag providers in the world, and Zebra offers a complete portfolio of RFID solutions including tag printers, tags, handheld or fixed readers, antennas, and everything you need to get a solution up and running.
To learn more about RFID and find out if it might be viable to help your business reduce labor needs and costs, contact the experts at Sequoia Technologies. If RFID makes sense for your use case and business, we can conduct a site survey at your facility to determine your required RFID configuration. We can also conduct a pilot test to validate a potential solution and ensure that it will deliver the desired results before you make any serious investment in this technology.
When it comes to designing and deploying a complete system and solution, we’ll then work with you every step of the way and provide end-to-end services to ensure a successful installation and subsequent results.
It all begins with a simple email or phone call, so contact us today to get started.
