RFID Compliance and Integration
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags allow the tracking of individual units (eachs), cartons, and pallets into, within, and out of a distribution center without the direct line-of-sight scanning required by a bar code system. RFID, thus, saves time and improves accuracy. Several retail companies and the United States Department of Defense are now requiring compliant RFID tags. RFID readers need to be within 20 feet of RFID tags for the tags to be read and updated with current status information. The technology enables real time inventory management, less shrinkage from theft, faster inventory turns, reduced labor, and higher material flow through your distribution center. Within seconds, a pallet full of product can be identified at the receiving docks, packing stations, or shipping docks. In addition with RFID technology, cycle counting of inventory can be completed in hours instead of days.
Likewise, with RFID tag integration, quality control can occur in several processes within a distribution center. These processes include:
- During the receiving process, quarantine area
- During the picking process
- During the packing process
Similalry, quality control is often automated by using in-line scales (weight measurement), RFID tags (non-line-of-sight content), and vision systems. All outbound products or just selected products can be inspected. Parameters used for quality control selection can include: manufacturer of the product, pick operator, random number generator, new customer, etc.
