Real-time tracking and increased transparency in the warehouse with SuPCIS-L8 and RFID - Part 1/2

The general process flows in the warehouse can be as sophisticated as they seem, but if the overall intralogistical package is not right, much of the efficiency is lost. The result: high costs and often enormous differences in inventory. This presents many companies with ever new challenges. But how should these challenges be tackled and mastered in the best possible way?

One solution for this can be the combination of our warehouse management system SuPCIS-L8 and the connection of a "Radio Frequency Identification" technology (RFID). The advantage of SuPCIS-L8: our warehouse management software has functions that enable the integration of RFID without any problems. SuPCIS-L8, in combination with RFID, is an excellent combination for tracking goods along the entire supply chain in real time, for better monitoring and control of internal logistics processes and for making them more efficient. Sounds promising in theory, but what does it all look like in practice?

This solution consisting of SuPCIS-L8 and RFID has already been implemented in the form of two different variants. In this first part, we would like to introduce you to part identification using the textile industry as an example:

In the case of individual part identification, the entire stock of goods is equipped with transponders or labelled as a non-RFID-capable article in the part number master of the WMS. Ideally, this labelling is already done by the manufacturer. The attached transponders and the implemented RFID subsystem make it possible here for the contents of the individual cartons to be recognised in the goods receiving area of the warehouse simply by passing through a tunnel with an RFID reader. The goods are identified automatically. As a rule, the cartons do not even have to be opened. In the event that the correct number of labels is not read, or possibly a wrong label or wrong part is detected, the carton in question is rejected for rechecking. At this clearing station, the box is then checked again by being read at a manual workstation. It is usually sufficient to shake the carton a little to loosen up any parts that are very close together. This way, at best, all parts can be detected during the re-reading. If there is still an error after this, an individual part check is carried out after opening the carton. During this process, it is also possible to reprint missing or defective labels via the warehouse management system.

Now there are also manufacturers or suppliers who do not attach the RFID labels to the goods. In this case, relabelling is a billable service that is documented in the warehouse management system. The reverse principle is also used as a picking control. In order to check whether all individual parts were actually placed in the totes during the picking process, picked totes also travel through tunnel reading stations. Here, too, there are corresponding control stations (clearing points). This not only serves to verify the picking process, but is also intended to ensure a smooth process during the incoming goods handling in the shop. Overall, it was important to the retailer that the RFID technology could be used along the entire process chain. This was achieved with the combination of SuPCIS-L8 and RFID.

You would like to learn more about the different areas of application of RFID? Then also read "Real-time tracking and increased transparency in the warehouse with SuPCIS-L8 and RFID - practical examples (part 2/2)"!

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