HOW TO IMPROVE INVENTORY?

Are you familiar with those laborious and exhausting rotating inventories that are carried out to maintain reliable asset management? Did you know that they can be done faster and more automated? If you have thought about using the reading of objects through the barcode, you will be surprised.

In this article, we will talk about RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology that uses radiofrequency to capture information through RFID tags.   If you're looking for a technique to optimize and make your asset control more effective, check out this post! How does RFID technology work?

The operation of an RFID tag can be summarized simply as a transponder, represented by a chip, which when stimulated returns a signal or transmits its own signal sending data from the item in which the chip is applied via radiofrequency. 

ADVANTAGES

The main benefits of using RFID tag technology for the control of fixed assets are:

• - The labels allow the recording of information in the memory of the chip, generating flexibility of inventory administration;
• - Detection of information without the visual contact of the item. Labels can be identified at considerable distances;
• - Possibility of reusing the label, generating only cost in the implementation of the project;
• - Reduction of errors in the counting, updating and replenishment of inventory;
• - Increased agility to generate inventory reports;
• - Ease in locating and classifying items;
• - Better control of the need for replenishment and identification of items with expired validity;
• - Increased asset security avoiding theft and counterfeiting of goods;
• - Growth of the assertiveness of the processes allowing more agile and complete reports;

Given so many advantages and utilities, we can say that the use of RFID tags is very important for the control of any company, regardless of its size. In addition, it has different models for numerous types of products. Currently, agility is a differential of the market. The use of this technology can make your company take a leap ahead of its competitors, as it will contribute to increasing operational efficiency, and as a result, will increase the profit margin of the business.

High storage capacity. The ability to read and send data ends up being greatly expanded. This also increases the power of information storage, with the detection of relevant data and simultaneous counts, all at a very satisfactory speed.

Prevention of theft or counterfeiting. The possibility of locating tagged objects and items, even on the go, is another advantage that can end up preventing theft and even counterfeiting of goods. In addition, the system allows you to issue alerts whenever there is suspicious activity.

Improved inventory control. With this technology, many processes are optimized. The shipping time of goods, as well as that of labor, significantly reduce. The feature also adds intelligence to how workflows work, especially those related to inventory control. 

RFID TECNOLOGY

Applications in various industries. Identification of Property: Rental, maintenance and control of IT assets (micros, notebooks, server, etc.), tools, equipment, vehicles, etc. In the identification of the property, the RFID tag facilitates the realization of asset inventory, control of entry, exit and transfer of assets and accounting control of assets in service to IRPJ, CPCs, Law 11638 and 12973.

Hotels and Event Centers: Can be used to control access employees, customers and visitors, monitor and authorize access to restricted areas and apartments, control and counting of bed linen, towels, plates, glasses, cutlery, etc., control and return of washing sheets and towels with specific tags to resist chemicals and high temperatures.

Hospitals and Medical Workers: RFID technology can also be used in the form of wristbands for patient monitoring. The control of babies in maternity wards, monitoring movements, giving more security against kidnapping or exchange of babies. This is why RFID beyond identifying can also emit warning signals when it is located outside the free movement area. Can be used to locate the doctor or medical equipment.

Logistics and Distribution Centers: One of the most fertile fields for rfid application is in logistics and distribution centers. Starting with inventory control with automatic entry registration, issues, movement between warehouses, inventory inventory, receipt and shipment of materials, etc. Decreases errors in the assembly line (picking) by checking the origin, date and batch, etc. Track and locate products, containers avoiding theft, fraud, delays, etc.

Industries: Can be applied also in industries by monitoring every step of the manufacturing order. Control manufacturing processes with automatic verification in each production sector. Find materials and parts on the order assembly line (picking), identify materials that will be used in the manufacturing lot (purchase order) avoiding errors.

It's easy to see that RFID technology opens up a range of possibilities for applications in all business sectors. However, RFID alone is only a provider of subsidies to add intelligence to the process.

The solution lies in the development of software capable of treating the information provided by RFID, adding intelligence to processes. Only then will it be possible to achieve real gains in productivity, quality and efficiency by reducing waste, errors, time, labor and costs. 

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Usually, the emergence of new technology and its establishment in the market occurs due to the advantages it has over older technologies with similar applications. In the case of RFID, we can list some of these advantages below:

• - Increased reliability: RFID systems are able to maintain their operation in harsh environments with extreme climates.
• - Increased durability: as mentioned in Labels, passive ones have great durability, and the active ones, even with the battery, last a significant time. In addition, there is the possibility of reusing the label.
• - Reduction or elimination of human errors: RFID replaces some work previously performed by humans and thus reduces these errors.
• - High speed: The information involved is sent, received, and processed quickly.
• - Process optimization: which occurs due to the reduction of human errors and high processing speed.
• - Ease of reading: Labels do not rely on the visual field to be read, and close proximity to the reader is not required.
• - Simultaneous identification: The reader is able to identify multiple objects with labels at the same instant of time.
• - Traceability: ability to trace products and living beings.
• - Storage capacity: A label is capable of storing collected data for the object or process to which it is related. 

However, all technology has its disadvantages:

- High cost: manufacturing cost of a system in RFID is very high compared to other technologies, such as barcode, mainly to be applied in products with low added value.  

- Standardization difficulty: as explained in Standardization, to date, organizations are looking for standardization for the use of RFID.

- Metal interference: Magnetic fields generated by metal materials can cause interference to the system and cause problems in its performance.

- Privacy: As RFID products purchased by consumers can be monitored even after purchase, the issue of user privacy is much discussed. The technology that causes the label to stop working when the consumer leaves the store after purchasing the product is very high.