AIDC technologies like RFID come in all shapes and sizes due to their variety of applications. One such type is the RFID Paper Labels tags. These flexible and simple-to-use tracking items are especially useful in high-volume scenarios like warehouses. Today we will be discussing how using RFID Paper Labels can streamline warehouse management.
What are RFID Paper Labels?
These are a type of RFID tags available for use in the market. There is one major difference between paper labels and any other type of RFID Tag. RFID Paper Labels are a combination of two types of AIDC technology, namely – Radio Frequency Identification, and Barcode. These labels consist of a substrate layer of paper with a barcode printed on it, and an RFID inlay sandwiched between the layer of paper labels. Allowing this system to conduct tracking and identification using two different methods makes the system more compatible and dynamic.
Applications of RFID Paper Labels in Warehouse Management
The implementation of RFID in a warehouse setting has the potential for a lot of applications. This technology can optimize warehouse management in a variety of industries. So, let’s check out how to utilize RFID technology in warehouses.
Asset Location
The primary feature of RFID, this technology allows the optimization of tracking your assets. With a proper system of readers around your facility, you can get real-time track of the location of all your assets. In addition to RFID, with these labels, you can also use barcode scanners to track your items at checkpoints. This allows businesses to prevent theft or misplacement of items & makes it easier to locate and retrieve items before transit.
Automate Receiving & Putaway Operations
A major operation of warehouses is receiving oncoming supplies, logging them, and shelving them in storage. In normal circumstances, you need to manually feed the information of each item in the database, even with barcodes you have to manually scan each item. However, with the integration of tags and readers at the receiving point, the system will automatically scan and feed the details of the receiving supplies like – name, model number, group, and number of units, in the database.
Inventory Control
Due to its automation and real-time database updating capabilities, paper labels allow you to monitor the location and status of your items. Manual inventory keeping takes a lot of time, especially in a warehouse with thousands or more items. But with RFID technology, the readers will automatically update the inventory database with any incoming or outgoing item. This has exceptional benefits like security, replenishment, and avoiding stock-outs. In short, by updating inventory every day, you can keep an eye on any possible theft or stock shrinkage taking place. These systems also alert you when the stock for any particular item is running low, allowing you to replenish the inventory before the stock runs out.
Streamline Picking & Packing
This refers to taking an outgoing order request (called picking), then going around the warehouse to get all the supplies and packaging them for transport (called packing). In normal circumstances, you’d have to waste time locating every item on the list before packing them. However, with the aid of RFID, you can check the location of your item at a moment’s notice. This saves a lot of precious time while performing such processes & helps avoid delays.
Speeds Up Cycle Counting
Cycle counting refers to the process of manually checking and noting down the physical inventory & then comparing it to the inventory database to check for any stock shrinkage, damaged items, and theft. In a setting like a warehouse, this process requires a lot of time & manpower. By integrating RFID paper labels in your warehouse, you can cut down the time of this process to a couple of minutes. A reader is capable of reading more than 1000 tags in a second and creating a custom list of items available.
Benefits of Using RFID Paper Labels for Warehouse Management
As noted above, the vast applications of RFID paper labels in warehouses show how one piece of technology can optimize so many processes. The biggest benefit of AIDC systems like this is that they automate a large majority of time-consuming tasks or at the very least, significantly cuts down the time. It also provides a measure of security within the facility by keeping a real-time track of items and alerting of any unauthorized removal of assets. Lastly, it uses two different methods of AIDC systems, providing a form of redundancy.
Conclusion
Warehousing is an essential part of the supply chain that provides for the entire consumer market. Maintaining a healthy supply of products to fulfill the existing & upcoming orders is necessary for any business to exist in the market & be relevant. Therefore, we must keep finding and investing in solutions like RFID Paper Labels, that facilitate the optimization of this industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How does RFID improve inventory management?
Ans - Radio Frequency Identification technology improves inventory management by automating it to an almost complete degree. Readers can identify & log the information of tagged items in real time in the inventory database. Preventing any inventory shrinkage and alerting employees of any ongoing theft.
Q2. What is the purpose of an RFID label?
Ans - The purpose of an RFID label is to provide AIDC capabilities like asset identification, tracking, logging & data collecting to various industries. These labels are easy to apply on items & are flexible so they can go around curved surfaces.
Q3. Does RFID increase inventory accuracy?
Ans - Yes, in an RFID system, there are two major components. The tags, that are put on items are capable of communicating via radio waves and storing the information regarding that item. And the reader creates a radio field around it and is capable of reading/scanning/communicating with any tag that is inside that field. Also, unlike other systems like barcode, this technology doesn’t require a direct line of sight. This allows the system to have pinpoint accuracy in identifying items and logging them in the database.
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