Introduction
Modern technology plays a big role in revolutionizing commercial spaces, including warehouses and logistics facilities. Through the aid of advanced computer systems, manual and tedious work processes can be shortened. As a result, workers in these establishments can finish their tasks more efficiently and become more productive. The risks of committing human errors are also reduced significantly.
Here at Internet of Things Philippines, we can help you install a warehouse and logistics RFID system. With this technology, you can quickly do inventories and easily manage your assets. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today to learn more about the services and products we offer. Our team will be more than happy to respond to any questions you might have.
What Is a Warehouse and Logistics RFID System in the Philippines?
Short for radio-frequency identification, RFID is a versatile technology that involves the use of radio waves to read tags attached to certain objects. In the Philippines, this system is most popularly seen in limited-access highways. RFID stickers are attached to vehicles, so they can enter and exit expressways and be charged for the use of the road more efficiently.
What many people don’t know, however, is that this technology is also quite prevalent in other industries. In retail stores, for example, RFID tags are placed on each item to prevent them from being stolen. If a certain product is brought out of the shop with the tag still intact, sensors near the establishment’s door will alarm and alert guards about the attempted theft. This technology is used in restaurants and coffee shops, too. RFID-powered devices are given to customers to notify them if their order is ready.
Manufacturing companies also use this advanced system to streamline their processes and reduce mistakes. By setting up their own RFID warehouse inventory management technology, business owners can quickly identify if an item is low on stock or if there are any missing assets. RFID in logistics and supply chain is pretty popular, too, because the system allows for easy tracking of goods, especially those that are delivered to and from the facility.
How Does a Warehouse and Logistics RFID System in the Philippines Work?
RFID systems are quite complex, but the gist is they use tags and readers to function properly. The tag, which often comes in the form of stickers or tiny devices, emits radio waves, which will be scanned by a machine. It works like barcodes, but the difference is that RFID is faster and more efficient because scanners can read multiple tags at once.
In warehouses and logistics facilities, RFID tags are attached to assets, such as boxes of goods or individual product packages. This way, they can be scanned quickly, so manual counting, which is tedious and prone to human errors, is no longer done. There are at least two types of RFID tags that can be used in this industry: passive and active. Here’s how they differ from each other:
Passive Tags
Passive tags are small, so they sometimes fit in slim and thin stickers and other tiny objects. These items are really impressive because, despite their size, they actually contain an antenna and a microchip. Additionally, some of them are specifically designed to withstand harsh environments, so they can be used in extreme heat or cold if the need arises.
The main characteristic of passive tags is their lack of battery. As their name suggests, they “passively” wait for a signal from an RFID reader for them to get the energy they’ll use to transfer information.
Many warehouses prefer this type for a lot of reasons, such as:
• Ease of Use – Passive tags are relatively easier to use. They require no power source, so they technically function as long as you have the RFID reader with you. Attaching these tags to their respective items is incredibly simple, too. After all, they come in the form of stickers and other tiny objects, so they can quickly be fastened or affixed to anything.
• Size – They’re incredibly small, so they can be attached to tiny items in the warehouse that need to be tracked.
• Price – Compared to the alternative, passive tags are significantly more affordable. This means business owners can purchase multiple tags if they need to track many items or assets in the warehouse.
Active Tags
Although they’re not as small as their passive counterparts, active tags are still not too bulky. Most of them are less than the size of a typical mobile phone, which means they’re lightweight and still easy to attach to items bigger than them. There’s a good reason they are slightly larger, though: they have their own power source, apart from the typical antenna and microchip found in all RFID tags.
Because active tags have their own batteries, they emit radio waves constantly for as long as their power source allows. This feature makes them a bit faster than passive tags when scanning information. The downside, however, is they’re not that easy to attach to just any object. Some active RFID tags need to be screwed, riveted, or welded to the item.
Even if that’s the case, they are still preferred by certain warehouses and logistics companies. After all, active tags offer the following benefits:
- Versatility and Durability – Passive RFID tags typically don’t work in water and are easy to get damaged by moisture. That’s not the case for active tags, though, because they emit longer radio-frequency waves that work well in water.
- Read Range – Even if the active tag is over 100 meters away, the scanner can still detect and read it. This is leagues better than passive options, which don’t work at a distance larger than 15 meters.
- Durability – Many people fail to realize that passive RFID stickers can easily get damaged. They can be punctured or torn with a considerable amount of external force and can be peeled off if someone deliberately tries to do so. That’s not the case for active tags, though, because they usually don’t break quickly. Additionally, since they are fastened or riveted to the item, it’s harder for them to be removed from the specific asset they’re attached to.
What Are the Uses of RFID Logistics Solutions?
RFID is an incredible technology that has plenty of purposes in the field of logistics. It can be used inside the warehouse itself and also incorporated into the main supply chain process. Here’s how:
How To Use RFID in Warehouse Management Systems
An excellent tracking process is indispensable for warehouses, and RFID systems are used to improve it. Different facilities implement unique methods, but they mostly follow these specific steps:
- Shipments will arrive at the warehouse.
- The boxes or crates will be unloaded from the truck and transported inside the warehouse building.
- The reading machine is placed near the entrance of the building; the boxes with RFID tags attached to them will be scanned once they pass through the machine.
- Information about each shipment will be uploaded to the system, and the whole inventory will be updated in real time.
RFID technologies brought a dramatic improvement to warehouse management systems. Using this process is significantly more efficient and effective compared to other methods, including barcodes, which are a relatively modern option. With RFID, reading tags and uploading information to the main system can be done at a faster rate. Additionally, RFIDs are technically more accurate because they are harder to tamper with.
How To Use RFID in Logistics and Supply Chain Processes
The role of RFIDs in supply chain processes is much more complicated. That’s why it’s pretty common for businesses to invest a lot of money to train their employees on how to use the technology. Each company implements their own process, but it usually goes through the following steps:
- Everything starts at the manufacturing facility. All the goods, raw materials, or products to be delivered will be loaded in boxes or crates.
- Each container will have an RFID tag attached to them carrying information about the items loaded inside.
- Goods and raw materials are usually delivered to other facilities for further processing. The warehouse they will be transported to will scan the RFID tag in the boxes or crates, and the information in their system will be automatically updated.
- Finished products, on the other hand, are often delivered to stores in different locations. The inventory manager of the store will scan the RFID tags attached to their boxes to update their system.
- If there are defective items, they will be transported back to the manufacturing plant. RFID technologies will also be used to ensure that all the returned items will be accounted for.
It’s not easy to implement a whole RFID system, so many businesses request help from professionals. That’s what we offer here at IOT Philippines. Our experts can help you install an RFID system in your warehouse and logistics company, and we can provide you with the products you need for it.
Contact us today at IOT Philippines for more information about the services we offer.
Advantages of Installing a Warehouse and Logistics RFID System in the Philippines
More and more companies are incorporating RFID into their management systems. The reason behind it is that they see the many advantages of using the technology. Here are a few examples of the benefits you’ll enjoy by installing a warehouse and logistics RFID system:
Make the Most of Your Floor Space
In one way or another, using RFID technology can help you optimize your space and ensure that no area in your warehouse is being wasted. With barcodes and other traditional inventory methods, you have to lay out the boxes or crates on the floor and scan them one by one. If you put them on top of each other, the barcodes will be hidden and will not be read by the scanner.
You won’t encounter this problem with RFID systems that work using signals. It means the RFID tag and the scanner don’t have to be facing each other for the information to be read. You can put boxes or crates on top of each other, and the tag can still be scanned without a problem. RFIDs also allow for faster reading, so you can stow the items away into their shelves more quickly.
Lower Your Operating Expenses
It’s true that the upfront cost of installing an RFID system can be pretty expensive. Buying the software and hardware alone is already a huge investment for a lot of companies, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. They still have to spend more funds training their employees and ensuring that the system is properly maintained. However, even if this is the case, RFID technologies remain popular. It’s because the return of investment for the system is pretty high.
With an RFID system in place, the productivity of your employees can increase, which later turns into bigger profits for the business. The processes are also less prone to human error, so you don’t have to spend anything on correcting wrong information on your system. Additionally, RFID technologies ensure that everything is accounted for, so incidents of theft are significantly lowered if not totally eliminated.
Improve Internal Automated Processes
There are RFID warehouse systems that can be incorporated with an automated process in the facility. By taking advantage of this special feature, you can improve most of the internal processes of your warehouse and effectively improve the overall flow of your day-to-day business operations.
Inventory organization can also be smooth-sailing with an RFID warehouse management system in place. Using the technology, you can see which items are almost out of stock, so you can replenish them right away. Keeping track of the number of damaged or missing goods is also easier if you have an RFID warehouse inventory management system.
Feel free to contact us at IOT Philippines if you wish to incorporate RFID technology into your warehouse management processes. Get in touch with us for more details about the products and services we offer.
Factors To Consider Before Installing a Warehouse and Logistics RFID System in the Philippines
Implementing an RFID warehouse management system in the Philippines indeed has plenty of advantages. Even so, it’s still advisable to take precautionary steps before you install it in your facility. Here are a few things you might want to think about:
Budget
Probably the biggest factor you should consider is your budget. Before you implement an RFID warehouse management system, make sure you have enough funds for the technology. It’s indeed a significant investment, so careful budget planning is necessary before you can purchase and install the system.
Employee Training
Incorporating RFID into logistics and supply chain processes isn’t a walk in the park, so it entails giving your employees adequate training. Skipping this step might cause problems in the future, especially if many of your staff members aren’t too adept at using new technology. Aside from allocating enough budget for the RFID system itself, be sure you have enough funds for employee training, as well.
Proper Systems
Like any other available business technologies, RFID is rapidly evolving. You might want to use the latest and most advanced systems, but it might not be the best for your company. It’s important to conduct thorough assessments of your needs to ensure that you’re making the right decision and choosing the correct type of RFID system that fits your business.
Which Company Should You Approach for Warehouse and Logistics RFID Systems in the Philippines?
If you’ve deduced through careful planning and preparation that you really need an RFID warehouse system, then it’s time for you to call experts. IOT Philippines is your go-to company when it comes to RFID warehouse management systems in the Philippines. We can provide you with the items you might need, including the tags and the readers, and help you with the installation processes.
Get in touch with our team today for more information about our services and products.
Conclusion
RFID management systems in the Philippines can help different industries improve their supply chain processes. This technology has plenty of advantages, but there are a few things to consider before any business can fully implement it. If your company decides to have an RFID warehouse system, feel free to contact us at IOT Philippines. We are your trusted partner when it comes to installing RFID systems in warehouses and other facilities.
Reach out to IOT Philippines today to learn more!