The logistics industry is facing pressure to operate faster and work leaner with fewer resources, while keeping near-perfect inventory accuracy.
For warehouses, it’s difficult to reach these goals due to labor shortages, antiquated manual processes and tracking limitations. This leads to a lack of real-time visibility, making inventory management a persistent operational challenge.
That’s why many warehouses are modernizing their operations with RFID for inventory management. RFID for warehouses provides accuracy and real-time inventory visibility. It reduces labor costs and delivers a scalable foundation for future automation.
What Is RFID for the Warehouse Environment?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves and tags to automatically identify and track items. Unlike barcodes, it doesn’t require line-of-sight scanning and can read multiple items simultaneously. It allows warehouses to automatically track inventory movements through receiving, storage, picking and shipping processes without manual scanning, making it a much more efficient solution for inventory management.
A typical RFID system for warehouses includes:
- RFID tags applied to pallets, cases or individual items.
- RFID readers and antennas that are placed at key points such as dock doors, storage zones or conveyors.
- RFID software that captures, filters and integrates data with a Warehouse Management System (WMS) or ERP.
The tags send a signal to the readers and antennas. The information from the tags and readers is compiled and managed in the software. This system automates gathering data, providing the accurate and timely warehouse inventory information that businesses need.
Note that while we break down the components and steps that you will need to implement RFID for your facilities, every implementation and facility is different, and you will want a system that is designed around your needs and processes. If you have questions after reading this article, or want to discuss RFID in your warehouse, contact GO2 Partners. Our experts can help you through the process.
RFID for Inventory Management in Warehouses
Warehouses that implement RFID for inventory management quickly see measurable improvements across warehouse operations. These include:
Faster and More Accurate Inventory Counts
With RFID, cycle counts can be completed in minutes rather than hours or days, and require fewer workers than traditional methods. Automated RFID systems dramatically reduce discrepancies common with manual inventory counts.
Real-Time Inventory Visibility
RFID provides continuous insight into where inventory is located and how it moves. This real-time visibility reduces blind spots and enables faster, more informed decision-making.
Reduced Operational Bottlenecks
By minimizing manual scanning and data entry, RFID for warehouses frees up labor for higher-value tasks while improving throughput.
Improved Receiving, Picking and Shipping Accuracy
RFID automates data capture at key transition points. This provides a check on work, reducing mispicks, incorrect shipments and receiving errors.
The Steps to Successfully Implement RFID for Warehouses
A successful RFID deployment is complex, and it requires more than just purchasing tags and readers. GO2 Partners works with businesses and warehouse teams to build solutions that align technology with real operational needs, and ensure alignment between the RFID strategy, the equipment and the internal processes. Typically, GO2 will work with you through the following steps:
1. Assess Warehouse Needs and Inventory Workflows
Any RFID for inventory management project starts by identifying where inventory errors, delays or inefficiencies occur. GO2 has a team of industry experts who have helped to deploy technology-based solutions in Fortune 100 warehouses and SMB operations. Once you have a clear understanding of the problem, you can define goals, such as improving inventory accuracy, increasing order fulfillment speed or reducing errors.
2. Select the Right RFID Technology
Because not all RFID solutions are the same, you need to think about your goals and warehouse conditions as you weight your options. Key considerations include:
- Passive vs. active RFID tags.
- Tag durability and performance based on materials and environment.
- Handheld vs. fixed readers and portals.
- Cost vs. functionality.
GO2 works closely with project teams to ensure you have the best solution and technology at a budget you can afford.
3. Design the System Around Warehouse Operations
Warehouse teams need a system tailored to their needs and environment. Effective RFID implementation requires thoughtful system design. That includes:
- Strategic reader and antenna placement.
- Read zones at receiving, storage and shipping.
- Seamless integration with existing WMS or ERP systems.
4. Test the Solution
A Proof of Concept (POC) program allows you to validate read accuracy, identify interference issues and fine-tune system performance before scaling to the entire facility. By partnering with GO2, businesses have an experienced team who can ensure an effective pilot program that will validate the solution and prove to all levels of management that increases in accuracy and reductions of costly errors are possible with the proper investment.
5. Train the Team
The warehouse staff needs to understand how RFID fits into their daily workflows. It needs to be easy to use. That means updating the standard operating procedures and providing training to ensure adoption and long-term success.
6. Optimize and Measure Performance
Ongoing performance monitoring helps maximize ROI and continuous improvement. GO2 continues to work with the warehouse team after the implementation to address any issues and identify opportunities.
Build a Smarter Warehouse with RFID
RFID for inventory management is a proven solution for solving today’s warehouse inventory challenges. With the right strategy, technology and partner, RFID for warehouses can deliver lasting improvements in accuracy, efficiency and scalability.
GO2 Partners specializes in helping organizations design and deploy RFID solutions that work in real-world warehouse environments. From tag and hardware selection to system integration and ongoing support, GO2 helps businesses get RFID right the first time.
