Optimal End-to-End Implementation: RFID Track-and-Trace Solution

Companies are widely adopting RFID for asset tracking and inventory management, but different industries may encounter their own unique challenges. For example, in electronics manufacturing, environmental factors such as ESD packaging and metallic components on circuit boards can block RFID signals, especially when large inventories are stacked together. Document tracking is another example, as stacked documents may make individual items difficult to identify due to scanning isolation issues.

As an RFID total solution provider, Inchz IoT helps customers overcome such issues with a comprehensive RFID solution that can be tailored to specific requirements. With extensive expertise in business operations and processes, they have the know-how to redesign workflows when necessary to overcome such obstacles. Their solutions are widely implemented in manufacturing, retail, and the government sector. Inchz IoT RFID solutions are integrated with TSC Auto ID’s desktop and industrial RFID printers to fully support customer requirements.

Solution Overview

Inchz IoT offers a comprehensive cloud-based asset tracking and inventory management platform known as the "Track and Trace Platform." The solution integrates hardware, software, and legacy systems to provide a seamless experience across all operational stages. On the hardware side, Inchz IoT supplies RFID printers and consumables, supporting standard and on-metal RFID labels. The solution supports GS1 RFID encoding for compatibility with the GS1 standard. RFID readers are installed at key locations, such as warehouses, offices, doors, gates, and corridors, to track and identify assets. Item location and directionality can also be included as part of a solution.

The software component includes label printing and encoding tools, enabling users to create accurate RFID labels. Additionally, top-down hanging readers provide effective asset monitoring and are customizable for specific applications. The platform integrates seamlessly with major ERP and WMS systems like SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft, enabling real-time item-level tracking.

By integrating software and hardware, the solution automates inbound and outbound receiving through RFID portals, streamlining operations and improving overall efficiency.

The implementation journey involves understanding client needs, designing a solution, and ensuring smooth deployment. A typical process may include the following:

Understanding Client Needs
An initial assessment is conducted to understand workflows and set goals, followed by preparation work, which may include workflow reengineering and an encoding schema redesign to ensure a standards-based ID schema.

Designing a Solution
The appropriate hardware and labels are selected, system integration testing is conducted to ensure compatibility, and the customer’s IT infrastructure design, including switches, Wi-Fi, server hosting, and cloud selection, is assessed and optimized accordingly.

Deploying the Solution
Hardware installation and retrofitting begin, followed by migration from traditional barcode labels to RFID labels. User training is conducted, and after deployment, go-live support and change management are provided to ensure a smooth transition.

User Benefits

The customized total solution seamlessly integrates with users’ management systems and is tailored to their operations. A well-integrated RFID system brings a range of benefits to the organization.

• Fewer Errors: Prevents unauthorized actions that interfere with operations and reduces human errors, such as incorrect shipments or SKU mismatches, leading to less rework.
• Enhanced Inventory Accuracy: RFID improves inventory reliability, allowing organizations to trust their data more. Track-and-trace solutions also enhance visibility for returnable transport items, such as containers for transporting and recycling products.
• Boosted Productivity: Significantly improves operational efficiency by minimizing errors and increasing accuracy while reducing manpower requirements, which is especially beneficial during labor shortages.

Why TSC Auto ID

Selecting the right RFID printer is essential for realizing operational efficiency and encoding and printing accuracy. TSC Auto ID printers offer stability and efficiency, making them ideal for industries requiring precise RFID encoding and tracking solutions.

• Comprehensive RFID Printer Options: Both desktop and industrial RFID printers are available to suit different scenarios and label types. For applications that do not require frequent label printing, such as asset tracking, the T800 RFID desktop printer is an ideal choice. For high-throughput applications like inventory management, the T4000 industrial RFID printer is the go-to model.
• Versatile Label Support: The printers support both standard and on-metal label types, ensuring the flexibility to meet diverse printing requirements.
• Improved Reliability: Auto-calibration initiates after reloading or installing new label rolls. It minimizes label wastage, helping businesses save money, especially when more expensive on-metal labels are used.
• Plug-and-Play Functionality: Seamless compatibility with legacy label templates and third-party platforms, such as Inchz IoT’s solution, via printer language emulation and TSC Auto ID’s SDK, respectively.