Factories and manufacturers today operate large scale production lines and keeping track of the volume of materials and goods flowing through the processing lines can be a daunting task. The level of profitability and efficiency of these processes are often determined by the coordination and timing of materials and resources. In this industry, keeping product lineage is critical for end-of-lifecycle applications. Manufacturers can utilise RFID technology as a tool to enhance this visibility and improve and automate their work processes, from tracking materials and parts inventory on the shop floor, to verify what processes have been completed, which inspections or tests are needed and to automatically update the production database. Inventory controllers and production planners can use RFID tags to track finished goods from the production line to warehouse and match customer’s orders, minimising human errors that can occur when using manual entry. The benefits do not end at the warehouse. RFID technology can help optimise logistics processes from warehouse to shipping port. Tagging of individual items or product, cartons, pallets or even container tagging can ensure visibility and accountability throughout the supply chain, from the warehouse, onboard the trucks or containers up to the point of shipping; be it by air, sea or land. RFID tracking can continue all the way to the port of discharge, distribution centers and ultimately to the retail end point.

Smartag’s RFID Solutions for Manufacturing & Logistics are designed based on Smartware™.

Typical RFID Solutions for Manufacturing and Logistics

Smartware™ helps integrate information scattered among manufacturers, suppliers and consumers providing consistent visibility to the general state of operation, enhances the reliability of information, and provides information systems necessary for decision making efficiently. Logistics providers and manufacturers will benefit from the RFID Solutions as the technology evolves from the most basic identification of objects to history tracking, state information monitoring, real-time monitoring and control and autonomous services.

Feature

1. Real-time, accurate operational data monitoring and visibility.
2. Improves agility and responsiveness through end-to-end process integration throughout the supply chain.
3. Elimination of lag times among processes and reduction of cycle times for streamlined product movement.
4. Improved information access via insight into execution-level activities and associated performance.
5. Automation allows human intervention to be reduced allowing manufacturers to deal with changing workforce trends.
6. Reduction in product and process errors and associated rework through the automation of standard processes.
7. Facilitates compliance management thus reduces the risk of regulatory, mandated and customer/partner non-compliance
8. Operational costs can be reduced through simplified and more efficient manufacturing and distribution processes.
9. Data visibility can be realized, enabling the factory of the future.

Benefits

1. Lower inventory levels
2. Savings in material transfer labour cost
3. Increase in inventory replenishment speed
4. Decrease in costs caused by incorrect inventory postings
5. You will know where exactly your assets are at all times
6. You will spend less time in looking for available assets
7. Your asset invoicing process is more accurate and it can be automated
8. Your customers are happier as you can track the deliveries promptly

Components

1. RFID Tag – There are different types of RFID tag in the market for different application. Smartag is proud to offer vast selection of RFID tag to the customers to suit the needs, from paper RFID tag to ruggedize/special RFID tag, Passive to Active RFID Tag. RFID tag is the major component for the entire systems, failure to propose the correct RFID tag will jeopardize the entire system.
2. RFID Portal – RFID portal is the scanning point of the material or item tagged with RFID tag. RFID Portal comes in different design to track different object from item, carton, pallet, container and others. The RFID Portal can be placed at any strategic location to capture as much process as possible for the usage in monitoring the entire manufacturing process and provides valuable information to track down the bottleneck.
3. Mobile RFID Reader – Mobile RFID Readers will allow manufacturer to read the RFID tag wherever it is. It can be used to perform accuracy check in the warehouse or capture those items which are not possible to pass through the RFID Portal. Mobile RFID Reader extends the capturing of manufacturing and logistic process outside the business premise.
4. Smartware™ for Manufacturing -Smartware™ for Manufacturing provides the visibility for manufacturer over their manufacturing process. It enables the manufacturer to capture possibly every single process within the manufacturing plant accurately. With the intelligent control over in the Smartware
5. Smartware™ for Logistics–Smartware™ for Logistics helps to capture the valuable information for the business owner over the logistics process. It allows the business owner to know whether their goods reach the destination. With the usage of Active RFID Tag and GPS, Smartware™ for Logisticsenables the manufacturer to know the temperature, seal conditions and locations of the valuable goods.

Smartag’s RFID Engineering Team can assist you to determine how you can utilise RFID technology to optimise your business processes and assist in the professional consultation, system study, design, deployment, integration and training that will help you to maximise your return on investment and profitability.