5 Reasons Why RFID Is Beneficial For Warehouse Management
When a business’s warehouse management process makes a shift from manual paper-based record keeping to an automated and digital platform, they experience the benefit of a convenient and more efficient way to manage their assets.
Take RFID for an example – RFID or Radio-Frequency Identification is a tool that utilises electromagnetic fields to automatically retrieve information or data about a certain item or product. Migrating records and switching from paper to a RFID asset tracking system can be a challenge and potentially have a learning curve, but it is worth it because of the multiple benefits it achieves for any organisation.
Read on below to learn more about the various reasons that make RFID beneficial for warehouse management.
1. The warehouse operations is more efficient
When compared to manual paper-based record keeping, using RFID for warehouse management does not require as much monitoring – staff just have to install the specific number of RFID tags based on the business’s inventory. Once that is out of the way, data gathering can begin. This is definitely more efficient because the time needed to collect and record data on each item is reduced.
The efficiency that is generated with the incorporation of RFID into warehouse management extends to the hours normally needed for warehouse operators to finish inventory control tasks, which means that staff are able to focus on other matters and therefore be more productive because they no longer have to dedicate too much of their time in inventory operations.
2. Human errors are mitigated
Incorporating RFID and readers means that the logging and collection of data is done automatically, therefore drastically reducing the likelihood for mistakes in the inventory and other record keeping. A minor mistake in an operator’s input can bear a significant impact on a business, the effort in trying to figure out the origin of a mistake can be very time consuming.
These problems can be solved by switching to RFID instead of manually inputting data because the automatic process that is implemented by RFID lessens the odds for incorrect or mistimed data.
3. RFID offers tracking tools
When RFID Tags or Reading Devices are used to help collect data on any asset, a business has the added advantage of utilising dedicated application tracker tools or software to help them be more aware of their assets, know where some items are, the respective quantities, and so much more. These tools also help businesses manage the items inside their warehouse and classify them based on specific categories, such as date of purchase, expiration dates, materials, to name a few.
When compared to manual data recording through paper, an RFID tool tracking system is a more cost-efficient option because tangible paper records are not only prone to errors but they are also more likely to get damaged, which leads to data loss or inaccurate information. Data loss is very costly, but is very unlikely to happen if you have a cloud-based tool that you use for data-keeping and warehouse management.
4. Stock can be monitored
Warehouses are generally large and wide open structures, trying to find a certain object in the midst of other items can be quite a challenge. The number of shelves and piles of boxes inside a warehouse can make inventory stock check a long and tiring process, but RFID can easily alleviate these issues.
RFID can help with locating certain items so that ground staff don’t have to spend too much time trying to look through all of the aisles and sections, and it also gives business owners information on the remaining quantity of a certain item so that they can re-stock accordingly.
5. Data for customers are readily available
With most warehousing businesses, the goal is to always provide customers with information regarding a certain product, whether its dimensions, availability, delivery times, pricing, to name a few.
Having RFID incorporated into warehouse management and inventory means that business owners have direct access to this information that they can instantly hand over to clients. This also provides them with the ability to monitor the average delivery times and the availability.
When it comes to warehouse management, RFID is a technology that helps businesses be more efficient thanks to its automation and its convenience. RFID also promotes accuracy of data in inventory because it doesn’t demand too much manpower, which means ground staff can focus on other things and be more productive.
As business owners are given a bird’s eye view of the overall conditions of their warehouse through the use of tracking tools, helping them visualise various stock conditions and manage them accordingly.
