How You Can Implement RFID in Cold Chain Warehousing
A temperature-controlled supply chain is called a cold chain. Cold chain warehousing involves distribution and storage activities while maintaining stock at a given temperature range. It ensures the shelf life of products and integrity of the goods, which range from frozen food (meat and fresh agricultural produce), pharmaceuticals (vaccines) and medical supplies (blood).
RFID is a valuable business and technology tool that can help to improve cold chain logistics. It offers strategic advantages by replacing current identification technologies like bar codes, which may not be suitable for cool and moist environments. It can track inventory, monitor assets more efficiently, and even manage and produce reports as they move from one physical location to the next.
A wide range of extensions can be added to the RFID tag, like memory, access controls, and sensors that record the temperature at various states of the product during transportation.
Read on to discover the different ways RFID technology can enhance cold chains.
Asset tracking
An RFID asset tracking system makes it possible to track the physical movement of items in real-time, allows the quick classification of goods by type, kind, size, weight, and other attributes, if the warehouse contains multiple types of goods. Moreover, the goods can be subject to possible discrepancies as they move from one point to the next in the supply chain, such as getting lost, stolen or misplaced— RFID technology prevents that.
Programmable tags
RFID has greater flexibility in reading tags over a wider scanning area. It also saves time and operational costs because attendants need not open the case, check the labels, or repack the products with minimum contact. What’s more, the tags are programmable— in comparison with bar-coded labels, which cannot be modified or overwritten once they are printed.
On the other hand, RFID tags can be updated at different process points, such as during the product’s arrival, shipment and departure. RFID tags can include information on where the packages, items, and pallets were physically moved, including how they were tracked and when the tracking took place at each point of the supply chain.
Operator independent and totally automated
Human intervention at specific points in the process will only interfere with quality controls because the products have to be free from moisture and contamination. RFID technology also streamlines operations when the products are not constantly taken out and replaced; it also prevents shipping discrepancies as fewer materials are misplaced. It offers retailers tremendous insight into their inventory with ready information with little effort that is almost immediate.
All in all, retailers can better control costs and reduce investment in their stock. This would mean lower prices and better competition for consumers.
Conclusion
The quality and effectiveness of decisions made within an organisation and its supply chain is dependent on accuracy and timeliness; this is especially crucial in cold-chain warehousing, where the time-sensitive nature and quality control of products are the main priority. Not all RFID readers are the same as it is highly dependent on its usage and application. Inventory managers should coordinate with an RFID reader supplier to better understand the technology and its potential value to their business.
Overall, RFID technology solves existing problems throughout the supply chain and improves efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness throughout the product delivery processes. Organisations that appropriately incorporate RFID into their operations and information management systems stand to optimise their business processes, resulting in organisational growth and increased profitability.
