Radio frequency identification (RFID) refers to a technology that utilizes radio waves in order to identify a specific object. It’s a wireless system comprising of tags as well as readers.
The reader sends out radio waves so as to trigger an RFID tag, which will give off a signal in return to communicate its identity as well as other information.
Types Of RFID Tags
RFID tags come in different types, depending on either their frequency range or how they’re powered.
Based on frequency range, there are low frequency, high frequency, and ultra-high frequency tags. The frequency range determines what type of material a tag can be attached to.
Low frequency tags are suitable for metal substrates such as inventory beer barrels or automobiles. High frequency tags are ideal for cataloging library media, while ultra-high frequency tags are good for item level tracking as well as control of retail inventory.
Based on power, there are active, passive, and semi-passive RFID tags. Active tags have a power source, such as a battery, so they periodically transmit signals.
Passive tags depend on the energy from signals to power up. Semi-passive tags have batteries as well, but they don’t transmit signals periodically like active tags do.
Increasing Business Intelligence With RFID Tracking
The use of RFID technology has become more widespread in recent years due to its importance to businesses in many industries. It allows you to gather data that you can take advantage of to improve and grow your enterprise.
Here’s how RFID tracking can contribute to business intelligence:
1. Asset Tracking And Inventory Management
Asset tracking is still a challenge for most organizations, whether it’s in terms of the dispatching of finished goods, the line of production, or high-value items that often end up missing.
RFID systems guarantee a fast and reliable way to keep track of such assets without having to count each item.
Counting inventory manually is a tiresome activity that consumes a lot of precious time, and even when done carefully, it can deliver inaccurate results.
With RFID, it’s easier to check the number of specific items regardless of their type, their current location in your facility, and the stage they’re at in processing.
You’ll also be able to know when items are received in stores, dispatched for manufacturing, or being used as a finished product.
RFID makes it easier to perform stock checks and audits, thereby ensuring a high level of business intelligence.
You can turn to RFID implementation services from reputable companies that can assist you with the proper installation of RFID systems in your organization.
This way, you can track all your assets as well as manage all inventories.
2. Revenue Increase
Through the improvement of inventory management, organizations that use RFID are able to offer services that create competitive differentiation.
The technology also helps you figure out which items are more preferred by your customers since it can give information on fast-moving goods.
If you’re aware of how in demand a product is, you can take the necessary steps to provide an adequate supply of it.
This results in greater customer satisfaction, which may eventually lead to higher sales and better profit margins.
RFID tracking, therefore, ultimately allows your organization to maximize its own potential to gain more benefits.
3. Improvement In Traceability
RFID tracking systems ensure that all components pass through the required checkpoints, thereby allowing you to take note of where each item is.
It also allows you to determine where they are in the production and dispatch process, which would reduce the instances of losing items.
4. Data Accuracy And Availability
RFID collects data and uploads them electronically, so you can be sure that there are no errors in transcription, instances of data duplication, or missing items when collecting data simultaneously.
Using cloud-based systems makes it possible for everyone in the organization to be up-to-date with the status of items and information regarding their location and stage of production. RFID also allows for sharing of data with customers from the cloud.
5. Enhancing Safety
RFID tracking is also essential when it comes to enhancing safety.
If your business involves or uses vehicles, having them inspected on a regular basis will ensure that they’re in good condition and can serve their purpose.
Problems due to damaged or faulty parts would be minimized as well.
RFID lets you keep tabs on vehicle components that have already been worked on as well as those that have yet to be repaired. In the long run, that information can increase the safety of your vehicles and drivers.
6. Quality Improvement And Transparency Of Data
Solving numerous process inefficiencies can be made possible by accurate data. Distributed data serve as the easiest way to implement systems that are highly reliable and available.
That kind of data refers to the live data that get directly attached to objects and can be automatically modified at process checkpoints. They make it possible to answer questions when information is read from an RFID tag.
7. Production Control
Its ability to identity individual components or items makes RFID ideal for executing complex manufacturing processes.
The information it provides ensures that all processes are done within the correct period, liquids are measured properly, and specific components are dispatched at the right production lines.
8. Shortening Processes
Integrating manufacturing or supply chain technologies with RFID technologies can shorten processes, thereby reducing the time spent from order to dispatch and then to delivery.
Also, since RFID tracking lets you know the location of goods in real time, you’ll never lose sight of them and avoid delays once it’s time to ship those items to customers.
Conclusion
RFID tracking in organizations expands business intelligence since it ensures that the management team has information on all of the products or goods they have and that all the steps from production to dispatch are taken into account.
RFID lets companies know the locations of items whether they’re still in the facility or have been transported elsewhere.
Through the use of RFID, organizations can boost business intelligence by collecting accurate data and using the information to achieve timely deliveries and cost-efficient production processes.
