3 Ways to Increase Manufacturing Productivity with RFID
RFID (radio frequency identification) uses electromagnetic fields to track tags attached to objects. This technology can contribute to the optimization of production processes in manufacturing, giving you real-time asset visibility. Tracking assets in your environment can involve a lot of manual processes and updates as part of your ITAM program. This increases the risk of errors in the data during the asset lifecycle. A study from the Auburn University RFID Lab concluded that RFID technology can increase inventory accuracy from a rate of 63% to 95%.
An RFID system allows for the collection of data from stationary or movable assets. Various types of data can also be programmed into the RFID tag to better identify and manage your asset inventory. Most manufacturing companies only utilize barcodes, which only tell you if items are in stock. But with RFID technology, it also tells you the exact location, reducing inventory errors and increasing manufacturing efficiencies.
RFID services and products from Zebra Technologies and MCPC are engineered for consistent and reliable results to help more companies stay ahead of the competition. From an RFID scanner to a mobile printer, Zebra tools are designed to help increase production and streamline tasks within industrial manufacturing from the plant floor to the finished product.
With an RFID system, you can improve inventory management, enhance supply chain visibility, and streamline maintenance and repair needs.
3 Benefits of Using RFID in Manufacturing
A manufacturing company looking to stay ahead should turn to RFID solutions. RFID technology can help to advance these warehouse processes:
- Improved Inventory Management – Asset management is critical for the success of manufacturing, and RFID technology can be attached to products. This allows for them to be tracked throughout the manufacturing process, allowing manufacturers to easily track the location and status of products, reducing the risk of lost or misplaced items. Zebra RFID tags can be generated quickly and efficiently with Zebra RFID Mobile Printers, designed for point-of-application processes and mobility.
- Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility – Another benefit of using RFID technology in manufacturing is enhanced supply chain visibility. Zebra RFID tags can be used to track products as they move through the supply chain. This ranges from the raw materials a product starts as up to the finished goods. Manufacturers, as a result, can easily monitor the status of products and adjust production schedules to meet demand.
- Streamlined Maintenance and Repair – Streamlining maintenance and repair processes in manufacturing can be easier with RFID. Zebra RFID tags can be attached to equipment and used to track maintenance schedules and identify potential issues before they become major problems, reducing downtime, and increasing productivity. Workers can also track the location of tools and other equipment, with Zebra Handheld Readers, which decreases how many workplace items are misplaced.
From start to finish, MCPC in conjunction with Zebra RFID technology can offer solutions from supply chain visibility to improved asset management, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability. See more about the importance of RFID in industrial manufacturing by viewing this video.