RFID Experience

RFIDdirect organised two unique RFID Experience Days at our office in Kleve, near Arnhem – Nijmegen, in Germany. We were determined not to present just another ‘industry event’ – but rather the compelling case stories brought by our customers, explaining why they have chosen to use RFID technology. The participants engaged in lively discussions and exchanged their experiences with the group.

The first day saw a focus on the Wood Manufacturing Industry

Guest speaker: Mr. Rudolph den Boer (Van de Vin Ramen en Kozijnen) shared how RFID improved their production process and directly contributed to efficiency and customer satisfaction. He explained how and in which part of the production lines they introduced RFID scanning. Resulting in a more efficient production line, reducing the manual data capture by pen and paper, and actively engaging his operators in the process on going. This produced an unexpected added benefit in the reduction of sickness absence – particularly in this time when skills shortages and staff retention are paramount in many sectors.

The second day focused on Asset Management and Rental for Industry

Guest speaker: Mr. Arjen Abma (Sijperda Verhuur BV) shared how RFID in asset management delivers efficiency, better availability, and more satisfied customers in practice. His advice was to deploy sub-processes one by one and learn from each deployment how to improve. His engaging anecdote: “We located stolen Portable Toilets and were able to claim these as our assets. They were fitted with a RFID tag registerd in our database complete with descriptions.

‘Technology adopting still lagging‘

Frits van Calker (MD of RFIDdirect) presented about the above statement potential (based on current data collection statistics). Last year, technology adoption was lagging; more than 55% of companies still relied on spreadsheets, emails, and other off-the-shelf tools to manage critical sourcing and supply chain processes.

A significant 67% of brands and retailers reported having only “fair” or “lacking” visibility into key supply chain metrics. Growing mandate for sustainability and DPP traceability has shifted the demand.

An even larger share – 70% – of companies still used manual processes to manage disruption and risk.

Marc Flederus (BDM of RFIDdirect) presented the benefits of RFID technology in relation to the many applications served in recent years.

Capturing Process Data & Providing a Return-on-Investement

The benefits quantified; (source Professor Antonio Rizzi, The University of Parma & Auburn University RFID Lab)

Increasing inventory accuracy to 98 – 99.9 % (of the tagged assets)
Improved visibility of actual processes, reducing process idle times, reducing shrinkage with 20 – 60%, better visibility of the real costs of each production cell
Reducing manual data input, reducing paper works orders through the process
In-line quality checks made possible resulting in less correction / repair re-work needed
Information availability resulting in reducing asset search time with 50 – 90 %, increasing productivity
Improving real-time order status and information to customers, a better customer service
Increased production output = improving the financial bottom line
Return of investment: 6 to 18 months, project depending
(source Professor Antonio Rizzi, The University of Parma)

Road map to RFID as was presented and discussed

1. Analyse the Process as it stands

Create an overview of the main process flow and sub-processes in this flow
Identify the business case that drives clear value for your organisation
Engage not only with the management, but involve all stakeholders in the process
Understanding and planning future requirements

2. Solution Architecture

Balans the business requirements, process flows and technology
Develop the business case, a road map through all three domains
Reducing costs and risks, build a bespoke solution or buy an off-the-shelf product

3. The Development

Develop a milestone implementation plan, deploying Agile project management
Manage change request implementations
Secure the focus on business value improvement
Reporting on Key Performance indicators
Conduct field tests

4. Deploy and Operate

Deploy small in steps at the time, learn and adopt
Introduction of changes in processes to operators and other stakeholders, training
Managing costs of operational ownership, secure long-term and timely supply of RFID consumables
Data management, Cloud based and/or local stored, secure a backup strategy preferably at a different geographical location,
Improve the management data reporting

Capturing Process Data & Providing a Return-on-Investement