RFID Inventory ManagementRFID Inventory Management

An everyday story about inventory management

Using RFID, stock management can be monitored smartly. We can keep track of how many bolts, nuts, and screws our employees have used and determine the quantity that needs to be re-ordered for an optimal stock level. The RFID solution provides insight into the orders that have already been placed and those about to be delivered.

One of Fabory's customers who use RFID is Lan Handling. Once a week, a Fabory merchandiser replenishes the stock. Lan Handling says, "The production in the factory should never come to a halt. The absence of a small part of a machine such as a nut or screw can make a big difference."

This is how RFID inventory management works

An employee places an empty bin on the shelf, eliminating the need to check all the rack positions physically. Customers can use their own bin, whether it's a plastic or cardboard disposable one. Depending on the customer's preference, the application can be programmed to scan the empty bins every hour or every five minutes. With just a push of a button, the system can instantly determine how many new bins are required and place a re-order immediately. This gives customers a reassuring and confident feeling about their stock management.

Replenishing

A Fabory merchandiser can replenish the bin delivered to the customer if necessary. We visit the production department's shop floor for many customers weekly. Previously, the employee would manually check the stock needed to be ordered. The RFID solution now replaces this process, allowing us to easily track which items have been ordered and when they will be delivered. This ensures that employees always have sufficient stock of our articles.

Ferry van Es, a buyer at Lan Handling, explains: "You don't want to have to measure exactly what you need every day."

Delivery time

The system keeps track of the number of empty bins placed on the shelf so that an order can be automatically placed. If a Fabory employee updates the system on a Tuesday, a new order can be generated automatically on Thursday evening. The scan which triggers the new order can be programmed remotely for the desired day and time. This process helps to reduce the time between ordering and delivery, making it easier to manage production peaks.

Insight

Every customer gains access to insights on their platform for stock management, order overviews, and supplier performance. This provides customers with complete transparency and understanding of material consumption. Lan Handling states, "All rings, bolts, and nuts come in different lengths. We book these under one purchase order as grab stock, so we can see exactly how much we have spent on stock at the end of the year."

Wide use of technology

The technology supports stock management, and Fabory aims to leverage this technology for in-depth stock usage analysis. The goal is to identify which items are in rotation and which are not, providing valuable insights for our customers.

RFID is just one of the Fabory Logic solutions supporting customer inventory management. 

Discover our other innovative solutions.