Want to save time on inventory management or process management without losing quality? What is possible with RFID and barcodes in 2021, and what should you take into account?

Do you need reliable and accurate data about your products, for efficient stock management or for quality control of your products? Then choosing the right product identification system can save you a lot of headaches and time. But how do you choose between RFID and barcode? What is the best choice for you?

WHAT DOES FAST, EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE MEAN IN 2021?

Is your inventory management or process management system outdated, or do you feel like it should all be more efficient, faster and with a smaller margin of error?

You're probably right. But does the set-up in your logistics company, warehouse or department store only need an upgrade? Or would you benefit more from a transition to another registration system? Barcode? RFID? A combination or maybe a customized solution? We review the advantages and disadvantages of the various systems and show you their capabilities.

BARCODE: THE CLASSIC THAT KEEPS EVOLVING

Let's start with the most well-known product registration system: barcodes.

A human intervention is still often expected for the scanning of barcodes. Packages must be picked up and scanned one by one. You always need a line-of-sight. The barcode scanner must be able to see the barcode to register it. This may seem like a cumbersome and slow way of working, but barcode systems also continue to evolve.

With front-facing-front-scanning devices that allow rapid registration, scanners with pistol grip for ergonomic comfort and fixed inline barcode scanners that are mounted on a conveyor or in a portal, goods can be registered ever faster and in large numbers.

In addition, advances are made with every new generation of barcode scanners in scanning performance. Contemporary barcode readers can not only read faster, but also retrieve more information and have fewer problems scanning slightly damaged barcodes.

 

Ease of use also improves with every update. New versions are becoming more robust and handy. With mobile barcode readers, we see an increasing battery life. Barcode scanners therefore continue to evolve.

And there is another good reason to consider a barcode system. After all, they are often the most budget-friendly. So they deliver (increasing) quality for a smaller investment, but you do have to take their limitations into account.

WHICH SYSTEM BEST SUITS MY COMPANY?

RFID: MORE QUALITY WITH LESS MANPOWER

Are you wasting a lot of time scanning goods manually? And are you particularly concerned that this is accompanied by a large margin of error? Then RFID may be the solution.

RFID does not use visible barcodes but radio signals that are transmitted via a small chip on each product. This technology undoubtedly has many advantages.

Firstly, the line-of-sight limitation of barcodes is eliminated. A product no longer needs to be visible to be registered by an RFID reader. This of course guarantees a faster and more efficient registration process. Stacks of boxes on pallets are easily scanned en masse, without having to hold each item separately. By eliminating cumbersome scanning procedures, the personnel in your warehouse or on your loading docks can be deployed more efficiently.

You also no longer lose time due to scanning problems with wrinkled or damaged barcodes. As long as the radio signal falls within the range of your RFID reader, it will be registered. The only limitation to bear in mind is that these radio signals cannot move through metals or liquids. If you mainly work with metal goods or liquids, there are specific RFID chips for this. It is advisable to make a thorough analysis of your work environment to determine the correct RFID tags.

Many companies also rely on RFID technology to detect errors in their process management or product processing. With Work In Progress (WIP) tracking, goods can be easily and automatically identified using the appropriate RFID infrastructure.

Among other things, this facilitates checking of how long the different production phases last. But it is also recorded whether each article has gone through all the steps and in what order this has happened. Are there problems with certain goods? Then the data from these goods can be compared to find out the cause.

In this case, RFID can therefore provide important data for process optimization and quality control.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES WITH RFID?

ALREADY THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR BACK-END SYSTEMS AND PRINTERS?

Whether you opt for RFID or barcode, the registered data from your chip or label will of course be stored somewhere. From this back-end system, you can send shipping confirmations, retrieve stock lists, and so on. It is important that this system has the functionalities that you use most often.

In addition, the printer choice is also critical for smooth operations in your warehouse or factory. You can find more information about this in our blog about label printers.

THE POSSIBILITIES WITH RFID AND BARCODES GO FURTHER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK

RFID chips and barcodes go beyond scanning products in warehouses or supermarkets. Do not just assume that your process or application is too complex for these product registration systems.

Microtron regularly receives requests from customers that push the limits of RFID and barcodes. Barcode labels that must remain scannable underwater or at extreme temperatures. RFID chips that send signals to smartphone applications so that consumers can do product registration themselves. With the right analysis and product knowledge, a lot is possible.

In such cases, we always look at the available options, but if necessary, we develop new solutions ourselves that meet the demands of customers.

Together with manufacturers, we develop customized set-ups that speed up and optimize your operation.

 

 LOOKING TO DEVELOP A CUSTOMIZED SOLUTION?

 

 

Curious if your process or inventory management can be faster and more efficient? Contact Microtron, and we will be happy to discuss how we can help you.