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RFID in the News The Future of Inventory Management Real-time location sees the space between Avery Dennison to acquire Smartrac’s RFID inlay business System Report: GE Appliances pulls the digital thread High-velocity distribution at GE Appliances More RFID News Maximizing Warehouse Space Utilization with Vertical Storage Before you tear down walls to expand or sign a lease for an additional facility, be sure you’re maximizing the space you currently have. All Resources Inventory management takes both planning and execution. For decades, execution has relied on bar code data collection and wireless, system-directed material moves to exert better inventory control than paper-based processes can. But, what if new types of real-time location system (RTLS) technology could bring about a constant digital awareness over inventory, while evolution of warehouse management system (WMS) solutions permits greater accuracy and on-the-fly inventory adjustments? Advances in these areas could help bring about a much tighter handle on inventory. RTLS solutions span multiple technologies, including ultrawideband (UWB) beacons, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacons, as well as more traditional active and passive radio frequency identification (RFID). These technologies have existed for years and have continued to evolve, including new types of tags and readers. For all these advancements, don’t expect the trusty bar code and inventory control functions in WMS to become less relevant. Most active tag technology is too pricey to place on low-cost goods at the each or even case level, so the sweet spot for much of the active tag technology will be in tracking assets like reusable bins or pallets, or perhaps lift trucks, other equipment or high-value goods. “The lowest hanging fruit for RTLS right now is in gaining real-time awareness over pallet moves,” says John Sidell, founder of consulting firm New Course. “The benefit with RTLS is you can achieve better […]