Top 3 Benefits from RFID Tracking

We spend a lot of time speaking to concrete manufacturers about their workflows and and how precast rfid tracking can help them become more productive. Some are looking at rfid tracking as a means for enhancing their lean manufacturing processes; others are simply looking for ways to become more productive as market opportunities grow. There has been a lot of talk about "what" product tracking is. What matters is why it is beneficial. So, we thought we would share the top three reasons we hear from precast and prestressed concrete manufacturers about why they subscribe to Idencia.

At its essence, concrete tracking is an automated system of collecting information in electronic form that replaces hand-written tags and notes. Each of the top 3 benefits relates to the superior accuracy and efficiency of using electronic information instead of paper-based files, as follows:

1. Inventory management

As business has improved over the last couple of years, companies have recognized the need for inventory tracking to manage growth efficiently. Those engaging in lean production processes are especially interested. Most companies are currently using hand-written tags to identify pieces, a process that is limited (at best) in its effectiveness.

With information about each product collected using an automated system: 

• Time spent recording information is minimized;
• Accuracy is improved through the elimination of transposition errors; and
• Real-time reports can be accessed from anywhere with just a click.

2. Paperless quality control

Every company we visit shows us piles and piles of paper files that document their quality control records. (We visited one precast concrete company last week that showed us two storage pods that were filled with QC records!) Reducing the paper, storage and time required to document quality control is becoming more important as the volume of business is growing.

Companies like the idea that QC records can be recorded more efficiently on a tablet and downloaded to hard copies only when needed.

3. Customer satisfaction

Project owners are starting to ask manufacturers to provide their QC and concrete test information in electronic form in order to be more productive in their own right. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is now requiring all precast manufacturers to embed RFID tags and transfer QC information electronically. MassDOT is also using RFID tracking to associate concrete samples with panels in its Commonwealth Avenue Bridge reconstruction project.

It is only a matter of time until all project owners will want to benefit from the accuracy and efficiency of electronic information from their vendors.

Do you see other reasons to adopt product tracking in your operation? Please share them!

About Idencia

Our mission at Idencia is to elevate the productivity of manufacturers. We offer precast RFID tracking solutions that improve productivity and offer value throughout the value chain. As a cloud-hosted product tracking system that is seamless between manufacturers, contractors and asset managers, Idencia adds information value to all, eliminates redundancy and saves time.