The client
The client is a large automotive enterprise headquartered in Germany, with high-volume warehouses and regional parts centers across Europe.
Its warehouses already used conventional scanning, but physical counts and stock verification still took considerable manual effort. The company had decided to adopt RFID and needed a planned way to roll it out.
The challenge
Physical counts and verification still took considerable manual effort. RFID promised faster checks, but only with a standard approach to tagging, readers, workflows and training.
- Physical counts and stock verification took considerable manual effort.
- No standard process for tagging items or configuring readers.
- Workflows had to be mapped before RFID could be used day to day.
- Risk of inconsistent tracking between warehouses.
- Risk of low adoption without structured user training.
What they set up in Asset Infinity
The company linked RFID tags to its inventory records in Asset Infinity and set up readers for selected categories in its warehouses and parts centers.
RFID tags on records
Each tag is linked to its item record in Asset Infinity, so a read identifies the item without manual entry. (Connected)
Readers for warehouse workflows
Handheld readers serve stock checks, and fixed readers at doorways record tagged items moving in and out of an area. (Connected)
Faster verification
Physical stock checks use handheld RFID readers, and results are recorded against each inventory record, cutting the manual effort of counts. (Stores)
One standard process
Tagging, reading and movement steps are the same in every warehouse, so all teams handle RFID the same way. (Platform)
How it works day to day
Here is how RFID now fits into warehouse work.
- Warehouse team: tags items. Items in RFID-enabled categories get a tag, which is linked to the inventory record in Asset Infinity.
- System: records movements. When tagged items pass a fixed reader at a doorway or gate, the move is recorded against the item.
- Warehouse user: runs a stock check. The user walks the area with a handheld reader. Tags are read without lining up each label, and results go against the record.
- Warehouse user: resolves differences. Differences between what was read and what the record expects are reviewed and corrected on the spot.
- Warehouse supervisor: keeps handling consistent. Every site follows the same tagging and reading steps, so results from one warehouse compare directly with another.
- Inventory team: reviews tracking. Reports show tagged inventory by location and recent movements across warehouses and parts centers.
Before and after
| Before | With Asset Infinity | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock checks | Considerable manual effort | Handheld RFID reads |
| Identification | Conventional scanning | Tags linked to inventory records |
| Movements | Tracked inconsistently | Recorded through RFID-enabled workflows |
| Process | No RFID standard | One standard for tagging, reading and moves |
| Adoption | At risk without training | Users trained, settings refined |
How it rolled out
- Assessment and selection. Inventory categories, warehouse layouts and requirements were reviewed, and suitable categories and locations were chosen for RFID.
- Tags and readers set up. Tags were linked to inventory records, readers were configured, and identification, verification and movement processes were tested.
- Users trained. Warehouse users were trained on RFID scanning and handling, and settings were refined as adoption grew.
The results
- Less manual effort during physical stock checks and counts.
- Better tracking of RFID-tagged inventory across stores and warehouses.
- Consistent identification of tagged items during tracking and verification.
- Consistent movement tracking through RFID-enabled workflows.
- Standard RFID handling across warehouse and inventory teams.
Why it worked
Planned before scaled
Categories and locations were chosen and tested first, so RFID went where it saved the most effort.
Tags tied to records
Every read lands on an inventory record, so RFID improves the data the teams already use.
Same steps everywhere
A single way of tagging and reading kept tracking consistent across warehouses.
Looking ahead
With Asset Infinity, the automotive enterprise moved from conventional inventory tracking to a structured RFID process across its warehouses and regional parts centers. Tags and readers are tied to inventory records and to one standard way of working.
Identification is more accurate, stock verification is faster, and inventory control across warehouse operations is stronger.