Metal containers are desirable because of their certain distinguishable properties like- they are safe, strong, long-lasting, reusable and shielding. But it is generally assumed that metal containers are headache to manage and track to, also to get permission from environmental agency to use and track them. However by use of mobile asset management solution the metal containers can be managed properly and tracked with RFID technology. The answer to its successful application is use of science.
Problems faced
Radio waves have the property of being absorbed by water at ultra-high frequencies and revert back by the metal surface. For example our body contains saltwater therefore serves as a shield against RFID waves. Generally metal interferes with RFID signals thus pose a challenge for supply chain that is RFID enabled.
The effectiveness of the RFID field is reduced when the eddy currents are produced by metal in the surrounding area of the RFID reader antennae as it absorbs radio frequency energy. A magnetic field is formed by these eddy currents which is perpendicular to the metal surface. Due to this field, the reader field is cancelled.
Detuning
Metal surface causes electromagnetic friction which results into energy depletion thus reduction of performance, and detune of reader and tag antenna. RFID which is installed in heavy metal surroundings could reduce the ranges, reliabilities and actual read & write rates. These reductions are more than what is experienced in controlled lab condition of RFID pilots. However these problems can be overcome by the usage of proper scientific designed and engineered system. Companies are looking forward to this system solution.
In the area of supply chain management RFID technology is being used in a metal environment to track and manage high-value, reusable mobile assets and their contents.
Mobile assets are used to carry raw materials, work in progress and the final finished goods in supply chains. These mobile assets are however expensive and also its contents are also expensive and time critical. RFID is useful in many manners, the information produced by it can be used to improve the planning and execution of the distribution channel.
Advantages
RFID technology helps in reduction of loss rates, maintenance costs, distribution costs, and better customer service. It facilitates in identifying market trends and reduction of selling price of the goods. Companies can even bring into line the rates of the container with the assessment stream resultant from the investment in the container, its release and the technology included. Most of the companiesusing RFID system were found to be using this technology for asset tracking as it provides the return on investment to the manufacturer.
A combination of asset acquisition and management services with technology and RFID facilitates to discover and eliminate the hidden costs of supply chain which includes assets, transportation costs, finished goods, product waste and inventory. Most of these management services work on pay-per-use basis, it enables the companies to improve the quality of customer service and also minimizes operating expenses and manages asset contents successfully.
Certain mobile asset management solution providers do offer RFID of low cost which could be installed in surroundings with high metal content. The worth of RFID is produced by the resolution provider from the consequent generation of enhanced trade rules that results efficient procedure and process.
Conclusion
To conclude usage of RFID tracking technology can be used successfully in environment with high metal content. Mobile asset management solution providers have solved this problem to a great extent by experimenting and introducing system with advanced design and engineering. Therefore it is beneficial to for companies to adopt RFID tracking technology.
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