RFID technology is providing significant benefits to ABB Oy in the management of outbound goods streams. For example, an RFID-based system automatically records movements of goods in the stock control system and prevents loading errors. Furthermore, the technology offers ABB a significant saving in floor space used. When outbound consignments are loaded, it is no longer necessary to assemble goods in a consolidation area. Instead, goods-vehicle trailers can be used for storage. The automation in question covers around 2 million transactions per year.
ABB’s system uses UPM Raflatac’s RFID tags, which were implemented by Vilant Systems. All transport units belonging to a consignment are marked with adhesive RFID tags at parcel level. The trailer loading docks are equipped with RFID readers, which scan all loaded parcels. Vilant's RFID software has been integrated with ABB's own SAP system.
Eliminating Incorrect Deliveries
The registration number of the vehicle arriving for loading is recorded in the SAP system and progress of the delivery is automatically controlled. The system knows what the consignment should include and the gate issues an error warning if an attempt is made to load the wrong goods onto a vehicle. Furthermore, the gate will not close until all goods belonging to a consignment have been loaded onto a vehicle. These safeguards virtually eliminate incorrect deliveries.
ABB has been using RFID solutions since 2004; the first application was designed to control reusable plywood boxes used in standard raw material deliveries. This system, which is still in use, is implemented by equipping all boxes with RFID tags and ensuring that they travel through RFID gates at both supplier and factory. ABB's systems are based on the Vilant Server 5 product family and Vilant Systems' RFID hardware products, with UPM Raflatac's tags used as identifiers.
ABB Oy's Head of Processes Julle Ala-Lahti has been pleased with the RFID applications.
"Vilant Systems took full responsibility of the implementation. Their consistent and rigorous approach revealed improvement potential in our material flow and offered prompt results,” says Ala-Lahti.