Are you tired of your customers complaining about wrong deliveries?
Delivery of gas cylinders is a challenge for the gas suppliers. Since most of the industrial operations are dependent on gas availability, suppliers cannot afford to make any faults in the delivery. But, due to inefficient resources, suppliers have always suffered problems in delivering gas cylinders to the right place, at the right time.
Why are we prone to wrong delivery?
Manual asset tracking is unreliable despite the large amount of efforts it requires. It requires maintenance of paper records by both distributors and customers. These consume a lot of time while still being prone to human error. With these vulnerabilities towards miscommunication human error, we become more prone to wrong deliveries. This leads to the never ending disputes about deliveries and spoils business relationships.
The most commonly used solution for cylinder tracking is the barcode. However, it has its own limitations. It is easy to break and can have legibility issues. It tends to lose its productivity in harsh environments because of its weak structure. It requires to be in the line of sight to be readable. Barcodes can only be read one at a time and the information it stores is fixed. Therefore, they are less cost- efficient and require much maintenance.
Introduction to RFID
The latest solution of cylinder identification can prove to be a lot more cost efficient. RFID refers to Radio Frequency Identification, which comprises of a chip and an antenna in its basic structure. These RFID tags can be read more easily and faster due to their robust and efficient structure. The data in them can be updated and has the capacity to survive under harsh conditions. They can be read from a distance of about 6m and do not require to be in the line of sight to be readable. It requires very less maintenance and guarantees accuracy.
How is it used?
The RFID tags are fixed to the exterior of the cylinders. They comprise typically of two parts
- RFID transponder
- RFID reader
The RFID transponder is a passive tag. It gains power through induction from the reader. Once it receives the power, the circuit becomes active. Activation gives way to the transmitting of the data that is stored in them. The details of the delivery of the cylinders can be updated on the server from time to time. The information in the RFID tags can be accessed through RFID reader. It auto updates the details of cylinder shipment and cylinder return. It even upgrades the information about the cylinders that are ready to be delivered.
The driver tracks the information about the delivery of cylinders through a handheld reader. It informs about the verification and dispatch of the cylinder. It offers real-time visibility of stocks and location of cylinders. RFID creates excellent control over the process. It decreases the risk of errors and increases the overall productivity.
Why choose Trakaid RFID tags?
- Trakaid offers a unique RFID tag that is customized for the use on metals.
- It is designed with high-quality chip and antenna that provides accurate readings from far distances.
- It is adaptable to the surface it is put on and can function effectively in all weathers.
- It compensates for the tendency of metal to alter resonant tag antenna properties, potentially detuning the antenna.
- The Motorola handheld it offers is highly RF sensitive and provides more accuracy.
- Handheld has a tough, non-glare LCD screen that is readable even in bright sunlight.
RFID has made gas supply easier. Now, the cylinders can be tracked since the time of their detachment to the time of their delivery. The tag attached to the cylinder carries the required information about the cylinder. If the information in the tag does not match the needs, it is returned to the manufacturer. This technology makes it possible to automate and accelerate data acquisition. It minimizes inaccuracy, and its quality of delivering timely information improves asset visibility and productivity.
TSP designs systems based on aggregate data needed to make the business process work. The observed data is time stamped and linked to its business context. The design of the RFID technology enabled data-capture capability and the application that consumes the data are then finalized. Inefficiencies associated with adjusting to continual technology and business changes are minimal.