Below are three tracking methods commonly used throughout the transport and inventory management industries. We break down the pros and cons of each one and where they flourish, giving you the information, you need to empower your supply chain.

Barcodes

Barcode scanning systems have been a staple in supply chain management for decades, with most of the general public aware of them too. The reason for this widespread adoption can be boiled down to its simplicity, accuracy, speed, and above all else, cost-effectiveness.

Suggested use for:

• Startups
• SMEs with low demand
• Businesses where item inspection may be required

This makes it an ideal and efficient solution for start-ups and SMEs alike. However, there are some drawbacks which make this technology less than ideal for larger-scale corporations. For example, with barcode technology, there must be a direct line of sight between the item and the scanner in order to read it. This means that boxes, crates, or goods may need manoeuvring before scanning, leaving quite a high level of manual input and time needed to make this solution work.

RFID

RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tracking allows for an automated, low-manual input process when keeping note of stock levels and transit progress etc. This technology provides far more visibility, allowing users to keep track of the entire supply-chain process. Line-of-sight doesn’t play a factor with RFIDs as they work independently from solutions like barcodes, with long-range wireless tags and readers, making them ideal for large-scale warehouses.

Suggested use for:

• SMEs with high demand
• Businesses with a large variety of stock
• Companies operating internationally

However, with all the streamlined processes and wider insights into your supply chain comes a hefty price tag. With the accuracy RFID offers businesses can expect to pay more for the initial infrastructure costs – although once you’re up and running the maintenance costs are very manageable. This makes RFID ideal for tracking goods on a large-scale, removing the manual processes whilst supplying reliable location data. Although bottlenecks do occur with every item needing to pass through a physical gate to be registered and categorised.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth-enabled tracking offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative to RFID, particularly for large organisations with tens of thousands to millions of assets. While RFID provides extensive coverage, Bluetooth’s defined radius offers more precise location tracking. This means you can track goods in real-time throughout your supply chain and pinpoint their exact location. 

Suggested use for:

• Larger organisations with a large number of assets and storage space
• Businesses with a large variety of stock
• Companies operating nationally

Bluetooth’s range is not as expansive as RFID, but this is advantageous for a number of applications. RFID’s extensive range often requires additional measures, like wire mesh installations which focuses it on specific locations. Conversely, Bluetooth’s localised tracking ensures accuracy without the need for such modifications. It excels in large-scale location tracking where knowing whether your goods are within a certain area is sufficient.

Additionally, Bluetooth tracking is accessible and cost-effective, utilising everyday devices such as smartphones and tablets, making it a practical choice for many businesses.

Implementing RFID technology can be costly for retailers to track inventory in real-time. Bluetooth-enabled tracking, such as Wiliot Bluetooth labels, provides a more affordable solution. These battery-free labels offer real-time visibility of shelf-level inventory, enhancing on-shelf availability, merchandising, and omni-channel fulfilment. By tracking the movement of goods in real-time with Bluetooth, businesses can promptly identify and address issues like delays or deviations.

Digipal digital solutions

With the right tracking technology, all of our DPP (Digital Plastic Pallets) can become an IoT-enabled supply chain unit. Whether through Bluetooth or RFID sensors, we equip you with solutions to harness the power of these dynamic tracking tools – even if you’re currently only operating with barcode tracking.

No matter what type of tracking solution you currently use you can take advantage of IoT tracking to uncover and eliminate bottlenecks.

Partnering this with our nestable and trackable plastic pallets provides a comprehensive end-to-end view of each pallet’s history and cycle pathway – never lose goods or pallets again through the online DigiPortal.