The Challenge: Navigating the Complexities of Indoor Asset Tracking
Our client, a rapidly growing pharmaceutical equipment manufacturer, faced significant operational hurdles as they scaled:
- Increasing search times for pallets, leading to delays in production and order fulfillment.
- Increasing errors in pallet location recording, affecting inventory accuracy.
- Suboptimal warehouse layout, lacking real-time insights into foot and forklift traffic patterns.
- Overwhelming options in the RTLS and Industry 4.0 solution market, leading to decision paralysis.
The Solution: Hybrid RTLS approach using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
To overcome these challenges, we developed a tailored, hybrid RTLS approach using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies:
- BLE beacons were deployed to confirm pallet locations in storage areas
- UWB tracked forklifts and pallets during shipping and dispatch
- Integrated asset location data directly into the client’s Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Results:
The implementation of this custom real-time asset tracking solution yielded impressive outcomes:
- 30% decrease in operator search time for locating pallets.
- Over 90% reduction in pallet input errors, improving inventory accuracy.
- Additional 15% reduction in picking times post-WMS integration.
- Inventory accuracy reached 99.9%, minimizing stock discrepancies.
How RTLS Technology Drove Operational Change:
- Real-time data flow: Seamless integration of UWB and BLE data into the WMS, enabled live location updates in the WMS.
- Automated updates: Eliminated manual input, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
- Dynamic optimization: WMS can now optimize picking routes based on real-time asset locations.
- Foundation for future growth: The RTLS infrastructure and integration capabilities laid groundwork for future automation and AI-driven analytics.
- Comprehensive Digitalization Plan: A clear roadmap was developed with KPIs and implementation milestones for continuous improvement.
This case demonstrates the power of a tailored, technology-neutral RTLS approach in optimizing warehouse efficiency. By integrating UWB, BLE, and WMS, while focusing on specific client needs, we created a scalable solution that not only addressed immediate challenges but also positioned the client for future growth, including predictive analytics, and seamless Industry 4.0 integration in warehouse management.
Is Your Warehouse Ready for RTLS?
Discover how real-time location tracking can streamline operations, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency. Find the ideal RTLS Asset Tracking solution for your warehouse today!
