The Case For RFID Handhelds

Why Do Portable Terminals Matter? The “classic” RFID ROI is based on the automatic reading of RFID tags using fixed readers at dock doors and other “choke points.” … BUT! Portable terminals provide a critical element of flexibility that is often required to make the whole RFID system work … some simple scenarios can make this value clear

“Exception Processing” Question: When a pallet is pulled through a dock door and there is a problem reading the tags, what’s the best way to handle it? Answer: With a portable terminal, you can pull the pallet out of the way and identify the source of the error, without blocking the dock or impeding other work flow.

“My Budget Needs Help” Question: I am committed to implementing RFID, but I just cannot afford to install fixed reader infrastructure at every location, especially those where I don’t anticipate a lot of RFID volume initially Answer: A portable terminal solution allows you to get broad geographic coverage – even for low volume sites – quickly. Best of all, as volumes grow and I can justify fixed readers, I can continue to use the terminals for exception processing and other activities – nothing is lost!”

“Middle of Nowhere” Question: What happens if you need to receive good using RFID at an extremely remote location, where it’s just not possible to have fixed readers setup – e.g. if you are a military logistics unit in the middle of a desert. Answer: A portable terminal solution allows you to identify the received good by reading RFID tags, regardless of location or local conditions, with minimal setup.

“In the Racks” Question: How do I take advantage of the data stored in RFID tags when I am away from my fixed readers, for example in the middle of the storage racks doing the everyday work of picking? Answer: A portable terminal RFID solution allows the investment in RFID tagging to be leveraged at every location in the supply chain, and allows RFID to be used as part of every process where it makes sense, whether near a fixed reader or not.

“Mixed Bar Code and RFID” Question: How do I deal with mixed situations, where some of my products may be RFID tagged and some many not? Answer: A portable terminal solution which is both RFID and bar code enabled allows a worker to switch quickly and seamlessly between the two, as quickly as the press of a button.