Getting Started with RFID Tool Tracking

Managing Tools & Equipment Across a Manufacturing Facility

There's been quite a bit of confusion in the the market on what RFID tool tracking really does, what sorts of tools can be tracked, and how automating tool tracking processes with RFID really works (especially when it involves ERP, MMS or Service & Maintenance systems).

Tracking Indirect Materials in the Field

Last month, we ran two instructional sessions on how to get started with RFID Tool Tracking.  Topics covered included:

• Planning tips (based on tool/equipment type, operating environment, maintenance schedule, contractual requirements and usable life)
• Best practices (based on customer deployments in Industrial Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, Oil & Gas and Life Sciences) 
• Process automation examples and scenarios with adjacent processes, incl. Work-in-Process Tracking

We covered a lot of ground in 30 minutes!  Online registration for the video recording is at: 

http://www.oatsystems.com/RFID-Tool-Tracking-Webinar/

Introducing the Airbus A350 - First RFID-enabled Aircraft

The Airbus A350 made its formal debut at the Paris Air Show this week.
It is the first aircraft to be RFID-enabled from the ground up, with approximately 3000 RFID-tagged component parts on each A350.
The RFID tags are designed to remain with the parts throughout their entire lifecycle in order to digitally store the full maintenance history - improving process automation and traceability for suppliers, airlines and MRO providers.

RFID Journal details the part marking announcement here. OATSystems has worked closely with Airbus since 2008 -- first to RFID-enable the A380 supply chain and then to roll out part marking programs for the Airbus A350.
More info on the Airbus A350 Part Marking Program, and supplier packages here.

RFID in Retail - Scaling up Item-Level Inventory Management

Great discussion on RFID in Retail yesterday with RFID Journal, featuring presentations from our customer C&A  who is rolling out RFID across 25 EU stores in Europe and deployment considerations for scaling up to Chain-Wide RFID.  Here's a demonstration of our RFID handheld inventory management solution, that enables store associates to count merchandise in teams, and aggregate item-level inventory at the enterprise level.


To accompany the RFID in Retail event, the RFID for Retail Planning Guide - "Scaling Up" outlines key considerations for moving from RFID retail pilots to chain-wide deployments. 

The planning guide is designed to provide retail professionals with the background information to thoughtfully scope a multi-store RFID deployment, including:

•Solution Components of Chain-Wide RFID Solutions
•Building a Holistic View of Inventory Management
•Systems Architecture Considerations
•Extending RFID Use Cases
•Implementation Planning Processes

How to Track Tools with RFID

OAT Systems Engineer Kapil Asher demonstrates how to track hand tools, tooling, specialized equipment and conveyances with RFID technology

From bearing pullers to digital calipers to composite tooling, jigs, right-to-use tools and FOD prevention, a flexible RFID tracking system has it covered.