Manufacturers small and large use FactoryFour to track their production floor in real time. Many users of FactoryFour station tablets and barcode scanners throughout their facilities, and their technicians use this equipment to manually scan barcodes to check in and out of tasks.

FactoryFour has recently integrated with RFID (radio frequency identification) hardware to provide manufacturers with a way to track production automatically, without putting their technicians in front of a screen. See the video below demonstrating the integration and more details on this new functionality.

How It Works

RFID works by attaching a small chip, or RFID tag, to an object that is read by a tag reader. Upon scanning, a tag may be programmed to trigger an event, such as the activation or completion of a particular task.

1. Workflows are customized to your processes on the production floor. For instance, in a workflow involving 5 tasks, you might set up a workflow with stages named for Stations A through E.


2. When a work order is issued, an RFID tag is programmed to the order’s ID by scanning its barcode and entering it as a datapoint. The tag then moves along the production floor with the work order.


3. Tag readers are placed at each of the 5 stations. When a tag enters Station A, the task for Station A switches into an Active state. When the tag moves out of Station A, the task is marked completed. Every workstation can be configured to customizable logic. For instance, a task can be programmed to reactivate when brought back into a station, rather than remain completed.


4. When the final task is completed, the order is automatically marked as completed and the RFID tag can be repurposed for a new work order. Detailed data is captured at every step, giving you insights such as how long each task is worked on, the average time to complete a particular order type, or technician efficiency.

Benefits

Enhance employee productivity.
With RFID, data collection becomes a by-product of more productive activities. It eliminates the need for technicians to interface with any peripheral machines or screens to report their activity. Instead, they can focus their full efforts and attention toward production.

Reduce human error.
Using an RFID approach means you can capture data rapidly and accurately. Capturing data automatically via sensors helps you avoid errors in data entry or technicians forgetting to record activity.

Track large amounts of products efficiently.
Manual data collection becomes difficult when you have to track thousands of products moving rapidly through workstations in a single day. RFID allows you to capture every event easily, without adding non-productive time to your process.

Ready to integrate RFID capability into your business with FactoryFour?
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