A short introduction to RTI and Pallet Tracking powered by RFID

SmartX HUB Platform for RTI and Reusable Assets builds on the TrackX GAME Platform to provide real-time visibility and control of RTIs and rental assets (e.g., oil/gas cylinders, beer kegs, IBC totes, horticulture racks, pallets, etc.) in a 3-tier (supplier, distributor, retailer) supply chain. It tracks shipping, returning, and receiving of inventory, validates inventory storage, manages processing of inventory (repair, maintain, clean, fill/load, etc.) for reuse at supplier, maintains viability of RTI content, and ensures accountability of supply chain partners.

• Visibility. An RFID container tracking solution automates the process by providing real-time visibility for tracking and managing reusable containers wherever they are located within your facility. Whether your business uses totes, bins or containers, a RFID container tracking system will improve productivity and reduce lost or stolen items – which leads to lower inventory carrying costs.

• Reduce counterfeiting. Pool players can improve their sales and their brand image (i.e. authentication of pallet quality) by gaining more visibility on the locations where counterfeited assets arrive in the supply chain.

• Adjust the pool size. With visibility on asset flow and asset stock at each location, pool players will have the opportunity to adjust their pool size with actual customer demands.

• Optimized exchanges with partners. With accurate visibility, companies can plan efficient collection of empties with their partners. They can also control both the quantity and authentication of assets being collected in order to balance their partner’s account and prevent recovery of lower quality, counterfeited pallets.

The standard RTI process supported by SMARTX HUB software includes the following steps:

• Tracking of returnable container current and historic locations, from supplier to customer and back again

• Commissioning and maintenance of RFID tags or bar codes placed on returnable assets using the standard global returnable asset identifier format

• Tracking of the asset through the various operations within the supplier’s facility, such as packing, loading, unpacking, and unloading

• Tracking of the asset through the various operations within the customer’s facility

• Automatic monitoring of events, such as empty and full status, using event management tools that alert relevant parties of unintended or unexpected events or changes in status

Efficiency SmartX Hub is able to accomplish your operational efficiency with the least waste of time and effort:

• Manage RTI pool shrinkage due to “stockpiling” in the distribution channel or at customer sites.

• RFID read point at “ownership” transitions in the supply chain.

• Account for damaged and lost RTI’s in financial budgeting.

• Increase availability of existing container supply by a proper allocation based on need/volume.

  Cost Saving.

Implementing Smartx Hub® at your company, the high cost of old inventory management can be used to invest in your company growth since Smartx Hub® offers:

• Confirm cargo loads by quickly scanning RTI’s, reducing mistakes in shipments… much faster than barcodes!

• Reduce cost of leased RTI’s through more efficient inventory tracking.

• Reduce theft of high-value cargo by assigning responsibility… the customer knows the RTI is being tracked.

Effectiveness Smartx Hub® has the capability to provide your company with the desired Asset tracking results:

• Tagged RTI’s can facilitate regulatory compliance by tracking origination (i.e. fresh food products) and destination (particular store or DC) for an audit trail.

• Manage RTI cleaning schedules for regulatory compliance.

• Manage periodic maintenance requirements by cycling inventory back to factory/production plant