Track your WIP items along the assembly process and know in real time your production totals.
Track at a Granular Level
Track WIP assets by serialized unit for better resources management and scheduling control.
Full Production History
Every WIP asset moving through each production location is tracked and full production history can be queried.
Real-time Inquiries
The power to conduct real-time WIP inquiries by part and location.
Business Intelligence
Automatically generated reports provide you with the data you need to dissect and analyze what matters most to your business.
Seize control of resources and scheduling to boost the efficiency of your manufacturing plant.
The GAO Work-in-Process RFID (WIP) Asset Tracking System is a flexible item and assembly tracking solution that provides automated logging of WIP data as they pass through each production stage, drastically improving both production time and product quality on the manufacturing shop floor.
By have the WIP Asset Tracking in your operations, you will be able to easily answer the common questions such as “where is the current location of the item?”, “who is working on the item at this stage?” and “how long did it take to carry out this function?”
Enabling RFID technology to track WIP during manufacturing production provides vital data that can be accessed in real-time to give managers greater visibility into the production process.
Most manufacturing environments require products to go through a series of distinct assembly stages. The subassemblies or raw materials become WIP, and are passed from one station (or location) to another. This is where RFID technology provides the advantage: each WIP (or the tote/container it is carried in) can be uniquely identified using RFID tags. As WIP passes from station to station, the tags provide information on the status of the components as each stage of the manufacturing process is reached. The information is then relayed to the RFID WIP Tracking System to allow for an efficient and timely recording of data. RFID benefit on tracking WIP extends beyond production status visibility; it also works to notify the depletion of raw materials for efficient inventory management and completion data can be recorded for Quality Control inspection purposes.
RFID is an indispensable technology when used with WIP because it can report immediate deviations and exceptions that occur in any process. This gives companies the ability to eliminate costly mistakes and reduce manufacturing errors. RFID provides a company the ability to identify, time-stamp, and confirm the location of all elements being measured so that the data can be used to improve the quality of its process outputs.
Work In Process WIP Asset Tracking System: Applications
The GAO Work in Process WIP Asset Tracking System has been successfully applied to the industries world-wide:
Manufacturing Industry
One of the most significant applications of a Work-in-Process Tracking System is within the manufacturing sector. Manufacturers rely heavily on such systems to monitor and manage the flow of materials, subassemblies, and components during the production process. This ensures that every item is accounted for, and manufacturers can trace its journey through different production stages. It aids in managing the movement of goods across multiple workstations and ensures that assembly lines operate efficiently. The integration of RFID and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technologies within WIP tracking systems helps enhance accuracy and streamline processes.
RFID and BLE technologies allow manufacturers to automatically identify and track materials and products through unique tags attached to each work-in-process item. This offers real-time tracking capabilities, giving visibility into inventory and production flows, while minimizing manual tracking errors. By using GAO RFID Inc.’s advanced RFID solutions, manufacturers can gain access to accurate data on inventory levels, production rates, and the status of components in real time.
Supply Chain Optimization
WIP tracking systems are crucial for optimizing supply chain operations. By ensuring real-time tracking of components and materials, these systems allow companies to optimize the flow of goods, minimize delays, and reduce lead times. In the case of delays or disruptions, the WIP tracking system can instantly alert managers to take corrective action. This is particularly vital when managing complex global supply chains that involve multiple stakeholders, from raw material suppliers to manufacturers, and ultimately distributors and customers.
GAO RFID Inc. is committed to helping businesses optimize their supply chain by providing state-of-the-art RFID and BLE solutions that enable better coordination, fewer stockouts, and the ability to forecast demand accurately. Our advanced Work-in-Process Tracking System ensures that you are always one step ahead in your logistics planning.
Warehouse Management
Efficient warehouse management is critical for both small and large-scale manufacturers. WIP tracking systems help by streamlining the process of goods movement within warehouses. The system can track where each work-in-process product is located, whether it’s in transit, being processed, or awaiting further handling. WIP systems can also help optimize storage space and layout by tracking inventory flows and guiding warehouse workers on the best routes to follow when retrieving items.
For companies that require high accuracy and efficiency in managing their warehouse inventory, GAO RFID’s Work-in-Process Tracking System incorporates real-time data collection, allowing you to make immediate adjustments based on the product flow. With RFID technology embedded in your system, the accuracy of inventory tracking is significantly increased, reducing time spent searching for items and improving overall warehouse throughput.
Quality Control and Compliance
Quality control is an essential part of the WIP process, especially for industries that require strict adherence to regulatory standards. With a comprehensive WIP tracking system, manufacturers can document each step in the production process, ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Furthermore, the system allows for easier identification of defective products or deviations from quality standards. If a product fails at any stage of production, the WIP system helps quickly isolate it, making it possible to correct issues before they affect the final output.
GAO RFID Inc. provides comprehensive solutions that integrate quality control mechanisms directly into the Work-in-Process Tracking System. This allows businesses to maintain a high level of quality while ensuring their products meet or exceed industry-specific compliance standards. Our systems not only enhance productivity but also safeguard against regulatory violations by offering transparent tracking and reporting.
Maintenance Management
For manufacturing companies that rely on complex machinery and equipment, proper maintenance is critical. WIP tracking systems can be used to schedule and manage regular equipment maintenance, reducing downtime and keeping the production process on track. When machinery or equipment requires maintenance, the system can flag it as a concern and even adjust production schedules to avoid delays.
By incorporating RFID technology, GAO RFID Inc.’s solutions help businesses manage maintenance more efficiently. With real-time tracking and monitoring of equipment status, maintenance needs can be predicted and addressed before they cause production halts. WIP tracking systems allow companies to anticipate machine failures and schedule preventative maintenance, thus extending the lifespan of expensive machinery and reducing operational disruptions.
Cost Management
Managing the cost of work-in-process items is another critical use of WIP tracking systems. With complete visibility over the production process, manufacturers can track costs associated with labor, raw materials, overhead, and other variables. This information helps businesses pinpoint areas where costs can be reduced, whether through process optimization or waste reduction. In addition, WIP tracking can help companies identify the most cost-effective production methods, further enhancing profitability.
GAO RFID’s Work-in-Process Tracking System offers advanced tools to help companies track their production costs accurately. With RFID tags and BLE technology, your team can easily capture data about each step in the production process, which then allows you to analyze costs more effectively and find areas for improvement.
Real-Time Reporting and Data Analytics
Modern WIP tracking systems are no longer just tools for monitoring product movement; they are also powerful data analytics engines. By using real-time data, businesses can identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas that require immediate attention. Data collected from the system can be used for predictive analysis, enabling businesses to forecast future production needs, make data-driven decisions, and improve overall performance.
GAO RFID Inc. excels at providing Work-in-Process Tracking Systems that integrate seamlessly with data analytics platforms. Our systems help businesses transform raw data into actionable insights, offering a clear view of performance metrics and trends. By leveraging this data, your organization can make smarter, more informed decisions that boost productivity and profitability.
Recommended Hardware Configurations
If there are only handheld readers used in the system, they can be integrated directly with GAO RFID Cloud Service, therefore, there is no need for a local physical server.
With a large selection of RFID hardware, there are many configurations available for assembling a WIP Asset Tracking system. Below are a few examples of the hardware configurations we recommend:
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