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  • Exotec selects Clustag for item-level RFID tunnel solutions

    Exotec selects Clustag for item-level RFID tunnel solutions

    New project to be deployed in the Netherlands for a world-renowned fashion brand

    Exotec appointed Clustag as a strategic partner to deploy item-level RFID tunnel solutions in selected Skypod System projects. Clustag will deploy this technology in the Netherlands for a globally known fashion brand. 

    Exotec, headquartered in Lille, France, combines hardware and software to deliver advanced warehouse robotics. As a result, the company helps customers improve efficiency, build resiliency, and create better working conditions for warehouse operators.

    The Skypod system: smarter warehouse automation

    The Skypod System is an order-picking solution for retail, e-commerce, and industry. Robots can climb racks up to 12 metres. They retrieve products autonomously, and deliver totes to human-staffed or automatic picking stations. 

    Moreover, Exotec systems use vertical storage efficiently without losing performance or flexibility. The Skypod System is fully scalable. Therefore, warehouse can increase storage and picking performance whenb needed. 

    In addition, the system runs continuously throughout the year with no performance loss. More robots can be added quickly to handle peak periods. Furthermore, Exotec’s software simplifies the management of the entire system.

    “We selected the Clustag RFID Tunnel Solutions because we were impressed by its elegant design, proven reliability, and the ability to be delivered quickly by highly competent teams. It perfectly meets our quality and customer satisfaction requirements”, said Chloé Marechal, Supply Chain Manager Western Europe at Exotec.

    MOT RFID Tunnel Station to deploy item-level RFID technology

    As part of the partnership, Clustag will provide Exotec with its patented RFID MOT Station technology. The MOT Station, Clustag’s flagship RFID tunnel solution, offers reliability and provides flow data to users.

    Moreover, this technology integrates smoothly into warehouse processes. It aggregates three key data points during operation: RFID identification, case volume, and case weight. As a result, companies can improve accuracy and streamline the inventory management process.

    The MOT Station can scan cases with dimensions up to 850 x 650 x 650 millimetres. It reads up to 400 tags per case at speeds up to 1,000 cases per hour. The item-level RFID tunnel solution is UL certified and CE-marked. Used within the fashion industry.

    Within the fashion industry, the MOT Station combined with Clustag’s ZENTUP middleware enables retailers to keep pace with fast-moving fashion cycles. Once items are scanned using RAIN RFID, ZENTUP provides retailers with complete product data. This includes product types, colours, and sizes. Consequently, retailers gain the insight needed to make high-quality stock decision-making, quickly.

    ZENTUP will integrate with Exotec’s Warehouse Execution System to provide users with accurate, real-time data. This creates the base that helps retailers deliver orders quickly and efficiently for customers.

    In the words of Manolo Reguart, Director of Strategy and Business Development at Clustag: “RFID technology plays a pivotal role in creating enhanced inventory accuracy within the warehouse. The successful integration of our RFID tunnel solutions into some Exotec’s projects will deliver unparalleled inventory visibility for end users”.

    With the implementation of item-level RFID and Clustag technology in Exotec’s warehouse solution, smarter supply chain and order fulfilment decisions can be made that improve sales opportunities and the long-term business success of both brands.

    Successful integration of the MOT RFID Tunnel Station into a Skypod System in the Netherlands for a worldwide known fashion brand. Font: Exotec
    Successful integration of the MOT RFID Tunnel Station into a Skypod System in the Netherlands for a worldwide known fashion brand. Font: Exotec

    Media recognition

    Clustag’s partnership with Exotec has also been featured in specialized media. The Retail Bulletin reported on June, 2024, that Exocted selected Clustag as solution partner for item-level RFID projects in the Netherlands. In addition, RFID Journal covered the announcement, highlighting how the collaboration will improve inventory visibility and support faster decision-making for retailers. These press mentions confirm the intrenational recognition of Clustag’s innovative RFID solutions.

    About Exotec 

    Exotec is a global warehouse robotics company powering the world’s largest brands. The company combines the best of hardware and software to offer elegant warehouse robotic systems that drive operational efficiency, add resiliency, and improve working conditions for warehouse operators. More than 50 industry-leading brands including Gap Inc., Carrefour, Decathlon, and Uniqlo trust Exotec to improve their operations across in over 100 sites worldwide.

  • Centralized real-time data part II: effective RFID integration

    Centralized real-time data part II: effective RFID integration

    In RFID Centralized Data I: RFID in Intralogistic Operations, we talked about the role of RFID technology in intralogistics operations. Now it’s time to delve into the countless benefits that RFID centralized real-time data integration brings to the supply chain.

    Inventory distortion will cost businesses $1.77 trillion

    Accuracy and speed are paramount. Large organisations with thousands of SKUs need precise product management and centralized real-time data. Moreover, they require a solution that logs multiple products quickly. Equally, smaller retail organisations need to get the investment right at this stage to allow them to grow. A poorly thought-out solution that bogs a retailer down with inaccurate or slow logging will only snowball into a more signifficant problem as they scale, and will incur further costs down the line.

    Inaccurate stock data creates customer satisfaction issues, such as unfulfilled orders or out-of-stock messages. In addition. It increases transportation costs and complicates storage forecasting. IHL Group estimates that inventory distortion – including out-of-stock items and discounts due to overstocking – will cost businesses $1.77 trillion worldwide in 2023.

    The answer lies in technology. Specifically, RFID. Partnering with the right RFID solutions provider, retailers can create one single source of truth that delivers complete visibility of inventory through centralized real-time data across all operations.

    ROI for retailers

    Robust automated stock management solutions reduce the need for human intervention. This allows the company to allocate workers to more fruitful tasks while minimizing the chances of human error. That means a team of people freed up to use their experience to solve broader, more pressing problems within warehouse locations and the wider business. That is a win-win for retail teams and management. It results in more engaged staff members and a real-time view of inventory, which allows management to make buying decisions more quickly. This way, they are completely sure that they have the right numbers at their fingertips.

    With right solutions such as Clustag’s providing over 99% inventory accuracy, optimizing the manufacture and purchase cycle is easy with RFID. Retailers no longer need to factor in potential planning inaccuracies, minimizing unnecessary spending on over-buying, long-term storage and transportation.

    Equally, where multiple locations and retail channels have traditionally complicated stock management, an automated solution means fewer headaches and minimal impact when scaling to additional sites or adding retail channels. With RFID technology providing and centralized real-time data and a single stock-level view, retailers can plan stock across channels, and retail locations to maximize revenue during critical sales periods. They can also rapidly react to unexpected consumer demand efficiently and without unnecessary expenditure.

    The reverse logistics

    One of the biggest issues for retail returns is that the longer products spend in the reverse supply chain, the less retailers can resell them for. In some cases, these products never get resold. RFID solutions streamline the reverse supply chain processes, maximizing the revenue available from returned products.

    A global sportswear brand deployed Clustag’s RFID technology to transform its operations. The technology enables accurate, efficient control of inbound and outbound products. The brand also uses the technology to monitor sales via its distributors, providing it with a holistic view of product popularity across its sales network.

    What it means for customers

    Customers don’t like to be disappointed. Incorrect stock levels can frustrate consumers and hasten their defection to competitors. Managing omnichannel sales operations has traditionally been challenging, particularly when operations have a global footprint.

    With real-time visibility of stock across all locations, retailers can adopt a “fulfill from anywhere” approach. Consequently, customers access a wider stock pool. Retailers also ensure orders ship quickly as possible, from the optimal location.

    Enhancing customer experience

    Today’s demanding consumer is laser-focused on speed and convenience. The “fulfill from anywhere” approach means offerings such as buy online pick up in-store (BOPIS), buy online ship from store (BOSFS) and buy online return in-store (BORIS) are significantly simpler to implement, which plays to consumers’ desire for convenience.

    Allowing customers to shop in the way that suits their lifestyles and commitments encourages them to return. Fitting into consumers’ buying patterns makes the process seamless for them and unlocks more sales opportunities through increased brand loyalty. Similarly, brand advocacy brings greater reach, particularly via social media. Nielsen’s 2021 Trust in Advertising survey found that 88% of respondents trust word-of-mouth recommendations over advertising – another reason to focus on delivering outstanding customer experiences.

    Fostering a “virtuous cycle” – where great customer experience leads to advocacy and, ultimately, additional new and returning customers – builds retail brands in the long term, and reduces the costs associated with customer retention and acquisition. Beyond mere logistics, effective inventory management solutions can even drive down brand marketing and advertising costs.

    Choosing the right RFID partner

    Speed is everything in fast-paced verticals such as fashion, as product popularity fluctuates rapidly in response to social and cultural cues. RFID inventory management solutions offer the speed and reliability that retail requires.

    RFID solutions also provide opportunities to grow retail businesses by delivering superior customer experiences and offer a competitive advantage by easing the introduction of customer-centric initiatives such as BOPIS, BORIS and BOSFS. A single source of truth for inventory allows retailers to expand faster, forecast more accurately and deliver next-level cusotmer service that keeps consumers coming back for more.

    Choosing the right RFID partner is critical to making smart investment decisions that will pay dividens well into the future. Accenture’s RFID in Retail study found that users who had implemented five or more omnichannel use cases for RFID saw ROI of over 10%, and those with four or fewer use cases recorded over 8.38%.

    The technology can be the difference between success and failure in an increasingly demanding retail marketplace. As such, it is one of the single most important decisions retail businesses can make.

    Clustag is dedicated to proving value to customers, helping them to create achieve close to 100% inventory accuracy and drive ROI while minimizing the risk of human error.

    To find out more about how RFID can transform your intralogistics operations, contact us here.

  • RFID centralized data I: RFID in intralogistics operations

    RFID centralized data I: RFID in intralogistics operations

    The value of RFID in intralogistics operations

    RFID Centralized Data for retailers are under pressure. They must maximize basket value, deliver great customer experiences, improve retention and reduce acquisition costs. What if a single technology could improve all theses areas? With centralized real-time data, it is possible.

    With customer expectations higher than ever, retailers are keen to meet them aiming to deliver excellence in every aspect. According to Qualtrics, 80% of consumers have switched brands following a poor customer experience.

    Incorrect orders, poor returns, or stock issues can damage logalty. Retailers must remember that negative incidents leave a lasting impact on customers. That, in itself, it’s reason for concern. Worse still, findings from Propel Software suggest that 54% of consumers would stop using a brand after just one bad experience.

    The state of retail in RFID centralized data

    While it might be easy to place the blame of any customer experience incidents on shop floor operations, supply chain problems in retail are often just as guilty. Particularly since online shopping – while not at the levels seen during the pandemic – is still 35% higher in the UK (Europe’s biggest e-commerce market) than pre-2020 figures, according to the Office for National Statistics.

    In addition to brand concerns; reducing waste, transport, storage costs and maximising efficiency in restocking are all areas that can have a knock-on effect in improving customer experience. Many retailers manage multiple channels: in-store, web, and third-party sales platforms. Accurate inventory management is vital to avoid poor customer experiences.

    Inventory management technology has become more prevalent in recent years, and with good reason. Traditional stock management methods often fail to consider the myriad of sales platforms now available to retailers and can’t deliver the required omnichannel stock view.

    The role of technology in intralogistics

    A high-quality logistics management system is crucial to meeting customer expectations. RFID represents the holy grail of inventory management, and effective solutions can provide accurate and realiable real-time stock information. The technology is clearly working for retailers. In Accenture’s 2020 RFID in Retail study, 80% said the benefits of RFID cannot be replicated by any other technology.

    Clustag’s patented MOT Station adds speed and accuracy to bulk fulfilment and shipping. It represents a new era in the RFID tunnels industry. Scanning products at item-level and comparing with expected content, Clustag’s technology enables retailers to enhance supply chain efficiency with highly accurate, fast and reliable warehouse operations. This empowers retailers to create highly efficient replenishment across all locations.

    Creating value through RFID centralized data

    Manolo Reguart, Director of Strategy, Business Development and Alliances at Clustag, believes retailers are yet to uncover the full range of benefits that RFID can provide.

    “While RFID is a technology that has existed for decades, its market penetration remains relatively low within retail. The reality is that many remain uneducated on the vast benefits that the technology can deliver to a business. The speed and accuracy that RFID can provide across all retail operations opens a huge number of opportunities for retailers that can deliver a significant return on investment.”

    Clustag’s MOT Station solution scans products at item-level in an enclosed unit. Scanners run at full power to maximize accuracy and reduce cross-reading risks. With 99.92% reading accuracy, the MOT Station automates the inventory management process for retail, scanning up to 1,000 boxes/h while tracking products at item level.

    The technology cuts the time spent on manual inventory tracking. It allows retailers to reallocate labor to higher-value tasks. Equipped with real-time visibility of their inventory across the supply chain, retailers can make better, faster decisions. They can minimize waste, maintain replenishment across all locations, and process returns quicker.

    Ultimately, Clustag’s technology allows retailers to streamline their intralogistic operations, maximise sales opportunities and significantly reduce expenditure.

    Delivering expert support whenever required

    Investment in RFID is an important business decision that must be taken carefully, from pilot testing all the way to continued solution maintenance and upgrades. Retailers must partner with a technology provider that can, not only deliver a best-in-class product for their intralogistic operations, but one that can provide ongoing, high quality support. Clustag offers RFID consultancy, deployment, integration, and maintenance for its retail-focused inventory management solutions.

    By focusing specifically on one patented solution (its MOT Station, an RFID tunnel solution), Clustag has gained a wealth of expertise in warehouse logistics automation. Hence, it is able to provide a best-in-class technology that delivers accuracy, speed, and reliability from the first day of operations. Clustag boasts significant strength when it comes to deploying material handling equipment (MHE) and integrating automated warehousing solutions. Clustag’s MOT Station can be modified to provide optimal value for its customers, from conveyor system adaptations to implementing reject lanes that process problematic cartons.

    Clustag’s expertise in logistics automation the company to provide the best possible support to its customers. Clustag provides RFID consultancy, deployment, integration and maintenance of its solutions to users, ensuring the technology is implemented and used effectively.

    If you want to find out more about how RFID can transform your intralogistics operations, contact us today!

  • What to expect at MODEX 2024

    What to expect at MODEX 2024

    Hosted once every two years, MODEX brings together the entire supply chain ecosystem, showcasing the latest end-to-end solutions for the industry. Taking place in Atlanta, Georgia’s World Congress Centre from 11-14 March, expect to see the full spectrum of upcoming innovations in future-proofing manufacturing and supply chain operations.

    This global event is designed to help professionals from around the world come together to learn about the latest sector trends through powerful keynote speaker sessions and over 150 free seminars from industry leaders.

    If you’re a warehouse integration specialist looking to attend this year’s event, here’s what you can expect from MODEX 2024. 

    How RFID technology can advance supply chains

    Streamlined intralogistic operations reduce overhead costs. They achieve this by optimising transportation and storage processes. It can help brands move items from manufacturer to customer faster and more effectively, enhancing revenue opportunities and benefiting a company’s bottom line while helping them remain agile to evolving demands.

    Incorporating RFID empowers brands to enhance their warehouse operations. The technology enables users to automatically track all of their products at item-level as they move through the warehouse. This ultimately unlocks real-time tracking capabilities, high-quality inventory accuracy and increased efficiency, allowing for complete visibility across the supply chain.

    At MODEX, we will be providing an overview of our MOT Station. Delivering efficiency and reliability, the MOT station increases inventory accuracy by up to 99.92%. In addition,it is capable of scanning 400 tags per case at the speed of 1,000 cases per hour.

    Incorporated with RFID-Shield technology, the product ensures that only the contents within the MOT Station are scanned. Users can rest easy, safe in the knowledge that their inventory management practices are robust, reliable and efficient.

    Developments within warehouse automation

    Typically, warehouse processes require significant labour efforts to control and oversee various actions. Labour shortages can interrupt supply chains as a result of being understaffed throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, with manual inventory management practices in place, businesses become prone to human error, which can significantly reduce the accuracy of receiving and shipping within the warehouse.

    Developments in warehouse technology are helping brands overcome both of these issues by enabling concepts such as warehouse automation. With repetitive tasks conducted automatically within supply chains, several processes no longer require on-hand support; including inventory management.

    With solutions like Clustag’s MOT Station, human error decreases significantly. It enhances inventory management and allows warehouse staff to focus on more valuable tasks.

    Automation is expected to be a key trend across MODEX 2024, and for the first time we will be providing live demonstrations of our MOT Station, which is designed to deliver automation to warehouse operations while providing real-time, accurate visibility of stock.

    Streamlining material handling within distribution centres

    At this year’s MODEX event, some material-handling businesses will be focused on finding the right solution to help them deliver efficiency within the distribution centre. Day 3 of the trade show will provide visitors with an in-depth view of exactly how this can be achieved through RFID.

    Manolo Reguart, Director of Business Development, Strategy and Alliances at Clustag, will host Dean Frew, President and Board Member at SML Group, in Theater B at 3 pm to discuss how the technology can enable the material handling systems to improve inventory accuracy and supply chain compliance in distribution centres.

    RFID and automation improve inventory accuracy and supply chain in distribution centres. Proper deployment gives staff visibility over product type, quantity and location. It also enables end-to-end tracking and reduces human error.

    Our RFID solutions specifically target challenges with packaging, operations, and storage. This helps logistics companies gain complete visibility over the whereabouts and numbers of the stock they are processing.

    We’ll Be There! Stop by booth B10005, to learn more about how Clustag’s MOT Station can transform a business’s supply chain solutions, delivering efficiency, reliability and accuracy to inventory management.To find out more about how Clustag can help warehouse integration specialists deliver supply chain automation to their clients, talk to us today.

    *Results obtained from mass testing for products labelled according to Auburn University’s international standards, and for items composed of non-conflicting materials for RFID environments