RFID Technology Applications

Supply chains are increasingly complex, spanning upstream suppliers, midstream manufacturers, and downstream distributors and retailers. In such interconnected networks, smooth throughput — the rate at which materials, products, capital and information flow — is critical to business performance. Yet real-world disruptions often lead to throughput compression, where flow slows. One of the less visible challenges in orchestrating throughput under compression is the variability in demand patterns across multiple SKUs. In many consumer goods sectors, demand follows a long-tail distribution: a few SKUs drive the bulk of volume, while a large number of niche SKUs contribute marginally but are critical for market coverage and customer satisfaction. The coefficient of variation (CV) — the ratio of standard deviation to mean demand — differs widely across SKUs. Core, high-volume products often show low variability, making them easier to plan and schedule. In contrast, niche SKUs exhibit very high variability, with unpredictable order cycles and small batch requirements. To serve this diversity, manufacturers are often forced to run very short production runs, sometimes as little as a single pallet lot. This introduces significant complexity: frequent changeovers, increased downtime, higher waste, and fragmented throughput. The constraint is not only in machine time but also in the ability to sequence runs so that the next batch is available just in time for demand — a concept known as “days before next run” (DBNR). DBNR reflects the balancing act between service and efficiency. If a SKU is run too frequently, capacity is consumed by setups. If it is run too infrequently, stockouts occur given the high variability of demand. When throughput compression sets in — whether from upstream shortages or midstream bottlenecks — managing DBNR across dozens or hundreds of SKUs becomes even harder. This is where synchronization across partners is essential. Suppliers must align raw material deliveries with compressed production windows; manufacturers must optimize sequencing across SKUs under constraint; and distributors must accept rationalized availability of niche SKUs during compression periods. In this essay I have tried to look at all three dimensions of the compression: 1.  Upstream (Suppliers and Raw Materials) - Throughput compression upstream often stems from shortages of key inputs, delayed shipments, or price volatility. 2.  Midstream (Manufacturing and Processing) - Midstream compression typically arises from plant shutdowns, labor shortages, or process inefficiencies. A paint manufacturer facing a resin shortage may operate below capacity, producing fewer SKUs and delaying delivery schedules. 3.  Downstream (Distribution and Retail) - Downstream compression manifests as logistics bottlenecks, dealer stockouts, or last-mile inefficiencies. Read my paper to understand the inter-dependencies.   #supplychain #demandvariability #DBNR #throughput

Convenience retail: where every penny counts Convenience stores operate on some of the tightest margins in retail. Rising energy costs, wage increases, and theft make cost management a daily battle. Yet, across the UK, independent retailers are showing how smart technology, process optimisation, and discipline can unlock significant savings. Several approaches stand out: • Staff productivity: Automating stock checks and order forecasting with advanced EPoS systems can save up to 12 staff hours per week – hours that can be redirected to customer service and sales. • Promotion cycles: Moving away from rigid four-week cycles towards staggered promotions avoids costly staff surges. One Stop Stores Ltd achieved ~£600 weekly savings with this approach. • Apps for operations: Low-cost tools like Connecteam simplify compliance, shift management, and reporting – reducing admin costs and preventing the need for extra hires. • Security discipline & smart locking: With UK shoplifting at a 20-year high, retailers like Costcutter ’s Peter Patel limit evening facings of high-value products. But there’s another evolution: grab-and-go cabinets that act as a “high value shop in the shop”, released only after credit card tap (or app) and potentially age verification. —> A leading example is Reckon.ai, a Portuguese startup whose AI and computer vision modules transform existing cabinets, fridges, shelves into autonomous smart units. —> Customers unlock the cabinet (via payment or authorized app), pick what they need, and simply close the door — all tracked in real time, with inventory updates and automatic checkout. —> This combines the convenience of self-service with the protection of a controlled environment. • Energy management: Smart plugs, timers, and recovery systems optimise usage. For heavy users, suppliers like SmartNest Energy, British Gas and EDF offer tailored contracts – but the key is short-term flexibility. • Cash handling automation: Smart safes digitise deposits, reduce errors, and free up staff from manual counting. The UK convenience retail market exceeds £47 billion annually, with over 46,000 stores serving millions. Efficiency at the execution level is not optional — it is a survival imperative. #retail #convenienceretail #fmcg #grocery #storeoperations #epos #retailtechnology #efficiency #staffproductivity #promotionstrategy #retailsolutions #energymanagement #sustainableretail #smartretail #security #cashhandling #lossprevention #retailsavings #omnichannel #automation #retailapps #ukretail #europeanretail #retailsecurity #retailinnovation #smallbusiness #ukbusiness #europebusiness #retailtrends #retaitech #foodtech

How to make a super automated module product line？ First, high-quality and highly automated machines are the basics. Take the cell tabbing and stringing machine as an example, Canadian Solar Inc. is the first one in the industry to bring half-cell and multiple busbar tech into the mass production. After seven years ‘development, Canadian Solar increased the soldering speed by about 3 times and lowered the defect rate by 50% when wafers are thinned by more than 70%. Second, we leverage #AI to do what they do best - image and video analysis, defect identification and root cause analysis. We started to use neural networks to find defects in EL inspection images as early in 2018. Now, all EL and appearance defect identification and analysis are done by AI at our automated lines, greatly improve the efficiency and quality of this highly repetitive work. Third, we use conveyor lines to transport products at work and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to transport materials. There is no need for people to do the lifting and transportation work any longer, which reduces the labor intensity significantly. Fourth, an information system enabling the info flow from customers and material suppliers to the production lines is essential. Our info system connects customer relationship management (CRM), supplier relationship management (SRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution system (MES). Highly personalized requests from customers can be implemented on automated production lines flawlessly.  Last by not least, we have a dedicated and experienced team to run the lines. In the era of artificial intelligence, people are still the core, which is Canadian Solar’s irreplaceable asset. This team has increased production efficiency fourfold since we first introduced half-cell and muti-busbar automated module line seven years ago. I am proud of them and believe they will bring more progress to the industry in the future.  #automation #automanufacture #solar #autoproduction

Title: Understanding Product Recall: Causes, Procedures, and Prevention 🛡️🚫 Slide 1: Introduction - Definition of Product Recall 📦❗ - Importance of Product Safety 🛒🔒 Slide 2: Why do Product Recalls Happen? - Manufacturing Defects 🔩🔧 - Design Flaws 📐❌ - Contamination ☣️🧪 - Regulatory Non-Compliance 📜🚫 Slide 3: Common Causes of Product Recalls - Inadequate Quality Control 🧪📋 - Supplier Issues 🤝📦 - Mislabeling 🏷️❌ - Consumer Complaints 🗣️📢 Slide 4: How Product Recalls Work - Detection of the Issue 🕵️🔍 - Internal Assessment 📊🔍 - Regulatory Notification 📨🚦 - Public Announcement 📣📢 - Recall Execution 🔄🛒 Slide 5: The Legal Aspect - Liability and Responsibility ⚖️📜 - Recall Costs 💰💼 - Impact on Brand Reputation 🌐👥 Slide 6: Preventing Product Recalls - Robust Quality Control 🛠️👷 - Supplier Audits 🧾🔍 - Adequate Testing 🧪📝 - Clear Labeling 🏷️✅ - Compliance with Regulations 📚📝 Slide 7: Effective Communication - Internal Communication 📢📚 - External Communication 🌐📲 - Transparency 📈🔍 Slide 8: Continuous Improvement - Learning from Past Recalls 🧠🔄 - Regular Auditing and Monitoring 📊👁️ - Product Lifecycle Management 🔄📈 Slide 9: Case Study: Successful Recall Management 🏆👏 - Highlight a real-world example of a company effectively managing a product recall. Slide 10: Conclusion 🎯📌 - Recap of Key Points 🔑📋 - Emphasize the Importance of Preventing Product Recalls 🛡️🚫 Slide 11: Q&A 🤔💬 - Open the floor for questions and discussions. Let's learn together! #ProductRecalls #SafetyFirst #QualityControl #RiskManagement #Compliance #BrandReputation #Communication #PreventionStrategies #ContinuousImprovement #CaseStudy #BestPractices #SafetyStandards #ProductSafety #RecallManagement #LegalAspect #ConsumerProtection #QualityAssurance #SupplyChain #Transparency #RiskAssessment #BusinessEthics #ProductLifecycle

Reducing Steel Logistics Costs in India: Strategic Framework Logistics accounts for 10–20% of steel’s delivered cost and up to 28% of factory cost. Reducing this burden is key to improving competitiveness. A multi-pronged strategy involving infrastructure, modal shifts, digital tools, and policy reforms can yield significant savings. 1. Shift to Rail, Water, and Pipelines Road transport, though flexible, is 2–3x costlier. Rail movement via rakes and sidings can cut costs by 20–30%. Inland waterways (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra) save 40–60% for long-haul bulk cargo. Slurry pipelines, at Rs. 80–100/tonne for 250 km, are vastly cheaper than rail or road and must be expanded for inland plants. 2. Leverage PFTs and DFCs Private Freight Terminals reduce first/last-mile costs. Eastern and Western DFCs offer faster, reliable movement. Time-tabled rakes and rake-sharing improve predictability and lower costs. 3. Improve First & Last-Mile Efficiency Rail sidings, Ro-Ro services, and containerization reduce handling loss and costs. Better road access to ports via PPPs boosts multimodal efficiency. 4. Upgrade Infrastructure Developing dedicated rail/road corridors and multimodal logistics parks under Bharatmala and Sagarmala enhances connectivity. Coastal hubs at Vizag, Kandla, Paradip allow direct port loading, avoiding double handling. 5. Adopt Technology Use of Transport Management Systems (TMS), GPS tracking, and AI-based route optimization improves asset utilization and reduces fuel use. Automation in loading/unloading cuts turnaround time and damages. 6. Streamline Supply Chain Set up regional hubs near consumption centers. Aggregate demand to enable full-rake dispatch. Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory models cut warehousing and demurrage. Collaborate with 3PLs for cost-effective delivery and tracking. 7. Align with Policy & Incentives Leverage the National Logistics Policy’s aim to reduce logistics costs to 5–6% of GDP. Tap freight subsidies, tax incentives for logistics infra, GST pass-through, and single-window clearance for sidings and terminals. 8. Optimize Last-Mile & Maintenance Route planning tools reduce last-mile costs. Strategically located warehouses shorten delivery time. Preventive maintenance of fleets improves uptime and fuel efficiency. Impact Snapshot Rail over road: 20–30% cost saving Waterways: 40–60% Route optimization/backhauling: 10–15% Terminal/siding access: 5–10% Conclusion Combining modal shift, infrastructure upgrades, tech adoption, and policy alignment can reduce logistics costs by up to 40%. This is critical to meeting India’s steel production target of 255–300 million tonnes by 2030 and boosting global competitiveness.

After 30+ years in supply chain tech and visiting hundreds of warehouses globally, it's rare that something stops me in my tracks. UK startup Dexory just did exactly that. Here's what blew my mind: 🏗️ 39-foot-tall autonomous inventory scanners - literally the tallest robots on Earth 📊 10,000+ pallets scanned per hour with 99.9% accuracy 🧠 AI-powered warehouse optimization that learns and adapts 🌡️ Multi-sensor technology (HD cameras, temperature, humidity) perfect for cold chain 📱 Real-time digital twins creating living, breathing warehouse simulations But here's the REAL game-changer... Unlike most robotics companies that bolt solutions onto existing operations, Dexory thinks deeply about process integration. They're not just building robots - they're reimagining how warehouses think. Their AI doesn't just scan inventory. It predicts optimal storage locations, suggests put-away strategies, and creates digital twins that enable real-time simulations. The bigger picture? This isn't about full warehouse autonomy yet. It's about creating self-aware facilities - the foundation needed before everything becomes truly autonomous. My prediction: When you control the data, you control the flow. Don't be surprised if Dexory expands into real-time warehouse control systems. What's your take? Are we ready for 39-foot robots managing our supply chains? #supplychain #truckl #innovation

 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 : 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 The Challenge: Our inventory management system was struggling to keep up with the growing volume of stock and sales data. The manual tracking process led to frequent stockouts and overstock situations, causing operational inefficiencies and affecting customer satisfaction. The Solution: We leveraged SQL to automate and optimize our inventory management process. Here’s how we did it: Steps: 1.Centralized Database Creation: Consolidated inventory data from multiple sources into a single SQL database.   Example Query to Create Inventory Table: CREATE TABLE Inventory ( ProductID INT PRIMARY KEY, ProductName VARCHAR(255), StockLevel INT, ReorderLevel INT, LastUpdated DATE );   2.Automated Stock Monitoring: Developed SQL queries to automatically monitor stock levels and trigger alerts for reorder points.   Example Query for Reorder Alerts: SELECT ProductID, ProductName, StockLevel FROM Inventory WHERE StockLevel <= ReorderLevel;   3.Dynamic Reporting: Created dynamic reports to track inventory levels, reorder statuses, and historical stock trends.   Example Query for Inventory Report: SELECT ProductID, ProductName, StockLevel, LastUpdated FROM Inventory ORDER BY LastUpdated DESC;   Impact: Operational Efficiency: Reduced manual tracking efforts, saving time and minimizing errors. Optimized Stock Levels: Improved inventory turnover by maintaining optimal stock levels. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Reduced stockouts and overstock situations, ensuring product availability.   Visuals: Include screenshots of the SQL queries, inventory reports, and a before-and-after comparison of stock levels. How do you manage inventory in your organization? Share your strategies and experiences in the comments!  follow more for Priyanka SG #SQL #InventoryManagement #DataOptimization #OperationalEfficiency #BusinessIntelligence

Wrong orders ruin the drive-thru experience. One chain hits 99.9% with two simple strategies. The top ten fast food chains have a dismal accuracy rate. They make an error on 14% of orders. (Source: Intouch Insight) Pal's Sudden Service bucks the trend. It has 31 locations in Tennessee and Virginia and is known for good food, friendly employees, and quality. The chain does two things to get 99.9% of drive-thru orders right. First, it keeps things simple. It's missing many things you see at the typical fast food restaurant. There's no: ❌ Speaker to place your order ❌ Size variations for fries or drinks ❌ Upselling or combo meals ❌ Inside seating Pal's keeps the experience simple: 1. Pull up to a window. 2. Place your order with a cheerful human. 3. Drive around to the next window. 4. Pay another cheerful human and get your food. The second thing Pal's does is relentlessly train employees. Employees must demonstrate the ability to do their job at 100% proficiency before they can work on their own. There's also ongoing training and coaching. Employees are randomly selected each shift for re-certification on a particular job. The employee must do the job 100% correctly or they need to be re-trained. Making sure each person can competently do their job leads to fewer errors. Fewer errors means happier customers. That leads to happier, more confident employees. Pal's quality focus has a big payoff. One analyst, Bill Taylor, estimated that Pal's locations earn nearly 4x as much revenue per square foot as McDonald's. Bottom line: It pays to make it easy for employees to do quality work.

Shopify made it a lot easier to monitor what’s really going on with your stock right inside your admin 👉 With the new Inventory Adjustment History reports in Analytics > Reports, merchants can now: ✔ Track every stock movement Every increase or decrease in quantity is logged across all SKUs and locations ✔ Get full transparency on changes Know exactly when, why, and who made a change. Yes, even that mystery inventory dip last Thursday ✔ See what’s on the way Incoming shipment data now shows expected arrivals by location ✔ Follow your internal transfers Whether it’s between stores or from your warehouse to retail, you’ll see pending transfer orders and timing ✔ Access deeper insights Historical inventory data now goes beyond the old 180-day limit, helping you spot long-term trends, not just short-term noise These reports are available if you're using the new Shopify Analytics You’ll find them in Analytics > Reports > Inventory 💡 Why this matters: If you’ve ever had to answer: > “Why does this SKU show negative stock?” > “When is the new stock arriving at this location?” > “Where did 20 units just disappear to?” …you now have the audit trail to answer confidently, no more digging through emails or Slack

To improve warehouse logistics and efficiency, integrating robotic systems thoughtfully is essential. This involves considering various types, integration steps, benefits, challenges, and continuous optimization. Here's a comprehensive guide: 1. Types of Robots Used: ▫ AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles): Follow set paths to move goods efficiently within the warehouse. ▫ AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots): Navigate autonomously, adapting to dynamic environments. ▫ Robotic Arms: Perform picking and placing tasks on shelves or production lines. ▫ Drones: Conduct inventory checks and surveillance in the warehouse. 2. Integrating Robotic Systems: ▫ Workflow Analysis: Identify key areas for automation to maximize benefits. ▫ Technology Selection: Choose robots and tech that best fit your warehouse needs. ▫ Gradual Implementation: Automate in phases to ensure smooth transitions and problem-solving. 3. Benefits of Robotic Automation: ▫ Increased Efficiency: Robots work 24/7, significantly boosting productivity. ▫ Error Reduction: Minimize human errors, enhancing inventory accuracy and picking precision. ▫ Enhanced Safety: Robots handle dangerous tasks, reducing worker injury risks. 4. Challenges and Considerations: ▫ Initial Costs: High initial investment for purchasing and installing robots. ▫ Maintenance and Support: Regular maintenance and access to technical support are essential. ▫ Staff Training: Train employees to work with and manage robotic systems. 5. Interaction with Existing Systems: ▫ IT Integration: Ensure robots integrate with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and other software. ▫ Interoperability: Robots must work seamlessly with existing warehouse equipment. 6. Measurement and Optimization: ▫ KPIs (Key Performance Indicators): Track performance indicators to evaluate automation effectiveness. ▫ Continuous Improvement: Use data from robots to continuously optimize processes. 7. Scalability and Sustainability: ▫ Future Expansion: Ensure robotic systems can scale to add more robots or automate additional areas. ▫ Energy Efficiency: Opt for energy-efficient robotic solutions to reduce environmental impact. By adopting these strategies, businesses can effectively automate their warehouses, resulting in improved efficiency, safety, and overall productivity. #WarehouseAutomation #Robotics #Logistics Ring the bell to get notifications 🔔