Best Practices for a Smooth RFID Rollout
Tagging inventory is a crucial first step in transitioning to RFID. To ensure a smooth and efficient process, it's essential to tag existing inventory in phases while also implementing a consistent process for tagging new inventory as it arrives.
Establish a Tagging Process That Fits Your Workflow
- Assign a point person at each location to oversee the tagging process.
- Tag existing inventory in manageable sections—start with a specific brand, category, or area to stay organized.
- Implement a clear process for printing and applying labels—tags should be applied soon after printing to prevent confusion, mix-ups, or misplaced labels.
Printing & Applying Tags for Existing Inventory
There are two recommended methods for printing RFID tags for existing inventory:
🔹 Print Labels for Small Jobs as You Work Through Sections
✔ Best for scattered inventory where large batch printing isn’t practical.
✔ Ideal for stores with inventory spread across different areas.
🔹 Print Jobs via Spreadsheet Upload
✔ Best for structured inventory with set locations.
✔ Ideal for warehouses or retailers printing in bulk for SKUs with large quantities.
Pro Tip: Only print what can be applied within a short time frame. Printing too many tags at once can lead to confusion about where they belong. If printing a variety of SKUs in bulk, group them together using paper clips or bags to keep them organized.
Integration Tip: If you're using one of our integrations, we recommend printing from the "Never Printed" page to avoid duplicates.
Tagging New Inventory For Success
We recommend tagging new inventory as far upstream in your supply chain as possible. If supplier tagging isn't an option, apply RFID tags immediately upon arrival to ensure seamless tracking and accuracy. Below are the two methods and processes to consider.
Two Approaches to Tagging New Inventory:
✅ Source Tagging (Preferred)
Work with suppliers at the origin to tag and scan items before shipping to your warehouse or store. By setting up your supplier with an RFID printer and scanner, they can:
- Print and scan labels before application to verify encoding success.
- Scan the tagged inventory before shipment, automatically updating the system with the serial numbers expected at the destination.
- Upon receipt, your team can scan the order instantly to verify that all expected items have arrived, eliminating the need for manual counting.
✅ On-Receipt Tagging
If source tagging isn’t an option, establish a receiving station to tag items before stocking.
- Print labels from purchase orders to ensure accurate tagging and easy verification.
- Apply tags immediately upon arrival to expedite getting the items added to inventory
Once this system is in place, inventory tracking becomes effortless, providing benefits such as:
✔ Faster inventory counts
✔ Increased visibility
✔ Improved supply chain tracking
✔ Reduced errors