The implementation of an RFID project usually requires a significant invest-ment. Using RFID can be helpful in many areas. An RFID enabled goods receipting function or RFID based goods issuing can make good sense. The use of RFID technology for tracking or for asset inventories are also useful scenarios which might be envisaged. But the most important question for any B2B RFID project is of course whether the use of RFID in that specific scenario is truly costeffective.
The following questions need to be answered honestly before starting the project:

• Does the use of RFID technology rather than ordinary barcode technology really provide a genuine advantage?

We believe in B2B there are two useful scenarios for RFID:

Scenario 1

Information such as batch, material code, quantities etc. need to be held directly on an RFID chip (or on a coil). When goods are issued, then the new data is written directly to the RFID transponder and, are booked in parallel, for example, to an SAP system. See our customer case study

RFID in use at Alcan

which describes a scenario just like this. The data on the RFID chip are always up-to-date as are the data in the online SAP system it is connected to.

Scenario 2

The second sensible scenario for RFID technology in the B2B area is bulk data capture, such as goods receipts or issues. Obviously both types of application require quite different hardware.

This brings us to the next critical point for any B2B RFID project. The choice of the right RFID hardware. You will find some useful links on the subject of hardware evaluation on the left. Hardware in RFID projects should always be tested under the exact conditions of use on-site. Promises about the performance of RFID transponders etc should never, ever be believed.

The RFID software from Membrain (MembrainRFID) provides package systems for RFID readers and for RFID gates for  ERP systems such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics AX and NAV, Oracle and many other database-based ERP systems. MembrainRFID acts as a subsystem for existing ERP or LVS systems (e.g. MS Dynamics or SAP). The Membrain technology employed provides a software bus for RFID data, which already supports many RFID readers and also RFID gates. This runs using a special adapter which makes it simple to attach RFID hardware.

The many predefined standard software applications and templates supplied make it quick and easy to access SAP or MS Dynamics functions using the chosen RFID hardware, for example for inventory logistics and internal logistics. Offline scenarios are also an option.
The following functions are currently available as standard elements with MembrainRFID, for all areas of inventory logistics, internal logistics and production:

• Goods receipting against orders or delivery notes
• Serial number recording
• Inventory transfers including accounting (for example the MM module in SAP)
• Put-away and acknowledgements in the final storage location (in WM  module in SAP)
• Warehouse transfers in the WM module
• Quantity and hours details for payroll