Real-world RFID Deployments
RFID is improving business processes for companies worldwide. Below are samples of many uses of RFID in different industries.
Select your industry from the box below to review the numerous ways RFID is being used to benefit other companies.
Airforce Base Manages Mission-Critical Inventory in Real Time
The 56th Security Forces Squadron at Luke AFB recently replaced a bar code tracking system in its 25,000-square-foot storage warehouse with an RFID solution from Motorola to better manage equipment inventory for staff on the base and personnel deployed abroad.
H&M Bay Cools Its Freight With RFID
H&M Bay, a national LTL carrier of frozen and refrigerated goods is using Motorola RFID mobile, fixed and handheld readers to transfer temperature-controlled freight from one truck to another and from trucks to cold-storage rooms.
Airline Industry Gets Smarter with Bags
Bags making tight flight connections are a major focus at Frankfurt International Airport, where some 80% of Lufthansa’s 100,000 bags change plans each day. This Motorola RFID solution helps improve luggage tracking.
Read My Tag: Turn Time-Savings with RFID
Multiple aviation providers turn to Motorola RFID to improve parts-tracking, speed maintenance functions and drive enhanced customer service for airlines.
New York State Agency Uses RFID to IT Asset Tracking
Using Motorola handheld RFID readers, this New York State agency implemented an RFID asset tracking solution to improve asset inventory and asset security.
RFID Helps Women Dress for Success
A Pennsylvania nonprofit organization has begun using Motorola RFID to track apparel and accessories in order to improve its abililty to provide business suits to job-seeking women.
RFID Lets People Talk to the Touchwall
Giant touch screen enabled with Motorola RFID readers is a useful tool for providing information to attendees at events, and to consumers in retail stores.
RFID Used to Track Pallets & Containers
Packaging Logistics Services, a provider of plastic pallets and reusable containers, is offering RFID-enabled services to its reusable packaging customers as well as using the technology to manage pallets and containers is leases out.
DHL’s SmartTrucks Save Money, Time and CO2
DHL’s delivery vans, equipped with Motorola XR Series fixed RFID readers, shows reduced fuel consumption and improved customer service.
Logwin Rolls Ahead with RFID
International logistics provider Logwin, based in Austria, uses Motorola RFID readers to track the assembly and shipment of wheels for its automotive customers.
Penske Logistics Uses RFID to Manage Yard Workflow
Penske Logistics installs Motorola fixed RFID readers to track the locations and movements of trailers in the yard of a customer’s manufacturing facility in Texas.
Volkswagen de Mexico Employing RFID to Improve Parts Distribution
This RFID application enabled the company's Puebla plant to lower its yearly expenses associated with parts distribution by 30 percent.
Hong Kong Airport Says It Now Uses Only RFID Baggage Tags
By using baggage tags with embedded EPC Gen 2 tags, the airport has increased the number of bags it can process by 5 percent.
Coca-Cola Bottle Maker Adds RFID to the Mix
Southeastern Container is leveraging an EPC Gen 2 RFID system, including Motorola fixed and handheld RFID readers, to track thousands of bins packed with plastic tubes used to make soda bottles.
Oil & Gas RFID Group Focuses on Live Lab, Middle East
A consortium focused on RFID's use in the oil and gas industries, of which Motorola is a member, has announced plans to expand its efforts to the Middle East. It is establishing a Middle East counterpart, and the group is already conducting several RFID trials at a 52-acre "live" lab facility in Texas, which includes simulated petroleum and petrochemical facilities where testing of field equipment and application systems can be performed.
Aloha, RFID; Hawaiian farms launch a food traceability program based on RFID technology
Phase 1 of the program is based on an RFID solution developed by Lowry Computer Products that uses RFID labels and inlays from UPM Raflatac, hardware from Motorola's Symbol Technologies group and system software from Globe Ranger.
RFID: A Beacon Of Light In The Banking System
Although RFID won't fix the mortgage problem, banks are investing in the technology to improve other business practices—a move they believe will pay off in dollars and sense.
RFID In Manufacturing: From Compliance To ROI
Recent studies indicate that upwards of 66% of manufacturers are deploying RFID for internal process improvements rather than being forced to comply with retailer or supplier mandates.
American Apparel Expands RFID to Additional Stores
American Apparel has deployed RFID interrogators manufactured by Motorola as a part of an item-level RFID tagging deployment at its stores. The deployment has resulted in improved inventory accuracy, improved organization and a 15 percent increase in sales.
U.N.'s Universal Postal Union Gears Up For Large RFID Pilot
Universal Postal Union's has deployed EPC Gen 2 passive UHF RFID tags, passive readers and antennas from Motorola, for its three-month pilot to test the suitability of employing RFID as a tool for measuring the performance of mail delivery services.
Cabinet Maker's Efficiency Gains Hinge On RFID
Custom Cupboards has deployed Motorola handheld RFID readers as a part of an RFID-driven production management system that was developed by Stiles Machinery.
Saudi Arabian Jeweler Puts A High Value On RFID
Jade Jewellery has employed Motorola's XR480 RFID interrogators to reduce shrinkage, lessen the time required to take inventory, and track the movement of jewelry within its stores. Jade chose Motorola's readers because of their ability to integrate with a wide range of applications, such as the company's ERP system.
Indian Retailer ITC Focuses on RFID Expansion
ITC has begun an item-level RFID deployment that uses 2 million EPC Gen 2 RFID tags per year. Motorola has provided RFID interrogators. ITC is presently testing Motorola handhelds that work in the 865 to 867 MHz UHF frequency band.
RFID-based System Tracked Victims of Hurricanes Gustav, Ike
The state of Texas employed EPC Gen 2 tags, GPS and bar-coding to monitor the process of evacuating individuals—particular the elderly, sick or disabled—who lacked access to transportation during the storms. Motorola's RFID readers are part of the implementation.
Qatar Postal Service Completes Successful RFID Trial
Motorola’s RFID antennas and XR480 readers succeeded in a trial by Qatar Post as part of an initiative to measure and improve the quality of the postal service throughout the Middle East.
Expedited, Critical, Perishable
Kraft Foods uses Motorola RFID as part of an overall yard management system from PINC Solutions to ensure perishable shipments don’t spoil.
Managing the Yard with RFID Technology
A smart yard is the first step to a well-run and efficient distribution center. Motorola RFID readers, combined with a PINC Solutions yard management system, help companies improve yard operations and save money.
Walgreens Using Motorola RFID Readers in DC
Walgreens has deployed an RFID system in its distribution center in Anderson, South Carolina, using Motorola XR Series readers. The RFID solution enables the company to prevent errors and streamline its shipping processes.
RFID Helps Hospital Monitor Patients
Motorola RFID is helping Cabueñes Hospital in Spain monitor patients so they receive the proper care at the right time. Motorola XR480 readers are incorporated into portals in the hospital’s urgent care department providing nurses and doctors with vital patient information.
RFID: A Growing Force in the Oil and Gas Industry
Joe White, Motorola’s VP of RFID Business Development & Marketing, outlines the benefits RFID brings to the oil and gas industry. Benefits include new levels of strategic and operational decision-making capabilities from improved asset tracking, greater visibility from the warehouse to the rig, more efficient maintenance and repair, and much more.
RFID Used to Track Man-Hours at Copper Mine
Motorola handheld RFID readers help construction company, Bechtel, capture the identities of construction workers and to clock their hours at a Chilean mining site run by Anglo American.
Local Communities Turn to RFID to Boost Recycling
Three U.S. municipalities are using passive UHF tags to monitor whether their residents place recyclable bottles, cans and paper out at the curb.
Hawaii Tests RFID For Tracking Tomatoes
The state of Hawaii has partnered with Motorola for tracking tomatoes and other produce from the farm to distribution to retail outlets using RFID as part of a pilot project funded by the DoD and DOA.
Lufthansa Technik Uses Motorola's RFID to Expedite Aircraft Maintenance
Lufthansa Technik selected Motorola's RFID solution to help track aircraft parts for repair and maintenance.
Daimler Trucks Enhances Inventory Management with RFID
Daimler Trucks North America has deployed an RFID solution that uses Motorola XR440 fixed RFID readers and Motorola AN200 RFID antennas to combat its parts tracking problems. The RFID solution resulted in increased productivity and savings of $28,000 in labor costs.
Jones Apparel Group Plans RFID Pilot in Nine West Stores
Jones Apparel Group's pilot program evaluates the benefits of employing passive EPC Gen 2 RFID technology for product tracking. Motorola is providing fixed and mobile RFID readers for the program.
RFID Helps Endwave Track Work-In-Progress
Endwave Defense is utilizing Motorola XR400 RFID readers to gain visibility on its production floor and to monitor the status of work-in-progress at its 20,000-square-foot facility.
Motorola RFID Gives Customer Competitive Edge
Madison Abstract, a title insurance and real estate company, has deployed an RFID system to track hundreds of client files throughout its offices. Using Motorola fixed and handheld RFID readers, the solution provides the company an edge in the commercial real estate market by locating files instantaneously.
Fire Marshall Uses Motorola RFID to Manage Evidence
The Travis County Fire Marshall in Austin, Texas, is using RFID to monitor the location of each piece of evidence for active cases and archived cases up to 10 years old. The solution uses Motorola XR 400 fixed readers and AN 400 antennas.
Painting Contractor Saves Money Using RFID
Using Motorola MC9090-G handheld readers, Vulcan Painters, a large industrial painting contractor in Alabama, is able to track its leftover supplies from job to job and is saving thousands of dollars each month.
Minimize File Tracking Problems with RFID
A California agency is implementing an RFID-based system for locating files and streamlining the search for important information using Motorola MC9090-G handheld readers and XR440 fixed readers.
Motorola RFID Successful in Fashion Industry
Falabella, the 118-year old retail giant based in Chile, details its RFID successes in the January 2008 issue of Apparel Magazine. The results have given Falabella the confidence to continue its RFID rollout on a broader scale in 2008.
Motorola RFID Helps New Balance Keep Track of Inventory
New Balance sales representatives have an easier time keeping track of inventory with an RFID inventory tracking solution by Motorola, Vue Technology and Avery Dennison.
Motorola RFID Used in Eco-Friendly Clothing Store
An eco-friendly clothing store will launch its new store this year with an RFID system that will help avoid out-of-stocks, while also providing its sales staff with Motorola RFID handheld readers that act as point-of-sale devices for purchasing items without a cash register.
Tennessee Pride Uses RFID to Improve Logistics Operations
Tennessee Pride is using RFID not only to meet customer requirements but most importantly to improve its own processes.
Megatrux Improves Service and Reduces Costs with RFID
Motorola fixed and mobile RFID readers are helping Megatrux, a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, improve customer service through real-time tracking of their inventory. The company estimates it will save between $50,000 and $100,000 per year at just one facility and plans to expand to other facilities.
RFID Used by State of Texas for Citizen Evacuation Management
Motorola hand-held RFID readers will be used by the Texas Emergency Management Division for the enrollment and tracking of evacuees during a crisis. The tracking system will help safely evacuate citizens in the event of any large-scale man-made or natural disaster.
Correos Delivers On The Promise Of RFID
Embracing technology to help monitor and improve its delivery service, Correos launched Q-RFID, a quality-control system that taps 13,000 passive RFID labels, 2,300 antennas, and more than 331 readers.
Bermuda Implements RFID-based Vehicle Registration
RFID tags and readers are used by the Bermuda government to enhance vehicle registration enforcement. The initial financial investment is due to be returned within one year of deployment and Bermuda officials expect to return an estimated $11 million in recouped revenues.
RFID Tracking within Motorola’s Own Distribution Center
Motorola relies on the entire range of its own enterprise mobility products to efficiently run its distribution center on the Texas-Mexico border.
Motorola RFID and Cold Chain Visibility
Sensor-based RFID systems include the ability to track temperature and humidity information throughout the cold chain. These sensor-based systems will enable produce farmers to monitor the complete harvest to market process.
Cold Chain Management with RFID
RFID is bringing new levels of strategic and operational decision-making to cold chain management. See how it’s being implemented.
Motorola RFID Helps First U.S. State Agency Track Produce
Using Motorola RFID readers, Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture has deployed an RFID pilot designed to help farmers, distributors and retailers track their produce through the supply chain, and to allow for traceability in the case of contamination.
RFID Expands the Use of Public Transit in Canada
The Montreal Transit Authority (AMT) rolls out an RFID solution from Motorola and reseller Eminencia, to track its bus fleet and help increase the use of its transit system.
Aker Yards Uses RFID to Improve Worker Safety
At its shipyard in Finland, Aker Yards installed Motorola RFID interrogators alongside gangplanks so administrators can determine who is on board a vessel and in danger in the event of a fire or other risk.
NCR Uses Motorola RFID Readers to Track Global Shipments
NCR has rolled out an RFID solution to track shipments of its point-of-sale terminals, payment kiosks and ATMs to retailers.
RFID Systems Take on the Oil Field
Tejas Tubular, an oil field pipe manufacturer, recently integrated RFID into their operations to ensure the right products are shipped to the right customer.
Motorola RFID Readers Help Utility Company Save $500,000 Annually
Southern California Gas manually tracks 6.8 million gas and electric meters annually. Using Motorola RFID portal and handheld readers, the utility can now track its large asset base efficiently resulting in savings of more than $500,000 annually.
RFID Apparel Tags Provide Solution for Pipe Manufacturer
A U.S. specialty pipe manufacturer uses RFID apparel tags to differentiate and track the various different pipes it produces.
Mining Company Tracks Ore in Mine and Mill
Using Motorola handheld RFID readers, mining company CVRD Inco is better able to monitor the quality and quantity of ore they extract from mines. The RFID solution will enable more accurate yields and better forecasting of metal production.
Freightliner Improves Inventory Accuracy and Saves on Labor Costs
Freightliner, LLC, a commercial vehicle manufacturer, is using RFID to improve its manufacturing replenishment process and to reduce the labor required to accurately control inventory.
Drugmaker Ships RFID Tags With OxyContin
Technology can help stop theft and counterfeiting, a $30 billion-a-year problem.
Navy Tests RFID for Reverse Logistics
The U.S. Navy has completed a pilot confirming the delivery of 99.6 percent of items—including broken parts being returned from Iraq for repairs.
RFID Tracks Military Families' Household Goods
A new project is using the technology to keep tabs on the movement of household goods for relocated military personnel.
Virgin Atlantic Airways Uses Symbol RFID Solution to Track Assets
Symbol Technologies, Inc. and its Premier Solutions Partner, PEAK Technologies, were chosen by Virgin Atlantic Airways to supply RFID technology, as part of a pilot project, to track critical, high value aviation assets moving through its logistics supply chain at Heathrow International Airport. Virgin Atlantic is the first airline in the United Kingdom to use RFID technology to track parts onsite.
Tank-Maker Uses RFID to Track Tools
General Dynamics Land Systems, a manufacturer of amphibious combat vehicles, is using passive RFID tags to help ensure it has enough tools to get the job done.
RFID: The Business Case
There’s a shortage of business cases for RFID (radio frequency identification) in the supply chain. A search project involving three produce suppliers and Publix Super Markets aims to solve this problem.
Blyth Aims to Add RFID to Its Shipping Operations
The candle company is preparing for Wal-Mart's tagging mandate by testing and designing an integrated RFID tagging system.
Hoboken RFID-enables Its Parking Permits
Armed with handheld RFID interrogators, the city's parking-enforcement officers can spot scofflaws in just a few seconds.
China Post Deploys EPC RFID System to Track Mailbags
The technology will track express-service mailbags transported to various postal-collection and sortation centers throughout Shanghai.
Mitsubishi Electric Asia Switches On RFID
The Singapore-based manufacturer is using passive UHF tags to track the power inverters it makes, and plans to expand the system to manage its inventory of other products.
AmeriQual Keeps Meals Ready to Eat with RFID
Manufacturer and distributor of MREs implements Symbol RFID to meet Department of Defense mandate, maximize visibility and efficiency.
Staples Business Depot Sees Big Benefits From RFID Test
Wins include significant reductions in shipment-processing time and on-time receipt of almost all orders sent to its store test site.
New Approach to RFID-powered Building Security
A platform called Tetragate combines RFID-enabled ID cards with cameras and facial-recognition software to monitor and authenticate people as they enter facilities.
Dairy Farmers of America, the U.S. Dairy Cooperative that Produces and Markets Borden, Using Symbol RFID Readers
Dairy Farmers of America, the U.S. dairy cooperative that produces and markets Borden, Breakstone's and other products, is running an RFID system to manage and track the tagging of cheese shipments and product promotions remotely.
Shoppers Drug Mart Completes Trial with Symbol's Rugged Tags
Passive RFID tags are increasingly being used for asset tracking, which has traditionally been the domain of longer-range-but more expensive-active tags.
TNT Uses RFID To Track Temperatures of Sensitive Goods
The new service assures that health-care, pharmaceutical and chemical companies' products remain at appropriate temperatures during transit.
Crown Using Symbol Readers for Cribmaster Accu-Port, Commercial Inventory Management System
Using RFID solution, Crown Equipment tool crib is open 24/7.
A better way to track goods
Ship2Save says their radio frequency identification system is poised to replace bar codes because the technology offers a smart, live and paperless warehouse, better security and more accessibility
Rite Aid Embarks on Item-Level Tracking Pilot
The drug store chain will begin reading tagged bottles of Viagra received at its DC in Perryman, Md., and plans to equip two of its stores with handheld RFID readers so pharmacists can track incoming tagged bottles.
Lantech Offers RFID-Enabled Stretch-Wrapper
With Symbol's RD5000 mobile reader mounted on the film-delivery system, companies can interrogate Gen 2 EPC tags while applying stretch-wrap to a pallet.
Never Lose Luggage Again
At a time when fuller flights and heightened security means more luggage is being checked -- and lost -- than ever before, some airlines and airports are hoping that radio frequency identification, or RFID, will dig them out from under a mountain of misrouted bags.
Razor using Symbol Handhelds to RFID Tag Its Scooters
Starting in December, the company will begin affixing EPC Gen 2 RFID tags to one model of its electric scooters bound for Wal-Mart.
Canadian Railway Sees Huge ROI From RFID
CN's transportation-services division is using an RFID-based trailer-chassis rental system that not only reduces congestion but also improves chassis management.
Significant RFID Roll-Outs in the Postal Sector
Symbol Technologies has been involved in several major postal RFID programs around the world, including the Spanish Post Office "Correos" and China Post.
Sony Europe Implements Video-RFID Tracking System
Sony Europe installs a tracking system that links RFID-tagged items with closed-circuit video.
RFID in Force at Asset Management Expo
While RFID use in the supply chain has primarily been mandate-driven, asset management is an ROI-generating application where the technology has been embraced by end users.
Hexaware Using EPC RFID for IT Assets
More and more companies are using RFID to automate the tracking of internal assets. Hexaware, an Indian IT services company is using RFID to track its computers and those of its clients.
Achieve RFID/ERP Integration
Integrating RFID and ERP systems to improve business processes and reduce manual labor makes sense. Wornick, a DoD supplier of ready-to-eat meals to the military, is doing just that
Motorola RFID Handheld Readers Used at Super Bowl
At the recent Super Bowl XLI game, the Sports Video Group, an association of broadcasters and sports league technology providers tested an RFID pilot to track the location of video equipment rented by broadcasters for the game.
Dow Corning to Use Motorola RFID Fixed Readers in Manufacturing Pilot
Motorola and Motorola partner, Reva Systems, have been selected by Dow Corning to participate in their pilot to monitor work-in-process at a manufacturing plant. Reva will deploy Motorola's XR440 fixed readers and MC9090 handheld readers as part of the installation.
Motorola XR400 RFID Readers Successful in Air Canada Cargo Pilot
Air Canada has taken a huge step toward the future of better air cargo management with RFID. Using Motorola fixed RFID readers, the pilot demonstrates that the rewards of RFID technology are visible and verifiable.
Asiana Deploying RFID at Six Airports
The South Korean airline plans to tag and track passengers’ baggage, from preflight check-in to postflight pickup.
Kimberly-Clarke Uses Motorola Handheld Readers in RFID Solution
Kimberly-Clarke is now able to track in-store product promotions thanks to this RFID solution including Motorola handheld RFID readers and software from Motorola partner, OATSystems.
RFID Retail Solution Incorporates Motorola RFID Systems
Motorola's RFID readers are a key component of Paxar Corporation's recently announced MagicMirror retail solution.
Motorola RFID Tags and Readers Successful in EPCglobal Hong Kong Project with VTech, Group Sense and others
EPCglobal has completed a 2-year, multi-pilot RFID research project which included multiple products from Motorola's RFID portfolio. The project's real-world experiences will help pave the way for future RFID and EPC initiatives worldwide.
Motorola RFID Readers and Tags Track Umbrellas
Motorola RFID readers and tags are the enablers behind a recently launched "Dutch Umbrella" program in Philadelphia. RFID technology lets people grab a free umbrella from bins located outside local shops and return them to the nearest bins when the rain stops.
Xterprise and Motorola RFID Readers Efficiently Track Pallets
iGPS, an innovative provider of new plastic pallets, is using RFID to track its assets in real time, prevent losses and theft, and accurately manage inventory for customer invoicing.
Electronic Dictionary Maker Spells Out RFID Plans
Group Sense, a Hong Kong-based electronics manufacturer, is about to start a trial tracking cases of products in its factory and DC.
KPN to Use RFID to Track Phones
Trial participants will apply tags to packaging of individual mobile phones and track them as they are transported between a distribution center and retail stores operated by the Dutch telco.
RFID Asset Tracking Solution in use at Motorola
Using its own RFID tags and readers, combined with the CribMaster solution from partner WinWare, Motorola’s elelctrical engineering lab saves 17 man-hours per week with an RFID-based asset tracking system.
Motorola Helps Chemical Companies Track Chemicals and Hazardous Waste
Using Motorola XR440 RFID readers, Dow Corning achieved a 100% read rate when tracking chemicals stored in 55-gallon drums. Similarly, the EPA will begin testing the use of RFID to track hazardous waste as it moves between US and Mexico borders.
Falabella Successfully Completes RFID Pilot with Motorola RFID Readers
Falabella, a Latin American department store, completed a six month pilot using RFID to track private-label apparel at the item level. Using Motorola fixed and mobile RFID readers, the pilot enabled employees to conduct daily inventory counts and reduce inventory out-of-stocks by 25%.
Steve Sellentin faces what must be the ultimate in RFID mandates: Get ready to tag more than 50,000 items by year's end.
Steve Sellentin has little sympathy for consumer goods manufacturers chafing under RFID mandates from giant retailers like Wal-Mart. For them, compliance is a snap, he says. You just tag a dozen or so items and the customer goes away happy. Sellentin's customers aren't so easily satisfied. He fully expects that his company will be required to tag as many as 50,000 products by the end of the year.
