We see a lot of interest from prospects in using an RFID tracking system for inventory control. As we wrote in How Technology Serves Lean Manufacturing, product tracking solutions provide the means for improved productivity and provide a critical underpinning for lean manufacturing practices. This same system can be utilized to provide more customer value with track and trace capabilities.
With a web-based product ID system, your customer can log on to see the location and status of the product at the last time it was scanned... just like you can with UPS. With one click, the customer knows the exact status of the order and your company can eliminate:
- Customer calls seeking status updates
- Searches in the yard to provide status reports
- Dispatch records searches
- Shipment errors
Manufacturers that are quick to offer product tracking will benefit from a competitive advantage from positive branding that will remain with them long after product tracking becomes standard... just like UPS has in logistics. However, the window of opportunity will not be open for long since product tracking will quickly become standard. Consumers who have been treated to this in retail for years will carry this expectation into their businesses.
Consider this: Dominos Pizza offers a tracking service for delivery of its pizzas.
If you would like to learn how your company can offer product tracking to customers without capital investment, download our Idencia Primer ebook by clicking below:
