Pallet Tracking Software | RedBeam RFID Solutions

Always Know Where Your Pallets Are

Lost pallets can stall your operations and cut into profits.

Issues like misplaced inventory, unpredictable pallet availability, and pallet overstocking can pile up quickly, disrupting workflows and increasing costs.

Using RedBeam RFID for container tracking resolves these issues with transparency – and offers measurable benefits like:

Less time spent accounting for lost pallets.
Fewer production stoppages caused by pallet shortages.
Ability to reduce your overstock of pallets.
Decreasing the manual effort spent locating specific product pallets.

Take the Fast Track to Operational Visibility

RedBeam RFID is a warehouse-friendly, cloud-based SaaS offering that enables pallet tracking and much more. Able to support both fixed and mobile RFID readers, the solution adapts easily to any facility layout or workflow.

Stacks of metal and wooden pallets beside each other, with an icon overlay in the corner.

Tag your pallets

Workers attach UHF RFID tags to pallets – or other types of reusable assets – at your facility.

When it comes to RFID for container tracking, some tags work better for certain materials (i.e., plastic vs. wood vs. metal) and environmental conditions than others. To identify the right RFID tags, we look at –

Durability: The conditions your pallets are generally exposed to, including temperature fluctuations, moisture, and physical impacts.
Form factor: Low profile tag designs interfere less with pallet handling and stacking.
Read ranges: The typical distances between pallets and the RFID readers in your facility.

Hands holding a tag near a machine, with software options Assign ID and Add Details on screen.

Encode your tags

Use RedBeam RFID to assign a unique ID to each pallet in your inventory.

Depending on your needs and the data storage capacity of your tags, you may also choose to encode additional details that help with asset lifecycle maintenance, including things like –

Manufacturer’s serial number
Manufacturing date
First date in use

A forklift moves boxes in a warehouse; location details are shown in an overlay at the bottom left.

Track your pallets

RFID readers activate and decode tag IDs as pallets pass designated locations at your site.

RedBeam RFID captures the tag ID, along with time and location stamps. The latest tag read provides the pallet’s current location.
Pallet locations can be captured:
- Automatically, based on the most recent fixed RFID reader antenna it passes; as well as
- Manually, by workers using handheld RFID readers.

A warehouse worker in a safety vest checks a tablet, with a Pallet Overview screen displayed.

Share pallet tracking data

Our RFID container tracking system is designed to share location updates directly with your WMS, ERP, MRP or other backend systems using RedBeam’s REST APIs. This enables things like –

More accurate inventory management, from knowing the exact location and quantities of goods on a pallet.
Optimized picking and packing, from being able to quickly retrieve the correct items to fulfill orders.
Better warehouse space utilization, from maximizing storage capacity and minimizing unnecessary movement of goods.

RFID Container Tracking Highlights from RedBeam

Every element of RedBeam RFID’s reusable container and pallet tracking solution reflects our technology expertise and longtime partnerships. We make RFID easy for workers on the floor with advanced features and capabilities.

Explore RedBeam RFID

SaaS Convenience

Our web-based, plug-and-play application deploys quickly, without any complex server setup or firewall adjustments.

Proven Hardware Integration

Our solution is built to leverage advanced, Zebra-tested and approved RFID capabilities.

Handheld Device Options

Our mobile RFID app keeps productivity high, with anywhere, any time tag reading and a visual “Geiger counter-like” function for locating specific pallet IDs.

Explore Mobile Device Tracking

A Zebra RFID reader and handheld scanner with labels for read range and rugged durability.

Zebra’s RFID-Powered Pallet Tracking Highlights

We recommend Zebra RFID devices for reusable container tracking for both their ability to withstand tough warehouse and manufacturing environments and their business-critical performance capabilities. Zebra offers –

Rugged Mobile and Fixed Readers: Track pallets and other items on the go, with handheld readers like the RFD90, and at key waypoints, with fixed readers like the FXR90.
Vision and Execution: Zebra has been named a leader for five years running Gartner’s Indoor Location Services Magic Quadrant.

With RedBeam RFID and Zebra hardware, you get configurable options that deliver the precision performance your operations demand.

REDBEAM RFID CASE STUDY

Marble Manufacturer Improves Useful Life of Returnable Molds

Modern bathroom with a freestanding tub, glass shower, marble walls, and a large window.

Pallets are not the only kinds of returnable transport items that benefit from RFID tracking. Reusable items like containers, crates, bins, barrels and roll cages are also good candidates for RFID solutions.

In one particular case, a major producer of tub and tile products was manually tracking the number of times reusable molds were used before needing to be cleaned.

The fact that the molds became covered in residue made the identity of molds difficult to track.

RedBeam RFID delivered an unmanned fixed reader-based solution that’s able to read RFID tags even when they’re covered in residue. Without any need for line of sight, the system automatically tracks each mold, ensuring an accurate, documented history of the number of times it’s been used.

Within RedBeam RFID, users define the maximum number of usage cycles allowed.
The tracking system reads the RFID-tagged molds each time they pass specific RFID reader checkpoints in the production process.
Readers installed at storage and put-away locations also capture IDs as molds are retrieved and returned after use – so their available-for-use inventory data is always accurate.
Once a mold’s maximum usage cycle is reached, a light pole attached to the reader turns red. This indicates that the mold needs to be removed from the production line and cleaned before it can be entered back into the production process.

RedBeam RFID eliminates the need for manually tracking mold usage. This ensures an accurate cleaning schedule – which not only protects the quality and integrity of the end product, it also results in less waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does RedBeam RFID tell me exactly where my pallets are located?

Yes, RedBeam RFID can tell you exactly where your pallets are located. However, we find that when customers ask this question, they’re actually asking whether or not our solution is an RTLS (Real-Time Location System).

While both RFID and RTLS use radio waves to track items, the big difference is this:

RFID identifies objects by reading their unique tags when they’re close to a reader;
RTLS provides ongoing, uninterrupted item location updates – usually through a combination of technologies, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ultra-Wideband (UWB).

Our RFID solution for pallet tracking is based on ‘last known location,’ as opposed to RTLS. Our last known location capabilities enable things like:

Providing your pallets’ last tag-read locations;
Giving you a “Geiger counter” mode to use with handheld RFID readers, which lets you locate specific pallets quickly and easily;
Working with GPS-enabled devices to pinpoint pallets in outdoor sites;

– and more.

Although the tag requirements and equipment capabilities involved with RTLS are more expensive to purchase, manage, and maintain, some applications absolutely justify the cost and effort.

If you’re interested in RTLS – or have a specific goal you’re trying to accomplish that’s related to pallet tracking – let’s talk. Our longtime relationships with vendors and proven track record of RFID success mean we’ve probably run into your exact use case before, and are happy to help you work out the right solution.

Can you RFID-tag metal pallets? What about plastic? Wood?

Yes, the RedBeam team can identify the right RFID tags to attach to any type of reusable container or pallet, regardless of whether they’re made of metal, plastic, or wood.

When making tag recommendations, we take into account not only the material construction of your pallets, but also the physics of your pallet tracking environment, your business goals, and more.

Given the costs involved with different types of RFID tags, we only endorse verified tag companies that are able to produce long-term use tags for our customers.

Is my data secure on RedBeam RFID?

Yes, your data is secure on RedBeam RFID.

The application itself is SOC 2 Type II certified. It undergoes penetration testing along with security scanning during development.

Additionally, the pallet tracking data stored in Redbeam RFID often falls into the category of ‘non-sensitive’ data, as it typically involves no proprietary or personal information and the API is only passing a pallet ID and location back to the customer for integrations.

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RFID FOR CONTAINER TRACKING

Minimize Shrink and Maximize the Useful Life of Your Pallets with RedBeam RFID

Always Know Where Your Pallets Are

Using RedBeam RFID for container tracking resolves these issues with transparency – and offers measurable benefits like:

Take the Fast Track to Operational Visibility

Tag your pallets

Encode your tags

Track your pallets

Share pallet tracking data

RFID Container Tracking Highlights from RedBeam

SaaS Convenience

Proven Hardware Integration

Handheld Device Options

Zebra’s RFID-Powered Pallet Tracking Highlights

Marble Manufacturer Improves Useful Life of Returnable Molds

Customer Problem

RedBeam Solution

Outcome

Powerful Software, Simplified Integration

Use Pallet Tracking to Scale Up Your Innovation

Schedule a demo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does RedBeam RFID tell me exactly where my pallets are located?

Can you RFID-tag metal pallets? What about plastic? Wood?

Is my data secure on RedBeam RFID?

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