Workers attach UHF RFID tags to pallets or other returnable transport items at your facility. Given the physics of RFID, some tags work better for certain types of pallet materials (i.e., plastic vs. wood vs. metal) and environmental site conditions than others. When identifying the right RFID tags for you, our criteria includes – Durability: Tags need to withstand 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: Tags’ read ranges should be based on typical distances between pallets and RFID readers in your facility. Data storage capacity: We’ll work with you to determine tag memory requirements for the pallet details you want to track.

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

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.

Share pallet tracking data

Pallet location updates can be shared 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.

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 is able to read RFID tags under the residue, without any need for line of sight to the tags. Each mold is automatically tracked and there’s an accurate, documented history of the number of times it’s been used. A maximum number of usage cycles allowed is defined in the RedBeam software. RFID tags on the molds are read each time they pass a specific RFID reader check point. Once the maximum is reached, a light pole attached to the reader turns red indicating that the mold needs to be removed from the line and be cleaned before returning to production.

RedBeam RFID eliminated the need for users to manually track mold usage, accurately notifying that cleaning is needed.

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 not RTLS, but it does do things like: Provide your pallets’ last tag-read locations; Give you a “Geiger counter” mode to use with handheld RFID readers to let you locate specific pallets quickly and easily; Work 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 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 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 data stored in RedBeam RFID often falls into the category of ‘non-sensitive’ data as it has no sensitive information from the customer and the API is only passing a pallet ID and location back to the customer for integrations.

RFID for Pallet Tracking

RFID FOR PALLET TRACKING

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

Track the location, usage cycle and condition of pallets with RFID to preserve this investment and reduce capital expenditures.

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.

RedBeam RFID 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.

Loading Call to Action link. Please wait

Take the Fast Track to Operational Visibility

RedBeam RFID for pallet tracking is a warehouse-friendly, cloud-based SaaS application.

Able to support both fixed and mobile RFID readers, the solution adapts easily to any facility layout or workflow.

Here’s how it works.

Workers attach UHF RFID tags to pallets or other returnable transport items at your facility.
Given the physics of RFID, some tags work better for certain types of pallet materials (i.e., plastic vs. wood vs. metal) and environmental site conditions than others.
When identifying the right RFID tags for you, our criteria includes –
- Durability: Tags need to withstand 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: Tags’ read ranges should be based on typical distances between pallets and RFID readers in your facility.
- Data storage capacity: We’ll work with you to determine tag memory requirements for the pallet details you want to track.
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.
Pallet location updates can be shared 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.

RedBeam RFID for Pallet Tracking Highlights

Every element of the RedBeam RFID pallet-tracking solution reflects our technology expertise and longtime partnerships. We make RFID easy for workers on the floor with –

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.
Mobile RFID App: Keeps productivity high, with anywhere, any time tag reading and a visual “Geiger counter-like” function for locating specific pallet IDs.

Zebra RFID for Pallet Tracking Highlights

We recommend Zebra devices for pallet 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 on the go, with handheld readers like the RFD90, and at key waypoints, with fixed readers like the FX9600.
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.

Powerful Software, Simplified Integration

RedBeam RFID for pallet tracking can be used as a system of record, but it is more often used as middleware.

With our flexible REST APIs pushing pallet-tracking data to your back-end systems according to your specifications, the only requirement on your systems is the ability to consume data. Schedule a demo.

REDBEAM RFID CASE STUDY

Marble Manufacturer Improves Useful Life of Returnable Molds

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 is able to read RFID tags under the residue, without any need for line of sight to the tags. Each mold is automatically tracked and there’s an accurate, documented history of the number of times it’s been used.
- A maximum number of usage cycles allowed is defined in the RedBeam software.
- RFID tags on the molds are read each time they pass a specific RFID reader check point.
- Once the maximum is reached, a light pole attached to the reader turns red indicating that the mold needs to be removed from the line and be cleaned before returning to production.

Use Pallet Tracking to Scale Up Your Innovation

RFID-enabling returnable transport items give you the data and tools to reduce loss and improve useful life. Ready to get started?

Loading Call to Action link. Please wait

Frequently Asked Questions

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 not RTLS, but it does do things like:
- Provide your pallets’ last tag-read locations;
- Give you a “Geiger counter” mode to use with handheld RFID readers to let you locate specific pallets quickly and easily;
- Work 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.