RFルーカス List of Products and Services

This document introduces the company profile of RF Lucas Co., Ltd. as well as information about RFID. It explains "reducing inventory and shipping work time by 80%" and "the expansion of RFID utilization" with illustrations and photos. Additionally, it includes topics such as "challenges of RFID" and "identifying the location of items using RFID positioning technology," so please take a moment to read it. 【Contents (partial)】 ■ Company Profile ■ What is RFID? ■ RFID in Everyday Life ■ Reducing inventory and shipping work time by 80% ■ UHF band RFID becoming widespread due to price reductions *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• RFID/IC tags

This document presents a checklist of important points to consider when implementing RFID. As for "cautions regarding the material of the target object," it includes important points and solutions for various cases such as metal, liquid, plastic, glass, and documents. Additionally, it also introduces "cautions and solutions regarding the unit price of the target object" and "cautions and solutions regarding the size of the target object." 【Contents (partial)】 ■Important points for RFID implementation ■Cautions and solutions regarding the material of the target object ■Cautions and solutions regarding the unit price of the target object ■Cautions and solutions regarding the size of the target object ■Cautions and solutions regarding the quantity of the target object *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• RFID/IC tags

"Picking Tag" by SK Electronics makes digital picking more convenient and easier to implement. The wireless system utilizing RFID features no need for large-scale capital investment and is easy to operate without batteries. Additionally, when combined with RF Lucas's "Locus Mapping," the locations of the displays are automatically registered and can be shown on a digital map, allowing for efficient picking without confusion about the locations of the displays, even in large areas. *For more details, please refer to the materials available for download in PDF format or feel free to contact us.

• Sign System

We would like to introduce RF Lucas's "RFID Introduction Simple Diagnosis." By simply answering a few questions, you can immediately determine whether the items to be managed and the on-site environment are suitable for RFID implementation. (Estimated response time: 3 minutes) Our company enhances on-site productivity and creates new value by grasping information about items in real-time. Please feel free to contact us when you need assistance. *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• others

In this case study collection, we introduce various use cases of RF Lucas. Starting with "Automating location management with forklifts," we also feature a wealth of examples such as "Inventory and location management of equipment parts" and "Picking of teaching materials." Additionally, we present numerous other cases, including "Product search and security measures" and "Automated reading of inbound and outbound inspection," so please feel free to download and take a look. 【Contents (excerpt)】 ■ Automating location management with forklifts ■ Inventory and location management of equipment parts ■ Inventory management of seasonings and processed foods ■ Picking of teaching materials ■ Product search and security measures ■ Automated reading of inbound and outbound inspection *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System
• Headquarters/Store System
• Logistics and warehouse management systems

At Baroque Japan Limited, efforts were being spent on product searches during inventory, when asked by customers, and when stock could not be found. Additionally, there were challenges with the inventory numbers in the warehouse and stores not matching the system, leading to missed sales opportunities when products that should have been available could not be located. As a solution, we implemented radar search to quickly locate target products and prevent stockouts. The product searches that relied on the experience and intuition of veteran staff can now be performed by any staff member. [Challenges] - Inventory numbers in the warehouse and stores do not match the system, leading to missed sales opportunities when products that should be available cannot be found. - Particularly in e-commerce, older products are often listed as available stock, making discrepancies with the system more likely. - Efforts were being spent on product searches during inventory, when asked by customers, and when stock could not be found. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

At major apparel companies, the number of in-store pickups for online orders has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When customers come to pick up their items, staff members have been searching for and handing over the products from the back room. However, due to the large volume of in-store pickup items, it takes time to locate the requested products, causing customers to wait and sometimes resulting in long lines. To address this, we read or input the information about the in-store pickup items provided by customers using a handheld reader, allowing for quick picking of the items through radar search. This has streamlined operations and reduced wait times, thereby improving customer service. [Challenges] - The increase in in-store pickups for online orders due to COVID-19 has led to staff searching for and handing over items from the back room when customers come to collect them. - The large number of in-store pickup items means it takes time to find the requested products, leading to customer wait times and sometimes long lines. - With a shortage of staff, employees are spending too much time on these tasks. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

In large retail stores, when there are orders from e-commerce, products are shipped from the nearest store inventory. When there are many products in a large store, it takes time to search for the target products in the backroom or sales floor. To address this, we have implemented a location mapping feature to efficiently register product and inventory locations. It is now also possible to separate inventory between the backroom and the sales floor. Additionally, the picking list and digital map are displayed on the handheld reader's screen, highlighting the shelves where the products are located on the map. This allows for more detailed searching through radar exploration, thereby improving the efficiency of picking. [Challenges] - In large stores with many products, it takes time to search for target products in the backroom or sales floor. - Especially on the sales floor, areas are designated by category, making it difficult for customers to find items if they do not return them to their original places. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

At a certain drugstore, inexperienced staff do not remember the restocking locations, leading to inefficient operations. They wanted to efficiently operate a sales floor search map even if they couldn't attach RFID tags to each product. To address this, they attached RFID tags to shelf labels that contain pricing information to obtain shelf allocation data. In the backroom, they highlight the restocking locations on a digital map while sending out restocking alerts for products, and they can guide customers to the locations of sale items using the sales floor search map. [Challenges] - Inexperienced staff do not remember restocking locations, resulting in inefficiency. - The store's shelf allocation differs from the information managed by headquarters, so they want to accurately grasp the actual situation. - They want to efficiently operate the sales floor search map. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

In large stores of major apparel brands, customers often struggle to find the display locations of the products they are looking for, which can lead to wasted time searching or giving up altogether. Meanwhile, staff members are spending time guiding customers to these display locations. As a solution, customers can view a sales floor search map on digital signage or an app to instantly confirm the display location of their desired products. This improves convenience and helps prevent the loss of sales opportunities. Additionally, staff can streamline tasks such as guiding customers, searching for stock, and restocking items, allowing for either a reduction in manpower or a greater focus on customer service. [Challenges] - In large stores, customers do not know the display locations of the products they want. - Staff members spend time guiding customers to display locations, and if they do not remember where items are located, it takes longer to restock. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

At a certain supermarket, a large number of transport equipment such as shopping carts and folding containers are used daily for product delivery, making trips back and forth between the store and the logistics center. At each store, staff visually count the equipment every day at closing time, and also check during incoming shipments and when returning equipment. The logistics center also confirms the equipment during collection from the stores and regularly conducts inventory checks, resulting in a significant amount of effort and burden in managing the transport equipment. To address this, RFID tags were attached to the transport equipment. By enabling bulk reading, the time required for confirming and counting the transport equipment at both the store and the logistics center was greatly reduced. [Challenges] - A large number of transport equipment such as shopping carts and folding containers are used daily for product delivery, making trips back and forth between the store and the logistics center. - Significant effort and burden arise in managing the transport equipment. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

A major food manufacturer stored meat (meat boxes) on pallets in a frozen and refrigerated warehouse. They were conducting inventory, picking, and shipping operations by scanning barcodes, but working in the harsh low-temperature environment was burdensome, and they wanted to shorten the work time and improve efficiency. Therefore, RFID tags were attached to the meat boxes upon arrival. The inbound and outbound operations only require passing through the RFID GO (automatic reading gate), eliminating the need for barcode scanning. [Challenges] ■ Storing meat (meat boxes) on pallets in a frozen and refrigerated warehouse ■ Conducting inventory, picking, and shipping operations by scanning barcodes, but the work in the harsh low-temperature environment is burdensome, and they want to shorten the work time and improve efficiency. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

At a major logistics company, 100 to 200 apparel items were packed into a single cardboard box for shipping and receiving. Additionally, since the inspection for shipping and receiving was conducted manually, the workload was significant, and there were times during peak seasons when schedules could not be met. With the RFID automatic reading gate, the shipping and receiving process was shortened by over 90%. After reading the shipping and receiving list, the reading is completed simply by passing through on a cart over the mat. [Challenges] ■ 100 to 200 apparel items packed into a single cardboard box for shipping and receiving ■ The manual inspection for shipping and receiving (counting items) resulted in a heavy workload, and there were times during peak seasons when schedules could not be met. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

A certain customer faced the challenge of increased volume during peak seasons, resulting in cardboard boxes of apparel products overflowing in the flat storage area, making it difficult to locate items for shipment. Additionally, although RFID tags were attached, it was challenging to pinpoint the location of items using standard handheld reader apps, necessitating manual searching. To address this, a radar search app was implemented to efficiently locate target products even during busy periods, reducing the workload for on-site staff. By installing a buzzer-equipped mat-type automatic reading gate at the warehouse entrance and exit, the risk of unauthorized removal was managed, enhancing security. [Challenges] - During peak seasons, the volume increased, causing cardboard boxes of apparel products to overflow in the flat storage area, making it difficult to find items for shipment. - Although RFID tags were attached, it was difficult to identify the location of items using standard handheld reader apps, forcing manual searches. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

At Zip Corporation, due to the large number of SKUs, inventory searches during stocktaking were taking a considerable amount of time, leading to an overload for employees issuing instructions on-site. Additionally, relying solely on QR codes for location management was time-consuming, and the shortage of personnel made it difficult to recruit on-site staff. To address this, instead of using the main teaching materials, we affixed RFID tags to the forms that are regularly used for each SKU to manage locations. This was utilized for the biannual stocktaking and the monthly disposal searches, resulting in an annual cost reduction of 437 person-days. [Challenges] - Due to the large number of SKUs, inventory searches during stocktaking take a lot of time. - Employees issuing instructions on-site are overloaded. - Difficulty in recruiting on-site staff due to labor shortages. - Relying solely on QR codes is time-consuming for location management. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

At a major food manufacturer, barcode labels are affixed to the pallet packaging, and barcode labels indicating shelf numbers are attached to the mobile racks, allowing for inventory management that includes location tracking. However, this process requires a significant amount of time for barcode scanning during stocktaking and shipping/receiving. Additionally, in the flat storage area, management is based on experience and intuition due to free location storage, which also takes time to locate items. As a solution, since it is difficult to attach RFID tags to individual items, RFID tags are either affixed to the pallet packaging or utilized from RFID tags mounted on the pallets. Inventory management in mobile racks and flat storage areas is being streamlined using Locus Fork. [Challenges] ■ Time-consuming barcode scanning tasks during stocktaking and shipping/receiving ■ In the flat storage area, management relies on experience and intuition due to free location storage, leading to time-consuming item searches *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

A major industrial equipment manufacturer switched from manual operations to barcode management; however, they faced significant burdens in inventory management tasks such as shipping, receiving, and stocktaking. Additionally, items that were placed flat without being shelved had unclear location management, making it time-consuming to locate the items. To address this, instead of reading barcodes one by one during shipping and receiving, they implemented an RFID handheld reader to scan all at once, reducing work time by over 90%. They were able to identify items in the flat storage area in about 20 seconds, cutting search time by 60-80%. [Challenges] - Although they switched from manual operations to barcode management, the workload for inventory management tasks such as shipping, receiving, and stocktaking remains high. - Items placed flat without shelving have unclear location management, leading to time-consuming searches. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

At a major automotive parts manufacturer, products after casting were temporarily stored on pallets in multiple warehouses until they were put into the processing stage. They were placed according to product type, but individual location management was not possible, leading to time-consuming searches through all target products. Additionally, preventing the outflow of defective products was also an important issue. By achieving location management at the individual item level, forklift operators can be instructed on the location of products and where to transport them, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, warnings are issued when transporting specified items such as defective products. [Challenges] - Products after casting are temporarily stored on pallets in multiple warehouses until they are put into the processing stage. - While they are placed according to product type, individual location management is not possible, resulting in time-consuming searches through all target products. - Preventing the outflow of defective products is also an important theme. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case study of the implementation of "Locus Mapping" at East Japan Railway Company, Yokohama Branch. Due to the nature of the railway business, which is related to people's safety, employees are required to manage equipment and assets with precision and rigor. This analog management system was a significant challenge as it required a considerable amount of labor. While ensuring the strictness and accuracy that was achievable under the traditional management system, we achieved a significant reduction of 60-90% in overall labor. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenges - Each department entered data in Excel and managed it by attaching printed papers to stored items. - Employees managed storage deadlines and other information by visually inspecting the papers attached to the stored items. ■Results - Approximately 80% reduction in inbound and outbound operations. - 60-80% reduction in labor for search tasks across the entire operation. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case study of the implementation of "Locus Mapping" at Zip Co., Ltd. Managing items in the warehouse with two-dimensional codes required human reading efforts, which took an enormous amount of time when identifying locations. After the introduction of this system, the reading direction is no longer a factor, and human costs have been significantly reduced. [Case Overview] ■Challenges - Relying on employees' experience for item management is not essential. - Performing everything manually significantly increases operational costs. ■Results - Achieved cost reduction while improving user satisfaction. - Shifted away from reliance on the personal skills of experienced employees. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case study of the implementation of "P3 Finder" at Baroque Japan Limited. In the logistics warehouse, a warehouse management system is used to manage products by location, but the main tasks such as sorting and inspection are performed by humans, which inevitably leads to mistakes and errors. By implementing this system, any staff member can easily search for products, significantly reducing the instances of stockouts where sales cannot be made due to unavailable products. 【Features】 ■Challenges - The numbers in the system do not match the quantity of products on-site. - Unable to find products that should be available, resulting in missed sales opportunities. ■Results - Greatly reduced the workload that was a burden on staff. - Clearly identified the causes when there is a discrepancy between the data and the quantity of products on hand. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case study of our management system, "P3 Finder." In airport maintenance facilities, the loss of tools can lead to accidents, so very strict management is enforced; however, this also takes up a lot of time for management. By implementing this system, small metal-compatible tags can be attached to each tool, allowing for bulk reading before and after maintenance to check for any losses. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenges - Loss of tools can lead to accidents - Time is consumed by management ■Results - RFID and our solution streamline strict management - Efficiently search in case of loss or potential loss *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case study of the implementation of "Locus Mapping" and "P3 Finder" at a construction site. Construction sites are overflowing with a large number of materials, while analog management is common and the labor shortage is serious. Although it is cumbersome to attach RFID tags to small materials, making it unsuitable for all sites, if the focus is on materials of a certain size, it is possible to streamline inventory and location management. [Case Overview] ■Challenges - Due to the abundance of metal materials, reading can only be done using RFID tags compatible with metal. ■Results - For materials of a certain size, it is possible to streamline inventory and location management. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce examples of our management system being implemented in railway companies and major automobile manufacturers. In offices and research facilities, countless items and fixed assets are managed, requiring strict control over important documents and pharmaceuticals. By utilizing "Locus Mapping" and "P3 Finder," frequent inventory checks and precise location management become possible. Additionally, by implementing "Locus Gate," it can be used for managing the removal of important documents such as personal information and devices like PCs. 【Case Overview】 ■ Implementing Companies: Railway companies, major automobile manufacturers, etc. ■ Results - RFID proves effective in managing expiration dates of disaster stockpiles and other items. - It is effective in preventing the unauthorized removal of important documents such as personal information and devices like PCs. *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case study of the implementation of "Locus Mapping" and "P3 Finder" at a comprehensive cutting tool/machine manufacturer. In manufacturing sites, there are many cases where management relies on analog methods using paper or the experience and intuition of veteran staff, leading to significant time spent on inventory, work-in-progress, shipping and receiving, and searching. By implementing this system, accurate inventory counts and locations can be grasped in a timely manner, improving service levels. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenges - Spending time on unproductive tasks - Time consumed by inventory checks ■Results - Resolved inefficiencies such as not being able to find necessary items - Also utilized for location management of measuring instruments and instruction manuals *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case where a logistics company implemented a management system to improve the efficiency of inventory, shipping, and picking. There are various challenges, such as not being able to find packages even when searching for registered locations in the system, and during busy periods, packages overflow and it becomes unclear where everything is located. By utilizing "Locus Mapping" and "P3 Finder," not only can inventory and shipping be streamlined, but daily location management can also be made more efficient. Additionally, by implementing "Locus Gate," the efficiency of shipping and receiving can be improved. [Results] ■ Locus Mapping/P3 Finder - Instantly identifies the location of items being searched for, contributing to alleviating labor shortages. ■ Locus Gate - Allows for bulk reading with RFID gate antennas, generally reducing time by 10-20%. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

We would like to introduce a case study of the implementation of "Locus Mapping" and "P3 Finder" at a major apparel company. Despite having several items remaining in the system, inventory cannot be found. There are various situations such as manually searching for inventory for inter-store transfers or returns to the warehouse, and looking for inventory that does not match the list after conducting a stocktake. By implementing our system, we were able to instantly identify the location of inventory, streamline operations, and focus on value-creating tasks such as customer service, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and increased sales. [Challenges] - Time-consuming inventory searches in stores in addition to inbound and outbound logistics and stocktaking - Time-consuming searches for stored products in the backroom *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Inventory Management System

"Locus Mapping" is an inventory and asset management system that allows you to instantly read hundreds of items from a distance simply by attaching RFID tags and using a handheld reader, displaying "what," "where," and "how much" on a digital map. By equipping forklifts or automated transport robots with readers, inventory and asset management can be automated by reading while patrolling during operations. Additionally, by attaching RFID tags to inventory and assets and reading them with a handheld reader, stocktaking and inbound/outbound processes can be overwhelmingly streamlined. 【Use Cases】 ■ 80% reduction in stocktaking and inbound/outbound work time - By attaching RFID tags to inventory and assets and reading them with a handheld reader, you can leverage the characteristics of RFID for bulk reading, significantly improving the efficiency of stocktaking and inbound/outbound processes. ■ Improved efficiency in searching and picking tasks - Our proprietary technology enables accurate location identification of RFID tags, expanding the use of RFID into location management and enhancing cost-effectiveness. *For more details, please refer to the materials available for download in PDF format or feel free to contact us.

• Warehouse Management System (WMS)

The inventory and item management system 'Locus Mapping', which visualizes the location of items using RFID, is widely adopted by major apparel, manufacturing, and logistics companies. By equipping forklifts and automated guided vehicles with readers, it is possible to automate inventory and item management by reading while patrolling during operations. Additionally, by attaching RFID tags to inventory and items and reading them with a handheld reader, stocktaking and inbound/outbound processes can be overwhelmingly streamlined. [Use Cases] ■ 80% reduction in stocktaking and inbound/outbound work time - By attaching RFID tags to inventory and items and reading them with a handheld reader, it is possible to leverage the characteristics of RFID for bulk reading, significantly improving the efficiency of stocktaking and inbound/outbound processes. ■ Improved efficiency in searching and picking tasks - Our proprietary technology enables accurate location identification of RFID tags, expanding the use of RFID to location management and enhancing cost-effectiveness. *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Warehouse Management System (WMS)

RF Lucas has been offering "Locus Mapping," which allows for high-precision detection of the location of inventory and items with RFID tags through RFID signal analysis, since April 2020. It is already being used in warehouses, factories, and stores of major companies. "Locus Fork" is a system that integrates Locus Mapping with handheld reader scanning on forklifts. A reader and antenna are externally mounted on the forklift, allowing for inventory scanning during operations inside the warehouse. The collected data is analyzed using RF Lucas's signal location identification algorithm, and the inventory results reflecting real locations are displayed on a map. As a result, in manufacturing and logistics environments, tasks such as inventory counting, inbound and outbound management, and location management can be automated, leading to significant time and cost savings in inventory management operations, as well as the ability to obtain real-time inventory information, including location.

• Store Analysis System

The RFID production and process management system manages production results and progress in real-time, improving work efficiency. By automatically collecting data at each stage, it eliminates the need for daily work reports and barcode scanning, allowing for optimal personnel allocation and enhancing on-site training to boost productivity. (1) Reducing effort by automatically collecting data RFID tags are attached to the target objects and work instructions, and readers and antennas are installed at each stage. By attaching RFID tags to worker cards, information about the workers can also be automatically collected. This eliminates the time-consuming task of compiling daily work reports, allowing for real-time data monitoring and removing the need for barcode scanning at each stage. (2) Analyzing work results to visualize productivity This tool allows for the management and analysis of work results from various perspectives, such as by process, worker, and time period. By visualizing productivity, optimal personnel allocation can be achieved, which can also be utilized for on-site training. (3) Expanding utilization in the supply chain to optimize production By using RFID to grasp inventory information at each point in the supply chain in real-time, production can be optimized in conjunction with the progress of the production process.

• Process Control System

By simply attaching RFID tags and scanning with a handheld reader, you can instantly read large quantities of inventory and items, reducing the time for stocktaking and inbound/outbound operations by 80%. By registering locations in bulk and displaying them on a digital map, exploration and picking tasks are also made more efficient. In various settings such as stores, warehouses, and factories, it streamlines the management of inventory and items, reduces unproductive time, and enables innovative marketing utilizing product location information.

• Store Analysis System