Experienced experts create customized solutions for real-time tracking and inventory in businesses and warehouses

With digital networking solutions for efficient automation systems, Turck Multiprox is one of the pioneers of Industrie 4.0 and IIoT. These automation solutions increase the availability and efficiency of machines and plants in numerous industries and applications. How do Turck's experts tackle a specific customer project? We asked Egon Guilliams, Business Development Manager Benelux at Turck Vilant Systems.

Turck Multiprox is the Belgian subsidiary of Turck, a global leader in factory, process and logistics automation for companies. Turck Vilant Systems' RFID turnkey solutions optimize production and logistics processes and are deployed by hundreds of firms worldwide. "With our RFID solutions, we move into various sectors, from the food, pharmaceutical or chemical industries to the automotive industry, and from mobile machinery to intralogistics and packaging companies," Egon confirms.

RFID: what's in a name?

With more than 35 years of experience in the field of RFID (radio-frequency identification), Egon is well positioned to outline the importance and strengths of this technology. "RFID technology offers companies an efficient and accurate way to track and manage goods and assets. Using radio waves, RFID tags can transmit and receive information wirelessly, enabling real-time tracking and inventory. This increases operational speed, minimizes errors and improves supply chain visibility. We see our customers benefit from improved inventory accuracy, increased productivity and more efficient decision-making. Thus, they optimize their business performance."

Structured project approach

Targeted and personalized. This is how the Turck team works on business solutions for its customers. Egon explains what this process looks like.

"During an exploratory customer meeting, we estimate how a company-specific project should be approached in concrete terms. Here we honestly tell the customer what the possibilities are, and also what is not possible within our capabilities," Egon indicates. "This is followed by a site survey: we examine on site which solution will be most suitable. We do this by thoroughly screening the customer's logistics processes and on the basis of discussions with operators."

"We then provide our customer with a cost estimate, which serves as the basis for further developing our cooperation. If the customer approves this price offer, we start up a so-called proof of concept, possibly followed by a pilot approach and roll-out. During the proof of concept, critical situations are extensively tested so that we can incorporate the test results in our final solution. After the roll-out, we continue to assist our customer with a comprehensive after-sales service."

Extensive range of application possibilities

RFID technology can be used for a wide range of logistics activities. Egon lists a few use cases: "Our solutions have become indispensable for checking both outgoing and incoming shipments, for example at loading docks or with forklift trucks. RFID is also a powerful tool for inventories, order validations, inventory movement mapping, transfers and order picking. And what about validating pallet content, where we can read and validate an entire pallet for a customer in as little as 30 to 60 seconds and create a virtual loading unit based on that? Finally, I am also thinking of RTI management (Returnable Transport Items, n.v.d.r.), with pallets, big bags and plastic bins managed in an efficient way."

Solution components from Turck

To help realize all of these applications successfully, Turck offers several solution components. "With our RFID gates, forklifts, printers and handhelds, our customers gain an advantage over their direct competitors," Egon said. "Add to that our RFID middleware and device management, whether or not combined with cloud applications, and you get an attractive range of innovative solutions. Third-party integrations such as fixed barcodes, RTLS (Real-Time Location Systems, n.v.d.r.) and barcodes are also perfectly possible."

RFID technology in practice

Curious about how Turck's innovative RFID solutions are applied in practice? The company website lists numerous fascinating cases. We picked out three. One is a UHF RFID system that identifies food waste in containers based on RFID tags on those containers. As a result, the manufacturer avoids wasting food and energy. Another example is the use of smart forklifts that, with the help of an RFID reader, monitor and Turck Vilant Client, work a lot more accurately and efficiently than conventional vehicles. And then there is the wholesale chain that developed self-service containers for construction sites based on a Turck Vilant Systems RFID system solution, making fasteners and tools available at any time and any location. ■