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 "an 80% reduction in inventory and shipping work time" and "the expansion of RFID utilization" with illustrations and photos. Additionally, it includes topics such as "challenges of RFID" and "locating items using RFID positioning technology," so please take a moment to read it. 【Contents (partial)】 ■ Company Profile ■ What is RFID? ■ RFID in Everyday Life ■ 80% Reduction in Inventory and Shipping Work Time ■ UHF Band RFID Becoming More Common with Price Decrease *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• IC tag

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

• IC tag

"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 positions of the displays are automatically registered and can be shown on a digital map, allowing for efficient picking without confusion about the location 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.

• IC tag

We would like to introduce RF Lucas's "RFID Implementation Simple Diagnosis." By simply answering a few questions, you can instantly determine whether the items to be managed and the on-site environment are suitable for RFID implementation. (Estimated response time: 3 minutes) Our company improves 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.

• Other services
• others

This case study collection introduces various use cases of RF Lucas. Starting with "Automating location management with forklifts," it also includes a wealth of information on "Inventory and location management of equipment parts" and "Picking of teaching materials." Additionally, we present many other topics such as "Product search and security measures" and "Automated reading of inbound and outbound inspections," 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 inspections *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

At Baroque Japan Limited, efforts were being spent on product searches during inventory checks, when asked by customers in-store, and when stock could not be found. Additionally, there were challenges with the inventory counts in warehouses and stores not matching the system, leading to missed sales opportunities when products that should be available could not be located. As a solution, we implemented radar search to quickly locate target products and prevent stockouts. The product search, which relied on the experience and intuition of veteran staff, has now become manageable by any staff member. [Challenges] - Inventory counts in warehouses 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 checks, when asked by customers in-store, and when stock could not be found. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 would search for them in the back room and hand them over. However, due to the large volume of in-store pickup items, it took time to locate the relevant products, causing customers to wait and sometimes resulting in long lines. To address this, information about the in-store pickup items provided by customers was scanned or entered using a handheld reader, allowing for quick picking of the relevant products through radar search. This 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 items in the back room when customers come to collect them. - The large number of in-store pickup items requires time to find the relevant products, causing delays for customers and sometimes resulting in 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.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

In large retail stores, when there are orders from e-commerce, products are shipped from the nearest store inventory. When the store is large and has many products, it takes time to search for the target items in the backroom or sales floor. Therefore, with the location mapping feature, products and inventory can be efficiently registered by location. It also allows for the separation of inventory between the backroom and 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, allowing for more detailed searches through radar exploration, thus improving picking efficiency. [Challenges] ■ In large stores with many products, it takes time to search for target items 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 after picking them up. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

At a certain drugstore, inexperienced staff members do not remember the product display locations, leading to inefficiencies in their work. They wanted to efficiently operate a sales floor search map even if they couldn't attach RFID tags to each individual product. To address this, they attached RFID tags to shelf labels that contain price information to obtain shelf layout data. In the backroom, they can highlight the product display locations on a digital map while sending out restocking alerts, and guide customers to the locations of sale items using the sales floor search map. [Challenges] - Inexperienced staff do not remember the product display locations, resulting in inefficiencies. - The store's shelf layout differs from the information managed by headquarters, so they want to accurately understand 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.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

In large stores of major apparel brands, customers often struggle to find the display locations of the products they are looking for, leading 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 through digital signage or an app, allowing them to instantly confirm the display location of their desired products. This improves convenience and helps prevent lost 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 are looking for. - Staff members spend time guiding customers to display locations, and if they cannot remember the locations, it takes longer to restock items. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 manually count the equipment every day at closing time, and also check during incoming shipments and when returning equipment. The logistics center also verifies the equipment during collection from the stores and regularly conducts inventory checks, leading to significant 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 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.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

A major food manufacturer was storing 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, they attached RFID tags when the meat boxes arrived. 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.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

In 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) created a heavy workload, and during peak seasons, there were times when schedules could not be met. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

A certain customer faced the challenge of increased volume during peak seasons, leading to an overflow of cardboard boxes containing apparel products 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 searches. To address this, a radar search app was implemented to efficiently locate target products even during peak 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.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

At Zip Co., Ltd., due to the large number of SKUs, inventory searches during stocktaking were taking a significant amount of time, leading to an overload for employees issuing instructions on-site. Additionally, relying solely on two-dimensional codes for location management was time-consuming, and there were challenges in hiring on-site staff due to a labor shortage. To address this, instead of the main teaching materials, RFID tags were affixed to the forms commonly used for each SKU to manage locations. This was utilized for the biannual stocktaking and the monthly disposal item 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 hiring on-site staff due to labor shortages. - Relying solely on two-dimensional codes takes time for location management. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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, managing inventory including locations. This process has required significant time for barcode scanning during inventory counts and shipping/receiving. Additionally, in the flat storage area, management has relied on experience and intuition due to free location, leading to time-consuming searches for items. As a solution, since it is difficult to attach RFID tags to individual items, RFID tags will either be affixed to the pallet packaging or utilize RFID tags mounted on the pallets. Inventory management in mobile racks and flat storage areas is being streamlined with Locus Fork. [Challenges] ■ Time-consuming barcode scanning during inventory counts and shipping/receiving ■ In the flat storage area, management relies on experience and intuition due to free location, resulting in time-consuming searches for items *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

A major industrial equipment manufacturer switched from manual operations to barcode management; however, they faced significant operational burdens in inventory management, such as shipping and receiving, as well as stocktaking. Additionally, items that were stored on the floor without shelving had ambiguous 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 read them all at once instantly, reducing work time by over 90%. They were able to identify items in the floor storage area in about 20 seconds, cutting search time by 60-80%. [Challenges] - Despite switching from manual operations to barcode management, there is a significant operational burden in inventory management tasks such as shipping, receiving, and stocktaking. - Items stored on the floor without shelving have ambiguous location management, leading to time-consuming searches for the items. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 organized by product type, but individual location management was not possible, requiring time to search through all the target products, and 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 the products and where to transport them, thereby improving productivity. Additionally, 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. - They are organized by product type, but individual location management is not possible, requiring time to search through all the target products. - Preventing the outflow of defective products is also an important issue. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 could be achieved under the conventional 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 paper to stored items. - Employees managed storage deadlines and other information by visually inspecting the paper attached to the stored items. ■Results - Approximately 80% reduction in inbound and outbound operations. - A 60-80% reduction in labor for exploration tasks. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

We would like to introduce a case study of the implementation of "Locus Mapping" at Zip Corporation. Managing items in a warehouse using two-dimensional codes required human intervention for reading, which took an enormous amount of time when identifying locations. After the introduction of this system, the reading direction no longer affected the process, resulting in a significant reduction in labor costs. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenges - Relying on employees' experience for item management is not fundamentally sound. - Performing everything manually significantly increases operational costs. ■Results - Achieved cost reduction while improving user satisfaction. - Moved 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.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 led to mistakes and errors. By implementing this system, any staff member can easily search for products, significantly reducing instances of stockouts where sales could not be made due to unavailable items. [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 - Significantly reduced the workload that was a burden on staff. - Clearly identified the causes when there is a discrepancy between data and the quantity of products on hand. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 implemented; however, this also takes up a lot of time for management. By introducing this system, we can attach small metal-compatible tags to each tool and perform a bulk reading before and after maintenance to check for any losses. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenges - Loss of tools can lead to accidents - Time is consumed for 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.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 are made 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.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

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 on 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 on inventory checks ■Results - Resolved inefficiencies such as the inability to find necessary items - Also utilized for location management of measuring instruments and instructions *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

We would like to introduce a case where a logistics company implemented a management system to improve the efficiency of inventory, shipping and receiving, 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 and receiving be streamlined, but daily location management can also be made more efficient. Additionally, by implementing "Locus Gate," efficiency in shipping and receiving can be achieved. [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.

• Internal Control and Operational Management

We would like to introduce a case where "Locus Mapping" and "P3 Finder" were implemented at a major apparel company. Despite having a few items remaining in the system, inventory cannot be found; manual searches are conducted for stock needed for inter-store transfers and warehouse returns; and various situations arise where inventory does not match the list after stocktaking. 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.

• Sales Management

"Locus Mapping" is an inventory and asset management system that allows you to read up to hundreds of items instantly from a distance by simply attaching RFID tags and scanning them with a handheld reader. It displays "what," "where," and "how much" is available on a digital map. By equipping forklifts or automated transport robots with readers, inventory and asset management can be automated by scanning while on the move during operations. Additionally, by attaching RFID tags to inventory and assets and scanning them with a handheld reader, stocktaking and inventory management can be significantly streamlined. 【Use Cases】 ■ 80% reduction in stocktaking and inventory management time - By attaching RFID tags to inventory and assets and scanning them with a handheld reader, you can leverage the bulk reading capabilities of RFID to dramatically improve the efficiency of stocktaking and inventory management. ■ 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.

• Database

The inventory and asset 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 asset management by reading while patrolling during operations. Additionally, by attaching RFID tags to inventory and assets and reading them with a handheld reader, inventory counts and inbound/outbound processes can be significantly streamlined. [Use Cases] ■ 80% reduction in inventory counting and inbound/outbound processing time - By attaching RFID tags to inventory and assets and reading them with a handheld reader, the unique features of RFID allow for efficient bulk reading, greatly enhancing inventory counting 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 PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Database

RF Lucas has started 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. An external reader and antenna are installed on the forklift to read inventory 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 the 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.

• Database

The RFID production and process management system manages production results and progress in real-time, enhancing work efficiency. By automatically collecting data at each stage, it eliminates the need for work reports and barcode scanning, allowing for optimal personnel allocation and improving productivity through on-site training. (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 need for time-consuming work reports, allowing for real-time data acquisition and removing the hassle of 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 can be allocated, and it 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 collectively 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, reducing unproductive time and enabling innovative marketing that utilizes product location information.

• Database