Case Study | RFID gate for loading aids in the drugstore trade

The German drugstore chain dm-drogerie markt relies on loading aids with an integrated RFID tag to transport picked goods from the distribution center to the stores. We already reported on RFID loading at the Wustermark site in the 5/2022 issue of ident. In addition to plastic pallets, GS1 Smartboxes are also used throughout the Group for the delivery of small items. All loading aids are provided by a pooling service provider and invoiced to dm on the basis of the time they spend at dm. dm internally allocates the costs incurred in this way to the individual national companies and passes them on. Previously, only the new additions of loading aids were clearly documented; everything else was charged on using estimates and assumptions.

With the technical possibilities now available, the idea arose - together with the pooling service provider - to move away from approximation and towards concrete counting. The solution needed to be as simple and scalable as possible in order to be able to equip as many locations as possible with it - regardless of the technical characteristics and local conditions. The costs for the hardware used and its maintenance, particularly with regard to IT security, were always kept in mind. After various rounds of discussions, the idea was born to implement it using a cloud solution to which the reader used sends the data it collects directly, i.e. without an additional PC. The collected data was collected and processed by Sydesoft, the provider of the cloud solution "WS-RFID Tracking Solution", and made available to the pooling service provider. This provided the basis for a more accurate charge.

In the search for suitable hardware for this project, the company KATHREIN Solutions GmbH was found. In addition to the pure hardware, such as readers and antennas, KATHREIN already offers a software solution for the management and administration of the KATHREIN readers (CrossTalk). The whole thing was rounded off by direct and uncomplicated communication, as well as support for questions about the Kathrein products used, which was experienced during the implementation of this idea.

Seven such counting stations have now been established at four different dm locations, which are essentially the same, but whose specific features are based on the loading aids to be recorded and the structural conditions. The solution is so flexible that it can also be used for other customers of the pooling service provider with little effort and places only minimal demands on the conditions on site. This means that you can hang up your "treasure hunt" at this point.

Figure: RFID gate / RFID counting station, detection on two taxiways

 

"In the search for suitable hardware for this project, we found what we were looking for at KATHREIN Solutions GmbH. In addition to the pure hardware, such as readers and antennas, KATHREIN already offers a software solution for the management and administration of the (...) KATHREIN readers (CrossTalk)."

 

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Case Study | RFID gate for loading aids in the drugstore trade