RFID clothing logistics retail management system design solution

1. Solution Overview

This solution is tailored to the needs of clothing enterprise customers. The solution integrates RFID technology, network technology, computer technology, database technology and wireless communication technology. Combining the actual needs of clothing enterprises, rich experience and unique technology, the following RFID-based logistics retail management system solution is proposed.

Noun Convention

1. Clothing label: refers to an RFID label pasted, implanted or hung on a single piece of clothing, with a unique and unchangeable ID number, which can be read at a long distance. Labels have various forms, such as plastic hangtags, paper hangtags, self-adhesive labels (attached to hangtags), flexible instruction labels, etc.

2. Box label: refers to an RFID label attached to a designated position on a packaging box. The label surface contains visual information and is labeled by a labeling worker.

3. Cargo location label: refers to an RFID label fixed at a designated position on a cargo location. The label surface contains visual information and is labeled by a labeling worker.

2. Solution Objectives

1. Realize batch fast in and out of the warehouse at the headquarters warehouse to shorten the overall supply cycle

2. Realize real-time inventory statistics and fast replenishment in Stores to achieve efficient operation, promote sales, and count consumption habits.

3. In terms of channel management, it can track channel logistics information, prevent cross-selling to a certain extent, crack down on illegal online sales, and implement channel management policies.

3. System architecture

4. Solution operation process

1. RFID clothing tag information writing

Write new tag label information:

If you use RFID clothing tags in the form of PVC card tags, RFID Inlay will be directly laminated on the middle layer of the tag to form a whole. This kind of tag can be repeatedly erased and rewritten, recycled and reused many times, thereby reducing the company's operating costs.

For this kind of tag type label, a special RFID automatic card issuing device can be used to write the tag identification information. The specific operation is as follows: First, only the brand image is printed on one side of the hard tag, and the other side is left blank; then, a self-adhesive label with the color code and barcode information is pasted on the back of the tag (the self-adhesive label uses removable glue, which is convenient for recycling and reuse without leaving residual glue); next, the automatic card issuing device will first read the barcode information on the tag, and then write the corresponding unique code into the chip of each tag label.

Clothing label - PVC hard hangtag

The initialization of hard hangtag labels generally follows the following process:

(1) The hangtag management department obtains all the barcode information of the order from the system according to the production order, and prints the self-adhesive instruction label (using self-adhesive materials with removable glue, which is convenient for repeated sticking on the PVC surface, easy to clean when recycled and reused, and keeps the hangtag surface clean);

(2) Stick the self-adhesive instruction label on the back of the RFID hangtag;

(3) Use a customized automatic card issuing device to perform batch card writing operations; the card issuing device will first read the barcode information on each hangtag, then generate the unique code of the hangtag and write it into the RFID chip, and at the same time verify the quality of the hangtag label (by reading and verifying the accuracy of the information written on the label and the performance of the label multiple times);

(4) Package and pack the hangtags of different SKUs, and clearly mark the SKU and style color code information on the packaging box to avoid mixing labels of different SKUs.

(5) According to the production order, distribute the initialized labels to each processing plant.

Since this system only involves applications in logistics and other links, and does not involve the need for anti-counterfeiting functions, it only needs to use the EPC code writing and TID reading of the RFID tag. When the tag is initialized, it is necessary to obtain the clothing code from the ERP system, generate the unique code of the tag and write it into the EPC storage area, and use the TID number of the tag for unique judgment to enhance the reliability and stability of the system.

The RFID automatic card issuing device can complete the barcode reading, writing and tag performance verification of a tag within 3 seconds. An RFID Card issuing machine working 10 hours a day can complete the writing operation of 12,000 tags, while two card issuing machines can complete the writing of 24,000 tags.

Information writing of recycled tags:

(1) Tag data clearing: This can be completed in two links. First, when selling clothing, the tag cut from the clothing is immediately processed on another card reader under the sales counter (this card reader is controlled by a special program to rewrite the original barcode information in the tag chip into a serial code) to complete the tag data clearing. Second, the sales terminal does not process the returned hangtags. The headquarters will use an automatic card issuing device to write the serial code of each hangtag in sequence to clear the original barcode data.

(2) Surface cleaning: Use alcohol or Polybeads or other cleaning agents to wipe the self-adhesive label on the back of the hangtag (the label uses removable glue, which can be removed by gently wiping or tearing it off without leaving any residual glue), and then select the hangtags with good surface and no obvious scratches and creases for secondary use.

(3) According to the five steps of writing new hangtags described above, rewrite the new barcode information on the recycled labels, and pack them and send them to the factory.

2. Hanging tags

During the clothing production process, the factory will use the corresponding number of SKU (stock keeping unit) RFID tags and traditional tags as auxiliary materials according to the different styles and colors in the order, and send them to the production line or production team administrator together with the production materials. When the clothing production is completed, the corresponding RFID tags and traditional paper tags are taken out according to each SKU and hung on the clothing together. In the process of hanging tags, it is necessary to ensure that only one SKU label is taken out at a time to avoid confusion between different styles.

For the convenience of management, the finished clothing is packed according to the principle of packing one SKU in the same box as much as possible, and the style, color and quantity information are clearly marked on the packing label on the surface of the box.

The factory sends the delivery order to the brand headquarters through the network platform to inform them in advance that the goods are about to be shipped, so that the headquarters warehouse can conduct warehousing verification after the goods arrive.

2.1 Warehouse quality inspection

Once the finished clothing arrives at the brand headquarters warehouse, it needs to be inspected first. The first step of quality inspection is to use a desktop RFID Reader or a special inspection and packing workbench to check whether the attached RFID tag label is consistent with the collar label, washing label and the goods themselves. If it is found that the requirements are not met, the clothes will be placed in the temporary storage area and wait for correction before entering the warehouse.

2.2 Inspection and storage

In the brand headquarters warehouse, an imported 4-channel RFID reader is installed, which can identify 120 tags at the same time to ensure that the clothes in each box can be accurately identified.

When the goods arrive, the operator verifies the information according to the receipt notice, drives the RFID receipt scanning channel, and starts scanning the goods box by box. The operator puts the whole box of goods on the conveyor belt of the scanning channel, and the channel will automatically transmit and scan the details of the goods in the box through the RFID reader. During the scanning process, the system interface will display the shipping manufacturer, order number, product content, planned arrival quantity, actual arrival quantity, number of arrival boxes and other information of the batch of goods, and display the difference information.

If the scanning result is different from the approved quantity and the packed goods, it will enter the "reverse check processing area" to wait for manual scanning and inspection.

After completing the receiving scan, the system will upload the scanning result and record the attributes of each piece of goods in the database, including the receiving time, receiving location, operator number, etc., and also record the attributes of the order, including the order receiving quantity, receiving time, receiving difference and other information.

It only takes 12-15 seconds for the RFID receiving and shipping channel to complete the scanning of a box of clothing. Assuming that each box contains 30-40 pieces of clothing and works 10 hours a day, it can complete the in and out operations of 72,000-96,000 pieces of clothing.

2.3 Picking and matching

In the brand headquarters warehouse, picking and matching is a tedious task, and it is easy to make picking errors, resulting in the need for reverse checking when leaving the warehouse. In order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of picking, a picking and matching process based on cargo location and RFID handheld terminal is proposed.

First, establish the SKU warehouse location definition function on the existing system to facilitate the query of the location of each SKU.

Then, after creating a new pick list in the system, you can print the pick list to include the cargo location information and sort it according to the cargo location number so that the picker can formulate a reasonable pickup route, as shown in the figure below:

On this basis, a more advanced pick method is proposed, that is, dynamic pick through RFID handheld terminal.

After the picker creates a new pick list in the ERP system, he can directly download the pick list to the RFID handheld terminal without printing a paper pick list, saving resources and being environmentally friendly.

The RFID handheld will dynamically display the number of items to be picked and the number of items that have been picked for all cargo locations in the pick list, and sort them according to the optimized pickup route.

The picker can scan the tag barcode and RFID information through the RFID handheld terminal for automatic comparison, which greatly improves the accuracy of pick.

The system will automatically remind the picker how many SKUs have not been picked through the RFID handheld to avoid manual marking on the paper document.

This system also supports multi-order merging and picking, reducing the round-trip time between different cargo locations and improving overall efficiency.

2.4 Sealing and delivery

According to the order requirements, try to pack the same SKU clothing in the same box, then print the packing list, put one packing list in the box, and stick the other in the designated position of the box, and then seal the box.

First, put the box to be sealed on the RFID scanning channel for whole box scanning, check whether the quantity, style, color and size of the products in the box are consistent with the order, and the scanning results will be automatically uploaded to the system and generate a delivery record.

Next, move the sealed box to the delivery area for logistics distribution. In the delivery area, use the RFID reader to scan each box containing clothing to confirm the number and information of the box.

At the same time, according to the logistics plan and order requirements, the boxes containing clothing are sorted and grouped according to the destination for subsequent logistics distribution.

During the distribution process, each box can be tracked and monitored by RFID technology to ensure the safety and accurate delivery of the goods to the destination.

2.5 Store sales management

Store sales management based on RFID technology includes the following three aspects:

1. Fast settlement of clothing sales, linked to the record and update of the purchase, sales and inventory system

After the customer has finished shopping, he will place the clothing on the RFID scanning platform. The cashier will associate the clothing's RFID tag with the sales information through the scanning platform. The computer will display a detailed list of the purchased goods and automatically calculate the total amount. At the same time, the store's inventory quantity will be reduced.

The sales data is updated to the purchase, sales and inventory system in real time. The headquarters can timely understand the sales and inventory of each store for timely replenishment.

After completing the settlement, the cashier cuts off the RFID tag on the clothing, puts the tag into the RFID card writer for initialization, and then puts it into the tag recycling box for subsequent reuse.

2. Store multimedia display and promotion

Use the multimedia advertising terminal with built-in RFID reader to identify the RFID tag information of the current clothing, and display the promotion information and inventory status of the relevant clothing on the terminal to guide consumers to consume correctly and stimulate consumption desire.

3. RFID-based member management

Each piece of branded clothing comes with an RFID tag, which can also be used as a membership card. When consumers buy clothing and pay, the clerk places one of the tags on the card reader, reads the member ID, and enters the member's basic information, such as name, gender, age, preferences, and job type. The card reader writes the member's name into the tag chip. In the future, consumers only need to show the tag to immediately obtain the member's basic information and enjoy corresponding promotional discounts or points accumulation. The accumulated consumption amount of members can also be used for level division and automatic upgrade.

2.6 Store inventory counting

Store inventory counting can be carried out using RFID handheld terminals or POS tablet card readers. When counting, you can choose to gradually count a part of the shelves, a part of the category, or the products that have been put into storage during a period of time, or you can do a comprehensive inventory of the entire warehouse when you are free.

For goods on the shelves for sale, you can use the RFID handheld terminal to move slowly along the display rack to ensure that each piece of goods is read, realize automatic counting and statistics, and compare it with the inventory data of the original system to display the difference. After the inventory is completed, the RFID handheld terminal automatically analyzes the read tags to find out the actual number of clothing of a specific style, color or model in order to maintain inventory balance and replenish stocks in time to avoid out-of-stock or out-of-stock situations and meet customer needs.