MANUFACTURING

For manufacturers, the movement of raw materials, goods in process and completed products is generally monitored using Enterprise Resource Planning or Supply Chain applications. While these products do an excellent job of managing inventory and the steps in the manufacturing process, they generally lack the ability to locate products when they are not within the four walls of a known facility.

To gain greater visibility into goods moving in and out of their warehouses, companies are leveraging sophisticated tracking devices with feature-rich location tracking platforms. Unlike RFID tags, visibility through location-enabled technologies extends beyond the warehouse to allow for the recovery of stolen or misplaced goods. Tracking software, combined with devices placed in crates or packages containing high value goods, allow for greater visibility on the location of the particular item, regardless if the item is indoors, outdoors, in extreme temperatures, or if the item has been tampered with. 

To further complicate matters, supply chains have become increasingly complex. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to work with multiple trading partners, multiple shipping carriers, and customers requiring different replenishment scenarios. With the value of goods lost or stolen in transit exceeding $25 billion annually and customers demanding perfect order fulfillment, the ability to monitor goods in transit is critical.

Through FocalPoint™ and its ability to easily integrate with virtually any tracking device, companies have the ability to track items from the moment they leave the warehouse until they arrive at the appropriate location. Functionality like the enter/exit zones and move reports included in solutions built on FocalPoint™ enable users to receive automatic alerts if the item leaves a specific location or is moving when it is expected to be stationary.