Borealis
RFID Helps Optimize Tracking Ability of Entire Supply Chain
Borealis is a market leading company in the field of innovative, value creating solutions in polyethylene and polypropylene plastic materials. The company has more than 4.500 employees with approximately 10% working within research and development. The company is based in Vienna, Austria and has a wide net of factories around the world.
“A lot of obstacles had to be overcome, but the task was solved at a technologically high, but functionally simple level. We have with this pilot project achieved the goal of improving the tracking ability for our supply chain. We now save both time and other resources on that account. It gives exciting perspectives for the future.” – Peter Nykvist, Logistics Material Handling Maintenance Service Engineer, Borealis.
The Challenge:
- Borealis wanted to optimize its tracking ability
- Required maximum security for tracing and delivering materials and products through the entire supply chain
The Solution:
- A tracking system based on a SAP solution as well as RFID technology combined with bar codes was developed
- Psion Teklogix supplied flexible, durable, and easy-to-read vehicle mount and handheld terminals
- Vehicle mount terminals were mounted to selected fork lifts
- Handheld terminals were used for tracking and registration of individual products
- RFID tags were placed in the floor in front of selected warehouse zones
- A specially designed antenna was mounted on the underside of fork lifts and the pallets were provided with bar codes
- Tags, RFID scanner and bar codes register where product pallets are placed in relation to the company’s logistic planning
- The system sounds an alarm if a pallet is placed in a wrong position and the mistake can be corrected immediately
The Benefits:
- Improved tracking ability
- Increased accuracy and reduction in errors
- Saved time, money, and other resources
- System is technologically complex but functionally simple
