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Current Process:
Currently, most jewelers track inventory on daily or weekly basis. This is often a completely manual process, which is very time-consuming, requires handling of each jewelry item, and is error-prone. Some jewelers are using barcode, which still requires line-of site for reading and still leads to additional, unnecessary handling of the jewelry items. For some high-end jewelers, the use of barcodes on their tags contrasts with the high-end elite message they are trying to project with their item tags.
With RFID, an entire case of jewelry can be read in a matter of seconds with no need for line-of site or handling of the jewelry item. The RFID inlay can be hidden, thus not impacting the merchandising of the high-end jewelry tags.
Designing the System:
There are a number of different ways in which the RFID system can be deployed, each having varying levels of accuracy, but also costs and complexity to install and maintain. Before the final solution can be determined, the jeweler must first think through the current processes and the goals of the RFID tracking program.
1. What are the most significant pain-points the RFID solution needs to address? Is the main goal high inventory accuracy or is it saving time in the inventory process?
Do you have current data on inventory accuracy, inventory time, and inventory shrinkage that provides measurable pain points?
2. Is the goal to increase accuracy for internal usage, or will this data be reported to business partners (i.e. insurance companies or consignees, etc.)
3. Are there currently known procedures or processes that the jeweler feels may be contributing to the inventory inaccuracy or shrinkage?
4. Is it critical to know exactly where each item is at every second throughout the day? Is daily inventory acceptable? Two times per day? Weekly?
5. Is 100% accuracy required or can the bulk of the issues be addressed if 98% accuracy is achieved?
6. How much time and money is the jeweler willing to invest in this system?
Item Level Reader Systems:
Once the programs goals have been established, the type of reading system can be designed. For jewelry applications, there are basically three options for RFID tracking of the jewelry items:
Shelf Readers:
Shelf reader systems can provide the most accurate inventory at each and every moment throughout the day. These systems involve installing a series of readers and antennas throughout the shelving system of the store. The advantage to this system is that it requires no sales associate intervention in order to read the RFID tags. It is very accurate and it continually reads the location of each item in inventory. However, the shelf reader system will be the most expensive and complex system to install.
Discrete Fixed Readers:
With discrete fixed readers deployed throughout a store, the jewelry can be inventoried when the items pass through given point within the store. For example, the jewelry can be read as it passes in to and out of the vault. The jeweler may choose to deploy a reader at the point of sale. For example, one such system places jewelry items on trays that are read whenever the trays are carried into and out of the vault. They also have trays with antennas enabled throughout the store. Whenever an associate shows a piece of jewelry, the items are place in an RFID enabled tray. This allows the jeweler to track how often a given item is handled or demonstrated to a customer. This discrete reader system will only work if the jewelry is passing through discrete read points. It also allows for inventory typically only once per day. However, is can provide very accurate reads at the time that the items are actually read.
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