Tally Company Introduces RFID for Reducing Labor Costs
Zhoushan Zhongli Waicun Tallying Co., a part of Zhougang Company, offers a full range of transportation services. These services include tallying ship cargo and containers, handling containers, measuring, inspecting, supervising loading and unloading, checking for damage, issuing documents and reports, and providing tallying advice.
On February 25, the company made a technological breakthrough by applying RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to mixed cargo tallying. This is the first time such technology has been used in the national tallying industry, marking a new stage in tallying operations.
RFID is a non-contact automatic identification method that uses radio signals to read data from a tag. In tallying work, RFID can greatly improve both efficiency and accuracy. By using RFID tags to mark cargo and placing RFID readers at work sites, the system can get cargo information quickly and correctly.
For Zhoushan Zhongli Waicun Tallying Co., using RFID in mixed cargo tallying is very important. It not only boosts the company’s technical level and competitiveness but also sets a new standard for the whole industry. Moreover, RFID has greatly reduced labor costs. Chen Jie, the operations center manager, said, “We used to need four tallying workers per shift for export loading operations; now, only one worker is needed.” With the spread and use of RFID technology, more tallying companies are expected to follow, helping the industry move toward better technology and industrial upgrades.
What Are the Challenges of Traditional Tallying Methods for Ship Cargo and Containers?
Traditional methods of tallying ship cargo and containers face many challenges. These challenges include low efficiency, high costs, data errors, safety risks, and incomplete work processes. The main problems come from the limits of manual work and old procedures. They can be grouped into two categories:
Limitations of Manual Tallying
- Low Efficiency: Manual tallying takes a long time to sort, check, and record cargo. This is especially slow when there is a large amount of cargo. Checking each container by hand is tedious and time-consuming.
- High Labor Costs: Manual work needs many workers. This increases labor costs. The work is hard, and high employee turnover can make costs even higher.
- Data Inaccuracy: Manual data entry can lead to errors or missing details. Important information like container numbers, counts, packaging types, and conditions may be recorded incorrectly.
- Safety Hazards: Workers must handle cargo directly, which can be dangerous. There is a risk of injury from falling or collapsing cargo, especially with heavy loads.
Incomplete Traditional Processes
- Poor Information Transfer: In traditional tallying, information may not flow well between steps. This makes it hard to work together smoothly. Delays or mistakes in transferring data can affect the timely loading and unloading of cargo.
- Lack of Real-Time Monitoring: Traditional methods do not allow for real-time monitoring of cargo during transport. Without live feedback, it is hard to assess loading efficiency and cost, making it difficult to improve processes.
- Operational Errors: Mistakes made during manual handling can damage cargo. Such errors increase the risk of loss or damage during transport.
To solve these issues, the industry is looking at new technologies such as RFID, smart container loading software, and real-time monitoring systems. These tools can help improve efficiency, lower costs, and make data more accurate and safe.
What Are the Benefits of Using RFID in the Tallying Industry?
RFID technology has a positive and lasting impact on the tallying industry. It improves work efficiency and accuracy, helps use resources better, increases cargo security, supports smart changes, and cuts operating costs. As technology improves and new uses are found, RFID is expected to play an even bigger role in the future. The benefits of using RFID in tallying include:
- Improved Work Efficiency: RFID uses radio signals to automatically read cargo information. Compared to manual methods, it works faster and more accurately. In busy ports or warehouses, this helps speed up tallying and reduces the time cargo stays in one place.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Each RFID tag has a unique code that is linked to specific cargo information. The system can check this information in real time, which reduces human mistakes and the risk of lost cargo. This reliability helps build customer trust.
- Better Resource Allocation: With RFID, companies can see the location and condition of cargo at any time. This allows them to assign workers and equipment more effectively. The system can also help predict cargo needs and manage inventory, leading to smarter planning.
- Increased Cargo Security: RFID provides a strong security check for cargo. Each tag acts as a unique identifier. If cargo is lost, damaged, or stolen, the system can quickly send an alert and track its location. This real-time monitoring helps prevent economic losses.
- Support for Intelligent Transformation: RFID is a key technology for making the tallying industry smarter. When it works with big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, RFID can help build a system where operations are automated, smart, and clear. Data is collected and used in real time, so decisions are based on facts rather than just experience. This smart change creates more business and social value.
- Reduced Operating Costs: By cutting down on manual work and improving efficiency, RFID helps lower labor and time costs. It also improves inventory management by reducing excess stock and shortages. These savings make companies more profitable and competitive.
Advantages of Using NATIONRFID’s RFID Readers
NATIONRFID’s RFID readers are designed to deliver the benefits mentioned above. These devices are simple to use, reliable, and effective in harsh environments such as busy ports or warehouses. By quickly and accurately reading RFID tags attached to cargo, NATIONRFID’s readers help improve efficiency and ensure data accuracy.
Key benefits include:
- Fast Data Collection: The readers capture cargo information in real time (1000 tags per second), which speeds up the tallying process and reduces waiting times.
- High Accuracy: Each reader reliably reads unique tags, greatly reducing the chances of human error.
- Robust Performance: Built to work in challenging environments, these readers maintain high performance even under heavy workloads.
- Easy Integration: NATIONRFID’s readers can be easily connected with real-time monitoring systems, cloud computing, and inventory management tools, creating a comprehensive smart tallying system.
- Cost Savings: By automating many steps in the tallying process, these readers significantly reduce labor costs and boost overall productivity.
With NATIONRFID’s RFID readers, tallying companies can achieve faster operations, higher precision, and more secure cargo management, paving the way for further smart transformation in the industry
