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The FreshGuard monitoring solution tracks on-shelf inventory and best-before dates with minimal human intervention by employing wide-area RFID technology.
About
Intro
FreshGuard Monitoring Solution is designed to track best-before dates and product information directly on the shelves of grocery stores. By leveraging RFID technology, FreshGuard offers real-time, automated tracking of bottled and canned beverages, ensuring that data can be gathered in real-time, either upon request or on a scheduled basis. Our system reduces human effort and errors, providing a seamless and efficient solution to accurately monitor on-shelf best-before dates.
Initially, the product information is read either by integrating with the RFID tags that are placed on the pallets or, if these are not present, by reading the information from the bottles or cans directly through an automated camera-based system. After the reading, the RFID tag is written, and placed on the product through a motorized arm, in a conveyor belt setup. Alternatively, the tags can also be placed manually on the products after they are written, although this option might be more prone to error.
Once the products are stocked, the information on the tag is read through the FreshGuard system, which is either located on the shelf or at the checkout counter. The scanning sessions can be initiated remotely and accessed from the cloud platform when needed.
Market Challenge
Manual checks for best-before dates and stock levels are time-consuming, leading to expired products being left on shelves. At the same time, the analytics regarding the products displayed in stores or purchased by clients are invaluable for manufacturers, for planning and strategy building. The main challenge in automating this process has to do with the difficulty of reading the printed information on each bottle, which is done with a technology that allows it to be human-readable. Additionally, integrating such a solution in existing retail spaces, with minimal to no modifications required to the environment, also brings its own difficulties, from finding ways to reliably read data in various conditions, to accurately storing and sending the reports to a setup that can be accessed remotely.
How does it?
FreshGuard addresses these challenges by integrating long-range RFID tags with an invisible, on-shelf monitoring system:
1. Automated Data Collection: The system automatically scans RFID-tagged products, reducing the need for manual checks and significantly lowering labor costs. This automation ensures that data is consistently accurate and up to date.
2. Centralized Database and Analytics: All collected data is transmitted to a centralized database, where it is processed and analyzed. This enables supply chain managers to make informed decisions about stock replenishment, promotional strategies, and waste reduction.
3. Sustainability and Waste Reduction: The system’s precise tracking helps minimize waste by ensuring products are sold before they expire, contributing to more sustainable retail practices.
4. Real-Time Inventory Tracking: FreshGuard provides continuous, real-time updates on inventory status, ensuring accurate stock levels and immediate identification of items approaching their best-before dates.
5. Automated labeling and tag application: The RFID tags do not have to be placed manually on products, but rather an automated actuating machine is used to read the details directly from pallets or from bottles or cans and applied.
Key Benefits
Implementing FreshGuard transforms operational efficiency by generating high-quality, precise, and real-time data streams that can be used to model, predict, and schedule restocking operations locally, regionally, and across geographies.
Some of its benefits are:
1. Invisible to the Customer
2. Precise, Accurate, and Actionable Data
3. Improves Operational Efficiency
4. Cost Savings and Waste Reduction
5. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty
6. Scalability and Futureproofing
Applications
FreshGuard primarily targets manufacturers who aim to enhance product tracking and shift from manual to automated solutions. Manufacturers benefit from:
- Real-Time Data: Access to accurate, real-time data on product expiration dates and batch information.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Reduction in manual labor and associated costs, leading to more streamlined operations.
- Improved Product Management: Visibility over the scan results from a cloud platform
Retail chains and supermarkets are the secondary target market for FreshGuard, the benefits being:
- Simplified Inventory Management: Automated tracking and real-time updates help maintain accurate stock levels and reduce the risk of expired products on shelves.
- Operational Efficiency: The system enhances efficiency at the checkout counter and during restocking processes.
- Customer Satisfaction: Improved product availability and reduced instances of expired products lead to higher customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.