RFID Asset Tracking
RFID Asset Tracking for Supply Chain Visibility
RFID (radio frequency identification) uses encoded tags and readers to identify and track products and assets without requiring line-of-sight scanning, improving visibility and accuracy across warehouses, stores, and logistics networks. RTI helps organizations use RFID to monitor product location in near real time, improve inventory accuracy, and unlock better analytics for supply chain decisions and customer experience.
Traceability
Real-time visibility
Analytics
Want to see how RFID connects to broader visibility workflows? Explore eP360 Enterprise Supply Chain SaaS.
RFID antennas and readers capture item-level data to support inventory accuracy, traceability, and real-time visibility across facilities.
Why RFID is Being Adopted Across Retail and Supply Chains
RFID supports faster operations and more accurate data than manual scanning in many environments. When implemented correctly, RFID improves inventory accuracy, helps teams locate products faster, and supports higher-quality analytics for forecasting and replenishment.
Instant inventory visibility
RFID enables faster item identification and improved awareness of where products are across facilities and stores.
Better business analytics
More accurate tracking data supports cleaner reporting, exception handling, and operational decision-making.
Customer experience gains
Better on-shelf availability and fulfillment accuracy can reduce friction for customers and internal teams.
RTI supports multiple industries, including retail, food, baking, and automotive.
Walmart RFID Mandates and Supplier Requirements
Walmart is expanding RFID requirements for suppliers across additional product lines. The technology was proven in apparel and is now being required for other categories such as automotive, electronics, entertainment, hardlines, and home decor, with the goal of improving inventory accuracy and creating a more seamless shopping experience.
By leveraging RFID tags, Walmart can monitor product location more effectively, improving inventory accuracy and supporting better visibility into inventory and analytics. Many expect broader adoption across retail as mandates and standards accelerate.
What suppliers must do
It is the supplier’s responsibility to select an RFID tag for each product, encode the tag, and place it on the product packaging or hangtag. Many suppliers start by selecting an ARC-approved inlay and following Auburn University guidance to choose the right inlay for the product and packaging.
Reference resource: Auburn University RFID Lab guidance for ARC program participants: Auburn University RFID Lab.
Why this matters
When suppliers implement RFID correctly, retailers gain better item-level visibility, cleaner data for analytics, and improved product availability. For suppliers, better tagging and data quality can reduce exceptions and improve fulfillment performance.
Standards alignment matters in large programs. See GS1 for related traceability and data structure context.
RFID Tag Encoding Options
Once you have selected an RFID tag with an approved inlay, the tag must be encoded so each tag contains the information needed to track and identify the product accurately. Suppliers typically choose one of two approaches.
Option 1: Service bureau or packaging provider
Packaging providers and service bureaus can manage encoding efficiently using cloud-based systems. They often use GTIN or UPC inputs to ensure each RFID tag receives a unique serialized number. This option is useful for suppliers with multiple manufacturers or sites, and may include help with tag selection, placement, and approval.
Option 2: In-house encoding and printing
Suppliers can purchase RFID labels or hangtags in bulk and encode serialized data using an RFID printer. This approach supports on-demand printing and more control over the encoding process, reducing reliance on pre-encoded labels from a third party.
Regardless of approach, the UPC and unique serial number must be encoded accurately to ensure RFID tags can be read and tracked throughout the supply chain.
RFID Tag Placement Requirements
Correct placement reduces read issues and helps ensure tags remain usable across packaging types and handling conditions. Use the checklist below as a starting point.
Placement checklist
- RFID tags must be easily removable by the customer. If tags are sewn in, they should be designed to be easily torn off.
- RFID tags or inlays should not cover important text or images on packaging so information remains visible and legible.
- Avoid placing RFID inlays on the bottom of polybags or boxed items to reduce read interference.
- RFID inlays should not overlap with EAS tags. Place them separately to avoid performance issues.
- If a country-of-origin sticker is required, ensure it remains visible. If needed, print country-of-origin information on the RFID label.
- Avoid staples, perforations, swift tachs, folding, or die cuts through inlays, which can reduce readability.
- Inlay stickers are commonly placed on packaging. If easily removable, they may be applied directly to the item.
Turn RFID data into visibility
Tagging is only part of the program. The real value comes from turning RFID data into operational visibility, verification, and analytics across teams and locations.
- Inventory visibility and exceptions
- Shipping and receiving verification
- Traceability for critical events
- Supplier and site performance reporting
See how RTI supports enterprise visibility at eP360, or explore industry workflows under retail.
Get Help With RFID Program Execution
If you are responding to RFID mandates or improving item-level visibility, RTI can help you plan tagging workflows, improve data quality, and connect RFID to enterprise visibility and analytics.
RFID FAQ
What does RFID stand for?
RFID stands for radio frequency identification. RFID systems use tags and readers to identify items and assets, often without requiring line-of-sight scanning.
How does RFID improve inventory accuracy?
RFID can improve inventory accuracy by making item identification faster and less dependent on manual scanning, which can reduce missed counts and data errors in many environments.
Do suppliers have to encode RFID tags?
In many programs, suppliers are responsible for selecting approved inlays, encoding tags accurately, and applying tags correctly so they can be read throughout the supply chain.
What are the two common RFID encoding approaches?
Suppliers typically choose either a service bureau or packaging provider for encoding, or an in-house workflow using RFID printers for on-demand encoding and printing.
Where should RFID tags be placed?
RFID tags should be placed to support readability and compliance, avoid covering required packaging information, avoid overlap with EAS tags, and remain removable by the customer when required.