RFID provides a leap-ahead advantage
RFID solution is helping DePuy Orthopaedics to streamline inventory processing.
BACKGROUND
US-based DePuy Orthopaedics, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is a leading provider of orthopaedic implants to preeminent surgeons worldwide.
CHALLENGE Every day, DePuy Orthopaedics gets hundreds of calls from hospitals and clinics requesting same-day shipment. In addition, every day hundreds of loaned inventory sets return, requiring rapid replenishment and reshipment.
SOLUTION
- DePuy Orthopaedics used an end-to-end RFID solution which employs DogBone UHF tags from UPM RFID.
- Instead of scanning boxed items individually, workers now replenish Express Care sets and load completed sets onto a conveyor belt in an RFID-scanned tunnel.
- Boxed items and completed sets are RFID-tagged, making it easy to verify orders prior to shipment.
- Processing time for each set was reduced from between 10 and 30 minutes to less than one minute, thanks to RFID.
- The UPM RFID solution gives DePuy Orthopaedics reliability and scalability under challenging conditions.
- RFID is allowing DePuy to get a jump on inventory management, improving its efficiency and customer service.
