Solutions · Enterprise Mobility & AIDC
Warehouse & Asset Tracking Solutions
Connect every receipt, move, pick and asset to your WMS and ERP with barcode, RFID, enterprise wireless and mobile computing.
The problem
Disconnected Inventory and Manual Tracking
Disconnected inventory
Stock records in the WMS or ERP drift away from what is physically on the shelf, so orders are promised against stock that is not there.
Manual tracking
Paper lists, typed quantities and periodic counts create delays and errors at every hand-off.
Invisible assets
Tools, containers and equipment are searched for instead of located, and audits take days.
Architecture
Connected Warehouse Architecture
Data moves from the tag to the business system in six layers. Each layer is specified, sourced and coordinated so the whole chain works together.
- 1
Tag
Barcode labels and RFID tags on items, cases, pallets and assets.
- 2
Scanner / PDA / Reader
Handhelds, scanners, wearables and fixed readers that capture the data.
- 3
Wi-Fi / 5G / LAN
Enterprise wireless and wired networks carrying reads in real time.
- 4
Edge / Middleware
Filtering, device management and event processing close to the operation.
- 5
WMS / ERP / Asset Platform
Business systems that hold inventory, orders and asset records.
- 6
Analytics & Automation
Dashboards, alerts and automated workflows built on accurate data.
Use cases
From Dock to Dispatch
- 01
Receiving
Scan or read incoming goods against the advance shipping notice and update the WMS on arrival.
- 02
Put-away
Confirm the location with a scan so stock is findable from the moment it is stored.
- 03
Picking
Guide pickers by handheld or wearable and verify each pick with a scan.
- 04
Cycle counting
Count with RFID or barcode during normal operations instead of closing the warehouse.
- 05
Asset tracking
Tag equipment, tools and returnable containers and record each movement.
- 06
Dispatch
Verify pallets and parcels at the dock before they leave.
- 07
Inventory audits
Reconcile physical and system stock with a walk-through read and exception list.
Related technologies
Technologies That Work Together
RFID
Bulk and automatic reads at docks, zones and during counts.
Learn more →Barcode
Low-cost identification for every item and location.
Learn more →Wi-Fi
Warehouse-grade wireless coverage for real-time updates.
Learn more →AMR
Autonomous mobile robots for material movement.
Learn more →WMS
Warehouse management system that receives every scan event.
Learn more →ERP
Financial and inventory master records kept in sync.
Learn more →Edge
Middleware and local processing for reader events.
Learn more →
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
01How do I start with warehouse asset tracking?
Start with one workflow and one area, for example dock receiving or tool tracking. Document the current process, the items, labels or tags, network coverage and the business system to update, then size the devices and readers for a pilot area before scaling.
02What is the difference between barcode and RFID?
Barcode scanning reads one printed label at a time and needs line of sight. RFID reads radio tags without line of sight and can read many tags at once, which speeds up counting and tracking. Barcodes cost less per item; RFID suits high-volume counting, asset tracking and automated portals. Many operations use both.
03How does RFID integrate with a WMS?
RFID middleware converts raw tag reads into business events and passes them to the WMS or ERP through the system’s interfaces, for example APIs or file exchange. Integration scope depends on the WMS vendor; Novatelia coordinates the RFID layer, the network and the integration partners.
04Which RFID reader is suitable for a warehouse?
Warehouses usually combine handheld UHF readers for counts and searches with fixed UHF readers at dock doors or conveyors for automatic movement events. The choice depends on read range, tag type, materials such as metal and liquids, network availability and mounting points, which are confirmed in a site review.
Next step
Discuss Your Warehouse Workflow
Share the workflow, the quantities and the systems involved. The request goes into the Novatelia RFQ system, where the team reviews it and coordinates suitable options with technology partners.