A RFID-based Intelligent Warehouse Management System Design and Implementation

A RFID-based intelligent warehouse management system (RFID-IWMS) is proposed in this paper. The RFID-IWMS helps to achieve better inventory control, as well as to improve operation efficiency. To this purpose, it automates the manual warehouse operation and provides tight integration with current warehouse management system (WMS). In this system, RFID tags are embedded in the pallets and shelves. In addition, forklifts are equipped with intelligent terminal as well as RFID reader and antenna to support automatic data scanning and storage location checking. Moreover, a middle layer software component is design to facilitate the communication between WMS, portable terminals and forklift terminals through wireless LAN. Besides, it also supports additional powerful functions such as forklift scheduling, picking sequence management and 3D shelves monitoring. The design of the system makes full use of the existing equipments and facilities and has the feature of low cost and quick inaction. Through real working practice in the distribution center of Bailian Group, the system is proved to be feasible in the aspects of both technology and cost.