Before the pandemic, if you asked someone on the street what a “supply chain” was, they would likely shrug their shoulders. When shortages occurred in simple, everyday products like toilet paper and paper towels, “supply chain” became a household word. No one paid attention to it until it failed. The shortages highlighted the critical importance of distribution and logistics, which wasn’t apparent when everything was plentiful on the shelves. The pandemic fundamentally shifted how we think about these topics, especially in the U.S., where the expectation is that everything you could want will ..read more

RFID is a highly useful and increasingly necessary technology that enables each process of the retail supply chain to track millions of items, from raw materials to the customer’s purchase.  Done right, RFID also provides extremely valuable data in real-time that enables better business decisions. That’s not new news. However, there are recent changes in retail RFID that every part of the supply chain needs to know about to stay competitive. The Ecosystem Is Evolving If you’re providing items for retail sale, you know that retail outlets require suppliers to tag merchandise at the factory ..read more

If you’re in the manufacturing business, it won’t be surprising that U.S. manufacturers still find hiring the workers they need challenging. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that there are 12.9 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and 467,000 openings as of September 2023. Hiring is even more problematic considering the specialization required for particular roles. Even more concerning is that 45% of manufacturing executives surveyed rejected growth opportunities because they couldn’t hire the needed people. The bottom line is this: when manufacturing businesses don’t have the workers ..read more

In an era dominated by e-commerce and omnichannel retail, the logistics and warehousing industry is experiencing a paradigm shift. With this transformation comes the need for efficient order fulfillment systems that can adapt to the dynamic demands of the market. Cloud-based Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have emerged as the linchpin of this evolution, offering a host of benefits that revolutionize the way warehouses operate. In this article we delve into the advantages of cloud-based WMS, and how warehouses are evolving to accommodate the demands of e-commerce and omnichannel retail, and ..read more

Zebra Technologies has officially launched the FXR90 Ultra-Rugged Fixed UHF RFID Reader. This cutting-edge device represents a significant leap forward in the world of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), offering unparalleled durability and performance. In this article we will explore the key features of the FXR90 and how it can revolutionize the performance of your rugged environment operations. The FXR90 Ultra-Rugged Fixed UHF RFID Reader: A Technological Marvel Zebra Technologies has long been at the forefront of innovation in the realm of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC ..read more

Dick’s Sporting Goods, following many other large retailers, recently required that as of January 1, 2024, suppliers must provide RFID tagging for most items they sell at their stores. Suppliers must conform to the GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard, GS1 tag placement standard, and the Auburn University ARC inlay standard. Products must be tagged correctly before they arrive at the stores. Here are a few of the product categories that must comply by January 1, 2024: Sports Athletic footwear Outdoor footwear Athletic apparel Golf apparel Sunglasses Electronics If you are or want to be a supplier to Di ..read more

Enhancing label printing solutions across the globe as part of Epson’s ProFocus ColorWorks® Program Memphis, TN – November 28, 2023 — MSM Solutions, a leading provider of RFID and barcode hardware and software solutions for manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and commercial applications, is thrilled to announce its official partnership with Epson, a global technology leader renowned for innovation in home, office, commercial, and industrial printing, as an authorized reseller of the Epson ColorWorks product line.  This agreement means MSM Solutions now has access to the most complete, inno ..read more

As we usher in the holiday season, the retail landscape is not just adorned with tinsel and ornaments; it’s also adorned with cutting-edge technology. In this blog post, we delve into the harmonious partnership between barcode and RFID technologies, and how this synergy is transforming the retail experience. We’ll also explore how RFID technology is contributing to an enriched in-store shopping adventure, making the holiday season merrier for both retailers and customers. Integrating Barcode and RFID for a Smarter Retail Experience Barcode and RFID technologies have long been key technologies ..read more

In an age where consumer safety and regulatory compliance are paramount, the pharmaceutical industry faces increasing pressure to ensure the integrity of its supply chain. The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) mandates stringent measures to protect consumers from counterfeit, adulterated, or otherwise compromised drugs. The adoption of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology, including barcoding and RFID, has emerged as a critical enabler in achieving compliance and safeguarding public health. Barcoding: Foundation of Electronic Tracing Barcodes have been a cornerstone ..read more

In an age where consumer safety and regulatory compliance are paramount, the pharmaceutical industry faces increasing pressure to ensure the integrity of its supply chain. The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) mandates stringent measures to protect consumers from counterfeit, adulterated, or otherwise compromised drugs. The adoption of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology, including barcoding and RFID, has emerged as a critical enabler in achieving compliance and safeguarding public health. Barcoding: Foundation of Electronic Tracing Barcodes have been a cornerstone ..read more