RFID Tracking Glossary

Object capture is the targeted recording of information about a physical object so that it can be clearly identified and tracked within a system. In this process, an identifier is captured and linked to the relevant status, a point in time or the current process step. This creates the basis for object tracking to function consistently across multiple stages. The reliable assignment of this information helps to represent workflows more transparently and to trace changes within the process with confidence. The precise capture of individual goods, containers or operating equipment creates transparency in ongoing operations.

Object tracking refers to the systematic tracing of physical objects such as goods, containers or operating equipment by their location, status and movements within a process. In this context, identifiers are captured automatically, for example via RFID, and linked to events so that information is available in the system without manual intermediate steps. Depending on the application, the term overlaps with Asset Tracking, especially when operating equipment, tools or mobile resources are monitored in a targeted way. The clear assignment of movements and statuses improves the control of material flows and operating equipment in ongoing operations.

Occupational health and safety covers all technical, organisational and personal measures intended to protect employees from hazards in the workplace. In production and logistics, this includes safe workflows, suitable work equipment, clear labelling and the prevention of accidents or health-related strain. In the context of intralogistics and automatic data capture, occupational health and safety can also be supported by transparent processes, reduced manual intervention and better traceability of material movements. Effective occupational health and safety reduces risks in day-to-day operations and improves safety at workstations, transport routes and capture points.

An on-metal tag is a specially designed RFID tag intended for direct attachment to metal surfaces. Metal has a strong effect on radio fields and can interfere with signal transmission or significantly reduce the read range. Through a modified structure with suitable material layers, an on-metal tag reduces these effects and enables reliable identification on metal containers, tools or components. Such tags are particularly relevant where labels must function permanently on metal under industrial conditions and support stable object tracking. The correct choice and positioning of the tag largely determine whether metal objects can be detected reliably during ongoing operations.

One Piece Flow refers to a production principle in which workpieces are passed on individually and without intermediate buffers from one work step to the next. The aim is to create a consistent material flow with short throughput times, low in-process inventory and the rapid detection of deviations. Particularly in connection with batch size 1 and process automation, this principle supports closely coordinated workflows because each part is guided through the process in a targeted way and without unnecessary waiting times. In addition, One Piece Flow  can help to organise production processes in a more transparent and stable manner. The individual transfer of workpieces increases controllability and reduces unnecessary work-in-progress in production.

OPC UA is a standardised communication protocol for the secure exchange of data between machines, controllers and IT systems. In industrial environments, OPC UA is used as an interface to provide information in a structured and vendor-independent way. It can also be used for M2M communication between machines when data and statuses need to be exchanged directly and consistently. For RFID and auto-ID applications, this is important when captured data needs to be transferred into data integration without media discontinuity. Data and statuses are described in a uniform way so that equipment, identification technology and software can communicate cleanly with one another. Standardised communication supports the reliable transfer of captured and process data between the shop floor and IT systems.

Order management refers to the planning, control and tracking of orders throughout their entire process. In production and logistics, it ensures that order data, processing statuses and deadlines are brought together in a structured way and updated continuously. Using RFID tags, orders can be identified automatically and progressed within the process without additional manual input. This information is transferred to higher-level systems via an interface so that planning, control and feedback are consistently based on current data. Order management improves transparency across ongoing operations and supports the reliable control of production and logistics processes.

Order picking refers to the targeted selection and assembly of goods or materials for a specific order. The aim is to make the right items available in the required quantity at the right time for dispatch, production or internal supply. With RFID and other automatic identification technologies, this process can be made more transparent and less prone to errors through data capture, clear assignment and connection to an ERP system. Mobile devices such as handheld readers support the reliable capture of items, containers or storage locations directly within the process. Linking order data with identification improves accuracy and speeds up handling. The automatic capture of picked items reduces picking errors and increases process reliability in the warehouse.