Tillämpning av identifieringsteknik inom lagerhållning : En fallstudie inom kemiindustrin

Sammanfattning: The purpose of the report is to analyse how automatic identification technology affects traceability, and then analyse the effects of automatic identification technology on inventory management. This report is based on the research questions "How can barcodes and RFID affect inventory management?" and "What advantages and disadvantages can automatic identification technologies lead to in warehousing?". In order to answer the report's purpose and research questions, a case study was conducted. The company is a manufacturing company and is active in the chemical industry. The company is categorized as a large company located in western Sweden. Two challenges for the company are to reduce the number of incorrect deliveries and improve the inventory accuracy. These problems are due to the fact that activities in the company's warehouse are done manually. The consequence is reduced inventory efficiency and a risk for dissatisfied customers. During the 2017 fiscal year 45 non-conformances were registered, some of which derives from incorrect deliveries. Empirical data was collected through interviews, observations and internal documents. The case study consists of a process mapping in which the company's processes and activities have been mapped. To obtain a better basis for analysis, a literature study of earlier research was conducted in the field of traceability and automatic identification technologies. A summary of the literature study is found in the theoretical framework. The theoretical framework includes traceability, automatic identification and data capture (AIDC), barcodes and radio frequency identification (RFID).The results shows which activities in the process mapping that identification technologies can be applied to and what effects an application may lead to. It appears that the identification technologies have similar effects on inventory management as they both result in automated product identification and automated transfer of information. These effects in combination with an integration with the ERP-system can lead to increased inventory efficiency with fewer incorrect deliveries and improved inventory accuracy. The company is recommended to implement AIDC, however the study shows that further research needs to be carried out to investigate what kind of barcodes or RFID is most beneficial.