RFID tags have long been used for identifying vehicles and materials, but their role is diminishing as technology evolves. Many companies have realized that RFID technology no longer meets today’s flexibility and efficiency requirements. Transitioning to a modern cloud-based weighing service offers numerous benefits, such as easy access to weighing data, improved process control, and reduced maintenance costs.
When the driver drives onto the vehicle scale, the sensors send signals to the weighing instrument, which processes the data and calculates the accurate weight. This information is displayed to the driver through the driver terminal, also known as the scale terminal or weighing terminal. In traditional systems, the driver terminal connects the vehicle scale system to other systems, such as logistics or warehouse management software. The weight data can also be stored in the company database for later use or printed using a receipt printer, which is often integrated into the scale terminal.
An RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification) is a small device containing unique information that enables wireless identification of the weighed object. RFID tags are commonly used in repetitive weighing scenarios, such as identifying vehicles or products. The tags store information, such as a vehicle’s registration number or a product identifier, which is read by an RFID reader—typically integrated into the driver terminal—and relayed to the system for processing.
Using RFID tags relies on readers and local systems that often require costly maintenance. This limits scalability, especially in situations where business needs evolve rapidly. While RFID tags have previously been an effective solution, their technical and logistical limitations make them less appealing in today’s operational environments.
These limitations include a short operational range and precise reader placement requirements, which demand continuous maintenance. Additionally, managing RFID tags can be cumbersome, as each vehicle requires its own tag, and drivers often need to carry multiple tags when transporting different materials. This increases logistical complexity and reduces system flexibility.
RFID technology presents several practical issues that hinder its usability. Drivers typically try to position their vehicles close to the driver terminal to use the RFID reader through the vehicle window. However, since vehicles vary in size, the terminal is often positioned at an inconvenient height or distance. This can lead to situations where the driver unintentionally hits the terminal with the vehicle, potentially causing damage, operational downtime, and unnecessary repair costs.
Another challenge is that the driver terminal is exposed to weather conditions. For example, rain and snow increase the risk of device damage, while sunlight can make the display difficult to read. Additionally, if the same scale is used for weighing vehicles traveling in both directions, RFID readers must be installed at both ends of the scale. This doubles the hardware requirements and further increases maintenance costs.
Old driver terminals should be replaced when they no longer meet today’s requirements, such as real-time data analysis, remote access, or seamless integration with other systems. Terminals that start to show recurring faults or become expensive and cumbersome to maintain can slow down operations and cause downtime. Cybersecurity is also a significant concern, as outdated systems may not comply with modern standards.
When planning to move away from old driver terminals, it’s essential to assess the long-term benefits of a new solution. Instead of replacing terminals with new hardware, companies can switch directly to fully cloud-based systems. This eliminates the need for traditional devices, reducing maintenance costs and improving process efficiency.
Cloud-based systems offer more than just weighing data management—they unlock the potential to optimize the entire weighing process. For example, centralized storage and analysis of weighing events in the cloud enable predictive decision-making, such as preventing bottlenecks or capacity issues.
Cloud-based weighing services integrate smoothly with other company systems such as logistics and ERP software. This improves the efficiency of the entire business workflow. Furthermore, modernization provides rapid scalability, allowing the system to adapt to changing needs easily and without significant additional investments.
Transitioning from RFID technology and outdated terminals to a modern cloud-based system provides significant advantages for businesses, including:
Learn more:
On-Premises vs. Cloud-Based Weighing System
Driver Self-Service Weighing
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