Project Overview
Founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co is one of the world’s most renowned jewelry brands. Since 2021, Tiffany & Co has been present in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The brand’s product lines—high-value gold and diamond jewelry—require absolute precision in inventory tracking and control.
Challenges
Tiffany & Co currently manages inventory by SKU, using barcodes for item identification. Each product type is assigned a unique barcode, and inventory is tracked by SKU quantity. Daily inventory counting by scanning each barcode is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Inaccuracies can occur, requiring multiple recounts.
With the introduction of RFID technology, each individual item is assigned a unique tag ID, regardless of whether the items are the same or different SKUs. This transition from barcode-based (SKU-level) to RFID-based (item-level) tracking presents a challenge for staff, as it requires a shift in mindset and operational processes. Ensuring data synchronization between the system and physical inventory must be done consistently and accurately to avoid discrepancies.
Implementation Plan
RFID technology was deployed to manage inventory from warehouse to retail stores. To transition from barcode labels to RFID tags, the project implemented the following components:
- RFID label stock and RFID printers
- Fixed RFID readers
- Handheld RFID readers
- Inventory management and tracking software
- Integration and synchronization with the existing POS and inventory system
Key deployment steps include:
- Printing and applying RFID tags, and mapping product data from the current system to the new RFID-based system
- Transitioning all inventory control and product search operations at warehouses and stores from barcode-based tools to RFID-enabled applications and devices
- Enabling real-time data synchronization between the RFID system and existing software for key operations such as inbound, outbound, transfers, sales, and returns
- Installing RFID detection gates for security alerts when tagged items are moved without proper authorization
Key Benefits
- Optimized resources in operations, control, and inventory management
- Real-time inventory data updates improve stock availability, enhance sales performance, and ultimately deliver a better customer experience
