There’s a lot of media attention these days on the many ways technology can lift your supply chain operation to stratospheric heights but you usually don’t hear much about the stratospheric costs.

Sure, technology is making a big difference.

And it would be great if your employer opened the company safe and dumped it on your desk, telling you to “Go for it.” The odds of that happening? About the same as the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series.

But it’s OK. There are small steps you can make on the path to technological Nirvana, ones that will demonstrate the cost-efficiency and savings that can be realized.

Here are three technologies that might be bigger on your radar screen than many of the other ones:

• RFID. Over the past few years, RFID tracking has increased in efficiency and decreased in price. Handheld readers are ideal for shipment verification and updating inventory records. The next level of RFID promises “track and trace” capabilities.
• Portable printers. One of the hottest areas in inventory efficiency. Most operations are tied to one printer in a central location. Sturdy portable printers can create necessary paperwork on the spot at loading docks. Forklift operators can update pick lists while out in the aisles. Shipping/putaway labels can be made immediately.
•  Digital imaging. Do you have a digital camera? It’s great for documenting proof of delivery (and its condition), shelf displays, documentation, visual evidence for accident reports, damage for warranty claims — the list goes on.

Tags: inventory, records, RFID, technologies