Millions of goods are carried every day all along the supply chain: from the producer to the consumer. Before reaching the consumer, the products have already passed through several stages: during the storage, processing, and final transportation. To do this, the industry actors are investing more an more in reusable assets as plastic crates for their storage and shipping needs. These crates can be washed and comply with the different industry production and processing standards.

As an reusable assets, plastic crates can be rapidly a large capital expense and time intensive consumer for the company when managing them in an effective way can be a differentiation factor in the marketplace and can improve, in a significant manner, your customer relationship.

This is why Authorised TouchStar partner 'Athelia Solutions' has created CrateFlow solution to give you total visibility on your plastic crates pool and to allow you mobile asset management for improving your capital return on investment.

CrateFlow is a real-time flow management and tracking solution based on RFID combined with data capture technology for a unique and reliable identification of the plastic crates, and, PowerFlow® mobile asset tracking middleware for managing each individual crates and its contents.

Tracking the individual crates through every step of the supply chain is realised. Each crate is linked to a specific customer order, bill of lading and invoice creating the necessary historical records.

CrateFlow is WEB compatible allowing users to consult and create various reports via internet. The solution can be configured to operate on its own or link to a WMS or ERP.

The key benefits this solution offers are:

• A real-time flow management and individual tracking system for plastic crates and its contents.
• Real time reporting on crate rotation.
• Measurable reduction of crate loss and theft.
• Better management of plastic crate rotation rate and tracking.
• Ability to generate more traffic without having to purchase additional plastic crates.
• Optimised inventory control.
• Maximisation of the number of crates being used.