RFID Shipping Module
Introduction
The RFID shipping module lets you encode RFID data from Cienapps directly into your shipping labels. With the right equipment at your loading bay, you can automatically track products as they leave your facility.
Prerequisites
To use this feature, you must have the RFID module activated in Cienapps and a compatible RFID setup in place. You are responsible for providing and maintaining the necessary RFID infrastructure.
This includes elements such as antenna placement and configuration, the server where readings are stored, and any software managing communication between the antennas and the hub.
Cienapps requires RFID readings to be stored in a Microsoft SQL Server database. While the table name can be customized, it must follow the structure below:
RFIDCode (nvarchar(250)): Stores the RFID code from each reading.
Status (nvarchar(50)): Indicates whether the item is IN or OUT. For example, use OUT when a package leaves the warehouse, and IN when it returns.
ReadDateTime (datetime2): Stores the timestamp of the reading.
Cienapps can be configured to access any table name, as long as the schema above is respected.
Furthermore, in order to print out RFID compatible shipping labels, you will need a printer able to encode RFID data onto a label and that is compatible with the ZPL language.
Setting up Cienapps
Activating the module
To print RFID shipping labels, the RFID Shipping module must be activated. Contact your Cienapps account manager for more information on how to enable this module.
Configuring the connection to the MS SQL Server
Before using the RFID module, you must configure the connection to the database. To do this, open the RFID Settings window and provide the following details:
Server Address: The address of the server hosting the MS SQL database. This can be an IP address (e.g., 10.10.10.4) or a hostname (e.g., MSSQLServer1).
Username: The SQL user with access to the table containing RFID readings.
Ensure this user has the appropriate read permissions and that their default database is correctly set.
Password: The password for the SQL user.
Table: The name of the table storing RFID readings. It must follow the schema outlined in the prerequisites above.
Use the Test button to verify that Cienapps can successfully connect to the database. Make sure to Save the connection information before closing the window.
Printing out your shipping labels
Once the module is activated, no additional configuration is needed to print RFID shipping labels. You can continue printing labels as usual—Cienapps will automatically include the necessary RFID data for inventory tracking.
Currently, RFID-enabled labels are printed from the label printing configuration window in Cienapps.
The printed labels will include the RFID data needed to track inventory as it leaves your warehouse.
Note: RFID labels are distinct from standard shipping labels. To request changes to RFID labels, please contact your Cienapps project manager.
Note: If the printer outputs VOID or blank labels, it may require recalibration. Refer to your printer provider for instructions on how to recalibrate the device.
Syncing the shipped out packages with Cienapps
Currently, Cienapps requires syncing the shipping file with the MS SQL database to ensure inventory accuracy. To do this, open the shipping file for the relevant work order and click the RFID Import button. This will query the RFID database and check for any readings associated with the work order.
If no readings are available for the work order, a message will appear indicating that no tags were found for this shipping file.
If readings are found in the database, you’ll be prompted to select which ones to import. In the example shown, a product B-AFE was returned IN after being shipped out. Importing this entry will reduce the shipped-out quantity in Cienapps by one.
In most cases, you’ll primarily see products marked as OUT. Importing these will increase the shipped-out quantity by the amount shown in the window.
