Thinking of implementing an MES? Download our new guide to make sure you do it right. 

The Manufacturer's Guide to Going Digital
Close Top Bar
Schedule a Demo

RFID Journal Applauds MASS Group's Multiplexing Technology for Enhanced Asset & Inventory Control

Picture of MASS Group

Industries such as semiconductor, corrections, and aerospace & defense increasingly depend on accurate, real-time asset tracking for efficiency and control. MASS Group’s Traceability Made Easy® (TME®) platform, enhanced with Alien Technology’s Nexus Multiplexor, offers an innovative solution that scales operations without inflating costs. By connecting up to 16 antennas to a single RFID reader, TME® dramatically extends coverage across facilities, ensuring seamless asset tracking without the need for excessive hardware. Featured in RFID Journal's publication, this multi- zone tracking integration will increasingly help organizations streamline their processes, reduce asset loss, and gain real-time visibility into their operations.

The new multiplexing technology ensures efficient inventory and asset management without the need for excessive hardware, offering real-time data flow that improves operational efficiency. Industries experiencing labor shortages and complex asset management issues, like logistics and education, benefit from TME®’s enhanced visibility and automation capabilities.

How the Nexus Multiplexor Enhances Operations

Alien Technology has long been a leader in providing UHF RFID hardware, offering RFID chips, labels, readers, and antennas. With the addition of the Nexus Multiplexor, "Alien is taking a critical step towards achieving uninterrupted data flow in the IoT (Internet of Things) realm", as noted by Terrel Pruett, Alien’s VP of Sales and Marketing.

While active RFID systems can be expensive due to battery-powered sensors, passive RFID can only capture data where readers are installed, requiring significant investment in deployment. This high setup cost has often been a barrier to widespread adoption.

However, multiplexors offer a cost-efficient solution. The Nexus Multiplexor allows a single RFID reader to connect to up to 16 antennas, greatly expanding the read range while reducing costs. For example, a single reader with several antennas can track goods across multiple dock doors or cover numerous small zones within a warehouse or manufacturing facility. This enables more comprehensive tracking without the need for a large deployment of RFID readers, making real-time tracking more accessible.

Real-World Applications Across Various Industries

From aerospace and defense organizations tracking high-value assets to correctional facilities improving arms and key management, particularly in environments with numerous zones, the integration of RFID technology with multiplexing significantly enhances operational efficiency. Multiplexors allow broad coverage in warehouse zones or manufacturing floors, capturing accurate data without the high setup costs of active RFID systems. These improvements reduce lost assets, improve compliance, and automate audits in large-scale operations.

  • Corrections Facilities: TME® automates key check-in/check-out processes, minimizing risks of loss and improving compliance reporting.

  • Automotive Manufacturing: TME® offers real-time traceability of vehicle components, enabling faster inventory turns and meeting customer lead times.

  • Semiconductor Industry: TME® ensures real-time traceability of components, reducing errors and boosting production efficiency.

  • Aerospace & Defense: TME® enables real-time tracking of high-value assets, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards.

  • Entertainment Industry: TME® automates daily audits of high-value assets across multiple facilities, reducing asset loss and saving time for employees.

  • Education: TME® helps a charter school district monitor assets like laptops and furniture, streamlining asset management and reducing lost inventory across multiple campuses.

These industry applications showcase how real-time asset tracking and automation can revolutionize operations. From reducing lost assets in the entertainment industry to streamlining asset management in education, automated tracking systems have demonstrated their ability to enhance efficiency across various sectors. By automating audits, reducing manual errors, and improving visibility into inventory and asset locations, businesses can operate more smoothly, ensuring better resource allocation and productivity while minimizing operational disruptions.

Partner with MASS Group for Next-Level Traceability

For over 25 years, MASS Group has provided its asset & inventory tracking platform to customers and solution providers. As MASS Group founder, Gamal Balady, notes, “Our delivery point is more affordable than other solutions because of its seamless integration with Alien Technology’s developer tools.” While some clients already leverage multiplexor technology to expand their coverage areas, this often requires additional integration and configuration from solution providers or end users to fully optimize their operations.

Additionally, the automated features in MASS Group’s Inventory & Warehouse Management System offer real-time alerts, compliance tracking, and zonal data—ensuring companies stay compliant while reducing operational risk. The TME® platform’s flexible deployment makes it adaptable across industries, providing cost-efficient, scalable solutions to the growing demands for real-time tracking.

For companies looking to improve traceability, reduce asset loss, and boost operational visibility, MASS Group’s TME® platform offers the optimal solution, especially for organizations managing assets across wide areas with limited labor resources.

To learn more about how MASS Group can transform your operations, contact us at 1-800-842-2790 or visit our website to schedule a demo.

If you would like to read the full RFID Journal article you can access it here.