Faconnable, TAGSYS Roll Out Fashion Industry’s Most Extensive RFID Inventory Management System Deployment

TAGSYS RFID announced it is rolling out a global deployment of its FiTS (Fashion-item Tracking System) integrated RFID system with one of the world’s top fashion brands, Façonnable. The implementation includes more than 70 branded retail stores, distribution centers on two continents, integration with third-party logistics suppliers and 100% coverage of the millions of items being sold by Façonnable and its retail partners. The result is complete item-level visibility throughout the supply chain through an optimized system for reducing costs and accelerating replenishment cycles.

The TAGSYS system is based on its innovative UHF RFID hardware and e-ConnectWare software to monitor inventory at each step in the supply chain. The FiTS system provides a centralized management dashboard that delivers detailed real-time information on product availability, shipment status and retail inventory levels. It integrates with existing business process systems such as Façonnable’s ERP system, as well as its distribution partners’ WMS solutions.

With the TAGSYS system, Façonnable management can quickly adapt product distribution and replenishment strategies to meet specific market and store needs, reducing item handling costs and improving sales opportunities through reduction of out-of-stocks.

“We have a complex global supply chain that requires timely and accurate information on all of our inventory. The TAGSYS system goes beyond typical RFID project-level implementations and gives us, from a single supplier, a true systematic approach to inventory management at each step of the product life cycle. It provides us the type of visibility and real-time data we need to dynamically make critical decisions on distribution and replenishment, both within our operations as well as with our third-party logistics suppliers and retail partners. The net result is time and cost savings that ultimately produces a better overall customer experience at the retail level,” said Yonni Mrejen, vice president of retail and operations at Façonnable.

Mrejen added that an additional benefit of implementing the TAGSYS system is that its inventory meets U.S. retailers’ RFID compliance mandates.

Beginning a pilot project a year ago, the company tested the TAGSYS system in retail environments and its two main distribution centers. The implementation is now expanding to include all 70 of Façonnable boutiques worldwide as well as its two logistics suppliers.

The deployment includes UHF garment hang tags, HHU-400 handheld readers, the SRU-400 point of sale reader, UHF Security Gates for theft prevention and TAGSYS’ e-Connectware software, which manages RFID data and provides an interface to back-office and in-store systems as well as enterprise applications. When items arrive at a distribution center or retail store, the merchandise is read as its passes through UHF portals positioned at a variety of checkpoints. As the events are recorded, the inventory is automatically updated within Façonnable’s management software.

“Façonnable’s use of our FiTS system represents the type of forward-looking and holistic vision required to realize the potential of RFID-based inventory management. They recognize the need to make this system an integral part of their overall business strategy, which will translate into bottom-line benefits and a rapid ROI on their RFID investment,” said Alain Fanet, CEO of TAGSYS.