Efficient Construction Logistics with RFID and the RCOM Gateway: Data Elektronik at Work on Stuttgart 21

For large-scale projects like the new Stuttgart Main Station, part of Stuttgart 21, precise and seamless logistics are essential. Hundreds of components, sourced from various production facilities, must arrive at the right place and time. This is where Data Elektronik's RFID technology, combined with the RCOM Gateway, played a vital role in enabling seele, a specialist in the construction of 27 skylights and 3 shell structures, to maintain full control over the logistics process.

In this article, we explain how our RFID solution, in combination with the RCOM Gateway, made the logistics at Stuttgart 21 more efficient and transparent—and how you, too, can benefit from this technology.

The Challenge: Complex Logistics at Stuttgart 21

The Stuttgart 21 project presents significant logistical challenges due to the size of the construction site and the sheer volume of components. Parts are sourced from production sites in Gersthofen and Pilsen, either transported directly to the construction site or to an interim storage facility. Ensuring that each component arrives on time and at the correct location requires accurate tracking of all movements.

This is where Data Elektronik’s RFID technology came into play. Together with seele, we developed a comprehensive tracking solution that digitally maps the entire journey of each component—from production to final installation. Crucially, our RCOM Gateway ensures smooth integration and communication between the RFID scanners and seele’s ERP system.

The Solution: RFID Tracking and the RCOM Gateway from Data Elektronik

RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification) enables seamless tracking of components. Each package is tagged with a passive RFID label containing all relevant information. RFID gates at production exits, interim storage facilities, and on-site automatically capture the components as they pass through, with the data instantly transmitted to seele’s ERP system via the RCOM Gateway, providing real-time updates.

The RCOM Gateway is key to the process, enabling fast and reliable communication between various RFID systems. It connects fixed RFID gates as well as mobile RFID scanners on the construction site to the central ERP system, ensuring that project managers have constant visibility of the status and location of each component.

How RFID Tracking Works with the RCOM Gateway

1. RFID Tagging at Production: Before a component leaves the production facility, it is tagged with an RFID label containing crucial information such as quantity and component name. When the truck leaves the site, an RFID gate automatically records the components.

2. Automated Capture at Interim Storage and Construction Site: Additional RFID gates at critical points, such as interim storage facilities and the construction site, capture components and transmit the data through the RCOM Gateway directly into the ERP system. This ensures continuous tracking of every component.

3. Mobile Scanners on the Construction Site: Workers on-site are equipped with mobile RFID scanners, which connect through the RCOM Gateway to the central system, allowing flexible data capture, such as during unloading or installation.

4. Final Installation and Process Completion: Once a component is installed, the RFID system records the final position and status of the component through the RCOM Gateway, marking the digital completion of the logistics process.

Benefits for seele and Stuttgart 21

By combining RFID technology with the RCOM Gateway, we helped seele efficiently manage the complex logistics of Stuttgart 21.

Key Benefits at a Glance:

- Seamless Traceability: With RFID technology and the RCOM Gateway, every component is traceable at any point—from leaving the factory to final installation.

- Real-Time Data: Thanks to the fast and reliable communication through the RCOM Gateway, all stakeholders have access to real-time data, allowing for quick responses to changes or challenges.

- Optimized Workflow: Searching for components and delays caused by incorrect or missing deliveries are completely eliminated. The construction progress is fully transparent through the system.

- Increased Efficiency and Cost Reduction: By optimizing workflows and eliminating manual processes, both time and costs have been significantly reduced.

- Sustainable Technology: The RFID transponders used are reusable, contributing to the project’s environmental sustainability.

The RCOM Gateway: The Heart of Digital Logistics

Data Elektronik's RCOM Gateway ensures real-time, reliable data flow between RFID systems and the central ERP system. It plays a crucial role in seamlessly integrating various logistics processes, allowing for maximum transparency and control over the construction progress.

With its flexible integration of both mobile scanners and fixed RFID gates, the system is incredibly versatile and can be used optimally on construction sites, in production, and in warehouses.

Efficient Logistics with RFID and the RCOM Gateway from Data Elektronik

The large-scale Stuttgart 21 project clearly demonstrates how modern technologies like RFID and Data Elektronik's RCOM Gateway can bring greater efficiency, transparency, and security to even the most complex construction projects. Our tailored solution helped seele digitize and optimize logistics processes, ensuring smooth construction progress.