Industry

Distribution & Packaging

Problem

• Compliance mandate from major restaurant (food service) client
• Manual shipment tracking and documentation
• Risk of chargebacks for inaccurate shipments
• Limited visibility into inbound/outbound inventory
• Need for scalable solution for future customers

Solution

• RFID solution with dock door portals
• Xemelgo shipment and inventory software
• Zebra FX9600 and MC3330xR readers
• Integration with Epicor ERP
• Installation, training, and project management

Results

• Chargeback avoidance and shipment validation
• Faster load-out with reduced manual scanning
• Real-time shipment visibility
• Scalable for new docks, clients, and use cases
• Positive team adoption and streamlined workflows

RFID Enables Compliance and Efficiency for Multi-Site Food Service Distributor

Delivering shipment validation, reduced chargebacks, and scalable operational improvement through RFID and real-time data integration.

Company Overview

A national full-service distribution provider specializing in food service disposables and custom packaging supports restaurant food service chains and distributors across the United States. With an extensive footprint and a reputation for timely delivery, the organization plays a critical role in the supply chain for some of the country’s largest food service brands.

When one of its top customers introduced strict RFID shipment tagging requirements, the distributor needed to move fast. With long-standing trust in AbeTech, the operations and IT teams turned to our experts to implement a scalable RFID solution that would satisfy the mandate and enhance internal efficiency.

Business Challenge

A leading quick-service restaurant chain required all suppliers to implement RFID tagging at the case level and provide shipment-level data for validation and compliance. At the time, the distributor was using manual scanning processes and limited documentation, exposing the business to chargebacks, inefficiencies, and limited visibility into outbound shipments.

The most pressing issues included:

• Compliance Risk: Failure to meet RFID tagging and validation requirements risked penalties and revenue loss.
• Manual Documentation: The lack of automation slowed operations and increased the potential for error.
• Visibility Gaps: Inbound and outbound inventory tracking—particularly for overseas suppliers—was limited.
• Scalability Concerns: The solution needed to accommodate not just one client’s mandate, but future use cases and customer requests.

With internal IT resources already stretched thin, the distributor required a partner to deliver quickly, manage complexity, and ensure the solution worked across multiple locations.

Solution

AbeTech implemented a turnkey RFID solution designed to meet immediate compliance requirements and position the business for long-term success. The system was deployed across two operational sites, with a third location scheduled for rollout.

Technologies Implemented:

• Xemelgo Shipment Tracking for real-time case-level validation
• Xemelgo Inventory Management for improved product tracking
• SLS Dock Door Portals for automated RFID scans
• Zebra FX9600 and MC3330xR Readers
• Epicor ERP Integration for seamless data updates

Key Workflow Steps:

1. Pallets arrive either pre-tagged or tagged in-house
2. Product is received, staged, and prepared for shipment
3. RFID labels are applied to individual cases
4. Pallets pass through dock door portals for final scan
5. Shipment confirmation pushed into Epicor and shared with end customer
6. Historical data stored for audits and analysis

Results

The RFID solution delivered measurable impact within weeks of implementation—reducing manual effort, improving accuracy, and ensuring full compliance with the customer mandate.

Immediate Benefits:

• Chargeback Avoidance
• Faster Load-Outs
• Real-Time Visibility
• Simple User Interface with strong team adoption

Long-Term Benefits:

• Operational Efficiency
• Scalable Architecture
• Inventory Optimization
• Employee Satisfaction

“We had a lot of issues and we did what it took to fix the problem for the client and make it right. Invested the time and effort to make it work.”