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RFID in Cold Storage: Visibility Doesn’t Freeze Over

Inventory accuracy is hard enough in normal conditions now to add freezing temperatures, condensation, and constant movement. That’s the daily reality in cold storage warehouses, where paper-based logs and manual barcode scans just don’t cut it anymore.

With Zebra’s RFID hardware and Strategic Systems’ implementation expertise, cold storage operators can gain the one thing they’ve been missing: real-time visibility, no matter how cold it gets.

 

Why Cold Storage Warehouses Are Turning to RFID

Cold environments present a unique set of operational challenges:

  • Workers wear gloves, reducing scan speed and touchscreen use
  • Labels peel, smudge, or fail to scan due to condensation
  • Inventory moves quickly and often without documentation
  • Manual cycle counts waste time and expose employees to extreme conditions
  • Compliance and traceability are critical in food, pharma, and chemical storage

RFID solves these problems with touchless tracking, durable tags, and data that moves faster than your forklifts.

 

What RFID Looks Like in a Freezer Warehouse

Tag It Once Track It Automatically
Attach RFID tags to pallets, containers, or racks. As they move through RFID-enabled zones, location and status are logged without manual scanning.

Fixed Readers at Dock Doors & Zones
Monitor inbound, outbound, and internal movement automatically without interrupting workflows or relying on barcode lines of sight.

Mobile RFID for Spot Checks
With Zebra handhelds like the RFD40, staff can instantly check quantities, validate shipments, or locate misrouted goods even while wearing gloves.

Real-Time Inventory Accuracy
RFID makes full inventory counts possible in minutes, not hours.. reducing exposure to cold environments while boosting data reliability.

 

Zebra Hardware Built for Cold

Zebra’s rugged RFID lineup is made for harsh conditions:

  • Freezer-grade RFID tags and adhesive
  • Handheld and fixed RFID readers that function in low temperatures
  • RFID printers for on-demand tag encoding in staging areas
  • Durable form factors that resist fogging, cracking, and condensation buildup

When performance can’t be compromised by climate, Zebra delivers.

Strategic Systems Makes It Work

RFID in cold storage isn’t plug-and-play but Strategic Systems ensures it’s seamless.

We offer:

  • Site surveys and cold storage RFID assessments
  • Zebra hardware sourcing and pre-configuration
  • Workflow planning to align with warehouse movement
  • Optional RedBeam RFID software integration
  • Long-term support and performance monitoring

From the freezer floor to the cloud dashboard, we make sure your RFID system stays up and running.

 

Don’t Let Visibility Freeze

Cold storage is no place for guesswork. With Zebra RFID solutions and Strategic Systems’ hands-on support, your operation gets the visibility it needs to move faster, stay compliant, and protect what matters most.

Contact Strategic Systems for a cold storage RFID consultation.