Many products are manufactured by going through a series of distinct assembly or manufacturing stages. Sometimes the raw materials or subassemblies are placed into a tote or container as they pass from one station to another.

RFID technology may be used to uniquely identify a tote or an assembly. As product is passed from station to station the tag may be automatically read to confirm that it has reached that stage of the manufacturing process. As these tags are read the status of the manufacturing process for each item may be reported back to the local MRP system to allow for an efficient and timely recording of status changes.

These status changes may also serve to deplete raw materials automatically as each stage is complete when raw materials are stocked near the assembly station.

As work is completed at each station routing information may be written to the tag to send the product to the next station that is appropriate. QC Inspection changes may also be recorded if necessary.

As product is completed the tags may be reclaimed or totes reassigned to new assemblies or products at the beginning of their manufacturing cycle.