Here’s how Italy’s national airline achieved 99% traceability and zero waste in managing onboard catering trolleys.
ITA Airways, Italy’s flag carrier, implemented an innovative RFID-based asset management system to optimize the traceability of onboard catering trolleys.
The project, developed in collaboration with InfinityID, enabled the complete elimination of waste, optimized maintenance processes, and improved operational efficiency through a real-time monitoring system.
In the highly competitive aviation industry, where every minute of operation counts, efficient onboard asset management is a critical factor in ensuring punctuality, service quality, and cost control. ITA Airways chose to address this challenge through digital innovation by implementing a cutting-edge RFID solution that radically transformed its logistics and maintenance processes.
Reduced operational costs
Improved sustainability
Increased operational efficiency
Superior service quality
Solution scalability
ITA Airways stands out for its technological innovation and strong focus on the digitalization of operational processes. With a modern fleet and advanced technological infrastructure, the airline launched an ambitious asset management optimization project aimed at improving operational efficiency and passenger service quality.
The strategic objective was clear: to implement an automated traceability system that would ensure full visibility across all onboard assets, reduce waste, optimize maintenance, and support data-driven operational decisions based on real-time insights.
Before implementing RFID technology, traditional catering trolley management presented significant critical issues directly impacting operations, costs, and sustainability.
To understand the impact of traditional asset management, it is essential to examine the key challenges ITA Airways faced prior to adopting RFID technology:
The core issue: Even in the aviation industry, the absence of an automated asset traceability system leads to operational inefficiencies, high costs, resource waste and negative environmental impacts.
In collaboration with InfinityID, ITA Airways implemented an advanced RFID-based asset management system tailored specifically for the aviation industry.
The solution combines RFID hardware designed for high-performance asset tracking with InfinityID’s cloud-based platform, enabling real-time visibility of every catering trolley.
The implemented system is based on a set of technological components designed to ensure continuous traceability, process automation, and fully data-driven onboard asset management:
Together, these elements form a unified architecture that enables ITA Airways to monitor every asset reliably and instantly, creating a solid foundation for large-scale operational optimization.
The implemented solution provides advanced capabilities that fundamentally transform onboard asset management:
The implementation of the RFID asset management solution generated concrete and measurable results across all operational areas of ITA Airways.
The project’s success was made possible by a co-innovation approach involving all key stakeholders: internal ITA Airways departments (operations, maintenance, logistics, IT and procurement), catering suppliers (for integration of trolley delivery and return processes), maintenance teams (for system calibration to specific intervention requirements), and airport logistics (to optimize flows between gates, hangars and storage areas).
This collaborative RFID project management approach ensured the solution was tailored to the specific needs of each process, guaranteeing smooth adoption and measurable results from the earliest implementation stages.
Continuous performance monitoring enabled fully data-driven management, fostering ongoing operational improvement across all departments involved.
The implementation of RFID technology at ITA Airways represents a best-practice example of how digital innovation in aviation logistics can generate tangible results in operational efficiency, environmental sustainability and cost optimization – even within the complex air transport sector.
This nationwide digitalization project enabled InfinityID to win the prestigious Premio Innovazione SMAU 2024, confirming the importance of implementing flexible digital solutions co-developed with the client and tailored to specific operational needs.
A legacy of passion since 1939
The history of Bignami began nearly 85 years ago, evolving from a local retail shop into a major wholesale distributor specializing in hunting, firearms, and shooting sports, later expanding into the archery sector.sports, later expanding into the archery sector.
Today, the company operates on an international scale, offering an extensive and diverse product range showcased on their website, Bignami.it. Their operations are organized into 4primary macro-sectors:
Each sector is exclusively powered by top-tier products sourced from the global market. Their guiding principle is simple yet effective: “The best for everyone, from around the world.”
Drastic reduction in human error
Significant time savings during goods quality checks
Automation of order fulfillment procedures
Zero claims for non-compliant goods
Bignami has chosen to implement an advanced InfinityIDsolution to optimize shipping control and minimize warehouse management errors. By adopting RFID tags instead of traditional barcodes, the company can automatically identify packages and verify the correct preparation of outbound pallets. This system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual quality checks.
To further enhance efficiency, Bignami’s warehouses have been equipped with innovative RFID Portals and RFID Tunnels dedicated to scanning outbound products. These devices automatically verify shipment compliance. The operator simply starts the process via a terminal, while InfinityID’s software monitors the count in real-time and alerts the operator to any anomalies requiring intervention.
Once the shipment is confirmed to match the order, the portal opens, allowing the process to be completed with total accuracy. Furthermore, Bignami required precise control over product locations within the warehouse. Thanks to the integration between InfinityID’s software platform and the client’s ERP system, this process has been fully automated.
The InfinityID platform provides the real-time, precise location of every item using dedicated RFID tags applied to products and RFID readers distributed throughout the facilities. InfinityID’s software platform efficiently manages item identification and serialization, automatically communicating product locations to the client’s ERP. Simultaneously, the ERP system feeds InfinityID’s software essential data, such as master item records (with associated barcodes) and supplier purchase orders for warehouse reconciliation.
Before InfinityID’s intervention, the management of cases containing precision and maintenance tools presented operational issues that affected intervention times.
How LAF improved shipping efficiency and warehouse management through the adoption of advanced InfinityID solutions and the use of RFID labels.
The project generated measurable benefits in production batch management, warehouse operations and logistics workflows. By leveraging RFID technology, LAF automated key processes, ensured accurate tracking of IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers), and enhanced operational efficiency while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
Drastic reduction of human error
Time savings during goods quality checks
Automation of order fulfillment procedures
Real-time shipment verification
LAF srl, part of the DEA&DEA group, consolidates the expertise of companies that have been leaders in preparing industrial packaging for reuse for over 25 years.
A strong commitment to environmental responsibility, combined with comprehensive environmental authorizations and certifications, as well as a specialized team working with passion and professionalism, ensures high-quality services for LAF’s clients.
Each IBC is labeled on-site by applying a tag that integrates an RFID chip. The encoding process is performed simultaneously with label printing using specialized printers, which transfer the information from the InfinityID database to the RFID chip.
By using handheld RFID readers, LAF can verify in real time all IBC codes loaded onto a given vehicle, automatically recording them on transport documents and invoices, ensuring data accuracy.
LAF uses two LOGiC suites: “Real Time Inventory” to have a real-time view of IBCs in the warehouse and “Document Manager” to track all RFID transactions performed with handheld readers. These solutions allow operators to access ERP information in real time, ensuring an efficient connection between operational activity and data flow within the management system.
Thanks to RFID inventory and scanning, LAF warehouse staff can easily identify which IBCs to pick from the warehouse while complying with all applicable regulations. RFID reading verifies the consistency between expected and actual items, flagging any discrepancies that require operator intervention, ensuring reliable and accurate shipment management.
Terna, Italy’s leading electricity transmission system operator, implemented a cutting-edge solution based on RFID technology and InfinityID software to ensure the traceability of cases containing technical equipment.
The project made it possible to overcome inefficiencies related to manual management, transforming the warehouse into an automated digital ecosystem. Thanks to the integration of UHF on-metal tags and intelligent reading kiosks, the company achieved complete real-time visibility over equipment movements, ensuring operational continuity and a significant reduction in costs associated with the loss of critical assets.
Real-Time traceability (100%)
Reduced asset loss
Low impact implementation
Founded in 1999 in Rome, Terna – Rete Elettrica Nazionale S.p.A. is a strategic pillar of the energy sector in Italy and worldwide. The company manages 98.6% of the national grid and is Europe’s leading independent transmission system operator.
With annual revenue of approximately €3.68 billion (2024) and more than 6,400 employees, Terna chose to digitize its internal logistics processes in order to support field operations with the highest standards of efficiency. The adoption of InfinityID’s RFID technology is part of this ongoing innovation strategy.
Before InfinityID’s intervention, the management of cases containing precision and maintenance tools presented operational issues that affected intervention times.
The solution implemented by InfinityID is based on a low-impact stand-alone infrastructure that did not require any changes to the systems already in use.
The solution transforms equipment retrieval into an immediate and digital process.
The integration of RFID technology radically optimized Terna Driving Energy’s workflow.
How the Ceramics Industry achieved 99%+ accuracy and optimized mould maintenance with RFID
Emilceramica, part of the prestigious Marazzi Group, has implemented a cutting-edge system based on RFID technology and InfinityID’s software for the management and traceability of industrial moulds.
The project transformed manual, suboptimal processes into an automated digital workflow, ensuring effective predictive maintenance and a drastic reduction in machine downtime. By integrating IoT hardware with a dedicated software platform, the company gained total visibility into the lifecycle of these critical, high-value production components.
Elimination of Machine Downtime
Warehouse Optimization
Operational Cost Reduction
Seamless Integration
Founded in 1961 in Fiorano Modenese, Emilceramica is a historic benchmark for excellence within Italy’s renowned ceramic district. Specialising in the production of ceramic floor and wall tiles, the company has established a powerful international presence, now distributing its solutions in over 70 countries.
To uphold its high quality standards, Emilceramica chose to adopt RFID technology to digitise the lifecycle of its moulds. This initiative simultaneously targets industrial inefficiencies by transforming maintenance from a reactive approach to a predictive one.
This strategic shift has enabled the company to slash operational costs and eliminate unplanned machine downtime.
Before InfinityID’s intervention, mould management presented several critical issues that directly impacted profitability and production flow.
The implemented solution integrates high-durability RFID tags, fixed readers on the presses, and handheld mobile devices for end-to-end management.
These integrated elements enable Emilceramica to optimise automatic monitoring and maintenance cycles, leading to tangible cost savings and immediate time efficiency.
The adopted solution offers advanced functionalities that radically transform the operational management of moulds:
The integration of RFID technology and InfinityID’s software has transformed internal logistics for the Marazzi Group.
MedicAirMedicAir Group, for more than 40 years, has been the benchmark in the design and delivery of health care services and the development of gas-related technologies for the treatment and improvement of quality of life.
MedicAir, with our 28 operating units, is active in the medical, food and industrial sectors, sectors that are apparently very distant from each other but which share a common objective: to guarantee the health of the assisted.
Every day with its medical divisions it offers diagnostic and care services: providing life-saving therapies such as oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition and telemonitoring of vital parameters, as well as manufacturing and distributing anti-decubitus systems.
It also provides palliative care and an Integrated Home Assistance (ADI) service.
With its food division, on the other hand, it processes Foods for Special Medical Purposes to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from dysphagia and associated diseases.
Finally, for more than 70 years, we have been operating in the industrial gases and food gases sector and supply all the technologies necessary for their use.
MedicAir has chosen to install RFID solutions from InfinityID to manage without risk of error or loss the traceability of all its medical devices, especially liquid and gaseous oxygen cylinders
By replacing normal barcode labels with smart RFID tags placed directly on the cylinders, it is now able to automatically identify goods entering and leaving its warehouses and storage facilities.
This innovative system provides a real-time view of the status of products, always being certain of how many cylinders are in the warehouse and how many are at the customer’s premises.
Thanks to the hand-held RFID readers supplied to the operators, goods are managed in a massive way, accurately identifying thousands of articles entering and leaving the depots and warehouses, thus avoiding the possibility of losing products.
The MedicAir operator only has to ensure that the process is started. Everything else is taken care of by LOGiC, the InfinityID software, which shows in real time what is on the incoming and outgoing load, communicating the data to the management system.
Having ascertained that everything corresponds to the order, the shipment can be approved, safe in the knowledge that there will be no errors.
Timely control of the location of one’s own cylinders
Drastic reduction of human error
Saving of time during goods control
Automation of goods handling procedures
Automatic and reliable data source for data analysis
Metal Work is a company specialising in the production of pneumatic components for industrial automation with more than 50 years of experience and based in Brescia. Today, the company is one of the most significant in the sector, with a catalogue of over 1700 pages. More than 500 employees currently work in the Concesio (BS) factory, while the Italian and foreign sales structure consists of more than 800 people.
Product distribution and service are entrusted to 50 branches in Italy and abroad that are in direct daily contact with the market and offer extensive pre- and after-sales service. Product quality and sales organisation are the foundations on which Metal Work rests firmly.
With its commercial structure fragmented into multiple sales outlets, logistics is one of the cornerstones of distribution. The management of receiving and shipping movements is optimised thanks to RFID technology. The classic hanging tag with barcode has been replaced by a 4.0 version containing an RFID tag, which enables massive and punctual readings without the need for item-by-item control.
RFID printers were installed to encode RFID labels and print production data. The packing stations have been equipped with RFID desks and RFID label readers have been installed that can detect all items already placed in boxes on pallets in seconds.
Logistics management is efficient and the solution is integrated with the ERP.
Metal Work chose to install an InfinityID solution in order to have more control over shipments and zero errors at the outbound end. By replacing normal barcode labels with RFID tags, it was able to identify packages automatically and verify that outgoing pallets were prepared correctly, avoiding time-consuming manual quality checks.
The loading bays of Metal Work’s warehouses have been equipped with special RFID portals to read the outgoing goods, allowing the batch to be weighed and its conformity checked.
The operator only has to ensure that the process is started via the terminal. Everything else is taken care of by Logic, the InfinityID software, which shows the count in real time and signals the need for the operator to check for inconsistencies.
Once it has been ascertained that everything corresponds to the order, the portal is opened and the shipment can be completed, safe in the knowledge that there will be no errors.
This system was implemented in the company in just one month and has enabled Metal Work to save time on quality control and to reduce complaints about nonconforming goods to zero.
Drastica riduzione dell’errore umano
Risparmio tempo durante il controllo qualità merce
Automazione procedure di evasione merce
Riduzione a zero dei reclami per merce non conforme.
Nara Camicie is an Italian brand that has specialised in the production of shirts since 1984. Characteristic of the company is its franchised distribution, which began more than 30 years ago with the opening of its first shop in Via Montenapoleone in Milan.
Due to its fragmented commercial structure in multiple shops, logistics is one of the cornerstones of distribution. Receipt and dispatch handling is optimised thanks to RFID technology. The classic hanging tag with barcode has been replaced by a 4.0 version containing an RFID tag, which enables massive and punctual readings without the need for item-by-item control.
RFID printers were installed to encode RFID labels and print production data. The packing stations have been equipped with RFID desks and RFID label reading portals have been installed that can detect all items already placed in boxes on pallets in seconds.
Logistics management is efficient and the solution is integrated with the ERP.
Gestione puntuale inbound/outbound
Drastica riduzione dell’errore umano
Verifica immediata mancanze ed eccedenze
Eliminazione di supporti cartacei per gestione documentale
Automazione procedure di ricezione e invio merce
Givova, an Italian brand of technical sportswear and sports accessories, creates products of excellent quality without sacrificing a competitive price that guarantees maximum value for money.
Givova, through the excellent quality and completeness of its product range, succeeds in fully meeting consumer needs, supporting them with impeccable service and manic attention to detail.
In addition, the Campania-based company has been the supplier of sportswear to the contestants of the reality TV shows ‘Big Brother’ and ‘The Island of the Famous’.
Givova required a system that would give them greater control over the goods during inbound, outbound and inventory operations. They also needed to control and manage the goods within the warehouse.
How did we solve these problems? Each article was equipped with an RFID tag with which its movement within the warehouse can be automatically tracked.
Thanks to the RFID portal, goods management now takes place automatically, with the exact number of thousands of articles entering and leaving being indicated. In addition, we have optimised the picking and packing phases through the use of tablets for picking articles and reading tables for preparing boxes.
Elimination of paper for document management
Drastic reduction of human error
Immediate verification of shortages and surpluses
Maximum precision in the control of articles
Automation of goods receipt and dispatch procedures
S.I.D.A.T. Group is based in Turin and specialises in automotive components.
The company was founded in 1990 in a 250 m2 factory in Vinovo. The fusion of skills and experience, deriving from the electromechanical, electronic and vehicle air conditioning component sectors, allowed the company to broaden their outlook by founding the S.I.D.A.T. brand, KRIOS for the distribution of Air Conditioning components and the FISPA brand.
This represented an important national and international expansion for them and a considerable widening of their product range.
The S.I.D.A.T. project was born out of the need to digitise work that was previously carried out through manual operator support, in order to achieve time and cost savings, and a reduction in errors.
S.I.D.A.T. has not only achieved accuracy in counting goods, but has also speeded up and simplified the process.
The company significantly reduced its order preparation time, achieving an effective saving of 75% in the preparation of its shipments.
The benefit was immediate, now thanks to RFID technology, the company went from processing one order within 10 minutes to processing four orders in the same time frame.
Elimination of paper-based order handling
Drastic reduction of human error
Speeding up processes
Maximum precision in article control
Automation of goods dispatch procedures