Calo unlocks RFID functionality for Beca project at NZ Steel

Keeping track, to the last box of screws

NZ Steel has partnered with the NZ Government and Contact Energy to reduce New Zealand's steelmaking emissions by around 45% through the construction of an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Beca will provide project management and engineering services on this groundbreaking $300 million project.

An engineering project of this size involves a significant number of parts, large and small, and efficient management of these is critical. This is where Beca have seen the opportunity to utilise ZenTag’s RFID hardware, and brought in Calo to build the connection to their existing QuickBase system.

Accuracy and efficiency

As parts are offloaded from shipping containers into the covered storage area, each item from a box of bolts for a hopper to a to the hopper itself has an RFID sticker attached. Using the app built by Calo, the RFID stickers are linked to the parts database. The project is expected to be completed in 2027, with over 300 shipping containers of parts used over the project period.

These stickers are scannable from up to five metres using a hand-held RFID reader, with the system creating efficiencies in both tracking inventory and the ease of locating parts as they are needed. For example, construction contractors will submit a parts request through the app and the fulfillment will use the RFID scanner to quickly locate the parts and deliver them on an order picking trolley.

By logging and collecting parts through the app, the Beca team can easily keep track of what has been used throughout the project, giving live information on stock levels while reducing errors and working faster.

Building a connection

Beca’s engineers use a low-code application development platform to build a project management tool. This has already been used by Beca for multiple projects, so employees are familiar with the system, it met most of their needs and there was no business case to change it.

When Beca recognised the benefits of using the RFID technology to create efficiencies for a project of this scale, they needed to engage a software developer to unlock further functionality and take their project management tool to another level.

ZenTag is one of New Zealand’s leading providers of RFID technology and was able to supply the hardware Beca needed. Based on previous successful collaborations they recommend Beca engage Calo to build the bridge between Beca’s existing PM tool and the RFID hardware.

Low-code tools are an effective digital solution organisations can use in-house, and this collaboration between Beca, ZenTag and Calo shows the value of bringing in the support of external experts to further develop existing tools to enhance functionality.