LOCATION-BASED STORAGE IN WAREHOUSE LOGISTICS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

Objective. To conduct a systematic comparative analysis of automatic identification methods (barcoding and radio-frequency identification) in the context of implementing various types of location-based inventory management, in order to justify the selection of an optimal technological strategy for warehouse logistics. Materials and Methods. The research is based on a systematic and comparative analysis of existing automatic identification technologies and warehouse space organization models. The methodology includes the classification of storage types (static, dynamic, combined, and bracket) and a functional assessment of the capabilities of barcodes compared to RFID systems. Results. It has been established that the effectiveness of identification methods directly correlates with the selected type of location-based storage. It has been found that for static storage, barcoding remains an economically viable and sufficient tool, providing acceptable inventory accuracy at a low implementation cost. It has been proven that in dynamic storage with high transaction intensity, the fundamental limitations of barcodes (the need for direct line of sight, manual scanning, susceptibility to damage) become a critical barrier. It has been determined that radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology eliminates these bottlenecks by enabling the simultaneous contactless reading of a group of tags, facilitating the transition to continuous inventory tracking and real-time data accuracy. Conclusion. The research results confirm that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for automating logistics processes. The choice between barcoding and RFID should be based not on technological trends, but on a clear analysis of the storage model (static or dynamic), inventory turnover intensity, and economic feasibility. A combined strategy is considered the most advanced, in which RFID technology serves as the driver of the warehouse’s digital transformation during the transition to high-turnover dynamic storage, while barcodes retain their niche in low-turnover operations.