RFID That Works

Sort Assistant

Sorting returned items quickly and accurately is simple with FE Technologies’ Sort Assistant. With its ability to process up to five items simultaneously, the Sort Assistant delivers significant back office efficiencies, freeing library staff to spend more time assisting customers.

Sort Assistant features a touch-screen monitor, docket printer and RFID pad. It also connects via SIP2 to the library management system. Library staff simply gather returned items and pass them five at a time over the Sort Assistant pad.

The system recognises whether the items need to go back on the shelf, be placed on hold for another patron or returned to a home library.

The items are colour coded as they are listed on the screen, to highlight each return status. On hold and return to home library status also triggers an audible alert. Sort Assistant automatically prints an information receipt for on-hold items to be used by staff.

Sort Assistant’s benefits are enhanced when used in conjunction with the RFID Bin, which calls up items to the local database as they pass through the returns chute, reducing the LMS response time.