RFLocus

RFLocus operates a telematics platform focused on high-precision location tracking for inventory and assets using passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The company was founded by Hajime Kamiya, who now serves as Chairman, with Akihito Hashido leading as the current CEO. The firm's core business revolves around solving inefficiencies in inventory management where the specific location of items is often unknown, a common issue in retail, manufacturing, and logistics. By providing real-time positioning of tagged items, RFLocus helps clients reduce time spent searching for products, prevent lost sales from out-of-stock situations, and streamline warehouse operations.

The company's primary offering is Locus Mapping, a patented, cloud-based platform that displays the location of RFID-tagged items on a digital map. This system utilizes a proprietary phase-based tag locating technology, which performs over 400 readings per second to determine an item's position in three dimensions with an accuracy of under 20 degrees. A key advantage is its ability to use inexpensive passive RFID tags and existing handheld readers, avoiding the significant hardware costs associated with solutions like ceiling-mounted readers. Complementing the mapping platform is the P3 Finder, a Software Development Kit (SDK) for Android devices that provides a 3D graphical display for searching and pinpointing multiple items simultaneously. This has proven effective for customers like Japanese fashion retailer Baroque Japan, which uses the app in its distribution center and over 150 stores to quickly locate merchandise.

RFLocus generates revenue through its SaaS model and serves a global clientele of retail, manufacturing, and logistics companies. The platform supports various operational workflows, including inbound/outbound logistics, inventory counts (shelf-audits), and picking. The company has also developed specialized applications, such as Locus Fork, which integrates the system with forklifts to automate inventory scanning in warehouses, and a solution for tool management in high-stakes environments like airport maintenance facilities. As a venture capital-backed entity, RFLocus has secured funding from investors including Mitsui Fudosan, Yasuda Logistics, and Global Ascent Partners.

Keywords: RFID location tracking, inventory management software, passive RFID, asset tracking, Locus Mapping, real-time location system, P3 Finder, warehouse automation, retail inventory solutions, logistics technology, supply chain visibility, 3D tag mapping, telematic platform, inventory accuracy, stock management, item search, digital map inventory, forklift automation, tool tracking, Baroque Japan case study, Hajime Kamiya, Akihito Hashido, cloud-based inventory