This article explains what the RFID scanner does in Rentopian, where you can use it, and how to use it day to day. For setup (connecting the device and the app to your account), see Connecting RFID Device.
What is the RFID scanner for?
The RFID integration lets you use a UHF RFID reader (supported model: 1128 Bluetooth® UHF RFID Reader) with the Rentopian RFID Android app so that scanning physical RFID tags updates Rentopian without typing barcodes or serial numbers. Tags on your items are read by the reader, sent through the app to Rentopian, and matched to the right inventory (serialized) items so they can be added to a form automatically.
In short: You scan tags with the reader in bulk; Rentopian adds the matching items for you in the right place.
Where does the scanner work?
The RFID scanner is available only on pages that support it. In those places you’ll see the scanner controls (scanner dropdown and Start Scan button) in the top section of the page.
1. Individual items (serialized inventory) page
Where: Products → open a product → open a variant that has serialized items (individual units with serial/barcode).
What it does: You can add serialized items to that variant by scanning their RFID tags instead of entering barcodes or serials by hand.
How you use it: Open the variant’s serialized-items section, click “Scan RFID Tags to Add”, choose the scanner if you have more than one, then click Start Scan. Scan the tags; each tag is matched to inventory and added to the list (within the allowed quantity for that division). When you’re done, finish the form as usual (e.g. save).
Use this when you’re receiving or registering items (e.g. new stock, or items you’re adding to a product’s serialized list).
2. Order View (Rent Out & Individual Items)
Where: Orders → open a transaction/order (Order View page).
On the Order View page, the RFID scanner works in the Individual Items screen/window. That’s where you assign which specific serialized units are going out with that order (which chair, which table, etc.). You can open that screen in two ways:
Individual Items link
At the top right of the products listing on the order (next to Edit), click Individual Items. The Individual Items modal opens. If your account has RFID enabled, the scanner controls appear at the top of the modal. Use Start Scan and scan the RFID tags on the units you’re giving out; each scan assigns that serialized item to the order. When you’re done, click Save to keep the assignments.Rent Out button
When you’re ready to rent out the order, you click Rent Out. For orders that have serialized products, you need to assign which individual units are going out before (or as part of) completing the rent out. That assignment is done in the same Individual Items screen. So in practice: open Individual Items (via the link above), assign units there—using the RFID scanner if you want—then confirm with Rent Out. The RFID scanner is used in the Individual Items modal; the Rent Out button is what you use afterward to confirm the order is going out.
What it’s for:
On the Order View, RFID is used to assign which physical items (serialized units) are on that order when you send it out. You open Individual Items, scan the tags on the units you’re handing over, save, then use Rent Out to confirm the transaction. That keeps your inventory accurate and ties the right units to the right order.
Tip: The Individual Items link only appears when the order has serialized products. If you don’t see it, the order has no products that use serialized (individual) items. For orders that do, open Individual Items first, assign items (with RFID or manually), then click Rent Out.
3. Returns page
Where: When you’re processing a return for an order (the “returning products” / returns flow).
What it does: You can mark which physical items are being returned by scanning their RFID tags. Each scanned tag is matched to an item on the order and added to the return list.
How you use it: On the returns page, use “Scan RFID Tags to Add” (or the equivalent scan action), select the scanner if needed, click Start Scan, then scan the items the customer is returning. The system adds the matching items to the return. Complete the return as usual.
Use this when you’re receiving items back from a rental or order and want to confirm exactly which units came back by scanning their tags.
How it works (in simple terms)
Hardware & app: The 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader is paired with an Android device that has the Rentopian RFID app installed and connected to Rentopian (see Connecting RFID Device).
Rentopian settings: In Rentopian, Settings → RFID Scanners you set the Scanners Secret and (optionally) scanner aliases. That links the app and scanner to your company.
On a supported page: When you’re on a page that supports RFID (individual items or returns), the scanner controls appear at the top. You click Scan RFID Tags to Add, choose the scanner, then Start Scan.
Scanning: You scan the RFID tags on the items. The reader sends the tag IDs to the app; the app sends them to Rentopian.
Matching: Rentopian matches each tag to the correct inventory item (using the barcode/serial or other link you’ve set up for that tag). It then adds those items to the current form (serialized items list or return list).
So: scan tags → system finds the right items → they’re added on the page you’re on.
Tips for using the RFID scanner
Connect before you start: Follow Connecting RFID Device so the app is logged in and the scanner is connected and showing in the app before you open the returns or product page. The scanner appears in Rentopian only when the app is connected and the scanner is linked.
Keep the app connected: As long as the Rentopian RFID app stays active (even in the background), the scanner stays on. If you fully close the app, the scanner can shut off and you may lose the connection until you reopen and reconnect.
Use the right page: Use “Scan RFID Tags to Add” only on the individual items (serialized) page or the returns page. Other pages (e.g. barcode “Scanned Items” panel) use barcode scanning, not the RFID reader.
Tags must match inventory: For a scan to add an item, that tag must be associated in your system with the correct barcode/serial (or inventory record). If you use new tags, make sure they’re linked to the right serialized items so scans don’t fail or add the wrong thing.
One scan context at a time: On the product page, be sure you’ve opened the correct variant and division before you click “Scan RFID Tags to Add,” so items are added to the right place. On returns, you’re already in the context of that order’s return.
Scanner in the top section: The RFID controls (dropdown + Start Scan) appear in the top section of the individual items and returns pages. If you have multiple scanners, choose the one you’re using from the dropdown before starting a scan.
Quantity limits: When adding serialized items on the product page, Rentopian respects the quantity allowed for that inventory item. If you scan more than allowed, you may see a message that some items weren’t added; adjust quantity as needed.
Quick reference
Topic | Summary |
Purpose | Add or identify serialized items by scanning their RFID tags instead of typing barcodes/serials. |
Where it works | (1) Product → variant → serialized items (adding items), (2) Order view page on Rent Out, (3) Returns page (marking returned items). |
What you do | Click “Scan RFID Tags to Add”, select scanner if needed, click Start Scan, then scan the tags. |
Requirements | 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader, Android device, Rentopian RFID app, connection and Scanners Secret set in Connecting RFID Device, and user permission “Allow RFID.” |
Settings | Settings → RFID Scanners: Scanners Secret (for the app) and optional scanner aliases. |