Title: Extended system design for RFID enabled supply chains with non-RFID technologies

Authors: John P.T. Mo; William Lorchirachoonkul

Addresses: School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia. ' Openlogix Pty Ltd., Level M, Praemium House, 406 Collins St., Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Abstract: Currently, the coordination between supply chain participants is normally organised via a scan packing system and communicated through electronic data interchange technology. However, the scan pack process is costly and time consuming. Using the electronic product code technology defined by EPCglobal, two national demonstrator projects have been developed to explore the suitability of RFID to the fast moving consumer goods supply chain. The projects show that two major issues must be addressed for RFID technology to be used effectively in global supply chains. First, small and medium enterprises using different RFID standards are unable to participate. Second, RFID IT infrastructures are rigid and costly. This paper examines the capability of two new mobile technologies in relation to current RFID system designs and experiences in the national projects. An extended RFID system is proposed to enable these non-RFID technologies to be used in conjunction with EPC-based systems so that links to non-RFID sites can be established and the cost of system implementation can be more affordable.

Keywords: electronic product code; EPC; radio frequency identification; RFID; national demonstrator projects; NDP; mobile servers; geo-fence; QR code; supply chain integration; supply chain management; SCM; system integration; IT infrastructure; supply chain coordination; fast moving consumer goods; FMCG supply chains; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2012.047535

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2012 Vol.10 No.3, pp.348 - 368

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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