Title: A discrete simulation model for incorporating RFID technology into the Brazilian postal service

Authors: Jair Jairo Joris; X. Lucas Travassos; Paulo S. Figueiredo

Addresses: SENAI CIMATEC, Avenida Orlando Gomes, 1845 Piatã, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil ' Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Rua Presidente Prudente de Moraes - até 1326 - lado par, Santo Antônio, 89218000 - Joinville, SC, Brazil ' SENAI CIMATEC, Avenida Orlando Gomes, 1845 Piatã, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil

Abstract: The market of logistic operators in the segment of parcel delivery in Brazil has grown considerably in the last few years. This growth is caused mainly by e-commerce transactions. Companies that excel in this business offer services that enable traceability of objects and near real-time availability of information to customers. This research aims to study the current process for receiving and handling mail pouches at the Brazilian Postal Service (ECT), with the objective of verifying the technical viability using RFID - Radio Frequency Identification technology. Discrete simulation analysis is used for this purpose. It was found that ECT currently does not offer full traceability of its products. The applicability of RFID technology is determined. Based on the results of the simulations, advantages of the use of RFID tags are discussed.

Keywords: simulation; RFID tags; radio frequency identification; parcel tracing; postal objects; parcel tracking; technology management; discrete event simulation; DES; postal service; post office services; service operations; logistics; parcel delivery; Brazil; e-commerce; electronic commerce; mail pouches; product traceability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOI.2013.059377

International Journal of Services Operations and Informatics, 2013 Vol.8 No.1, pp.59 - 77

Received: 24 Dec 2012
Accepted: 20 Jan 2014

Published online: 22 Sep 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article