GS1 Romania – UNIC LICENTIAT ALOCARE CODURI DE BARE EAN

Using RFID in the supply chain

With EPCglobal, computers will be able to "see" physical objects, allowing manufacturers to be able to track and trace items automatically throughout the supply chain. Based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, EPCglobal is the future of efficient supply chains and will revolutionise manufacturing, distribution, warehousing and retailing.

Here's how it will work...

Identifying products

At the point of manufacture, UK Razors Ltd. adds a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag to every pack of razor blades it produces. Each tag contains a unique electronic product code, or EPC. This is stored in the tag's microchip, which also contains a tiny radio antenna. Where appropriate, the EPC will incorporate an existing EAN.UCC identifier (a globally unique number) for the product.

Identifying cases

These tags will allow the pack of razor blades to be identified, counted and tracked in a completely automated, cost-effective fashion. The razor blade packs are packed into cases - which feature their own RFID tags - and loaded onto tagged pallets.

Reading tags

As the pallets of razor blades leave the manufacturer, RFID readers positioned above the loading dock door hit the tags with radio waves, powering them. The tags "wake up" and start broadcasting their individual EPC’s to the readers, which read each tag once and once only.

Savant at work

The reader is wired into a computer system running Savant. It sends Savant the EPCs it's collected, and Savant goes to work. The system sends a query over the internet to an Object Name Service (ONS) database, which acts like a reverse telephone directory - it receives a number and produces an address.

ONS at work

The ONS server matches the EPC number (the only data stored on the RFID tag) to the address of a server, which has extensive information about the product. This data is available to, and can be added to by, Savant systems around the world.

PML at work

This second server uses PML, or Physical Mark-up Language, to store comprehensive data about manufacturers' products. It recognises the incoming EPCs as belonging to the tagged razors from UK Razors Ltd.

The server knows the location of the reader which sent the information, so the system now also knows which plant produced the razor blades. If an incident involving a defect or tampering arose, this information would make it easy to track the source of the problem - and recall the products in question.

Efficiency in distribution

The pallets of SharpAs Razors arrive at the shipping service's distribution centre. Thanks to RFID readers in the unloading area, there's no need to open packages and examine their contents. Savant provides a description of the cargo, and the razor blades are quickly routed to the appropriate truck.

Efficiency in inventory

The delivery arrives at SpeedyMart, who has been tracking the shipment thanks to its own Savant connection. SpeedyMart also has loading dock readers. As soon as the razor blades arrive, the retailer’s systems are automatically updated to include every pack of razor blades that arrived. In this manner, SpeedyMart can locate its entire SharpAs Razors inventory automatically, accurately and in real time.

Overstocking eliminated

What's more, Speedymart could also feature integrated shelf readers so that when the packs of SharpAs razors are stocked, the shelves "understand" what's being put in them. Now, when a customer grabs a pack of razor blades, the diminished shelf will route a message to the retailers automated replenishment systems - which will order more razor blades from the supplier. With such a system, the need to maintain costly "safety levels" of product in remote warehouses is eliminated.

Consumer convenience

EPCglobal will also make the customer's life easier, too. In the future, the need to wait in line for a cashier will be reduced, a customer can simply walk out of the door with their purchases. A reader built into the door recognises the items in their trolley by their individual EPCs; a swipe of the debit or credit card and the customer is on their way.