The impact of RFID technology on warehouse process innovation: A pilot project in the TPL industry

Using the value chain model which provides a process view, this longitudinal case study and simulation modeling analysis of a Canadian third-party logistics (TPL) supply chain provides some empirical support for the enabling role of RFID technology in effecting warehouse process innovation and optimization for the focal TPL firm. However, the findings of our study also reveal the RFID technology implementation costs as the key inhibitor of RFID widespread adoption and usage among suppliers. This, in turn, precluded the focal TPL firm from implementing the best optimum RFID solution to create better business value from the RFID project.     

Rfid Technologies: Supply-Chain Applications and Implementation Issues

RFID technologies hold the promise of closing some of the information gaps in the supply chain, especially in retailing and logistics. As a mobile technology, RFID can enable “process freedoms” and real-time visibility into supply chains. This article provides an introduction to the technology, several case examples, and implementation guidelines for managers based on published reports.     

Costs of authentic pharmaceuticals: research on qualitative and quantitative aspects of enabling anti-counterfeiting in RFID-aided supply chains

The pharmaceutical industry suffers from steadily increasing counterfeit rates. RFID technology is named as a foundation for an integer and counterfeit-resistant pharmaceutical supply chain. A transformation toward an RFID-aided supply chain involves both technical and business adaptions. We share technical insights of our proposed architecture for storing and searching pharmaceutical RFID event data. From the business perspective, we discuss the viability of RFID-based anti-counterfeiting with respect to its monetary impacts. We define qualitative requirements for software components developed for RFID and provide a quantitative analysis of operational costs for a dedicated service provider for anti-counterfeiting. Its implementation and amortization is discussed for different operating setups to enable access to RFID technology for all participants of pharmaceutical the supply chain     

A hierarchical model of the impact of RFID practices on retail supply chain performance

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) practices on supply chain performance. We examined eight variables of RFID applications grouped in two categories: location (supplier’s warehouse, retailer’s central warehouse, retailer’s local warehouse, retailer’s owned stores) and utilisation (standards, transportation, pallet level, specialised software). Given the inherent difficulty in assessing supply chain performance and the widespread use of different performance models, such as the SCOR and balanced scorecard, we developed a list of performance indicators. Factor analysis produced 7 supply chain performance factors: supplier, inventory, distribution, ordering, plan, sales, and forecasting.Empirical data were collected via an online survey administered to 300 retail companies. 130 usable questionnaires were returned, for a 43.3% response rate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide an analytical model that places supply chain performance indicators as dependent variables in a hierarchical regression equation with RFID variables as independent variables. Results found that the implementation of RFID practices significantly affect the supply chain performance in the following areas: supplier, inventory, distribution, plan, sales, and forecasting. RFID can improve the performance of distribution systems, including products dispatched and inventory in transit by 33.8% and stock availability by 45.6%. This study contributes to both the RFID and the supply chain performance literatures. Limitations and suggestions for further research are also discussed.     

供应链存储系统无线射频识别使能的定量在制品法控制策略仿真

无线射频识别(radio frequency identification,RFID)技术的出现为库存控制策略的创新提供了一条有效的途径.本文利用RFID技术,将原有单个制造系统的流通卡系统推广到供应链的多级库存网络中,设计了RFID使能的电子流通卡系统.基于电子流通卡,实现了RFID使能的定量在制品法(constant work-in-process,CONWIP)控制策略;并建立了CONWIP控制策略的分销网络模型.为比较和验证CONWIP控制策略性能,开发了三级分销网络仿真系统,使用该系统,将其与RFID使能的(r,Q)策略进行比较,验证了CONWIP策略在一定条件下,能够有效降低存储成本、提高服务水平.     

Managing RFID Consumer Privacy and Implementation Barriers

ABSTRACT

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies have increasing visibility in the business processes: automating inventory management (supply chains), facilitating innovation, and increasing competitiveness. Since the potential applications of RFID systems are numerous, it is essential to address the industry and consumer perspective issues that have resulted in barriers to RFID implementation. This paper outlines critical barriers in implementing RFID technologies, specifically for authentication and privacy in an RFID tagged world, and provides organizational leaders with a set of initial responses, including a new scheme (Veri-RFID) for consumer privacy, that would assist in the process to overcome these challenges.     

基于Hash链的RFID隐私增强标签研究

无线射频识别（RFID)作为一种新型的自动识别技术在供应链与零售业中得到了广泛的应用。然而由于RFID标签强大的追踪能力，RFID的广泛应用也势必给消费者带来新的隐私威胁问题。在构造RFID方案时有几个技术关键点，尤其重要的是消费者隐私与标签信息的安全问题。低成本是另外一个关键。针对这些问题，讨论并阐明了RFID系统的需求与限制，分析了现有的一些相关的RFID方案的特性与问题。最后提出了一种简单的采用低成本的Hash链机制的安全模式标签来增强消费者隐私。     

A contingency model for creating value from RFID supply chain network projects in logistics and manufacturing environments

In the growing literature on RFID and other network technologies, the importance of organizational transformation at the supply chain level has been recognized. However, the literature lacks conceptual model development and salient mechanisms for achieving the level of organizational transformation required for stakeholders to realize the full business benefits from RFID projects. Furthermore, the RFID adoption, use, and impact studies to date largely focus on a single firm setting and on the retail sector. Therefore, this study intends to fill this knowledge gap in the literature, and develops a contingency model for creating value from RFID supply chain projects in logistics and manufacturing environments. For our model development, we draw upon extant diverse literatures, particularly the framework for IT-enabled business transformation, and leadership and organizational learning. The framework postulates a positive relationship between the level of organizational transformation effected by the use of information technology (IT) and the level of business benefits realized from IT. The contingency model draws on the framework, and explicates five contingency factors influencing value creation from RFID supply chain projects: environmental upheaval; leadership; second-order organizational learning; resources commitment; and organizational transformation. Using the contingency model as a conceptual guide, we also perform an analysis of longitudinal real-world case data from a Canadian third-party logistics service firm's seven-layer supply chain RFID projects. The case study analysis provides evidence for the imperative of the contingency factors identified in the model for creating value from the RFID projects. Furthermore, it also reveals the differential costs for the focal firm and the up-stream manufacturing as a key barrier to realizing the full RFID benefits at the supply chain level.     

嵌入式RFID中间件系统的研究与实现

射频识别技术(RFID)中间件是RFID系统中前端阅读设备与后端数据处理系统之间的一个中枢环节,屏蔽阅读器差异为数据处理的客户端提供了一个统一的开发平台。在研究EPCglobal的基础上,提出一种嵌入式RFID中间件系统,分别从硬件的框架设计与结构组成以及软件的架构与实现方法两方面对嵌入式RFID中间系统件进行讨论,并介绍了具体的实现。在实际RFID系统的应用当中取得良好的效果,证明了该中间件系统的可行性。     

Relation model describing the effects of introducing RFID in the supply chain: evidence from the food and beverage industry in South Korea

The development of information technology has rapidly changed the logistics industry. RFID has become more and more important in the context of supply chain management (SCM), and implementation of RFID in SCM brings with it the potential to manage the information flow and to support communication and collaboration along the supply chain. This study was conducted to build a relation model, which is a structural model, to identify the effects of introducing RFID into the supply chain of the food and beverage industry in Korea. The supply chain of the food and beverage industry was divided into five activities: procurement, production, transport, sale, warehousing, and administration. This study was based on the premise that RFID will be embedded in a transport box or pallet circulated in the SC. The model showed that SC activities have positive relationships through the RFID system, and the introduction of RFID promotes information interchanges between SC activities, which in turn enable the coordination and consolidation of a total SCM. From the results of this study, it is expected that the RFID system does not only enable the SC partners to improve their utilities but also promotes the efficiency of SCM as a whole. This is meaningful considering that there is still a controversy regarding the effects of RFID on SCM.     

供应链环境下安全的RFID通信协议

射频识别(RFID)技术给供应链管理带来极大的便利。安全的RFID通信协议是实现和保护基于RFID供应链系统安全性的重要方法。描述了供应链环境下RFID通信协议的安全需求,提出了一个新的供应链环境下安全的RFID通信协议。新协议具有较高的效率,且标签端的计算负荷和存储成本较低。     

Passive UHF RFID in Paper Industry: Challenges, Benefits and the Application Environment

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for the paper industry is an emerging research topic due to the need for an automated identification system for the paper industry which would carry on the identification codes of paper and board reels throughout their life cycle. This paper discusses the application of passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID systems to the paper industry. Challenges, benefits, and the application environment of using passive UHF RFID systems in the paper industry are presented and discussed. The major challenges are development of globally operable tag antenna designs and integration of reader units and reader antennas to paper handling machinery. To confront and solve these challenges, this paper presents novel tag antenna designs for paper and board reel identification and proposes solutions for reader and reader antenna integration to paper handling machinery. In addition, the identification locations within the paper reel supply chain and the effects of RFID systems to supply chain visibility are presented and discussed. In addition, test results of using passive UHF RFID systems in the paper industry environment are presented.     

基于零售商资金约束供应链采用RFID技术的决策及融资分析

为研究零售商存在资金约束和库存错放时,供应链成员采用无线射频识别(radio frequency identification,RFID)技术及融资决策的均衡问题,以单制造商和单资金约束零售商组成的两级供应链为研究对象,基于报童模型构建供应链成员采用RFID技术前后零售商是否融资4种情景下的收益模型,求解出相应的最优解并探讨供应链成员RFID采用决策与零售商的融资策略.研究发现:当零售商的自有资金适中时,供应链成员采用RFID技术一定程度上能够缓解零售商的资金约束;零售商选择融资时,供应链及其成员能够承担更高的RFID成本;零售商分摊RFID固定成本的比例对制造商、零售商和供应链能够承担的RFID标签成本阈值有决定性的影响.     

RFID与电子商务

将射频识别技术应用于电子商务中,力求实现电子商务的随需应变。在射频识别技术的基础上构建了电子商务的系统架构,以及业务流程,给出了预测算法。     

Real-time supply chain—A blockchain architecture for project deliveries

Real-time tracking and tracing are important in providing a unified view of global supply chains consisting of several parties. This paper illustrates the needs and requirements for managing supply chains in multi-company project environments by adopting various tracking and tracing technologies. This kind of tracking and tracing is especially needed within distributed architectures engaged in project-based businesses, where several vendors are involved in a single project. Such tracking and tracing data can be used extensively to generate key performance indicators, which can be used to measure and control supply chain processes. This paper also proposes a pilot system of a cloud-based portal for real-time tracking and tracing of logistics and supply chains. This portal is formed by the combination of RFID, IoT and blockchain technology into an integrated real-time view. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and IoT (Internet of Things) provides real-time information or data, while blockchain technology is used to provide a chain of immutable transactions. The architecture of the proposed portal system is connected to transport companies, tracking devices, consolidation points and suppliers. The pilot study also illustrates the benefits and advantages of such a portal system.     

A mechanised 3D scanning method for item-level radio frequency identification of palletised products

The automatic, non-line-of-sight characteristics of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for identifying multiple objects are conducive to full visibility and traceability of individual product items in a supply chain. However, practical implementation of item-level RFID-based applications necessitates solving some critical issues. Among these issues, reading tag data to identify a relatively large number of individual product items, which are usually packed in batches and distributed on pallets, is particularly a bottleneck, because it affects the accuracy and trustworthiness of batch distribution of products and all subsequent logistics operations in the supply chain. Current techniques for batch identification at item-level of palletised products suffer low reading rate and incomplete tag data acquisition, rendering the RFID systems unreliable. We address this issue by proposing a mechanised 3D scanning method for identification of tagged products in large numbers to facilitate supply chain management. The proposed method requires installing RFID readers only in the X-Y plane. The readers scan tagged products in the X and Y directions while the pallet is simultaneously rotated around to be effectively scanned in the Z direction. Different scanning patterns are adopted to alleviate the problems due to randomness of tag orientation and reader collisions. As such, 3D scanning of RFID tags for item-level applications is effectively achieved without incurring much hardware cost. The performance of the proposed method is validated using an RFID-enabled gate-door for identification of palletised apparel products with item-level RFID tagging. Experiment results show that the proposed method can achieve batch reading rates remarkably higher than those reported in literature. Moreover, a correlation between the batch reading rate and the batch density is established. Apparently, the proposed mechanised 3D scanning method for batch identification of item-level tagged product items can substantially enhance the accuracy and reliability of RFID-based supply chain management systems.     

Adaptive product tracking in RFID-enabled large-scale supply chain

The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is gradually being adopted and deployed for product flow management in the supply chain. In order to track RFID-tagged products efficiently in the RFID-enabled, large-scale supply chain, this paper first presents the design of a product tracking system that can collaborate with the EPC Network, a suite of network services for RFID data management in the supply chain. Next, we explain a product monitoring procedure that is performed by comparing the actual path of a product with its planned path. Finally, we develop an adaptive product search algorithm based on a reinforcement learning technique to efficiently locate a product deviated from its planned path. Experiment results are provided to show the performance of the search algorithm.     

Aligning RFID applications with supply chain strategies

Many large retailers decided to adopt RFID as their new supply chain technology, but RFID adoption by all industries did not spread as rapidly as initially expected. We believe that its benefits constituted the major barrier to its adoption, and argued that a major contributor to the delay has been its inappropriate implementation. Our study reports the result of six in-depth case studies, which, together with case content analysis of 88 reported RFID applications, provided us with a clear view of the RFID implementation landscape, suggesting that organizations often mindlessly adopted RFID applications that were misaligned with their supply chain strategies, leading to unsatisfactory benefits. Insights into how organizations should adopt RFID were developed from our results and were discussed.     

An assessment model for RFID impacts on prevention and visibility of inventory inaccuracy presence

Bullwhip effect has been considered as one of major research topics in supply chain management. Most of the studies disregarded the mismatch between the recorded inventory and the reality. However, it is shown that the inventory inaccuracy under uncertainty is a widespread phenomenon in both retail and distribution centers. Due to the propagation of information distortion along the supply chain, the financial impacts of inventory inaccuracy include not only the cost of direct inventory loss but also the increasing holding and shortage cost at each stage. The emergence of RFID technology offers a possible solution to alleviate the growing cost of inventory inaccuracy. By making full use of RFID technology, this paper attempts to compare the inventory inaccuracy impact on bullwhip effect in terms of order variance amplification and supply chain performance under two scenarios: (1) all members are aware of the inaccuracy and optimize their operations; (2) all members deploy RFID technology to reduce inventory inaccuracy. Informed order policy is used as benchmark to capture the true RFID value and differentiate two types of RFID impacts, prevention and visibility, to provide more manageable insight. In particular, the incentive of sharing information in supply chain is also provided by comparing the cost of two supply chain settings.     

RFID技术在产品供应链中的应用与研究

本文介绍了射频识别技术,以沃尔玛为例分析了在供应链中应用RFID技术会极大提高物流的效率,指出了它是现代物流信息化建设中基础数据获取的重要手段,并分析了RFID技术在供应链应用中的优势及前景。