基于RFID 的物流自动分拣系统研究与设计

RFID技术因其快速读写、移动识别等优势,在多个领域得到广泛应用。针对物流行业中快递包裹人工分拣效 率较低、错派、丢件等问题,提出了一种基于RFID的物流自动分拣系统方案设计。论文首先对物流快递行业的现状进行了分 析,分析物流快递的配送流程和RFID在自动分拣中的优势,对基于RFID的物流自动分拣系统的架构和系统工作流程进行了 论述,并对系统的效率进行了分析。     

An integrated framework for the development of radio frequency identification technology in the logistics and supply chain management

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) features high storage capacity, remote access, excellent data security, and multiple-tag reading. Hence, RFID technology attracts attention from various industries, especially the logistics and retail industries. Due to the swift development of technology and the trend of globalization, the logistics managers are assigned the task to integrate the supply chain via information technology such as RFID. The goal is to achieve information sharing and reduction of total cost, thus the operation efficiency can be improved and competitive advantage can be enhanced. Thus, this research would first identify the key factors of RFID technology development in the logistics and supply chain management. A complete set of five dimensions and 24 factors with a hierarchy structure is presented. The Fuzzy Delphi and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process methods are adopted for analysis. A structural procedure of RFID system establishment is also constructed based on the key dimensions and factors, with the expectation of establishing the RFID system in an effective and efficient manner. Then, based on the experience of Taiwanese government and industry, the sequence of companies for adopting the RFID technology is discussed. Thus, an integrated framework for the development of RFID technology, which includes the hierarchy of factors, structural procedure, and sequence of adoption, is presented in this research; and it can be applied in other scenarios after the users make some modifications according to their specific needs.     

Adoption of RFID technologies in UK logistics: Moderating roles of size,barcode experience and government support

Due to globalization, logistics has become an important part in the supply chain. Many logistics service providers have realised the importance of adoption of technologies that can help manufacturers, warehouses, and retailers to communicate with each other more efficiently. Among many logistics technologies, radio frequency identification (RFID) has been identified as an important technology to improve logistics operations and supply chain management, and thus is increasingly gaining both practitioners’ and researchers’ attention. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of usability features of RFID in the adoption of the technology by the logistics sector in the UK. We have used questionnaire survey method to collect data from the UK logistics firms. The analysis of the data shows that the usability of RFID technology positively influences adoption of technology. We have further tested the moderating effects of firm size, experience with barcode use, and government support in adopting RFID. Our results show that government support strongly moderates the link between usability of RFID and its adoption but size and experience with barcode do not moderate this link. We elaborate the contributions of the study and managerial implications of our results in this paper.     

Embedded devices for supply chain applications: Towards hardware integration of disparate technologies

The emergence of the RFID technology and its application to supply chain processes has in particular led to the creation of such standards as the EPCglobal’s model of supply networks as a tool for materializing intra- and inter-enterprise visibility of resources and products, collaboration and integration. Among other critical uses, RFID has been deployed by supply networks to improve asset utilization, effectively combat counterfeiting, and advance targeted product recalls. However, new affordable and deployable technologies and microsensors have recently appeared and keep maturing. This paper discusses the needs and the possibilities that exist for leveraging these technologies and sensors with RFID to guarantee continuous and seamless visibility of all assets (fixed and mobile resources and field personnel) of smart enterprises, thereby expanding and complementing the roles of RFID. It examines the design challenges for the integration of these technologies for advanced logistics operations at the level of product classes or their instances. It then outlines our development of an embedded microsystem that combines RFID, GPRS, GPS and environmental sensors for applications in logistics. The prototyped microsystem demonstrated the feasibility of the multi-sensor integration paradigm that the paper proposes.     

RFID together with multi-agent systems to control global value chains

Nowadays, the cooperative intelligent transport systems are part of a largest system. Transportations are modal operations integrated in logistics and, logistics is the main process of the supply chain management. The supply chain strategic management as a simultaneous local and global value chain is a collaborative/cooperative organization of stakeholders, many times in co-opetition, to perform a service to the customers respecting the time, place, price and quality levels. The transportation, like other logistics operations must add value, which is achieved in this case through compression lead times and order fulfillments. The complex supplier's network and the distribution channels must be efficient and the integral visibility (monitoring and tracing) of supply chain is a significant source of competitive advantage. Nowadays, the competition is not discussed between companies but among supply chains. This paper aims to evidence the current and emerging manufacturing and logistics system challenges as a new field of opportunities for the automation and control systems research community. Furthermore, the paper forecasts the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies integrated into an information and communication technologies (ICT) framework based on distributed artificial intelligence (DAI) supported by a multi-agent system (MAS), as the most value advantage of supply chain management (SCM) in a cooperative intelligent logistics systems. Logistical platforms (production or distribution) as nodes of added value of supplying and distribution networks are proposed as critical points of the visibility of the inventory, where these technological needs are more evident.     

基于RFID的物流应用解决方案

在物流供应链中，为了能够精确掌握物流资产的动态，需要对物流过程进行实时的监控，RFID正是对供应链上物体进行控制与跟踪的一种技术。本文在现有物流系统的基础上，结合RFID技术和BPM技术，提出一个物流应用解决方案，达到对物流资产的无缝跟踪。     

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.     

基于多自主元柔性工作流的敏捷供应链研究*

为了提高敏捷供应链的动态性和敏捷性,采用多自主元柔性工作流技术构建敏捷供应链管理系统。在对敏捷供应链和柔性工作流技术进行分析的基础之上,给出用虚拟工作流和柔性工作流对敏捷供应链进行整体描述的方法。为提高柔性工作流的智能决策能力,以自主计算技术为基础,提出了基于多自主元的柔性工作流,使用多自主元的柔性工作流构建了敏捷供应链的管理框架,并通过自主元的模糊推理实例对多自主元柔性工作流的智能性进行了验证, 多自主元柔性工作流能够满足敏捷供应链管理系统快速重构和动态重组的要求。     

EPCglobal 框架在物流系统的应用和实现

我国“十二五”规划中把物联网技术作为重要的战略技术,而RFID技术为物联网技术的发展打下良好基础,目前该技术已经广泛用于交通运输、物流产业以及智慧城市等应用领域中,在日常生活、工业生产中发挥着重要的作用。GSl组织提出的EPCgtobal框架的主要目的是在全球范围内为各个行业建立和维护EPC网络,采用全球统一的标准保证供应链各环节信息的共享和实时识别。本文提出一种基于EPCgtobal框架的物流系统设计方案,设计出该方案物流系统的总体框架图,并详细描述其中事件周期管理模块等的设计方案,目的是实现物流自动化和科学化管理等功能。经过测试,该系统运行稳定,可扩展性强,达到预期的目标。     

基于RFID的物流装备信息监控网络平台设计

集装箱是全球物流运输的核心装备,全球国际货运90％以上都是通过集装箱完成,目前集装箱运输的智能化和信息化技术落后,从而导致物流效率低、海关通关效率低且做不到实时可视化监控。文中基于射频识别和嵌入式微控制器技术开发了用于托盘和集装箱等物流装备的智能数据采集终端,进而设计了基于智能集装箱的现代物流装备物联网系统平台。该平台的广泛应用使现代物流系统的整个供应链信息流畅通,实现了可视化监控,大幅度提高了现代物流效率。为行业应用提供智能集装箱成熟产品和技术方案。     

企业RFID模块应用研究与实现

物联网在全球发展迅速,而射频识别技术是物联网感知层的核心技术之一.RFID作为一项新兴的自动识别技术,已广泛应用于生产制造和装配、图书管理、身份标示、运动计时、智能交通、门禁系统、航空行李处理、文档追踪、物流与供应链管理等众多领域中.显然RFID技术将会被越来越多的企业采纳,而在原有系统中扩展出RFID功能亦或是构建全新的RFID系统,将会是一个比较漫长的过程,降缓了一些企业信息化建设的步伐.RFID的发卡和读取,将会是每一个未来信息化系统所必须实现的功能,针对RFID基本概念进行了分析,以在J2EE系统中扩展出RFID模块为例,详细论述了RFID模块解决方案的设计流程,并给出了相应代码实现.     

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.     

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.     

Impact of Radio Frequency Identification Technology on Environmental Sustainability

This study is the first empirical investigation of the impact of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology utilization on a manufacturing organization’s ability to implement environmental sustainability practices and the organization’s level of environmental performance. The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationships among RFID technology utilization, environmental sustainability practices, and environmental performance. A structural model depicting the impact (direct and indirect through green supply chain management practices) on environmental performance is theorized. The efficacy of the model is assessed using a Partial-Least-Squares structural equation modeling methodology based on data from a sample of manufacturing managers. The results suggest that RFID technology utilization is positively associated with green supply chain management practices and environmental performance. This study contributes to the understanding of the impact of a specific technology, RFID, on environmental sustainability. RFID technology utilization is established as a viable component of a manufacturing organization’s environmental sustainability strategy.     

System dynamics of supply chain network organization structure

Information technology is providing manufacturers with additional flexibility with regard to their supply chain network choices. Our research studies supply chain network organization structures categorized by the organic and mechanistic management control structures. The structural impacts on cost and fill rate performance are studied in two-echelon and two-supply-chain network organization models under different market coordination conditions using system dynamic simulations. Our results show significant effects of demand and network structural factors, and their interactions, on these measures. As demand becomes dynamic, the cooperative interaction model, where supply chains cooperate to satisfy customer demand, is found to have better system performance than the competitive supply chain model. The analysis also suggests that increasing the responsiveness at the downstream plant is particularly important to the overall system performance improvement.     

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.     

Benchmarking RFID profitability in complex retail distribution systems

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) can improve the performance of distribution systems in a major way by providing full inventory visibility. Before adopting a new technology, however, one needs to benchmark the new approach to alternative and possibly more traditional solutions—such as transshipments of product stock between retail outlets. In this paper we develop and demonstrate the use of a simulation framework for comparing the use of RFID with other means to improve the responsiveness of distribution systems in a comprehensive manner. In order to compare the combined effect of various inventory error sources (in particular shrinkage, misplacements, and transactions errors), we have conducted extensive simulations. Our results show that the performance gains achieved by different responsive supply chain practices, such as the use of RFID for increased stock visibility or transshipments, depend on the reliability of inventory data and can also be highly interdependent. The value of RFID can be significantly lower in more responsive distribution systems. A sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of the observations made. Our work confirms the need for more sophisticated methods to evaluate new supply chain information technologies and practices.     

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.     

RFID-wireless sensor networks integration: Decision models and optimization of logistics systems operations

Providing models for quality and in-time logistics operations is always a difficult problem. Transportation of perishable items makes the logistics problem even more challenging. For several years now, RFID technology is increasingly used in logistics operations for materials and products identification. More recently, wireless sensor networks proved their value for a significant number of applications where difficult to solve problems found solutions through the use of networks of tiny sensors. Logistics is a new area in which sensor networks value is expected to be confirmed. This work addresses important logistics operations aspects through the use of an integrated RFID-sensor network system that is able to detect the condition of perishable products as they are moved downstream the supply chain before undesired totally loss of products occurs. The implementation of the proposed model carries important cost reduction prospects.