Abstract
This article focuses on the emerging phenomenon of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies & the EPC Network by examining how it enables innovative B2B E-Commerce supply chain applications. A business process approach is used to facilitate the understanding on HOW to design RFID enabled B2B E-Commerce scenarios. Results indicate that RFID with other ubiquitous computing technologies constitute another step in the evolution from E-Commerce to “U-commerce”.
TopRfid Technologies & The Epc Global Network
Basically, RFID technology is a wireless Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technology. As presented in Figure 1 (adapted from Lefebvre et al., 2008), RFID belong to a broader portfolio of AIDC technologies including among others barcode readers, Infra-Red (IR), Ultra Sound, 802.1x access points for wireless Local Area Networks (LANs), etc. (left hand side ofFigure 1). An RFID solution can be represented as a multi layer system composed by tags, readers and middleware integrated with Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) and connected to Inter Organizational Information Systems (IOS).
Figure 1. RFID multi layer architecture
Key Terms in this Chapter
EPC Network: The infrastructure allowing data sharing using standardized EPC numbers and data transfer protocol to retrieve product information over the internet.
Business Process Modeling: Using methodological approach to document, analyse and design the core processes supporting the structure of a business, it aims and objectives, the mechanisms and resources used to deliver them, the constraints it must work within and its relationship with the environment it operates.
Electronic Product Code (EPC): A standardized identification scheme for identifying physical objects using RFID technologies. EPC Global is the organization leading the industry-driven standards for standardized EPC data which consists of an EPC that uniquely & universally identifies an individual object.
Transponders: RFID tags are called transponders because they transmit and respond to RF signals.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): a technique that allows objects to be identified using radio waves.
RTLS: Real Time Location Systems are used to track assets, tools and people. Usually RTLS systems are based on active RFID tags leveraging on WiFi networks, UWB, or mesh networks.
AIDC: Automatic Identification and Data Capture technologies including among other, bar codes, systems, infra red, ultra sound, biometry, magnetic stripes, etc.