Why all the hype ??

EAN + UCC MIT Product Electronic Product Code www.epcglobalinc.org

GS1 Standards (former EAN)

Michelin North America Tires Metro ( Europe) Tesco Target Boeing & Airbus Manufacturing Tracking

JP Morgan Chase Blink Cards

Merck & Novartis Counterfeit Drugs

WCO & GS1 GSIN - Global Shipment Identification Number GTIN Global Trade Identification Number GDSN Global Data Syncho Network ITDS International Trade Data Systems GLIN Global Logistics Identification No

EAS Electronic Article Surveillance UNILEVER & DHL SUPPLY CHAIN

Warehouse Communication Integration Project

Schneider & Macys Empty Miles Program www.emptymiles.org Chep India

Barcodes Vs RFID Tags

EPCIS SUNRISE (HKG)- eZTracK Gerry Weber- Germany Gothenburg-Port

RFID The System

Tag Antenna Reader Host computer
Transmit through portable device - tag, to an RFID reader by antenna and process the data through host computer

RFID Working
The reader emits a continuous radio frequency (RF) waves When a tag enters the RF field of the reader; the tag receives energy from the field. Tag begins to modulate the carrier signal according to the data stored on the tag through interface of antenna. The reader detects signal from the tag, and decodes signal in order to retrieve the data from the tag. In the host computer more manipulation of the data can be performed.

RFID The Tags

Active tag
- has Power source (On board Battery)

- More information can be stored - Costlier than Passive tag

Passive tag
- Chip lies in Dormant stage until the antenna picks up the RF signal - Signal is the Power source for the Chip and back its data 64 bits of data only - Its the read only data Can last indefinitely

RFID - Application

Stock location

Door reading

Conveyer reading

Product tracking

Finished Products reading

RFID Antenna
Antennas are the bridge between the tag and the reader

The size and configuration of the antenna will be dependant upon the application
Large antennas used with Active Tags can have a range of 100 feet or more. Large antennas used with Passive Tags generally have a range of 10 feet of less

RFID Reader
RFID readers allow users to wirelessly capture data and send information to host computer A device which communicates with the tag in order to read or write the stored data onto the tag.
panel reader hand held reader rack portal

RFID Application

- real time data on Production - WIP Analysis on the Production Floor - Helps in efficient Line Balancing - step by step information stored in computer - Control of overtime & also excessive payments - Improves operational efficiency and supervisory control - Tracking of work order Completion

RFID Application
In shop floor Process analysis is online and real-time observation with planning
Gives the total transparency to the entire production process

A step-by-step electronic sign-off confirmation a every process

Line balancing is done to get maximum efficiency and productivity Control of malpractice incase of overtime Saves substantial amount of time by eliminating barcode printing, cutting and scanning Accurate analysis to derive operator and operation efficiency against SAMs

RFID Application
Improves operational efficiency and supervisory control

The system would also allow the supervisor to dynamically change the quantity of any bundle at any given point of the process
Tracking of work order competition status SKU wise against deadlines, incase of backlog the supervisor can take efficiency steps on time Incase a specific tags which they can use to intimate the system about operation change

Total visibility across WIP

Enables better workforce management, increases efficiency and productivity

RFID Application
In warehousing and stores - Line of sight not needed - Issues to different departments - For finished garments and raw materials - three level usage Technical department and product development - Samples with style details - Entire style history information - Buyer Approval comments - Amendments in samples

RFID - Application
In retail

-Inventory control
-Shelf and exit gates and warehouse fitted with antenna for information on real-time -data -Total asset visibility

-Full inventory history with tracking

-Reduced inventory-stocking levels -Just in time delivery -Better tracking of items

-Saves time and Increases supply chain

-Reduces shelf space and lead-time -Higher level security, fewer errors and better visibility of goods

RFID vs. Barcode

The big difference between the two is bar

codes are line-of-sight technology

Barcode has other short comings also as compared to RFID - Weathered off barcode cant be read - RFID can be read through dirt, snow, fog, paint, ice, climatic changes

RFID - Advantages
can process 50 tags per second 40 times faster than barcode scanning. RFID chip can hold approximately 128,000 characters of data, where as barcode can store 1000 characters only.

The purchaser is unaware of the presence of the tag

Tags can be read through a variety of substances, where as difficulty is faced by barcode. Line of sight not required. Multiple items read Read/write/rewrite capability

RFID - Drawbacks
High cost 70 cents to 80 cents per chip/tag.
Radio waves cannot pass through metal or water Noise from other distracting radio signals can also disrupt tag-reader interaction.

Dead areas and orientation problems

Security concerns

RFID Recent trends

Smart labels
The combination of the RFID and bar coding technologies. Looks like a typical bar code label and can be printed in the same manner, it also contains electronic elements: an RFID chip, antenna and a substrate The RFID chip that is used is extremely small. the smart labels can be inserted under label, bottom hems and side seams.

MAJOR PLAYERS
Wal-mart Liz Claiborne

metro group
VF corporation Russel inc Benetton Marks and Spencer

Spot bottleneck situations, slowdowns and performance dips to optimize the Production flow Allow comprehensive Statistics & Comparisons on Models and Articles and Production sites
Possibility to Track any Order/Client/Item in the production at any given time - in real time