Notes On Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Volume 7, Number 5, 2002, pp. 271 – 282;

Regardless of the frequency, method of communication, or the power supply, the goal of any RFID system is to enable specific data to be transmitted between a portable device and the tag, and then be processed and used accordingly. RFID systems are used for objects which get lost, stolen often, underutilized, or difficult to locate in a timely manner.

Effective supply chain management can provide an important competitive advantage for a business marketer, resulting in improved communication and involvement among members of the chain, increased motivation, and decreased costs. Tracking the movement of and demand for components used to manufacture a product across a variety of potential and actual suppliers, provides insight and the ability to respond instantly to shortages, surpluses, and changes in market conditions. It seeks to optimize production, decrease manufacturing time, minimize inventory, streamline order fulfillment, and reduce cost.

RFID (radio frequency identification) uses radio waves to transmit information between RFID tags (chips) and RFID readers (What is RFID?, n.d.). There are two basic types of RFID tags. Active tags are larger and more expensive because they require an independent power supply to function, passive tags are cheaper, smaller and do not need a separate power supply (The Different Types of RFID Systems, n.d.). Initially, we will be implementing the use of passive RFID tags, which will help control the costs of this project. Once the RFID project is functioning according to our expectations, we will expand our RFID system to include the use of active RFID tags. The implementation of RFID technology will require a significant financial investment for a system-wide implementation. Depending upon the extent of our investment in RFID technology, we could enhance our control of access to certain areas, improve inventory management, and monitor our patients ' movements throughout our RFID-equipped facilities (Niles, 2015, p. 384)

RFID is short for Radio Frequency IDentification. The solution is comprised of RFID tags and a device that can read

RFID tags can be either passive, active or battery-assisted passive. An active tag has an embedded battery acting as local power source and periodically transmits its ID signal to the receiver. A

Two-way radio transmitter- receivers, which are called readers, send a signal to the tag and receive a response. There are two types of tags; one is known as active and the other, passive. Active tags have their own power source, and on-board memory which sends its ID signal periodically. Passive tags are not self-powered, which gets and is activated only in the presence of RFID reader. Electromagnetic fields are used in order to transmit data from the RFID chip.

RFID or Radio-Frequency Identification as the name suggests uses Radio frequency for identification of a particular object. It is similar to a bar-code, scans to retrieve a particular and unique information for identification. It consists of a chip, capable of carrying a maximum of 2000 bytes of data and an antenna uses electronic devices (small in size). The major feature of RFID above other electronic identification mechanisms is that the RFID device need not be precisely positioned wrt the scanner.

Nowadays, the RFID tracking system is widely used since the first patent of RFID in 19831.

Over the years, RFID has gained a high level of popularity and recognition. Due to the diversity of its application, the technology has really drawn the attention of investors especially in manufacturing, transport and logistics, hospital and health care and other commercial industries.

This antenna enables the chip to transfer the waves back to the reader. The reader then converts the radio waves into digital information that can be analyzed from the computer. Based on the frequency the tags are classified as active and passive. Passive tags operate at microwave frequency and its use can be limited in the read zone. It will become latent after leaving the read zone. Active tags have power from an internal battery and hence do not need a reader. These tags can store more data and are expensive than passive tags. The picture below (Fig 1.) describes the process of RFID tags works.

The Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) is a powerful technology for companies in the logistics and supply chain management industry. According to Jakobs (2000), he states that the RFID system use tiny tags with embedded microchips that contains data. This data contains the location and information about the product/item and transfers the data to RFID readers through radio signals.

The components of an RFID system are the tag, the reader and the host computer system, which has the software that works as an interface between the data collected and storage device by converting the same into useful information. RFID has immense potential for all parties in the supply chain, to mention few:

RFID is a small electronic device that consist of a small chip and an antenna. The chip typically is capable of carrying 2,000 bytes of data or less. RFID technology has been available for more than fifty years. It has only been recently that the ability to manufacture the RFID devices has fallen to the point where they can be used as a "throwaway" inventory or control device.

RFID Technology is increasingly being used all around us. Common uses include EZ Pass, Speed Pass and chips in pets. According to Technologies: RFID/ What is RFID? Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. The three components of an RFID system are (1) the antenna or coil, (2)