Using RFID Technology to Replace Bar Codes and Scanners in the Harley-Davidson Company

Given the facts in the case and as outlined in more detail in this case study, it is our recommendation that Mierdorf and Wolfram move to the case level RFID tagging process. The improvements up and down the supply chain in accuracy, inventory control, reduced labor costs are enough to at least continue with the RFID

An RFID reader is a network connected device (fixed or mobile) with an antenna that sends power as well as commands to the tags. The RFID reader acts like an access point for RFID tagged items so that the tags' data can be made available to business applications.

The RFID system mainly includes three parts: reader, antenna, and RFID tag, as shown. Because of the uniqueness of the RFID tag, the reader can locate and

RFID systems are currently being used in manufacturing plants to track parts, stay informed of work in progress, reduce product defects, increase throughput, and manage production of given products. Big name retailers such as Best Buy, Metro, Target, Albertson’s, Hewlett Packard, and Wal-Mart are leading the way in implementing RFID systems. These retailers recognize the need to improve inventory efficiency, ensure products are available to customers as needed, decrease theft, and cut down on costs associated with tracking and processing inventory.

The RFID is considered a significant improvement over the conventional barcode, which needs to be read by scanners in "line-of-sight" fashion and can be stripped away if the paper product labels get ripped or damaged. RFID can also facilitate inter-organizational E-commerce initiatives such as continuous replenishment or vendor-managed inventories (Smaros and Holmstrom, 2000).

1.With today 's bar code technology, every can of Coke has the same UPC, or bar code number as every other can (a can of Coke in Toronto has the same number as a can of Coke in Topeka). With RFID, each individual can of Coke would have a unique ID number which could be linked to the person buying it when they scan a credit card or a frequent shopper card (i.e., an "item registration system")”(Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre).

“Similar technology, such as the IFF transponder, was routinely used by the allies and Germany in World War II to identify aircraft as friend or foe (Stockman, 1948).” In the 1950’s-1960’s scientists did research on how Radio Frequency could be used to distinguish objects remotely. Companies soon began to create anti-theft systems that used Radio Frequency to determine if something had been paid for or not. This technology is still used today in stores all around the world. As you enter or leave a store you walk through two gay columns on either side of the door, these are used as the transmitter and in every item in the store there is a chip. If the chip is not deactivated as the consumer checks out, then it will send a signal to the transmitter in the gray columns and the transmitter will in turn sound an alarm. This alerts the store that something has either been stolen or it was not fully scanned (Roberti, "The History of RFID Technology").

Radio wave technology has been used since the Second World War but the first application of modern RFID technology came in 1983 when Charles A. Walton received the first patent for his ‘Portable radio frequency emitting identifier’ (US Patent Office, 1983). Since Walton’s patent, modern RFID technology has evolved at a startling rate with “approximately 1500 RFID patents issued between 1997 and 2010” (Mehrjerdi, 2010). The impact RFID has had on global commerce has been wide-spread. Many major industries have found ways to implement the technology into their business practices. Examples include but are not limited to: manufacturing, logistics and inventory control, national defense and commercial farming (FDA, 2015).

RFID, or radio frequency identification, is the new system that is replacing the use of barcodes. RFID tags allow users to more quickly obtain information from the object that the RFID tag

Most of the stores in the future will use this technology to enhance their business and keep it safe too. RFID can help in every area of retail stores ranging from management to security. Tagging the products with RFID tags result in the following advantages.

(a) Label after entering the magnetic field, receive the radio frequency signal from the reader, with the energy gained by the induced current send product information stored in the chip (Passive Tag) or by the label initiative to send a frequency signal (Active Tag) reader read the information and the decoding, sent to the central information system on data processing. A complete set of RFID system, through the Reader (Reader) and electronic label (TAG), that is called Transponder and application software system of three parts. The working principle is the Reader to launch a specific frequency radio waves of energy to the Transponder, send the internal data to drive Transponder circuit, the Reader will receive interpreting data in a sequence, for application to do the corresponding processing. RFID card reader and electronic tags between the communication and energy sensing approach can be divided into roughly: Two kinds of coupling and backward scattering. The general low frequency RFID mostly uses the first kind,

This short research paper describes how various industries around the world have changed the way to do their inventories with the implementation of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags in their items. This is not only more efficient and accurate, but also easier to use and faster than other methods. The RFID tag has the same function than a long-established barcode administering an exclusive identifier for each item. There are many applications of this fascinating technology in different industries, such as laundries, car-rental companies, farms, amusement parks, healthcare management race timing or libraries. These innovative tags are being used currently in order to make the companies bigger without spending large quantities of

RFID technology is not only used at gas stations, restaurants, and department but also at

Auto Identification techniques and Warehouse Management systems (WMS) are playing a crucial role in success of supply chains like retail, e-commerce, auto-industry, manufacturing etc. by reducing the transaction process time, efficient inventory control, security and tracking. Barcodes is the most widely used Auto-identification techniques. Recently RFID has gain importance in tracking the objects, paper less good receipts. With major application focus on inventory tracking, security access control, implementation of Auto-ids, replenishment systems, smooth dispatching and integration through ERPs Warehousing Management systems gaining success in reducing the lead time.

• 1. Become familiar with RFID technology and its potential uses in Harley-Davidson’s supply chain using the information presented in this chapter and information you obtain through the Online Companion links, your favorite search engine, and your library. In about 400 words, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages for Harley-Davidson of replacing its bar codes and scanners technology with RFID.