Abstract This paper describes the history and uses of radiofrequencyidentification (RFID). The author describes the history of radiofrequencyidentification, especially as used during World War II. The paper further describes practical applications of radiofrequencyidentification today, such as on toll roads and also in moving products to their destinations. The author uses Wal-Mart as an example, and also has several charts to demonstrate how RFID is used in industry. The paper concludes with potential uses for RFID in the future.
Outline:
History of RadioFrequencyIdentification Fundamentals of RadioFrequencyIdentification Exploring the type of RFID Tags
Active RFID Tags
Active Backscatter Tags
Passive Backscatter Tags
RFID's Future Applications
Figure 1: Comparing RFIDFrequencies Figure 2: Comparing RFID Tags and their Use
Figure 3: Exploring How RFID Works
Figure 4: RFID's Impact on a Manufacturer's Supply Chain
Table 1:
Mass customization manufacturing strategies which can be automated through RFID Figure 5: Using RFID Technology to streamline the MRO Process
Figure 6: Authentication techniques using RFID to validate products using RFID
From the Paper "The 1990s were a significant decade for RFID since it saw the widespread deployment of electronic toll collection in the United States according to AIM (2001). From the lessons learned in transportation and the work completed by IBM engineers who developed and patented an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID system according to RFID Journal (2002) which could be read up to 20 feet away., the foundation for reading tags in motion from a distance was of immediate interest to mass merchandisers including Wal-Mart. The pioneering work IBM had done in UHF RFID was sold off to Intermec when the computer conglomerate encountered financial difficulties in the mid 1990s. Intermec, an industry leader in bar coding and material handling applications, struggled to make the technology a market success. What were missing were data standards and the ability to create Master Data Management repositories that could be queried and used for analysis."
Presents a research proposal to measure the dynamics of how radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) implementations impact the ability of companies to compete with streamlined supply chains.
Abstract This research paper focuses on how the emerging technology of radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) can make a lasting and significant contribution to supply chain performance. Any study of supply chains also needs to include an assessment of how processes can be made more efficient as well. As a result of this requirement of the study of supply chains, an overview of the concepts of business process management (BPM) is also included. BPM makes it possible to streamline supply chains and make them more efficient. The paper includes numerous tables and figures.
Table of Contents:
Table of Tables
Table of Figures
Introduction
Literature Survey
Types of RFID Tags
Active RFID Tags
Active Backscatter Tags
Passive Backscatter Tags
Table: The Benefits of RFID Benefits for Supply Chain Partners
Table: Comparing Bar Coding and RFID Technologies
Using RFID to Track Shipments and see how Supply Chains are Performing
Figure: How the DoD is reorganizing its Supply Chain with RFID Figure: How the DoD made their supply chain more process-based
How the DoD and Wal-Mart Measure Their Supply Chain's Performance
Table: How Market Leaders Measure Supply Chain Performance
Table: Financial Measures of Supply Chain Performance
Figure: How RFID can contribute to total shareholder value
Research Problem Definition for measuring the impact of RFID on Supply Chain Performance
Introducing the RFID Maturity Model
Hypothesis Definition
Figure 4: Proposed RFID Maturity Model
Research Design and Methodology
Supply Chain Research Anticipated Findings
Expected Conclusions
Contributions of Knowledge
Research Limitations
Summary of Proposal
From the Paper "The DoD, Wal-Mart and many other organizations attaining high levels of supply chain performance as a result of implementing RFID share the common characteristic of measuring results early and often. In fact their entire company cultures are centered on measuring performance, as is the case with General Electric (GE). What's been happening in many of these organizations is the decision to use supply chain-based measures of performance or metrics to quantify the contribution of RFID to their organizations."
Abstract The paper explains the fundamentals of the radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) technology. The paper explores the two types of RFID tags; active and passive. The paper discusses RFID's applications in the supply chain and relates that with the software industry losing approximately forty per cent of its global revenues every year due to counterfeiting and the widespread abuses of music distribution, the use of secure RFID tags seems inevitable.
Outline:
Fundamentals of RadioFrequencyIdentification Exploring the type of RFID Tags
RFID's Applications in the Supply Chain
From the Paper "RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Code, and is part of the larger Auto-ID technology family, and is a technology that uses radio-frequency waves to transfer data between a reader and a movable item to identify, categorize, track and monitor products. RFID tags are comprised of microchips with antennas that broadcast their status to remote readers. As this technology relies of radio frequencies to communicate, no line of sight is required the movement of products throughout a warehouse is much more efficient."
Abstract The paper explains how radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) is an automatic identification method that relies on storing and remotely retrieving data using RFID tags, or transponders. The tags contain silicon chips and antennas that allow it to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID transceiver. The paper discusses the history of RFID and the differences between semi-passive RFID tags and passive tags. The paper shows how the promise of being able to track product movement in real time is very appealing. The paper discusses how RFID-tagged items are better than bar-codes; they hold more information, can be read in bulk and do not require direct line of sight with the RFID reader to transfer information.
From the Paper "The RFID predecessor dates back to 1945, when Leon Theremin invented an espionage tool for the Soviet government (RFID). Although this was a covert listening device and in an identification tag, it is the first known device and is considered a predecessor to RFID technology (RFID). The IFF transponder was invented by the British in 1939 and was used by the allies in World War II to identify airplanes (RFID). Harry Stockman, in his landmark 1948 paper, Communication by Means of Reflected Power, predicted that "considerable research and development work has to be done before the remaining basic problems in reflected-power communication are solved, and before the field of useful application is explored" (RFID). It took thirty years of advances in numerous fields before RFID became a reality (RFID)."
Abstract This paper discusses the effect that technology has on Wal-Mart. It discusses what radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) means to Wal-Mart and its potential effect on the general public. The paper briefly looks at the Uniform Code Counsel and UCCnet. It also discusses Wal-Mart's software, the sale of transaction data and what can be found on the Wal-Mart website.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Summary
RadioFrequencyIdentification Acceptance
UCCnet Takes a Stand
Wal-Mart on the Web
Wal-Mart Software
Selling of Consumers' Transaction Data
Conclusion
From the Paper "It is not hard to find and buy consumer information. Today, many companies sell consumers information as a means to generate revenue. Customer's information is also use as a marketing tool to draw customers. Many consumers disapprove of selling their data especially if they will not gain or benefit from it. According to John Rendleman, "Information is worth a lot of money. The Direct Marketing Association--the trade group that represents the companies that market their products using offers delivered via mail, telephone, magazines, the Internet, radio, or TV--says companies spent $191 billion in2000 on direct-response advertising solicitations. Those efforts produced $1.7 trillion in revenue" (Rendleman, 2001). Thou there is lots of money in selling transaction data, Wal-Mart decided to stop selling general sales data to six market-research companies that combined the data with information from other companies to create industry-wide reports on retail sales trends (Rendleman, 2001). In the report, Rendleman reports that a spokes person from Wal-Mart pointed out that, "Our competitors were getting more out of the third-party aggregation than we were, so it made more sense for us to stop" (Rendleman, 2001)."
Tags: Uniform Code Counsel, UCCnet, transaction data
Abstract The paper explores how radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) contributes to increasing process performance through the efficient use of information that provides greater visibility throughout any given supply chain. The paper examines a proposed RFID maturity model and RFID equilibrium model. The paper concludes that RFID piloting strategies are highly efficient at both redefining business process workflows using business process management (BPM) techniques, and at attaining measurable process performance gains once they are automated through the use of RFID. The paper includes many color diagrams and tables.
Outline:
Abstract
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2
Literature Review
Chapter 3
Research Methodology and Design
Chapter 4
Data Collection
Chapter 5
Analysis of Results
Chapter 6
Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "Supply chains have become, in majority industries and for nearly every manufacturer, distributor or member of a distribution channel, the most significant competitive differentiator and also the process area most fertile for process improvements. Gaining slight percentage increases in performance in any given supply chain process on the critical path of fulfilling customer demand can have direct financial contributions to the profitability of the company. AMR Research, a leading supply chain consultancy, estimates that a 1% gain in Perfect Order performance (Barrett, et.al) will lead to a 3% increase in profitability."
Tags: maturity, model, equilibrium, model, piloting, strategies, bar, code, replacement
Abstract The paper examines John Burnell's article, "Sam's Club Letter Outlines Changes to RFID Requirements" and explores the radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) initiatives of Sam's Club and Wal-Mart. The paper explains why Sam's Club is looking for supplier adoption of RFID technique, what benefits it looks to realize and what disadvantages it hopes to minimize. The paper shows how Sam's Club is trying to apply the lessons learned by Wal-Mart, its parent company, in its ill-fated experience implementing RFID.
From the Paper "Sam's Club, which is the membership warehouse retail arm of Wal-Mart, sent a letter to all of its suppliers last month "rolling back" its ambitious plans to achieve Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging of all pallets, cases and sellable units by 2010. The announcement is reminiscent of its parent company, the world's largest retailer, attempting a similar initiative. In November 2003, Wal-Mart asked its top 100 suppliers to be ready to mark deliveries (boxes and pallets) with RFID tags by January 2005, which it unfortunately failed to achieve except with a few suppliers. (Wailgum 2008) The article, "Sam's Club Letter Outlines Changes to RFID Requirements," which appeared in the January 26, 2009 issue of RFID Update, discusses Sam's Club initiative in light of its latest announcement."
A proposal of an evaluation on the feasibility of developing radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) middleware to support Web Services for use on mobile computing devices.
Abstract This paper is a proposal for an evaluation on the feasibility of developing radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) middleware that can support a wide variety of Web Services specifically developed for use on mobile computing devices, delivering relevant content, guidance, and opt-in advertising on a location-contextual basis. The paper defines mobile computing in this context and and introduces the concept of cyber-foraging. The paper also describes RFID and middleware and how they function. In addition, the paper reviews research that has been covered on this subject and describes the approach used in the evaluation.
Outline:
Introduction
Problem Statement and Goal
Relevance, Significance, and Brief Overview of Literature
Approach
From the Paper "Foundational to the proposal of an RFID middleware platform is the definition of mobile computing in this context, an introduction to the concept of cyber-foraging, a brief description of what middleware is and how it functions, and a brief description of RFID. In the context of this proposal, mobile computing is defined as those class of devices that have the ability to connect with, query, upload, publish, and refer interactively with the Internet. These include cellular telephones, convergence web/phone devices, PDAs, and laptop computers."
Abstract The paper discusses how utilizing radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) devices can provide security and peace of mind for schools, individual parents and daycare centers. The paper explains how this technology can be used on car seats, bracelets and in the belts of children in order to prevent their disappearance and avoid potential tragedies.
From the Paper "Everywhere one looks, there are pictures of missing children displayed. They appear on milk cartons, in mailboxes and around town. Whether they have disappeared because they wandered off on their own and got lost, or were grabbed by an abductor with dangerous intentions, the result is the same. They are gone, their families are frantic and law enforcement officials scramble to locate the children before something horrible can happen. It only takes a split second. A mother turns her head to greet a friend, a man steps out of a room for a minute, or a child wanders away without letting parents know he is going to do so, and suddenly the child is gone. It is an unimaginable terror for parents as the television crews arrive. Their worst nightmare starts to come true as detectives ask to see a picture of the missing child."
Abstract The paper presents a proposal for research of RFID security and relates how this technology might be improved upon. The paper further examines the latest developments in RFID technology including that of GEN 2. The paper states that identity management is a critical issue for RFID technology and until these issues are resolved, the need for better identity management will serve as a barrier for implementation of RFID technology. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Literature review
Summary & Recommendations for Research
From the Paper "Noted as well in this report is the fact that percent of survey respondents held the number one priority to be national security. It was stated by 56 percent of those participating in the study, all of whom are government IT professionals that they had either "...seen or heard about someone violating their organization or agency's security protocols." (Security Products Magazine, 2008) Watson (2008) states in the work entitled: "Clear Vision: RFID Emerges as Powerful Security Tool" that while RFID security applications "...are easily categorized into tracking personnel and assets, companies are unlikely to find prepackaged RFID solutions from vendors. There is no off-the-shelf RFID..." and furthermore while RFID components have undergone standardization there is no guarantee of RFID component plug-and-play applications. (Watson, 2008; paraphrased) In fact, Ravi Pappu, co-founder and head of the advanced development group for Thing-Magic in Cambridge, Mass states that there is "some black magic that goes on to make an RFID system work."
This paper discusses RadioFrequencyIdentification Devices (RFID), an automated identification and data collection technology consisting of tags containing chips for storing data and an antenna for transmitting data through radio waves.
3,150 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 14 sources, MLA, $ 91.95
Abstract This paper explains that RFID chips can be attached, often without notice, to all sorts of products, such as clothing and books, and can be use to monitor and control the supply chain in ways similar to the bar code, which the RFID is being developed to replace. The author points out that some examples of the consumer use of the RFID are in a library where the reader need only to walk in front of a shelf and can immediately see on a screen a list of all the books and their contents. For another example, parents in amusement parks can locate their children by putting a RFID on their children and then locating them on a special "kidspotter" map of the park. The paper stresses that, despite the clear advantages of RFID, there is a concern among privacy activists because RFID tags, so small that they can go undetected, can be embedded in any product or article of clothing and even under the skin of a person and then can be used to record information about their activities, tracking anyone with a tag on them.
Table of Contents
History
Beneficial Social Impact
Deleterious Social Impact or Potentially Dangerous Social Impact
Personal Privacy
Information Security
Analysis of Social Impact
Future Impact of the Technology
From the Paper "While in the 1980's RFID was primarily used for commercial applications, the 1990s saw RFID enter the consumer market. Toll systems throughout the US and Europe became widespread and started gaining major use. Toll systems were adopted by Kansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Maine, and New York, Massachusetts, and quite a few other states. Standardization became a big issue with all these systems, leading to the Title 21 standard and the EZ-Pass Interagency Group, both of which were formed in an effort to provide consistent toll standards in different regions of the US. Payment and access systems were developed, such as the speedpass payment system used by Mobile gas stations, various skipass systems and gated community access setups. Automobile related RFID systems also were implemented in larger scale including remote entry and ignitions systems."
This paper is a comparative and quantitative masters thesis proposal studying radiofrequencyidentification distribution (RFID) strategies based on supply chain performance.
Abstract This thesis proposal focuses on the implications of introducing radiofrequencyidentification distribution (RFID) to supply chain processes and the resulting financial and logistical benefits. The proposal looks to quantify the contribution of RFID to increasing supply chain performance across several industries, specifically studying the best practices of leading companies in each industry studied. As a result, this proposal concentrates on the concepts of business process management (BPM) as they relate to streamlining and making supply chain processes more efficient as well as the intensive use of analytics to quantify supply chain performance gains based on the use of RFID.
Outline:
Introduction
List of Abbreviations
Literature Survey
Problem Definition
Research Design and Methodology
Anticipating Findings
Summary of Proposal
Bibliography
From the Paper "In defining the Return on Investment (ROI) that RFID contributes to as part of streamlining supply chains, the benefits to each member of a supply chain first need to be defined, followed by the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics of performance that quantify them. RFID's contributions have been quantified to the pallet level and in the case of mixed-pallet level of shipments as they move through warehouses and distribution centers. Strategies for quantifying the Return on Investment (ROI) of RFID needs to begin with an assessment of the potential benefits of using this technology by specific members of the supply chain. Table 1, RFID Benefits for Supply Chain Partners, provides an overview of the key benefits by supply chain participant (Baird and Company 11). . The following table provides insights into which process areas manufacturers, logistics providers, and retailers are concentrating on relative to RFID implementations. The work completed by AMR Research (2004) serves as the foundation for many organizations that are creating dashboards to quantify the contribution of RFID to their process reengineering efforts organization-wide."
Tags: supply chain, industry management performance, business process management, analytics
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the increasing use of radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) tags has raised the possibility of using these around the household, in order to increase time management capacity and to obtain cost and expense reductions through better operational management. The writer identifies a series of household functions and situations where RFID tags can be used and evaluates the potential benefits that can be obtained from their usage. The paper proposes a business model that assimilates the household to a business organization that generates revenue through the household income, has different operations and operational challenges and has an output. The paper shows where RFID brings about better operational management.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Proposed Business Model Description
Concept of RFID Usage in the Household
Household RFID Usage Benefits
Conclusions
From the Paper "In terms of access, there are two main directions where the RFID usage is targeted: facilitating access for the inhabitants of the household and security measures, that is banning access to individuals who are not to enter the household.
"The access facilitation segment can be done with the implementation of RFID for the garage and entrance doors that can thus automatically open when the household members approach the house. On the other hand, RFI tags can also be implemented within the household, for automatic doors between the different rooms of the house which can open when the individuals pass by it.
"The access issue is greatly improved by RFI tags on the security segment. Here, potential thieves will not be able to open not only the area giving way to the property (entrance and garage doors), but also the doors between the rooms. This thus limits their capacity of theft."
Abstract One of the latest technologies to hit the market is RFID (radiofrequencyidentification) technology. Many companies including Wal-Mart have invested in RFID technology to help reduce inventory and track products, as well as link products to consumers. Only recently have car rental companies started to realize the potential benefits of RFID technology for tracking and inventory. The benefits of RFID technology for the car rental industry are discussed in this paper.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Analysis of RFID Technology
Conclusions
References
From the Paper "By and large most companies are finding that RFID tags are a new and highly beneficial technology that can reduce inventory levels and theft, and result in billions of dollars in savings every year (McCullagh, 2003). Mega Corporation Wal-Mart has started a trend that will likely spread into numerous other industries, including the car rental industry. In fact, smaller industries such as car rental agencies probably stand to benefit the most from these inexpensive tags."
Abstract This paper discusses the world's first sub-dermal, radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) microchip, VeriChip. The paper claims that the chip can be used in a variety of security, financial, emergency identification, and other applications. The paper describes how society can benefit if these microchips are used with ex-convicts, sexual offenders, shoplifters, and so on. The legal issues are also covered in the paper.
From the Paper "Since its announcement on December 19, 2001, VeriChip has captured enormous media attention in the United States and worldwide (Wave 2002). On March 25, 2004, Applied Digital Solutions, Inc., an advanced technology development company, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, VeriChip Corporation, awarded the exclusive rights to distribute VeriChip in three states, including Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, as well as distributors in Puerto Rico and Central America (VeriChip 2004). The distributors collectively agreed to quotas to purchase 66,763 VeriChips and 4,945 scanners over the terms of the agreements and each distributor's plans call for using VeriChip for security-related and emergency identification applications (VeriChip 2004)."
