RFID in the Supply Chain : A Guide to Selection and Implementation

The book discusses the major paradigm shift in product traceability that began with transitioning to RFID technology from bar code technology. It examines the economic feasibility of rolling out RFID and the challenges in supply chain synchronization, customer privacy, security, operations and IT, logistics, program management, education and training, and implementation, as well as what lessons have been learned. The author addresses the RFID business processes needed to analyze and resolve problems the suppliers face when they deal with multiple customers, each with a different mandate, and with their own set of suppliers.

Going beyond the technology and how it has changed supply chain processes, the book includes selection guidelines and implementation examples, such as speed of tag reads versus quality of computer inputs and optimal tag location. The author discusses the implementation of a business process model and the separate but equal concerns that business and IT executives have about the implementation of RFID applications. The book also covers security, integrated control management linked to the corporate strategy, and laws and regulations.