Today, there is a great deal of publicity surrounding RFID , and the efficiency and business processes it promises are attracting attention. Many companies are beginning to promote RFID , and some are even starting to experiment with this new technology. However, these advocacy initiatives have exposed a fundamental problem: in order to effectively improve RFID technology and synchronize product and logistics data with business partners, the data must first be standardized and consistent within the enterprise before it can be effectively managed.
The first phase of RFID is enabling the accurate retrieval of product information within an enterprise. This essential information resides within one of the many different back-end systems a typical enterprise possesses. Therefore, the initial task is to rapidly transform the RFID project into an internal product information management project.
Product Information Management ( PIM ) provides an organization-wide solution that enables businesses to obtain a single piece of information about a product, which then serves as the basis for RFID and synchronization of this information with business partners. PIM includes integrating information from disparate systems and normalizing that information into a single, specialized product database.
Product information management uses RFID processes to integrate information into a company's value chain as a necessary step. To prepare a company for RFID adoption , it first needs to obtain its product data. Seven product information collaboration steps help companies adopt RFID technology:
Step 1: Data Source Identification
First, businesses must determine that all systems and applications contain relevant product information. This information may be contained in RFID , supply chain, e-commerce, mainframe, or any other system. This involves high-level factors such as market, price, spatial composition, or any other factors that influence the product. Once determined, the business must decide how to upgrade the system's master product database.
Step 2: Data Source Configuration
Once the correct product RFID information source is identified, the company must develop a data plan for its main product database based on its market data standards. Then, specific domain data from different data sources must be included in the database plan.
Step 3: Packaging Degree Attribute Identification
The product itself is ordered, handled, stored, and packaged for sale (individual packaging, boxing, palletizing, etc.). Specific attribute identification in previous stages will only be used for a particular level of packaging. This packaging level information is crucial as RFID information to be incorporated into the system.
Step 4: Information Extraction and Filtering
Once the first few stages are completed, information can be extracted from relevant data sources, using filters to obtain the relevant information. Information can be extracted using different methods and communication protocols. The key is to connect to the correct data source, extract the correct information, and filter out any irrelevant factors.
Step 5: Information Standardization
For information from different data sources, it is important to standardize this information into a specialized database. This may require transforming the data according to market data standards reflected in specialized product databases.
Step Six: Product Status Management
Products exist in many states. When a new product is introduced, the old product may face replacement by the current version, entering the " end of its life " state. An important part of the product information management process is to be able to track and maintain the product's state throughout its entire lifecycle.
Step 7: Collaborative Transaction Management
Now that all other stages are complete, in the final state of Product Information Management, data can be synchronized with systems both inside and outside the firewall. Product Information Management can update all other systems within the enterprise with accurate product information and ensure that RFID information flowing into the enterprise's trading partners accurately conveys what will happen throughout the value chain .
For RFID to deliver on its promises, it must be supported by accurate product information. This information, obtained within the value chain, is just as precise as the product information within the enterprise. Product information management ensures that organizations both inside and outside the enterprise have the most data to identify and describe products. Provided the product information is accurate enough, the RFID information flow can fully guarantee that the enterprise and its trading partners can respond to changing business events.
For more information on RFID, please visit the official website of Guangzhou Chenkong Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. or follow our WeChat official account (Chenkong Intelligent). We will update RFID -related information as soon as possible. We look forward to your inquiries and cooperation .
