Information Systems for Supply Chain Management – Paper 1 – RFID
Alex Bartell
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Radio frequency identification (RFID) significantly increases supply chain efficiency by creating an electronic tracking system that encompasses the entire product life cycle. The technology was first discovered during World War II so countries could differentiate their aircrafts from those of their enemies. Just-in-time supply chains were made possible after the innovation of RFID technology. The ability to track products from raw materials to the end customer has brought to light many opportunities for process improvement. Information systems have integrated in RFID recognition technology in order to reduce the number of steps and manual data input required when tracking a product. RFID has created endless ways to track consumer behavior by storing buying habits and transaction details.
Radio frequency identification was originally used for military purposes during World War II. In 1935, the radar technology capable of locating aircrafts was invented by Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt (Roberti). Planes were able to be identified but there was no way to distinguish between different countries aircrafts. The Germans discovered that when their own pilots rolled the aircrafts, the radar would pick up a slightly different signal, thus creating the first form of RFID technology. The British started placing transmitters in their planes so radar detectors could recognize signals that bounced back.
Through the 1950s extensive research was done on how to remotely tag individual items. Companies started to tag items for security purposes to prevent stealing by using electronic article surveillance tags. These tags possess a one bit logic sensor that is either on or off. When the item is scanned through