The application of UHF passive RFID technology for the effectiveness of retail/consumer goods supply chain management

Abstract

In this research, the application of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is the technology used for tracking objects using radio waves with the help of a reader, an antenna and a chip, is investigated on the retail/consumer goods supply chain. Consumer goods probably take the biggest pie by quantity among the goods produced in the world, therefore the supply chain of this industry has to be robust. Tracking this large amount of products is a critical subject all over the world, in this study ultra-high frequency (UHF) passive RFIDs, which operate without battery and a very small-sized antenna and which are advantageous for their size and cost, are particularly examined for global supply chain of retail/consumer goods. The benefits of the technology are summarized and a work flow is also represented for the supply chain operations among manufacturers, distribution centers and retailers applying RFID, barcode and GPS technologies together.