INTRODUCTION In this age of rapidly changing business environment, many organisations and business houses faces a constant pressure to continuously adapt and redefine their business process. One of the key processes in doing business whether big or small ranging from small grocery store to a big retail chain is the supply chain process. With the increase in exposure of the companies to the global environment, liberal trade policies, business partnerships and virtual proximity between any two locations of the world, supply chain management has become one of the buzz words in this global business environment. Supply chain management is a collaborative effort of multiple channel members to design, implement and manage seamless value added processes to meet the real needs of the end customers (Fawcett & Magnan, 2002). Thus we can see that a supply chain process involves multiple stages starting from suppliers and ending to end users or customers. The entities which are involved in a normal supply chain are suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, distributors, transporters, retailers and customers. NEED OF RFID One of the key challenges many organisations face is managing the interconnectivity and collaboration between different entities of the supply chain. Seamless flow of information, tighter integration and communication between channel partners plays an important role in increasing the efficiency of any supply chain and in turn the profitability and rate of return for any business. Due to the lack of communication and flow of information between the stages of supply chain results in poor product visibility and lack of transparency in the supply chain. This occurs mainly because of the fact that each link in the chain operates as in... ... middle of paper ... ...ly Chain. UPS Supply chain solutions. Gaukler, G. M., & Seifert, R. W. (2007). Item-Level RFID in the Retail Supply Chain. Texas: Production and Operations Management Society. Lieberthal, R. (2011, November). RFID and Supply Chain Visibility: You Can’t Manage What You Can’t See. Retrieved May 24, 2014, from RFID and Supply Chain Visibility: You Can’t Manage What You Can’t See: http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/rfid-and-supply-chain-visibility-you-cant-manage-what-you-cant-see/ Mishra, S. M. (2012). RFID and Supply Chain Management:A Brief Outline. The IUP Journal of Supply Chain Management. Sharma, S. (2010). Supply Chain Management Concepts, Practices and Implementation. Delhi, India: OXFORD, University Press. Sikander, J. (2005, April). RFID enabled Retail supply chain. Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms954628.aspx
Supply chain management is connected with the flow of products and information between supply chain members and organizations. New development in technologies enables organization to get correct information easily in their premises. Technologies used are helpful in coordinating the activities which manage the supply chain. By this the cost of information is decreased because now we have increasing rate of technologies. In an integrated supply chain where product or raw material and information flow in a bi-directional we as managers needs to understand that information technology is more than just computers.
Wen, Y., Chao-Hsien, C., and Zang, L. (2010). The use of RFID in healthcare. Benefits and
The Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (2012) defines RFID as a universal term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. The function of an RFID system is to enable data to be transmitted by a portable device, called a tag, which is read by an RFID reader and processed according to the needs of a particular application (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, 2012). RFID tags are a small object that can be implanted or attached into products (clothing, shoes ect.), humans, or animals that enable storing and retrieving data possible. With no physical contact required, this type of data can be collected and read through clothing, the human body, and non-metallic materials. In recent years, RFID tags have been used in identifying animals for health or nonhealth reason...
However, some people would think that it is a good idea. According to document three, “RFID readers will be able to scan every item as the customer exits the store and charge an RFID credit card, thereby simultaneously increasing efficiency and possibly reducing shoplifting. “ An RFID is a radio frequency device that identifies objects through tags. Consumers could see this as a pro because the time it takes to shop is much shorter. People don’t want to be waiting on line to check out. They can just get their items checked out immediately when they leave the store with a RFID tag. Another example found in document 1 is “ The information is predominantly used as a marketing tool so advertisers can target you with products or services that you are most likely to use or want. “ Some people want tracking because they believe that their shopping experience will be faster and more relevant. If the store knows more about them, then the items provided to the customer will be something that they're more interested
The technology and understanding make today’s supply chains more efficient and available than ever before. The slightest disruption in the supply chain can cost companies time, money and customers. This is the primary reason is imperative to construct a strategy/strategies that eliminates the effect of supply chain disruption.
This year we will reach the two billion passenger landmark, which on current trends will translate into 30 million pieces of mishandled baggage" [6]. The IATA surveyed airlines on their understanding of the reasons for and proportions of bags being mishandled. Among the main reasons, the airlines identified two areas where RFID can fix
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a computerized ID innovation that uses radio recurrence waves to exchange information between an onlooker and things that have RFID gadgets, or tags, joined. The tags hold a microchip and receiving wire, and work at universally distinguished standard frequencies. Barcodes are much smaller, lighter and easier than RFID but RFID offers significant advantages. One major advantage of RFID is that the innovation doesn't oblige any observable pathway the tags could be perused as long as they are inside the range of the spectator, whereas in barcodes in order to read the barcode the barcode scanner should close around 10-15 fts. In RFID data, for example, part and serial numbers, assembling dates and support history is put away on the tags and catches which help in maintenance of equipments. RFID technology as high value for asset management and inventory systems
In order to have both an effective and efficient supply chain, managers should be focused on trying to achieve not only a cost effective supply chain, but a flexible one. In today’s economy, because the market is so volatile, trendy, and competitive, flexibility is the key to success. In order to respond to customers’ ever-increasing requirement demands, market leaders have positioned themselves well by continually investing in new key performance indicators, additional technology, improved supply chain networks, and streamlining efforts (Source One INC, 2013). This helps to maximize flexibility and overall responsiveness. With increased flexibility, leaders recognize that supply chains must be adjusted to meet different customer needs. In my research I will analyze Gate Gourmet’s use of information technology and the importance of supply chain integration.
Before we start, we would like to briefly introduce the definitions of Supply Chain and Supply Chain Management (SCM).
Supply chain management is basically refers to the fundamental supply chain analysis of the organization which predominantly describes functionalities from source to the delivery point. In this process of delivery, supply chain management framework divides in four categories: In Planning the products and suppliers evaluated and selected, Sourcing pull the information process including contracting, ordering and expediting, Moving is a physical process from suppliers to end user and Paying is the financial process including payment and performance measurement.
‘Supply chain management integrates supply and demand management within and across companies. It encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion, and all logistics management activities. Importantly, it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners, which can be suppliers, intermediaries, thir- party service providers, and customers’. (Web: Council for Supply Chain Management Pr...
Supply chain management has been defined as that process that involves the management of information, materials, and all the finances that are handled within and across the entire supply chain process (Christopher, 2016). The management is usually done through out the entire supply chain management from that moment when the suppliers are involved through all the manufacturing activities, different distribution activities, and the way that the products are served to the final product consumer (Turban, et al., 2002). The process also includes all the activities that different organizations offers to their customers as after sale services for purposes perfecting their services and products towards their highly valued customers (Christopher,
[8] Supply chain lessons for the new millenium: a case of Micromax informatics Integral Review –by Salma Ahmed, A Journal of Management-ISSN: 2278-6120, p-ISSN: 0974-8032, Volume 5, No. 2, Dec.-2012, pp 53-61) .
It is undeniable that Inventory Management is an important key to success at Walmart this paper will discuss the two main methods of Inventory Management used by Wal-Mart: Material Requirements Planning and Just-in Time. Next we write about the technical means of keeping track of inventories like RFID tags. We conclude with discussing how
Totty, M. (2009, June 2). Business Solutions New Ways to Use RFID. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203771904574175882366028604.html