Electronic Product Code Information Services Research Articles

Enhancing Visibility in EPCIS Governing Agri-Food Supply Chains via Linked Pedigrees

Data integration for the purposes of tracking, tracing and transparency are important challenges in the agri-food supply chain. The Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) is an event-oriented GS1 standard that aims to enable tracking and tracing of products through the sharing of event-based datasets that encapsulate the Electronic Product Code (EPC). In this paper, the authors propose a framework that utilises events and EPCs in the generation of “linked pedigrees” - linked datasets that enable the sharing of traceability information about products as they move along the supply chain. The authors exploit two ontology based information models, EEM and CBVVocab within a distributed and decentralised framework that consumes real time EPCIS events as linked data to generate the linked pedigrees. The authors exemplify the usage of linked pedigrees within the fresh fruit and vegetables supply chain in the agri-food sector.

Flexible Capturing Application for Enhanced Generation of EPCIS Events

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and electronic product code (EPC) technology have been widely used to identify and keep track of physical objects. EPCglobal proposed the EPC network which consists of several components such as application level events (ALE) and EPC information service (EPCIS) to deal with the captured data from different layers. Many studies mostly concentrated on dealing with the RFID tag data in ALE, as well as querying and sharing EPCIS events in EPCIS. However, there is no well-known study on specifying how to generate higher level EPCIS events. The event types and semantic event fields are both uncertain for the capturing application to generate EPCIS events. Therefore, this paper proposes the flexible capturing application (FCA) to solve the problem that the event types and semantic event fields are both uncertain. FCA specifies generation rules about the four EPCIS event types. All the generation rules are matched for the incoming tag data to determine the event types. Event fields are generated with tag data and other sources of data after deciding event types. Thus, FCA can generate EPCIS events arising from supply chain activity. We evaluate our approaches by means of simulation and real experiments. Our experimental results indicate that FCA can be effective in processing EPCIS events data. We conclude with suggestions for future work.

Research on Supply Chain Abnormal Event Detection Based on the RFID Technology

In a complex supply network composed of suppliers, manufactures and buyers, RFID tech is used to connect different items. RFID tech makes it possible to collect data in logistics with a low cost and it can optimize the traditional method more efficiently. A platform using EPCGlobal standards supplies the base environment for high-level applications, such as abnormal event detection in a supply chain, frequent path mining and the retail theft prediction. This paper studies abnormal events detection in the supply network. The data captured from the EPC information service is used to calculate a path and the machine learning method is adopted to cluster the path.

Effects on logistic operations from RFID- and EPCIS-enabled traceability

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the potential effects on logistic operations of implementing the Electronic Product Code Information Service (EPCIS) standard and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enable food traceability. A conceptual model for analysing supply chains according to EPCIS standard is also presented. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review was conducted to establish a theoretical framework. A case study of a Swedish fresh fish supply chain was then carried out. Findings – Implementation of the EPCIS standard and RFID technology to enable food traceability potentially affects the following logistic operations activities: identification, monitoring, labelling, goods handling, reporting of production, identification costs and revenue changes due to sales of goods. The conceptual model was used to analyse the effects. Research limitations/implications – The paper contributes to logistic research by studying the implementation of RFID technology and information standards to comply with food traceability requirements. The research is limited to fish supply chains; other sectors and supply chains need to be investigated for further generalisation of the results. Practical implications – Regulatory requirements on food traceability stipulate the implementation of food traceability systems, placing the responsibility on companies by authorities. The research presented can support managers in understanding the potential effects of implementing such systems. Originality/value – The discussion about logistics and food traceability has in part revolved around implementation of RFID technology and standardised approaches for handling information to preserve food quality and safety. This paper presents potential effects on logistic operations when implementing the EPCIS standard and RFID technology as a way of enabling traceability throughout food supply chains.

RFID 비즈니스 이벤트의 생성을 위한 시뮬레이션 모델

Adoption of RFID has become widespread including logistics, drug supply-chain, and healthcare. To adopt RFID, we need to evaluate performance and feasibility of RFID S/W such as EPC Information Service (EPCIS), which demands a variety of test datasets of RFID business events. This paper proposes a novel method for creating RFID business events dataset by means of the simulation of RFID infrastructure. Proposed model provides a flexible representation capability since this is based on well-known petri-net. In addition, it can also be useful when determining adoption of RFID as it supports simulation of RFID environment.

Benefits through Utilising EPC Network Components in Service-Oriented Environments – an Analysis Using the Example of the Food Industry

Improvements in the food sector imply enhancements of delivering food which is safe, affordable, readily available, and of the quality and diversity consumers expect. However, prevalent information systems (IS) of companies in the food industry are not ready to support further significant improvements. They especially lack the capability to exchange relevant information in an efficient manner. Since recently, two major developments can be observed from IS perspective: the spreading of service-oriented architectures (SOA) as well as an increase in mass serialization (due to public and private traceability requirements, e.g.). So far, though most important due to food safety, a growing need to become more efficient as well as an increasing information demand of consumers, the food sector has attracted little attention in literature concerning an analysis about the potential of both service-orientation and the Electronic Product Code (EPC) Network. This is why this paper will investigate to which extent these two developments can contribute to facilitate food companies’ IS helping them to maintain their competiveness. As a starting point, the research paper will depict the state of the art including SOA and the EPC Network. After describing the research approach, it will proceed with a characterisation of the food sector including an examination why there is need for action. Based on current research findings as well as experience gathered in recent projects, the paper will investigate the application of the EPC Network with its three major components, i. e. EPCIS (EPC Information Services), ONS (Object Name Service) and the EPC Discovery Services, as part of future IS architectures in this sector. The paper will close with a discussion whether the envisioned IS architecture is appropriate to accomplish the previously identified challenges and requirements in the food sector in a more agile, efficient and effective way. What is more, it will highlight the most pressing challenges and provide an outlook as to the following steps of the research.

An information-centric and REST-based approach for EPC Information Services

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) techniques are considered relevant building blocks for the Internet of Things. The interoperability across different RFID software and hardware infrastructures is a key requirement for achieving effective and wide-scale Internet of Thing deployments. In this context, the EPC Information Service (EPCIS) is a set of standard specifications for sharing RFID-related data (i.e., EPC events) both within and across enterprises. Although the EPCIS specifies a set of HTTP and Web Service interfaces for querying and adding EPC events, interoperability and easiness of use is hindered by the fact that client applications should be aware of the repositories that are authoritative for one or more given queries and links among related events are not explicitly represented in response messages. In this paper we argue that, by leveraging emerging REST and Linked Data paradigms, EPC events can be handled as a graph of globally-addressable information resources that can be navigated, queried, and aggregated through a uniform interface and seamlessly across organization domains. To validate this approach, we have developed a prototype that exposes the EPCIS interfaces as a set of REST APIs. The prototype implementation exploits the information modeling and management capabilities provided by a framework, called InterDataNet (IDN), that we conceived and developed to ease the realization of the Web of Data and Linked Data applications.

Information System Costs of Utilizing Electronic Product Codes in Achieving Global Data Synchronization within the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Network

Numerous benefits of implementation of global data synchronization (GDSN) in the pharmaceutical supply chain have been identified, including reduced counterfeiting, decreased medication errors, increased supply chain efficiency, and standardized regulatory evolution. For this study, a complete GDSN supply chain framework was developed as a model for the industry to achieve Global Standard (GS1) standards. Each supply chain member must have a strong enterprise resource planning (ERP) information system to accommodate the initial electronic product code information services (EPCIS). A web-based Datapool—which connects the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer—will assist in reaching the data synchronization stage. The most important step is to have an open standard of GS1 global registry to enable the Epedigree to be traced through the supply chain system. When combined with EPCIS, as well as electronic product code global (EPCglobal) standardization and GS1 Global Registry, the supply chain can achieve global data synchronization and traceability. The comprehensive GDSN framework provided in this study provides the pharmaceutical industry an estimate of the total costs of attaining a global data synchronization network.

Assessment of Standards for Inter-organizational Tracking Information Exchange in the Supply Chain

With increasing globalization and loosely-coupled business relations between different companies, the importance of information exchange standards is increasing. GS1's Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) is currently one of the main standards proposed for inter-organizational data exchange for trace and track purposes in the supply chain. However, some parts of the EPCIS framework are yet to be defined and the standard has to overcome some obstacles to be used as a global standard for trace and track applications. This paper tries to address the main question whether EPCIS has the potential to ‘take off' as a globally accepted data-exchange standard.

모델 기반 EPCglobal 네트워크의 성능 분석

The EPCglobal Network is a computer network used to share product data among trading partners. It provides the supply chain with improved visibility and traceability by using Electronic Product Code (EPC), which is stored on an RFID tag. Although this network model is widely accepted as a global standard and the growth of EPCglobal-subscriber base is considerable, the EPC technology adoption process is still in its infancy. This is because some of the critical issues on this model still remain to be verified such as scalability, data management, security, privacy and the economic value of data sharing. In this paper, we focus on scalability issue among the challenges to overcome and we regard performance of the EPCglobal Network only as a track and trace query-processing cost in the network. We developed performance models consisting of three elements of the EPCglobal Network : Discovery Services (DS), EPC Information Services (EPCIS), Object Naming Services (ONS). Then we abstracted out the track and trace query execution model to evaluate performance of the overall EPCglobal Network. Finally using the proposed models, we carried out simulation analysis based on an RFID-based inbound logistics process of automobile parts. This work is an important step towards the EPC technology diffusion and provides guidelines for businesses looking to buy or build the EPCglobal Network-based systems.

Decision Making Platform Supported on ICTs: Application to the Management of Ground Handling Operations at an Airport

AbstractThe required harmonization of information and communication technologies (ICTs) with operational decision-making demands new alignment software techniques, especially at shop floor level. This alignment exists when people, systems, processes and technology are properly positioned to support company strategies; which in turn support the overall mission and goals. But the required integration is not easy as physical elements, implementation platforms and shop floor management operate as black boxes with a conspicuous lack of information sharing. In order to face this situation, this paper proposes the use in environmental alignment of concepts and technologies coming from manufacturing control. The application of an agent-based alignment supported by new “Visibility Frameworks” (as EPC Information Services) in scheduling levels is presented. A layered agent space is used in adapted platforms, where the interaction protocol between them and the decision making process, are based on sharing Markov reward parameters. This paper proposes the use of Markov parameters so as to maintain the system aligned, reflecting the company's global policy guidelines in every single decision taken in the plant, terminal or logistic centre. A software tool has been developed/deployed by which it has been possible to test these new ideas in the ground handling management of the Ciudad Real Central Airport.

RFID와 센서 데이터 처리를 위한 EPCIS 저장소 설계 및 구현

유비쿼터스 컴퓨팅 환경을 구축하기 위하여 자동 식별, 센서 네트워크, 홈 네트워크 등의 다양한 분야에 대한 연구가 진행되고 있다. EPCIS(EPC Information Services)는 RFID 용용 시스템 개발에 필요한 태그 정보를 관리하는 저장소와 관련하여 EPCglobal에서 제안된 표준이다. 본 논문에서는 일반적인 객체 인식과 환경 정보 변화에 의존하는 객체 검색을 가능하게 하기위해 EPCIS 저장소를 설계하고 개발 및 구현한다. 또한 위치를 기반으로 하고 지속적으로 변하는 대용량 자료라는 면에서 RFID 자료와 유사한 센서 데이터를 통합처리 관리하여 USN(Ubiquitous Sensor Network) 환경 변화에 따른 객체 인식 등의 융합 처리가 가능하도록 설계한다. In order to build up the ubiquitous computer environment, there are many researches on automatic identification, sensor networks, and home networks etc. EPCIS (EPC Information Services), which is proposed by EPCglobal, is a standard on the repository managing tag data that is needed to develop RFID application system. In this paper, the EPCIS repository is designed and implemented. It is able to search the object dependent upon general object recognition and environment information variation. And sensor data, which is also massive data and is changed with position, is integrated into RFID data in the system. By doing so, it is possible to do the convergence managements of object recognition with variations of USN (Ubiquitous Sensor Network) environment.

Performance Modeling of an EPC Information Service System

To obtain visible and traceable information from the supply chain, HW/SW standards for the EPC global network, which process electronic product code (EPC) data read from Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, are regarded as the de facto industry standard. Supply chain participants install information service systems and provide logistics information to partners by following the EPCglobal architecture framework. Although quality of service (QoS) is essential for providing dependable and scalable services as pointed out by Auto-ID Lab, only a few models for the performance analysis of QoS-related work have been developed in the context of EPC information service systems. Specifically, doing so allows alternative design choices to be tested in an easy and cost-effective manner and can highlight potential performance problems in designs long before any construction costs are incurred. Thus, in this study we construct a model of an EPC information service system for the purposes of performance analysis and designing a dependable system. We also develop a set of building blocks for analytical performance models. To illustrate how the model works, we determine the characteristics of an EPC information service system and then select a combination of these proven modeling concepts. We construct a performance model that considers the response time and shows how to derive meaningful performance values. Finally, we compare the analytical results to measurements of the EPC information service system.

An efficient distributed discovery service for EPCglobal network in nested package scenarios

Today, obtaining and managing all the information about supply chains are key tasks for the improvement and progress of business and commercial strategies. Ubiquitous information technologies, like RFID, can be used for tracking and tracing of materials and items as they move through the supply chain. In this scenario, EPCglobal consortium provides an architecture framework for collecting, sharing and accessing information about EPC-tagged objects. One of the key components of EPCglobal architecture required to implement track and trace capabilities is the discovery service (DS). Although DS is still under development, it is expected that DS will be implemented by a centralized architecture. Another key component is the object name service (ONS), which is used to resolve the Internet addresses of the EPC information services (EPCISs). According to EPCglobal specification, ONS is based on the traditional Internet DNS. In this work, an alternative solution to implement ONS and DS services is presented. Both services are based on a distributed architecture, which eliminates the disadvantages and weaknesses of the centralized implementations of ONS and DS. In addition, the proposed distributed EPCglobal network architecture allows item level track and trace capabilities even if item visibility along the complete supply chain is not possible. In previous works, other authors always assume complete item visibility. However, in many industrial fields where items are packaged to facilitate the transport and distribution, this supposition is not true. Both EPCglobal network solutions are analytically compared, concluding with the benefits of using the distribution solution.

Security challenges of the EPCglobal network

Introduction The "Internet of Things," once reality, will have to rely on a global IT infrastructure that provides information about all those "things" in a secure and reliable manner. The EPCglobal Network is a proposal for a widely distributed information system to offer such services. But it may introduce more challenges concerning security, privacy, and political control than was initially anticipated. If the vision of many RFID proponents becomes true, more and more common objects will soon acquire a cyber presence. Objects will be equipped with RFID tags containing identification data and possibly some additional information about the object in question (data on tag). To keep tag costs low, one may often just store an identifier and use it as a key to access databases containing the actual object information (data on network). This second approach is typical for "EPC tags"—RFID tags that aim to replace the conventional barcode system. They use an Electronic Product Code (EPC, see Figure 1), which is globally unique, as a key to retrieve information from the EPCglobal Network, envisioned as a large distributed system of databases. The EPC standard represents a numbering framework that is independent of specific hardware features, such as tag generation or specific radio frequency. The databases compromising the EPCglobal Network are to be run by manufacturers, logistic providers, retailers, or third parties, and can be accessed via special web services called EPC Information Services (EPCIS). The network architecture is designed and administered by the standardization consortium EPCglobal, which is a joint venture of GS1 U.S. (formerly Uniform Code Council) and GS1 (formerly EAN International). By improving the information flow, as objects pass from suppliers to manufacturers, distributors, retail stores, and customers, the EPCglobal Network aims to facilitate cooperation within supply chains and thus to make them more efficient. Once established, it could also be used to support a wide range of applications in the area of ubiquitous computing. An often-cited example is the "smart home," in which "intelligent" cupboards and fridges could be realized using RFID technology. By scanning the RFID tags on objects and using the EPCglobal Network for information retrieval, such devices can identify their current content and offer new services like food counseling or automated replenishing of goods. As a result of this broadened use of the EPCglobal Network, its security context would change from closed supply chains to the rather open environments of ubiquitous computing–just like the security context of the Internet was changed by moving from relatively closed groups of fellow researchers to the global environment it represents today. In this article, we first describe the EPCglobal Network architecture, as currently specified. We then discuss its security and privacy risks, as well as possible countermeasures. We conclude with suggestions on how to improve existing design proposals, once appropriate security and privacy requirements have been established.