<p><b>Context</b>. This thesis takes an opportunity perspective. Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) has showed potential in enhancing and optimizing supply chains. For Pan Nordic Logistics (PNL), this represents an interesting opportunity and a possibility to enhance goods flow, increase quality, and gain competitive advantage.</p><p><b>The study</b>. This study has looked at how RFID could benefit PNL. A number of opportunities have been identified. Of these opportunities, the ‘Hub’ in Jönköping has been analyzed in further detail. The current logistics process has been mapped out in order to determine where in the logistics process the technology could have the optimal impact. Since it is not possible to perform a full financial evaluation without benchmarking and measuring the effects of RFID, a framework have been provided for future measurement, evaluation, and implementation.</p><p><b>Findings and recommendations</b>. This study concludes that an RFID implementation at the ‘Hub’ in Jönköping is ‘most likely’ to be financially feasible. RFID is a promising technology that should be taken to the next level. A small-scale implementation is recommended in order to ‘try out’ the technology and to fully evaluate how it could be adapted to fit existing solutions of PNL such as computer systems. If implemented, this trial should serve to map out the financial side of the technology using the provided framework. It is currently neither possible, nor feasible to fully understand the financial impact of the technology. Such a forecast would be imprecise and possible misleading.</p>

<p><!--[if !mso]> <object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><mce:style><! st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } --> </p><p>This report is the result of an investigation of the possibility to use RFID-technology in a producing company. The investigation is focused on a flow between the company’s producing subsidiary company in Lithuania and its main facility in Sweden.</p><p>RFID is the abbreviation for radiofrequency identification. The RFID-technology forms the base of a system with wireless information transmission between an object to which a transponder, also called tag, has been attached and a reader. The information is transmitted by radio waves and the system is equipped with software that can digitalise the radio waves. The information is thereby converted into useful input to, for example, the company’s business system. RFID makes it possible to decrease the human interaction necessary and does not demand free line of sight in contrast to barcode systems.</p><p>The objective of this final thesis is to:</p><p>·         give suggestions of how RFID can be applied in the flow of pallets between the Lithuanian subsidiary company and the main facility in Sweden</p><p>·         investigate if the adoption is practicable and what consequences will follow the suggested appliance</p><p>·         present profitability calculations</p><p>·         investigate what future opportunities the technology offers the company</p><p>The scope of my work is to be able to present a report to the company that gives them a good insight in the RFID-technology and to give suggestions on how to use it in their operations. The report shall be useable as a decision basis for the company when deciding weather it is interesting for them to continue the investigation or not.</p><p>The result of the investigation is a description of the flow which forms the basis of the two suggested alternatives of application of RFID-technology. The first alternative consists of a system of active tags which is attached to the pallets directly after the goods are produced. The second alternative is a system based on the use of passive tags in the form of self adhesive labels. Both alternatives induce a division of the flow into five zones between which a reading of the tags takes place and the pallets are thereby identified automatically.</p><p>The system of active tags results in an initial investment of SEK 1 256 000 and the system of passive tags, SEK 227 000. Both alternatives make a SEK 648 000 saving in cost possible, mainly consisting of decreasing need of working effort in identifying pallets and manual reporting to the business system.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>An analysis of the suggestions shows that the pay-back time for the alternative with active tags may be too long depending on the company’s intentions of future expansion of the system. The investment can be proven justifiable after a more thorough investigation. Concerning the system of passive tags, the analysis shows that the alternative is practicable and gives a great chance of fast profitability and also further profitability over time.</p><p>The investigation is based on a theoretic study of RFID, Supply Chain Management and process analysis. A survey of the process has resulted in a flow chart and this has formed the basis of the work resulting in the two suggested applications. These have then been evaluated from a profitability and practicability perspective.</p><p> </p>

The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a networking paradigm where entities are viewed as objects that are identifiable, traceable and connected. This view requires the integration and interoperability of numerous wireless standards. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are two dominant technologies that jointly constitute a class of hybrid/integrated IoT architectures known as RFID-Sensor Networks (RSNs). Data delivery across such integrated architectures faces challenges in terms of cost-efficiency, scalability and connectivity, among many others. Moreover, IoT-driven solutions are required to address constraints on node mobility, delay-tolerance and resource management, and may have to adhere to an economic model in order to establish incentive-based schemes. Most available RSN solutions are tailored for a single-application and fail to address the aforementioned IoT constraints. To the best of our knowledge, a detailed framework that comprehensively addresses such constraints does not exist. We investigate this promising research direction by proposing a novel framework that incorporates an RSN integrated architecture to improve delivery over heterogeneous topologies. Our framework provides data delivery solutions that adhere to delivery and connectivity considerations of integrated RSN architectures in IoT. Moreover, our data delivery solutions incorporate pricing policies for incentive public sensing applications over the proposed architecture. We show, by theoretical analysis and simulations, that our framework outperforms rival RSN integration approaches, as well as other wireless Ad-hoc data delivery schemes in realizing IoT performance requirements. / Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-05-01 15:09:52.668

An essential factor adversely affecting the performance of construction projects is the improper handling of materials during site activities. Materials management is made problematic by materials shortages, delays in supply, price fluctuations, damage and wastage, and lack of storages pace. In addition, paper-based reports are mostly used to record and exchange information related to the materials component within a supply chain which is problematic, error-prone, and inefficient. Generally, modem technologies are not being adequately used to overcome human error and are not well integrated with project management systems to make the tracking and management of materials easier and faster. Thus, this research focuses on the development of a mechanism to improve materials management on construction projects through the integration of materials tracking and resource modelling systems. A multi-facetted research approach was adopted. Initially, a literature review on materials management process in the construction project was conducted. This was followed by case studies involving six construction projects in order to investigate current practice in materials management to establish key problem areas and elements of good practice. The case studies also explored the requirements for integrating materials management and resource modelling in project management systems. The case study findings underpinned by literature results were used to develop a real-time framework for integrating RFID-based materials tracking and resource modelling. The framework was encapsulated in a computer-based prototype system based on Microsoft Visual Basic. NET. The prototype system was developed by amalgamation of all the software and hardware chosen such as MS Access (database system), MS Project (resource modelling) and RFID (automated materials tracking) to provide the mechanisms for integrating materials management and resource modelling in the construction industry. Evaluation of the prototype system was carried out by a series of interviews with industry practitioners to assess its appropriateness and functionality. It also established the skills and other requirements for the effective use of the real-time materials tracking system. The evaluation established that the prototype system demonstrated many benefits and is suitable for use in materials tracking and inventory management processes. It is concluded that the prototype system developed can improve materials management on construction projects, particularly with regard to materials tracking and integrating materials utilisation with the resource modelling subsystem in project management applications. Adoption of the approaches suggested in the thesis will enable the construction industry to improve the real-time management of materials on sites, and hence improve project performance.

In recent years, a number of advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions have been developed to assist in the management of business processes and working environments. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging technology and mobile computing are two such technologies which have been adopted for use in hybrid systems because they can monitor and manage industrial health, safety and welfare activities.

No description available.

Sensor applications are becoming increasingly important as products are now being requested to be more and more intelligent and safe. As the costs involved in sensor technology decrease its usage will spread to new market segments including new areas with products that have never previously used such functionalities, including, wood fibre based products for packaging, hygiene or graphical use. Currently there is a significant interest in developing technology that will allow packages to become interactive and be integrated with digital services accessible on the Internet. In this thesis, the system integration of a hybrid RFID based sensor platform is presented. This proposed platform provides a trade-off between the communication performance and its compatibility with international standards and also includes flexibility in on‐package customization, including the type and number of sensors. In addition it combines the use of traditional silicon based electronics with printed electronics directly onto wood fibre based materials so as to enable the possibility of creating smart packages. Together with the system integration of the sensor platform, five printed moisture sensor concepts that are designed to work with the sensor platform are presented and characterized. Firstly, there is a moisture sensor that shows a good correlation to the moisture content of wood fibre based substrates. The second one involves a sensor that detects high relative humidity levels in the air and the third is an action activated energy cell that provides power when activated by moisture. The fourth one deals with two types of moisture sensors that utilize silver nano-particles in order to measure the relative humidity in the air. The final one is a printable touch sensitive sensor that is sensitive to the moisture contained in the hand. A concept of remote moisture sensing that utilizes ordinary low cost RFID tags has also been presented and characterized. The main focus is thus on system integration to, by combining silicon based electronics with printed electronics, find the most low cost solution with regards to flexibility, sensor functions and still meet the communication standards. / När efterfrågan på mer intelligenta och säkra produkter ökar så ökar även intresset för olika typer av sensorer. När kostnaden för dessa sensorer sjunker så kommer användandet av dessa att utökas till nya marknadssegment som tidigare inte använt denna typ av funktionalitet, som tillexempel pappersbaserade förpackningar, hygienartiklar och papper för grafiskttryck. Det är för närvarande ett stort intresse att utveckla tekniker som tillåter förpackningar att bli interaktiva och integrerade med olika digitala tjänster kopplade till Internet. I denna avhandling så presenteras systemintegrationen av en RFID baserad sensor plattform som tillhandahåller en avvägning mellan kommunikationsprestanda, kompabilitet med internationella standarder och kundanpassningsflexibilitet. Där man direkt på förpackningen kombinerar fördelarna med traditionell kiselbaserad elektronik med trycktelektronik för att kunna skapa intelligenta förpackningar. I avhandlingen presenteras och utvärderas även fem trycka fuktsensorer som är designade att kunna användas tillsammans med sensor plattformen. Den första sensorn mäter fukthalten i cellulosabaserade substrat. Den andra kan detektera höga fukthalter i luften. Den tredje, som aktiveras vid en händelse, producerar en elektrisk ström när den blir fuktig. Den fjärde sensorn använder sig av silverbaserade partiklar i nanostorlek för att mäta fukthalten i luften. Den femte sensorn är en beröringskänslig sensor som ger utslag av fukten i handen. Utöver dessa sensorer så utvärderas även ett koncept med en fuktsensor som kan läsas av på avstånd. Fokus är således att på system integrationsnivå, med hjälp av att kombinera kisel elektronik med tryckt elektronik, hitta den mest kostnadseffektiva lösningen med avseende på flexibilitet, sensor funktionalitet och att även kunna möta kommunikationsstandarderna.

Magíster en Gestión de Operaciones / Ingeniero Civil Industrial / El principal objetivo de este trabajo de tesis es estudiar la facultad de un sistema de Radio Frecuency IDentification RFID, para resolver los problemas de congestión en los accesos a los terminales del Puerto de San Antonio. Actualmente se presentan problemas con grandes atochamiento que se generan en horarios de alta afluencia y se espera que esta situación empeore rápidamente con los años. Desde la mirada de la Empresa Portuaria de San Antonio (EPSA), quien es la empresa responsable de desarrollar la actividad marítimo-portuaria de la zona, se ha propuesto estudiar la factibilidad de esta tecnología para controlar los flujos que acceden al puerto con el fin de poder mitigar y distribuir los peak s de llegadas durante el día. Esto permite disminuir la holgura que existe en los procesos de recepción de camiones en otros horarios. En la actualidad el puerto recibe cerca de 2700 camiones diariamente y el crecimiento de esta demanda será cercano a un 6-7%. La propuesta RFID entrega la posibilidad de restringir los flujos de camiones que ingresan al puerto cuando éste presenta una condición de congestión en sus terminales de operación. Esta tecnología demuestra ser una solución efectiva y entrega una serie de beneficios disminuir en 5 veces los tiempos de los camiones en el sistema y en 9 veces el tamaño de las colas del terminal más importante del puerto. Estas mejoras sustanciales van acompañadas de otros beneficios como la capacidad de estudiar y controlar el sistema, entregar información histórica, prevenir situaciones de congestión, disminuir consumo de combustible, mejorar la competitividad del puerto junto con otros intangibles como mejorar la imagen de EPSA frente a la comunidad y mejorar la comunicación entre las empresas involucradas. Los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo, asienten la efectividad de implementar la tecnología RFID para resolver los problemas de congestión previo al ingreso a los terminales y enfrentar el futuro a corto plazo del sistema. Es factible técnicamente su implementación y parte de sus beneficios han sido demostrados en esta instancia, cumpliendo de esta manera el objetivo de estudiar la facultad de la tecnología RFID de solucionar el problema de la congestión de la zona logística del puerto de San Antonio y concretizar sus beneficios.

This thesis presents an analysis of the potential of RFID-technology with a special focus on implementations at retailers. By analysing the RFID-roll outs of Wal-Mart and Metro the thesis outlines the necessary characteristics of a retail supply chain to successfully implement RFID. The changes in a retail supply chain as a consequence of an RFIDimplementation are summarized and a detailed comparison with the two case studies is given. It shows that Wal-Mart's and Metro's supply chain correlate to a great extent with the typology beneficial to a successful RFID-implementation. Nevertheless, a conclusion on the success or failure of the roll-outs can not be drawn yet. Future developments will very much be dependent on the widespread implementation of RFID in other companies and industries and on the acceptance by the public. (author's abstract) / Series: Schriftenreihe des Instituts für Transportwirtschaft und Logistik - Logistik

Research report submitted to the School of Economic and Business Sciences, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, 2013. / In recent years, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology has transformed from being unknown to mainstream applications that help facilitate the managing of manufactured goods and materials. Its information storage capacity as well as its ability to transfer information through contactless means without line-of-sight translates to significant advantages to deliver various benefits for retailers and their clients in the retail settings. However, up until now RFID technology has gained very little momentum and the status of adoption particularly of retail organisations in South Africa is unknown. To fill this research gap, an exploratory study that draws on the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework was employed to provide a deeper understanding of South African retailers’ perceptions of RFID adoption. Five interviewees representing their respective organisations participated in the study. The findings suggested that the adoption level is very low and only one organisation from the sample used had done a pilot project. The results also indicated that cost, standardisation and government support influenced the adoption of the technology. Complexity and technology competence were not considered to have any influence in the adoption of the technology. Competitive pressure was not deemed influential if the technology was not embedded in the whole supply chain, a somewhat surprising result. There were no anticipated impacts on the employees if this technology was implemented. Methodological and practical implications are also discussed.