2008. JANUARY / STANDARDS

EPC

EPC (Electronic Product Code) uses radiofrequency identification for automatic identification ensuring significant advantages to consumers, retailers and suppliers.

Electronic Product code was constructed to standardize the data used during radiofrequency identification. EPC code has such a serial number which enables goods to be identified uniquely. In this way, a major advantage of the technology, namely the trackability of the individual goods could be made use of.

RFID

The aim of automatic identification processes is to record the data necessary to identify the individual objects automatically, with the least human intervention and mistake. Radiofrequency identification (RFID) is a smaller subgroup of Auto-ID processes which has recently started develop rapidly. Radiofrequency identification is such an Auto-ID technology, which enables products, goods and other objects to be identified and tracked individually. A great advantage of technology is the fact that data is recorded electronically in the chips of the tags and it uses radio waves to forward the recoded data quickly and accurately.

So that the solutions based on RFID technology produce the most profit, the established IT systems must exceed the internal barriers of the companies, and a comprehensive, widespread, standardized, adequate solution must be ensured which can be applied by all members of the supply chain.

The spreading of the technology's application in supply chains was hindered by several factors up till now, including costs of installing the system, and the lack of a globally used and accepted identification standard. EPCglobal was established to develop and spread such a relatively cheap standard which is accessible for all members of the supply chain.

EPCglobal

EPCglobal Inc. is a joint venture founded by GS1 and GS1US. As an organisation supported by users, its aim and mission is to form and support the EPCglobal Network as global standard which is accessible for all countries and supply chains of the world and which ensure the real time, automatic RFID based identification of information and so increasing the efficiency of distribution chains.

EPCglobal Network

Due to EPCglobal Network, the goods with different characteristics and size can be identified 'real time' and automatically and the data connected to goods can be communicated quickly and accurately between trading partners. The EPCglobal Network uses different technologies, and makes use of the advantages of the current information systems to ensure the immediate and unambiguous identification of goods and their whereabouts on a global level for any sector, any industry, and any distribution chain.

EPCglobal Network offers real value

By creating a more effective distribution chain, EPCglobal Network enables the different organisations of the distribution chain to react to changes in the consumers' and their customers' needs as quickly as possible. This ability represents real business value with increasing sales revenue and decreasing costs. The introduction of EPC (electronic product code) technology in different sections of the distribution channel offers significant benefit to all members of the channel.

The construction of EPCglobal Network

The EPCglobal Network enables the quick and accurate availability of information connected to goods moving in the distribution chain by using RFID technology.

The EPCglobal Network has five basic units:

Electronic Product Code (EPC):

EPCglobal created the electronic product code with the contribution of the users. EPCglobal is such an identification standard which ensures the unique identification of objects with RFID tags on a global level. The construction of the standardized EPC code is changing in function of identification keys but it is unique in every case and it was formed in a way that it supports effective reading of EPC tags. EPC code can be formed of identification numbers of GS1, its individuality is ensured by the serial number connected to number. In this way, all consumer goods can be identified individually which means that an important advantage of the technology, the trackability of the individual products can be benefited from. The new automatic identification is based on the EPC and the EPC tags containing it. The accurate knowledge of standards connected to the construction of EPC code, the operation of tags, and their communication protocol is a necessary precondition before setting up a new system or network based on electronic identification.

ID System:

ID System contains EPC tags and EPC readers.
An EPC tag is such an RFID device which consists of a microchip connected to a carrier and antenna. The EPC code is stored on this tag, which can be placed on different objects like boxes, pallets or individual goods. The EPC codes on the tags can be accessed by EPC readers. EPC readers communicate with EPC tags using radiofrequency data transfer and with the help of the EPC Middleware, they forward the data to the local information systems.

EPC Middleware:

EPC Middleware controls the reading of EPC tags, the accurate communication of read data with the EPC Information Services and the company's other information systems, and it sends and alerting note, if necessary. EPCglobal is continuously developing the software interface standard which allows the data exchange between the information system services and the EPC reader and/or readers.

Discovery Services:

A complex of such system services which ensure that users find and access the information assigned to EPC codes. A basic element of the Discovery Services is the ONS (Object Naming Service).

EPC Information Services:

Enables users to exchange information assigned to EPC codes with their trading partners through the EPCglobal Network.