Japanese consortium builds RFID logistics network

Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), an internet access and network solutions provider, has partnered with NTT Comware, Oracle Japan, and VeriSign Japan to construct an RFID system based on a jointly developed standard for use in the international logistics pilot programme that is being conducted by EPCglobal, the international RFID standards group.

International logistics is the backbone of global supply chains and logistics service providers handle huge information with a multitude of customers located throughout the world. The result has been a complex system whose costs grow annually. reaswaran This article is copyright 2007 UsingRFID.com.

Supply chain demand

The demand for advanced systems and supply-chain visibility in the logistics industry is growing, as is the demand for an international standard to facilitate the use, expansion, and spread of RFID. To this end, several logistic service providers and EPCglobal established the Transportation & Logistics Services Industry Action Group in November 2005.

This year the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry offered its support, and the international logistics RFID pilot programme was initiated, with the first phase involving a test from Hong Kong to Japan possibly coming in February 2007, and the second phase involving a test from Shanghai to Los Angeles, possibly in October 2007.

First phase participants

Potential participants in the first phase include international logistics service providers, DHL, Maersk, NYK, Schenker, and Schneider. The first phase test is scheduled to include interoperability over the RFID system. This pilot is intended to test the suitability of the RFID specification to the demands of businesses in the field, and to bring any operational problems to light so that they can be resolved.

Participating Companies It is vital for this pilot that the integration of an RFID system makes global supply chains visible. Through this pilot, NTT Comware, IIJ, Oracle Japan, and VeriSign Japan form the Japan Application Consortium (JAC).This consortium integrates an RFID system that can access and exchange information from RFID tags attached to products and containers, and each company contribute their EPCglobal-compliant products and solutions to the project.

These RFID systems in each country and company will work together to create an open platform for the exchange of supply chain information, and help make the supply chain visible, efficient, and effective for logistics service providers, shippers, and others in the industry. This, it is hoped, will contribute to business as a whole.

Through the pilot, the companies intend to show the effectiveness and results that are achievable by using an open platform for the exchange of RFID information.

Pilot's significance

The results of this pilot programme will be used to actively promote an international standard, and provide practical experience in applying RFID technology to the logistics industry.

Connecting different systems, effortlessly handling large volumes of data, ensuring greater security - these and other features will characterize the RFID system as it matures, and leveraging the achievements, experience, and technological strengths of the participating companies, the objective is a worldwide open platform.

Source : Using RFID