About EPCglobal
The technology of EPC RFID
The EPCglobal Network™ employs the Electronic Product Code™ / EPC and Radio Frequency Identification / RFID technologies. Leveraging these technologies, the EPCglobal Network offers the potential for increased efficiency and accuracy through automation, tracking and security through improved visibility and collaboration by providing a globally standard framework for product information exchange.
By using EPC RFID technology, the EPCglobal Network will enable trading partners to minimise shrinkage and shortages, accelerate order processing and increase responsiveness to consumer demand by enabling real time information about goods in their supply chain. In addition, it provides increased efficiency in handling physical goods during processes such as receiving, counting, sorting and shipping.
The EPCglobal Network is comprised of five fundamental components:
Electronic Product Code (EPC)
Like the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) encoded within the barcode, the EPC identifies the manufacturer, product, version and uses an extra set of digits to serially identify unique items. EPCglobal has standards to convert the existing GTIN’s, SSCC’s, GLN’s, GRAI's and GIAI's into EPC codes. To get an authorised EPC manager number, contact GS1 Australia.
EPC Tags and Readers
EPC RFID tags consist of a microchip attached to an antenna. The EPC number is stored on this tag, which is applied to an item during the manufacturing process. EPC RFID tags communicate their EPC numbers to EPC readers using RFID. EPC readers communicate with EPC tags via radio waves and deliver information to local business information systems using EPC middleware.
EPC Middleware ALE (Application Level Events)
This software specification is primarily designed to filter the event reads captured by the RFID hardware and to sort the reads into relevant read information. Once filtered and sorted, the ALE passes into information to the EPC IS or internal ERP systems.
Object Naming Services (ONS)
Similar in function to the DNS, the ONS directs enquiries about EPC numbers to the relevant EPC IS database. Sitting under the ONS may be the discovery services which effectively hold track and trace information on EPC numbers and quickly enable transit information to be located.
EPC Information Systems (EPC IS)
The EPC IS is effectively a database of EPC related information which may include unique product information and event data related to specific EPC numbers. It also enables users to exchange data with trading partners based on EPC's and provides authentication and security around EPC data enquiries.
