RFID-enabled Supply Chain Process Redesign using Simulation

Abstract

Empowered by the possibility to automatically identify unique product instances, the emerging Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is expected to revolutionize the supply chain processes. However, in view of the numerous possible ways that RFID can be implemented within the processes, the issue of supporting the process redesign based on a credible assessment between the current (as-is) and the future (to-be) processes has become a matter of considerable concern and debate for both practitioners and academics alike. To design RFID implementations in the supply chain using a robust dynamic analysis, we resort to discrete event simulation. As a result, based on a simulation study, the two factors of object identification level and RFID labeling responsibility are identified as key decision factors to design the RFID-enabled processes.