Automatic Monitoring of Logistics Processes using Distributed RFID based Event Data

Decreasing sizes and a static decline in production costs are fostering the use of RFID tags and sensors in cross-company logistics networks. Additionally, the EPCIS specification comprises interface standards for capturing and querying RFID based event data and storing it in a standardized data format. This contribution examines the potential of the given technological means for the automatic monitoring of complex inter-organizational logistics processes. We identify requirements for the monitoring of individual quality objectives using distributed event data and describe the architecture of a monitoring system addressing them. Furthermore, we argue that such a system can be nearly seamlessly integrated into existing EPCglobal compliant RFID infrastructures.