Standards group builds global RFID network

Not-for-profit standards organisation EPCglobal has moved to establish a worldwide network to support the Radio Frequency ID (RFID) and Electronic Product Code (EPC) supply chain management technologies.

The EPCglobal Network is linked to its Object Naming Service (ONS) root directory created by VeriSign.

These piggyback the internet infrastructure to create a low-cost set of services for trading partners to use RFID and EPC to capture and share information on items throughout the supply chain.

The organisation explained that EPC is a unique number within the network that can be assigned to individual items in cases and pallets for identification and tracking.

Similar to today's bar code, these product identifiers are embedded in EPC tags which can transmit EPC information to special readers placed in dock doors and other locations.

Through the use of the EPCglobal Network, businesses can become more efficient in logistics, inventory management and product placement, according to EPCglobal.

"To more effectively track pallets and cases of products throughout the supply chain, the EPC tag is linked to the ONS root directory which creates a unique identifier for each container," said Margaret Fitzgerald, president of EPCglobal.