OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work package is to identify constraints and benefits coming up with RFID implementation within processing (eg.e.g. SME Factory). The outcome will be validation of data description, transmission and exploitation throughout the complete food chain product, whether it happens only in one plant or within a complex chain of following partners. RFID label or barcode attached to raw material as well as finished food product will have to comply with SMEs constraints such as legacy IT system, weakness or lack of availability to set up, or unbearable exploitation fees. Each of these issues will be addressed thanks to industrial food production pilot RFID covering the widest part in the supply chain.
Today large demands are placed on manufacturers, distributors and retailers along the chain to maximise efficiency, minimise cost and provide the best value to the end consumer. These suppliers are all learning how to apply new technologies within their sectors to improve business earnings. Thus, one such technology is RFID.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This process will provide for the tracking of food products through the logistics part of the value chain, the transport of ingredients or product between stages of the value process. The information to be gathered will include

• Start, end point and duration of journey
• conditions during transport
• Other products co-shipped

Businesses strive to make their supply chains more efficient by improving the information shared throughout the supply chain.

Task 6.1 Identification of role within business process
The aim of this task is for each use case, identify the information which is important to the business process, both of the transport enterprise and downstream.

Task 6.2 Identification of technology
This task will identify ways of gathering that information, generally through a combination of sensor systems within the vehicles and RFID to identify batches of product.

• Enumeration of suitable technologies, standards and frequency bands
• Enumeration of available chips, chipsets, development kits and other hardware requirements: improvement of reader speed and accuracy, as well as industry compatibility of the implemented hardware solutions
• Adequacy of protocols for data exchange in the reader network – software system database, seeking interoperability
• Analysis of possible accomplishments to EU directives on RF power emissions
• Adequacy of antennas and readers to implement real-time acquisition of multiple tags
• Enabling location tracking in the network of readers
• Establishing as a main goal to reduce costs in tags (containers, truck fleet)

Task 6.3 Identification of demonstration sites
At least four transport enterprises will be identified. Ideally, they will be transport companies with a role in the value chains of the products involved in the four demonstration products.

Task 6.4 Privacy Impact assessment
A Privacy Impact assessment will be made with respect to the pilots to identify whether the planned activity impacts privacy concerns..
Task 6.5 Deployment This task will undertake instalment of equipment and software in the demonstration sites, training of personnel from the sites and testing of the systems prior to the demonstration going live.

Task 6.6 Evaluation This task will monitor the operation of the demonstrators, assess the effectiveness of the equipment and systems and evaluate the impact on the business process of the transport enterprise.