frequently asked questions about epcglobal.htm

EPC global & RFID FAQ

            radio frequency identification. It is a technology that has existed 
            for decades. At a simple level, it is a technology that involves 
            tags that emit radio signals and devices called readers that pick up 
            the signal. RFID technology is a fundamental element of the 
            EPCglobal Network.</FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><A name=7></A><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" 
            size=2><STRONG><EM>What is the Electronic Product Code (EPC)? 
            </EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>The Electronic 
            Product Code (EPC) is a unique number that identifies a specific 
            item in the supply chain. The EPC is stored on a radio frequency 
            identification (RFID) tag, which combines a silicon chip and an 
            antenna. Once the EPC is retrieved from the tag, it can be 
            associated with dynamic data such as from where an item originated 
            or the date of its production. Much like a Global Trade Item Number 
            (GTIN) or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the EPC is the key 
            that unlocks the power of the information systems that are part of 
            the EPCglobal Network.</FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><EM><A 
            id=8 name=8></A>What is the EPCglobal 
            Network?</EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>The EPCglobal 
            Network is a set of technologies that enable immediate, automatic 
            identification and sharing of information on items in the supply 
            chain. In that way, the EPCglobal Network will make organisations 
            more effective by enabling true visibility of information about 
            items in the supply chain.</FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><EM><A 
            id=9 name=9></A>How does the EPCglobal Network 
            function?</EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>The EPCglobal 
            Network uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to 
            enable true visibility of information about items in the supply 
            chain. The network is comprised of five fundamental elements: the 
            Electronic Product Code (EPC), the ID System (EPC Tags and Readers), 
            Object Name Service (ONS), Physical Markup Language (PML), and 
            Savant. </FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Essentially, the 
            EPC is a number designed to uniquely identify a specific item in the 
            supply chain. The EPC number sits on a tag comprised of a silicon 
            chip and an antenna, which is attached to an item. Using radio 
            identification technology (RFID), a tag &#8220;communicates&#8221; its number to 
            a reader. </FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>The reader then 
            passes the number to a computer or local application system, known 
            as the Object Name Service (ONS). ONS tells the computer systems 
            where to locate information on the network about the object carrying 
            an EPC, such as when the item was produced. </FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Physical Markup 
            Language (PML) is used as a common language in the EPCglobal Network 
            to define data on physical objects. </FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Savant is a 
            software technology that acts as the central nervous system of the 
            EPCglobal Network. Savant manages and moves information in a way 
            that does not overload existing corporate and public 
            networks.</FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><EM><A 
            id=10 name=10></A>What is Version 1.0 of the EPCglobal 
            Network?</EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Version 1.0 of 
            the EPCglobal Network offers a complete set of technical 
            specifications for every component in the EPCglobal Network. 
            Released in September 2003, this version offers technical 
            information on the number system, tag, readers, and reference 
            implementations on many software components. </FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><A 
            name=benefits_of_the_technology></A>Benefits of the 
            Technology</STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><STRONG><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><EM><A 
            id=11 name=11></A>What are the benefits of EPC 
            technologies?</EM></FONT></STRONG></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>The EPCglobal 
            Network will make organisations more effective by enabling true 
            visibility of information about items in the supply chain. Having 
            more accurate, immediate information about the location of items, 
            the history of items, and the number of items in the supply chain 
            will enable organisations to be more responsive to customers and 
            consumer needs through more efficient, customer-driven operations. 
            </FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><EM><A 
            id=12 name=12></A>Will EPC tags replace bar codes? 
            </EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>EPC tags enable 
            automatic, non-line-of-sight identification. EPC is an exciting 
            technology that represents a potential new standard to uniquely 
            identify products. But, its implementation will evolve over time 
            with applications driven by market and consumer demand. We will be 
            living in a world where bar codes and EPC tags co-exist for quite 
            some time to come.</FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><EM><A 
            id=13 name=13></A>Is development and commercialisation of the 
            EPCglobal Network a global initiative?</EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Yes. The 
            EPCglobal Network has been a global initiative from its inception. 
            In developing the EPCglobal Network, the Auto-ID Center, 
            headquartered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 
            has:</FONT></P>
            <UL>
              <LI><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Conducted 
              research on a global basis through five of the world&#8217;s leading 
              research universities.</FONT> 
              <LI><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Received 
              sponsorship support from over 100 of the world's leading 
              companies, representing a wide range of industries with differing 
              needs and interests.</FONT> </LI></UL>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>As the driver of 
            adoption of the EPCglobal Network, EPCglobal continues that 
            tradition. EPCglobal is a joint venture by EAN International and the 
            Uniform Code Council. Together, EAN International and the UCC 
            represent 100 member organisations worldwide with more than one 
            million members representing 102 countries.</FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><EM><A 
            id=14 name=14></A>My company is not in the consumer products 
            industry. Will the EPCglobal Network offer solutions to entities 
            outside the retail space?</EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Yes, there are 
            strong business cases for implementing the EPCglobal Network in the 
            heart of the supply chain of most industries today. </FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>For example, 
            across all industry verticals, the EPCglobal Network holds the 
            promise of lowering warehousing and distribution costs and 
            expediting deliveries by enabling faster and more accurate shipping 
            and receiving processes, and more efficient picking and packing 
            operations. Another example is in healthcare, where the EPCglobal 
            Network can help eliminate counterfeit drugs through more accurate 
            tracking and tracing capabilities. In the government sector, the 
            EPCglobal Network would provide an asset management platform for use 
            by many different agencies. </FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>There are many 
            potential applications of the EPCglobal Network. For these reasons, 
            EPCglobal is encouraging organisations to capitalise on the 
            competitive advantages to be secured when EPC technologies are 
            implemented across industry verticals.</FONT> </P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><A 
            name=certification_and_interoperability></A>Certification and 
            Interoperability</STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><EM><A 
            id=15 name=15></A>What is being done about certification and 
            interoperability?</EM></STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>We are committed 
            to providing comprehensive implementation support, including 
            certification and interoperability, for the EPCglobal Network. 
            </FONT></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>We will be 
            developing and maintaining global technology and application 
            standards, education and training, and certification and compliance 
            programmes, all from a multi-industry, global 
          perspective.</FONT></P></TD>
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            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><A 
            name=intellectual_property></A>Intellectual 
            Property</STRONG></FONT></P>
            <P><STRONG><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><EM><A 
            id=16 name=16></A>Are there concerns over 
            IP/Patents?</EM></FONT></STRONG></P>
            <P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>EPCglobal, as 
            part of its due diligence process, has retained the services of a 
            premier patent law firm. To date, thousands of patents have been 
            examined and, though the investigation is still in progress, there 
            is no Intellectual Property owned by third parties that would block 
            implementation of the EPCglobal Network. EPCglobal is committed to 
            open use of this new network and will adopt policies that encourage 
            such use while protecti