RFID's move upstream into manufacturing provides benefits at all four stages of the product lifecycle

摘要

While the potential benefits of implementing RFID technology in supply and distribution networks have been much reported, only now are engineers realising that for the technology to be totally effective it has to move upstream into manufacturing processes. A good example underlining this development is the manufacture of high value electronic equipment such as desktop PCs and laptops. In this area, manufacturers are interested in fitting tags, not only as a means of tracking products, but also for retaining information on them throughout their life. Tagging goes beyond the efficient assembly of products; providing key data for manufacturers to handle and manage distributor agreements and customer warranty guarantees: issues that have an impact on their businesses. In addition, the new WEEE directive places responsibility on manufacturers for the cost of disposing of products at the end of their useful life. The net result of all these factors is that the ability of manufacturers to retain information on products from "cradle to grave" is now a necessity rather than a luxury.