Sponsor:

Defense Logistics Agency

Research Team:

Manuel D. Rossetti, Sridhar Radhakrishnan

Universities Involved:

University of Arkansas

Start Date:

07/01/04

End Date:

06/30/06

Summary:

The purpose of the project is to provide an analysis of RFID implementation in Defense distribution and logistics and its effect on productivity.

The project will research implementation procedures, cost justification of RFID, expected productivity improvements, and security concerns for RFID within distribution center implementations.

An implementation of RFID into the defense industry is expected to increase productivity of DDCs while providing greater efficiency and visibility throughout the supply chain.
The Department of Defense (DoD) seeks to integrate automatic identification technology (AIT) into logistics business processes to facilitate the collection of initial source data, reduce processing times, improve accuracy, and enhance asset visibility.

This project researches the use of RFID implementations in distribution and logistics at Defense Logistics Agency, and analyses its effect on productivity.

The project begins with an introduction to RFID technology and branches into RFID performance specifications.
Before any kind of application be attempted using RFID technology, it is necessary for the project manager to consider three main issues generally in the order: function, performance, and cost. The potential user should develop a specification of functional requirements for the application.
Next, the user should determine the performance requirements for each function, later, which the feasible technological alternatives be evaluated based on cost. The final solution should satisfy all of the functional requirements for the system, be within cost range of the project, and have the necessary performance characteristics to actually complete the task.
Special care must be taken while determining the performance requirements for the system to ensure that any equipment purchased and installed comply with all local, state, and federal regulations in the country where the system will operate.
A system integrator should be employed to combine the appropriate pars into a working system, as well as write software to drive the system, and get FCC and other appropriate regulating body to approve the system before becoming operational.