Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • IT Management
    • Mobile
    • Networking

    EPCglobal Network Will Track RFID Data

    By
    Renee Boucher Ferguson
    -
    December 5, 2005
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      EPCglobal Inc., which hopes to speed RFID adoption in the enterprise in the coming year, expects to see the first fruits of its namesake network early next year as users start to exchange information over software and hardware built to EPC-standard specifications.

      The EPCglobal Network combines radio-frequency identification technology, existing network infrastructure and EPCs (Electronic Product Codes). As EPCglobal develops standards for hardware and software, vendors will build the appropriate products that, eventually, will allow users to trade data about RFID-enabled items as they move along the supply chain.

      The two specs ratified by EPCglobal that enable communication through the network are ALE (Application Level Events) and the UHF (ultrahigh frequency) Generation 2 interoperability hardware spec. Both were ratified last year.

      UHF Gen 2, developed with input from 60 technology, manufacturing and retail companies, acts as a communication protocol between EPC tags and readers. It is the first chip and reader protocol that can be used globally, regardless of reader frequency or regional regulations, according to EPCglobal officials and industry analysts.

      /zimages/1/28571.gifClick here to read more about UHF Generation 2.

      Infrastructure provider VeriSign Inc. is charged with setting up the network plumbing.

      EPC IS, a component of the EPCglobal Network, will provide a central system of record for all EPC-related data. That system will also aggregate events from different technology platforms to allow users to collaborate on items as they move along the supply chain.

      The EPCglobal Network concept was introduced last year as a means to keep track of and disseminate EPC data. Leveraging RFID data and Web services-based technologies, the network is intended to convey real-time data about RFID-tagged items as they move through the supply chain, EPCglobal officials said.

      EPCglobal, which is an RFID standards-setting consortium based in Brussels, Belgium, comprises a group of not-for-profit supply chain partners working to drive adoption of the EPC Network and to define the standards necessary for global communication about goods.

      The EPCglobal Network consists of EPCs, an ID system, EPC middleware, discovery services and EPC IS. EPCs are unique numbers that identify an item as it moves along the supply chain. The ID system includes EPC tags and readers, which can come from any number of vendors that are EPC-certified.

      Likewise, EPC Middleware, which manages real-time read events, provides alerts and imports basic read data to the EPCglobal Network, can come from any number of middleware vendors.

      Discovery Services is a suite of offerings that lets users find data relevant to a specific EPC item and then to request access to that data. EPC IS is the platform that lets users exchange data with trading partners through the EPCglobal Network.

      “At this point, theres just not a lot of companies trading or shipping products that are tagged, to constitute their need to use the network. That was the reason the network hadnt been utilized,” said Sarah Shah, an analyst with ABI Research, in New York. “VeriSign had assured me it had been set up; there just wasnt a lot of companies using it.”

      /zimages/1/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for the latest news and analysis of enterprise supply chains.

      Renee Boucher Ferguson

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×