Abstract
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is one of the key areas of the internet of things (IoT) and widely used in the fields of target identification, security, tracking, anticounterfeiting, and so forth. In some IoT scenario, multilevel package is used to pack the products. The RFID codes of different-level packages imply the subordinate relation. Based on this relation, we can directly obtain the sublevel package code by a package code. It will greatly improve the efficiency of logistics management, especially assisting the tracking and tracing of merchandise. In this paper, a RFID code scheme is introduced to identify different-level packages. With research on the relation of multilevel packages, the subordinate relation of different-level RFID codes is established by recording and storing the inclusion relation between codes in the database. Moreover, the code scheme is applied in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) management, which is an example of three-level packages, to verify its feasibility.
1. Introduction
With the economy and production development, multilevel package is increasingly being used in logistics of various types of merchandise. Multilevel package can be classified into small package, medium package, large package, pallet, container, and so forth. One of the key characteristics of multilevel package is its subordinate relation. And the relation is logical. Based on this relation, the efficiency of merchandise management will greatly improve.
Information technology (IT) is considered to be a powerful urge to push the economy of the world and promote the development of the society [1]. As an important technology, RFID is a wireless automatic identification technique with characteristics of noncontact, batch read, large data memory, and high security [2]. It is widely used in the fields of traffic, logistics, security, anticounterfeiting, and so forth [3]. New issues are emerging when RFID technology promotes the rapid development of logistics, such as data enlargement, operating frequency, and difficulty of product query, check, and positioning [4].
The subordinate relation is a very important characteristic of multilevel package. It will greatly improve the efficiency of logistics management and assist the tracking and tracing of merchandise. Therefore, how to use the logic relation in the merchandise management is significant for promoting multilevel package management smarter and smarter. So an intellectualized and automatic scheme is urgently needed for data collection and information processing of multilevel package.
The current RFID code scheme of multilevel package mostly does not take the logic relation among different levels into consideration. Like the common single package, it takes each package of different levels as independent to code and manage [5]. These code schemes cannot present the logic relation of different-level packages. It is difficult to track back to the above-level package once it is separated. Though some code schemes consider the logic relations, they copy the code segments of the above-level package and present the logic relations through the code analysis [6]. This scheme is not so flexible because it shows the logic relation by the code itself and needs to allocate the above-level package code in advance so that it is forbidden from putting in any above-level package arbitrarily when they are packaged.
In order to overcome those difficulties of traditional RFID code schemes in the multilevel package management, we put forward a new code scheme based on RFID code standard. It allocates unique identifier for each package of each level. Moreover, this code scheme stores the logic relations with message records to correlate the different-level packages. By this way, a complete multilevel package RFID code scheme is established. Compared with the traditional code scheme, the new scheme solves the subordinate relation of different-level packages. It is clearer in terms of logic relation and structure, and it is easier to manage.
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 introduces a RFID code scheme used in multilevel package. Section 3 presents the associated mechanism of the different-level packages. Section 4 proposes the solution of Fast Moving Consumer Goods management based on the proposed code scheme. Section 5 draws a conclusion.
2. RFID Code Scheme Design for Multilevel Package
RFID code is used to mark a single entity, so its most important characteristic is to ensure uniqueness for each code. In order to popularize and manage, it should also be universal.
Considering the subordinate relations of different-level packages, the scheme should not only design a unique identification code for each level package, but also present the subordinate relations through correlating package identification code. Taking three-level packages as an example, we introduce the code scheme for all level packages.
According to the requirements and standards of RFID code, we use the SGTIN-96 (Serialized Global Trade Identification Number) standard as code scheme [7]. SGTIN code standard is based on GTIN (Global Trade Identification Number) of EAN UCC. According to this standard, the tag code region is divided into six blocks, some of which are segmented again to meet the practical requirements. The code is 96 bit binary digits in total. Figure 1 shows the code structure and meaning. Block 1 is header code. For SGTIN-96, the header is “0011 0000,” which is 8 bits. This code can be used to uniquely identify SGTIN-96 code scheme. Block 2 is filter value. It is used to identify different package category, which is helpful for fast filtering and preselecting in logistics. This block code is 3 bits. The code values are shown in Table 1. In this paper, we mainly focus on the filter value of small package, medium package, and large package. Other not assigned codes are used as reserved item which can be applied in extendible package category. Block 3 is partition value, which is used to indicate the distribution of the subsequent company prefix and item reference. According to the SGTIN-96 standard and the actual needs of this paper, we use 011 partition value. It indicates that company prefix is 30 bits and item reference is 14 bits. Block 4 is company prefix code, which contains company address code (14 bits) and company number (16 bits). The provincial and municipal code can be expressed with 14 bit binary digits, so the company address code consists of this two-level code. Company code is used to mark the same kind of company in one municipal city. We can obtain the company name and other related information by code analysis. Block 5 shows product category code, which is used to mark the product category of a company. The code is 14 bits. It can identify over 16000 categories of product. Block 6 is serial number code, which is used to uniquely identify a single product of a certain level package in a company. In order to satisfy the uniqueness of product code, we divide serial number code into two parts: production date and sequence number. We can mark a product by recording the product number at fixed time [8]. Production date is 28 bits with the form of (year) (month) (day) (hour) (minute). The details are as follows: year: 8 bits, month: 4 bits, day: 5 bits, hour: 5 bits, and minute: 6 bits. Thereinto, the actual year is the calculated year plus 2000. Sequence number is used to mark the product manufactured in one minute, which is 10 bits and can mark over 1000 single products effectively. It is enough to mark any product manufactured within one minute by a manufacturer.
Filter value.
The code structure and meaning.
This code scheme can effectively mark product and record some information of the product, such as company address, product category, and production date. Other details and the relation information will be stored in the database server during the productive process.
3. Relation of Different-Level Package Code
After coding, different-level package has its own “ID number,” which is convenient to manage during the supply chain. By using the identifier, we store the code relations into information table in the database server, from which the relevant codes can be obtained by querying. The logic relation between different-level packages will be established.
Taking three-level packages as an example, Figure 2 presents the establishment process of relations between different-level packages.
The establishment process of the relations between different-level packages.
In this process, every level package is coded with the code scheme introduced above. And the relevant information is stored into the database server. In the database, every level package has its own information table, which includes its basic information, such as product code, manufacturer name, manufacture address, production date, validity term, inspector, outbound-inbound, storage, and anticounterfeiting information. The attribute information of products will be queried during the following phase. In particular, there is a field in the medium package information table for storing the code information of small packages inside. The large package is the same. Figure 3 shows the mapping relationship between the multilevel package and the database server.
The mapping relationship between the multilevel package and the database server.
In the process of subordinate relation establishment, when small packages are packed into medium packages, each small package code will be scanned and stored in the medium package information table in the database server. Similarly, each medium package code will be stored in the large package information table [9]. Thus, the relations between different-level codes are recorded in the database. Moreover, the way of establishing the subordinate relation does not need to allocate the above-level package code in advance. And the products can be put in any above-level package arbitrarily. It is very convenient in practical production application.
In each phase of logistics, it is easy to track the information of medium package with its code obtained by large package code according to the subordinate relation. In turn, its large package code can also be tracked through containing the medium packages codes. In the same way, the small package codes will be tracked by their medium package code.
Each level package' codes are correlated by message recording. Through a package code, we can track its above-level and sublevel package code. This is very significant in logistics management, sales, tracking, and anticounterfeiting of multilevel package.
4. Fast Moving Consumer Goods Management Solutions Based on Multilevel Package Code Scheme
In recent years, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry is booming. The sales volume of FMCG is constantly rising. It brings great difficulties in managing. RFID technique can achieve system integration, resources integration, and information sharing. By this way, the relevant regulatory departments can supervise and manage the process of producing and circulating timely, exactly, and overall by grasping various data information, such as brand, production amount, and sales volume. It will further improve the science of industry production and management decisions [10, 11].
Instant noodles production as a kind of FMCG is a typical multilevel package example. It has three-level package: small bag package, large bag package, and box package. Small bag corresponds to small package. Large bag corresponds to medium package. Box corresponds to large package. A box of instant noodles has many large bags; a large bag of instant noodles has many small bags. As long as the multilevel package code is introduced in its production, logistics, sales, and consumption, instant noodles management is smarter and smarter. The workload of the managing staff is reduced, and management efficiency is improved. Figure 4 shows the instant noodles three-level package management solution based on RFID.
The instant noodles three-level package management solution based on RFID.
This system includes five parts: tags, RFID reader, client, communication networks (wireless or wired), and data center. Tags store the package codes. When products pass by the reader, tags will be seized by the RFID reader and their code information can be read. Then the client transmits the code to the data center through communication networks [12]. Finally, all the information of the products is clear and will be fed back to the consumers.
In all the phases of instant noodles production, logistics, sales, tracking, and anticounterfeiting, multilevel package code scheme brings much convenience for the management. It improves the informatization and intellectualization of instant noodles management. The following introduces how the scheme applies in the links of instant noodles supply chain.
4.1. Coding in Production
During the process of production, unique identification codes are allotted for small bag package, large bag package, and box package separately according to the multilevel package code scheme.
Taking a small bag of instant noodles made by a manufacturer in Beijing as an example, the code allotted for it is 96 2 3 1201 00001 00002 016032514380001. In this code, 96 represents that the product is made in China. The 2 represents that package category is small bag. The 3 represents that the partition scheme, whose company prefix is 30 bits and item reference is 14 bits, is adopted. 1201 represents that the manufacturer address is Beijing. 00001 is the number of the manufacturer in Beijing. 00002 represents the category of the instant noodles. 016032514380001 means the instant noodles are number 0001 at 14:38, March 25, 2016.
And the same applies for large bag package and box package: for example, the large bag package code is 96 3 3 1201 00001 00002 016032514500001 and the box package code is 96 4 3 1201 00001 00002 016032514580001.
When the box package code is printed as tag, the relevant information, such as code, product name, product category, grade, manufacturer name, manufacturer address, production date, validity term, and inspector, will be recorded in the product information table of the database server. Tag and detailed information are corresponding. We will add the field in the large bag package information table for storing all the small bag packages codes inside. Similarly, the box information table will add a field to store all the large bag packages codes inside.
When small bag packages are sealed as one large bag, not only the large bag package information but also the code of each small bag in the large bag will be recorded in the database. For example, large bag package code is 96 3 3 1201 00001 00002 016032514500001, and the contained five small bag codes are 96 2 3 1201 00001 00002 016032514380001
4.2. Logistics
Mostly, instant noodles are transported as boxes in the process of logistics, so the detailed information of the large bag packages in the boxes can be obtained without opening the boxes due to the multilevel package code scheme. The scheme can speed up in-out warehouse and inventory, reduce mistakes, and control the whole process efficiently and correctly.
The logistics includes warehousing management, inventory management, out-of-store management, and transportation management [13].
4.2.1. Warehousing Management
In this process, RFID reader scans the target shelf tags to obtain the information of shelf. Then the tags on the packages are scanned to get the product information needed in the process of warehousing. Finally, warehousing information, such as order number, product name, storage date, and quantity, is stored in the database server. Figure 5 shows the process of warehousing.
The process of warehousing.
4.2.2. Inventory Management
We can manage the inventory with RFID tags and regularly check the products in store with RFID reader to find out the abnormal cases. We can also grasp the inventory information timely and exactly. Once the products are not enough, we can get warning in advance and supply products timely, so as to manage the inventory efficiently and ensure the products safety.
4.2.3. Out-of-Store Management
When the products pass the way out, RFID reader will automatically read the tags on the packages and compare with the order form. If well checked, the products can pass out smoothly and the number of the inventory will be deducted at the same time. If the abnormal cases are found out, the staff can dispose timely. At the time of finishing, the product code, time, position, and order number will be stored in the database server.
4.2.4. Transportation Management
During the process of transportation, we can rely on the RFID technique and GPS technique to get the parameters of the transport environment to control, track, and timely position the products in transit and ensure the safety of the vehicles and the products [14].
4.3. Sales
RFID technique is used in instant noodles sales, including goods collection, retail, validity term supervision, and inventory management. In this part, large bag package is mainly taken as the unit. RFID reader scans the tags on the large bag package and gets the detailed information of each small bag inside without opening the large bag so as to receive quickly.
When buying the instant noodles, the consumers can scan the tags by the reader and conveniently get the details of the instant noodles, such as manufacturer, production date, grade, and whether they are genuine or not.
4.4. Tracking and Anticounterfeiting
In the process of instant noodles production, logistics, sales, and consumption, RFID tags information will be captured by the reader installed in the whole supply chain. All the information scanned each time will be stored in the database server in order to track and control the whole process. Meanwhile, the anticounterfeiting information can be queried with the package code in the whole supply chain. We can certificate the product timely. When fake or inferior products are found, we can track the flow of products and trace the source according to the relation of different-level package codes and ultimately find out and solve the problems [15, 16]. Figure 6 shows the process of products tracing and tracking.
The process of products tracing and tracking.
This scheme can effectively prevent and reduce problems rising in supply chain, detect the illegal products timely, and effectively prevent counterfeit products from flowing into the market.
5. Conclusion
In this paper, we research on the RFID technique and multilevel package code. We present a RFID code scheme based on existing SGTIN-96 standard for multilevel package. It has the characteristics of generality and compatibility. The subordinate relation between different-level packages is established by recording and storing the inclusion relation between codes in the database. This code scheme can fully express the related characteristics of multilevel package and provide technical support for intelligent management of the whole supply chains. Finally, we apply the code scheme in a FMCG three-level package management solution. The detailed processes and their advantages in each stage have been introduced. The analysis indicates that the proposed scheme is helpful to improve management efficiency and intellectualization in modern logistics. Meanwhile, it provides a reference for other multilevel package applications.
Footnotes
Competing Interests
The authors declare that there are no competing interests regarding this paper.