SCM applications target many aspects, depending on supply chaining processes. One of these significant aspects is inventory control. We focused on the use of SmartX RFID middleware (named Link HUB) to provide input to existing tools and applications of inventory control. SmartX RFID middleware deals with RFID data streaming, reactivity, integration, and heterogeneity that represent a challenge for e-logistics and SCM systems.
Streaming: RFID devices are becoming cheaper and widely deployed, and it is now increasingly essential to perform continual intelligence analysis of data captured.
To relieve the SCM applications from dealing with the streaming nature of data and the fact that the data might be redundant, even unreliable in certain cases, the SmartX RFID middleware is able to process such unreliable real-time sensing data before delivering it to the backend system.
Reactivity: RFID has promised real-time global information visibility for SCM participants. To benefit from such visibility, the SCM participants have to be able to identify interesting situations and react to such situations when they happen.
The events associated with the triggers have to be reported in a timely manner, and notification has to be sent to interested SCM participants.
The SmartX RFID middleware handles this through its Business Event and Data Processing Layer and policy-based Rules Layer.
Integration: The design of SmartX RFID middleware allows it to scale and support different devices and data sources that may be used at numerous points of inventory control such as Point of Sale (PoS), and smart Shelves.
