RFID Systems Integration Laboratory

There is a growing requirement to realize in full the benefits of RFID, radio frequency identification.

Because of the massive opportunity for RFID within the supply chain, the technology is being offered with an increasing array of hardware components available from vendors in considerable variety.

This proliferation of RFID hardware means that solutions are often available with different: (1) Frequencies, (2) Emitted radiated power, (3) Standards of compliance, and (4) Immediate data handling and data transfer capabilities after initial data acquisition.

The multiplicity of hardware on offer is extended to multiple solutions to RFID software and varying degrees of ability in enabling the use of data to improve processes or systems already in place (business software, decision support, analytical tools.)

The market is in need of platform solutions that allow direct RFID benefits to be seen quickly and that enable the wide range of hardware to be easily integrated into data gathering and analysis software that users are confident will work.

It is this task to which MIT and its research into RFID applications is devoted.

The RFID Systems Integration Laboratory invites vendors, users and above all, supporters of the Forum to contribute, participate and guide the set–up, experimentation and innovation at the RFID Lab.

Users can suggest specific testing requirements for either software, hardware or assembled systems

Users can directly request that the Lab research and½or create innovative solutions and sponsor them accordingly.

Vendors are able to work with the Lab and can refer clients to the Lab to experiment with new technology

Vendors are able to use the lab as a demo facility with accompanied visits with their customers

Individuals from vendor companies or users may take advantage of the fellow–in–residence option available through the MIT Forum for Supply Chain Innovation and send personnel to MIT to work on their specific project.

The Lab expects to host foreign standards, in both hardware and software, depending on vendor, user or member requirements

Recent studies completed within the research activities of the Forum address a wide range of issues. The results can be used for the benefit of the wider community in one or more of the business strategy offerings of the Forum.

Each research effort is undertaken with the objective of solving a problem. It is this focus on delivery that has resulted in the research covering every industry – FMCG, technology (both hardware and software), consumer durables, in addition to government and utilities.

Notable recent research programs include:

(*) Inventory positioning (Michelin, Pepsi)
(*) Value of information (Xerox)
(*) Dynamic pricing (General Motors, National Science Foundation)
(*) Real time data and applications of RFID (Intel)
(*) Real time data in decision systems (US DOD, General Electric)
(*) Software innovation (SAP, Microsoft)
(*) Interplanetary supply chain (NASA)
(*) ustainability Project
(*) Multi–Agent Systems for SCI
(*) Dynamic Supply Chain Evolution
(*) Optimizing Buy½Make Decisions
(*) Inventory management and Dynamic Pricing
(*) Service Supply Chains
(*) RFID and Real–Time Data in Adaptable Supply Chain Management
(*) Distributed Interactive Simulation

The Forum is always eager to learn the specific requirements and needs of supporters and actively looks for the supporters to identify areas for future research.

Below are some of the recent areas of research in which the Forum has been asked to concentrate:

(*) Impact of e–Business on Supply Chain Strategies
(*) Supply Contracts
(*) Business Cycle Modeling in the Electronics Supply Chain
(*) Dynamic Supply Chain Evolution
(*) Supply Chain Integration
(*) Multi–Agent Systems for Supply Chain Innovation (Agent–based Modeling)