Barcode Technology Essay

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Accoding to GSI (2009); the barcode technology is in use to monitor product information in every stage of beef industry. The barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data that is physically attached to a product and stores information about the product at hand. They are inexpensive and simplistic in implementing. However, there are several downsides related to the use of barcode according to TURCK(2012). Firstly, barcodes are read only hence it is not possible for users to add information as products continue in the process flow. Secondly, barcodes require line-of-sight with the reader, which means a product must be properly aligned in order for the barcode reader to identify product by its code. It can influence employee productivity …show more content…

This will be a serious issue if new regulations are applied. Managers will not have enough time and information through barcodes to adapt to new requirements. Hence, radio frequency identification (RFID) is suggested as alternative to barcode. RFID is a more sophisticated approach for track and trace applications toward traceability. The RFID system contains three parts: the tag, the transceiver (reader) and the interface. Tags can be active or passive reflecting the signal back to the reader. The reader/transceiver forwards the signal further to interface. The interface translates the signals into data and communicates it with a computer or control device. RFID provides advanced solution compared to barcode. RFID users can both read and write information on a tag which generates capability and flexibility. Since it does not require line-of-sight scanning to achieve an accurate reading; the RFID tag can be embedded inside the packaging. This enhances same or higher reliability while avoids damaging from external environment and saves replacement. RFID also provides higher automation level compared to barcode hence lowers the risk of human error. …show more content…

This unique RFID will travel down the supply chain together with the product. The information of RFID will be updated by the enterprises along the beef supply chain. Farmers add cow identification number, date of birth, raising condition, country of origin, life history of cow such as health condition, ship out date. The RFID tag will receive information from the slaughter house such as slaughter identification number, slaughter location, in-house and out-house date etc. The boning hall is responsible for the packaging date; preservation conditions (such as temperature, atmosphere, vacuum packing); take in and ship out date; boning hall identify code; boning location. Moving along the process flow in boning hall, RFID tag is read to location the process stage of product. By tracking one product through the entire manufacturing process, users can quickly identify if the component has skip a stage. The information added at each stages of supply chain is not only stored in the RFID tag but also will be uploaded to a cloud system where every partner in the supply chain has access to retrieve information. Users can compare the information on RFID tags with the information provide by cloud system for the same tag in order to identify any inconsistency or wrong information. The RFID do not only ensure the process traceability but also others aspects of traceability such as product, genetic, disease and pets as well input.

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