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Radio frequency identification (RFID) represent  technologies that use radio waves in order to identify object. RFID provide an unique identifier items (tag).
An RFID tagging process includes the tag, a write/read device and a system to collect data.

How RFID works ?
Tags are made from a tag chip which is connected to an antenna. The tag chip contains memory which stores the product's electronic product code and other variable information so that it can be read and tracked by RFID readers.

They are two types of RFID transponder :

active : tags have their own transmitter and power source (battery)

passive : the reader and reader antenna send a radio signal to the tag. Then the RFID transponder uses the signal and reflect energy back to the reader.

RFID plays a crucial role in SCM, it is actually an alternative to bar code technology. This allows to improve internal efficiencies in the company.

Club Car,  is using RFID to improve efficiency on its production line.

Paramount Farms uses RFID to manage its harvest more efficiently.

Benefits of RFID tags :

less manual work

less costs

improve planning

improve visibility : real time

improve efficiency

Limitations of RFID tags :

easily disrupted

tag collision occurs when numerous tags are present in a same area

has two separate chips which cannot be read by the same machine

more expensive than bar code technology

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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the integrated management of core Business processes, often in real time and mediated by software and technology.

These business activities can include:

product planning,

purchase.

manufacturing

service delivery.

Role of ERP in SCM

ERP plays a cruicial role in SCM as there is a need to innteract with numerous suppliers.

This then causes ERP designers to concentrate more on solutions for supply chain integration.

ERP systems have various functional modules that help in various business functions.

The most important function is  integration.

it integrates data and process from all functions of an organisation.

Supply Chain consists of suppliers, manufacturers, distributor, retailer and customer.

It aims to match supply and demand, profitably for products and services.

SCM involves planning, execution, control and monitoring of supply activities.

The purpose of supply chain management is to improve trust and collaboration among supply chain partners.

The integrated value creation process must be managed from material procurement to end- customer product delivery, and this can be easily achieved through ERP.

There are three types of flow in SCM

Material Flow

Information Flow

Financial Flow

Benefits of ERP on SCM                                                   Limitations of ERP on SCM

Improved Efficiency                                                 Costly

Order Tracking                                                          Time consuming

Helps in Decision making                                        Single vendor lock in

Minimize the Delay                                                   Little customization

Improves Productivity                                              Difficult for decentralised organisations

Eliminate Errors

Inventory Optimization

Reduce Cost

Examples of ERP Software Packages Available

Odoo
SAP ERP

Microsoft Dynamics

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-The interchange of information using a Standardised format. information is exchanged electronically. This results  in reduced levels of costs, errors an increased processing speed and an improved relationship with business partners.

-In terms of computer to computer communication, EDI replaces postal mail, Fax mail and email despite email also being an electronic format, as it still must be handled by an individual. EDI actions travel straight to the appropriate action on the recievers computer and can begin processing immediately.
-EDI's major benefits include: increased levels of speed and accuracy, greater efficiency and reduced levels of cost.
-common critisicms of EDI are: the large amount of investment required to succesfully implement it at first,  it may also take some time to bring all members of the organisation onside when trying to implement  it into the organisation as many staff will be very set in there ways. also an organisations software may prove ultimately incompatable with the EDI software.
below is a list of companies that utilise EDI: