RFID project Fresh Link Discovering the possibilities of Radio Frequency Identification Cambridge University Ing. Rover A.A.M. van Mierlo M.B.A., C.P.I.M. Director Central Logistics & Innovation

Why does Schuitema Invest in RFID? Consumer benefits Gaining know-how and experience Taking a lead

Fresh Link – the Objectives Improving the quality of freshly cut produce Improving shelf availability Reducing losses further down the chain Creating transparency in the supply chain

Fresh Chain

Freshlink 1st European project to test RFID throughout the entire chain of freshly cut produce

Project USPs Freshly cut produce across the entire chain Using the EPC global standard to test the information exchange within the chain. Linking RFID technology to temperature measurements in order to monitor product shelf life

The Challenges EPC Global architecture (world-wide standard) Sharing information throughout the chain Tracking & Tracing combined with temperature logs From data to intelligent information 120 crates to be read at once -> 99.9% read rate! Challenging environments (iron and damp)

The Preparatory Stage Project kick-off in 2005 Ambitious plan High expectations Strict time frame Start test in actual practice end of September 2006 How did this happen ?

Tag :EPC Gen 2 Release Gen 2 tags 6 months delayed 1st Antenna design did not work Multiple tag positions on the crate Falling Tags : 3 methods for attachment Readers and portals could only be developed when tags became available

EPC architecture EPC standard still being developed Fresh link influences the standards itself challenging hard- and software environments

The preproduction stage was a true voyage of discovery

Practical Rollout Start film in which we show how in actual practice the crates are registered at Heemskerk and then monitored throughout the entire process from Heemskerk to DC Breda until the Schuitema lorry.

Read performance

Performance of Tags Declines Oxidation in tags Tags are not laminated 25% of the tags is underperforming by now Yet we do know what the solution is  lamination

Temperature registration in the chain

Monitoring the Crate Pool For the first time we can see exactly where in the chain the crate is, at any given point.

On to the Next Link in the Chain

Ambition : From reactive to proactive! Real time data Error in delivery or deviation in data = ALERT Immediate action Transparency for all parties

Can RFID be Called a Success? ABOLUTELY! The successful use of RFID within the chain provides transparency and ensures that information can be shared throughout the chain allowing for better operational control.