Part 5; Encoded Data, what’s it really saying?

So much information can be encoded into an RFID chip, that it can really make you think about the many uses of this technology. Let’s go into some of it. Data management is a critical part of the long-term benefits RFID can bring into your facility and its systems. 

To start, we need to understand the fields and data that are most important to a viable tag.

Encoded Information:

1. Item UPC (12-digit company prefix, item reference number & check digit)

2. Serial Number (12-digit usually numeric only)

3. EPC (generated as part of SGTIN96)

   
   

Printed Information, human readable, if label required: (This information is optional depending on supplier / retailer needs)

1. Item UPC

2. Item Description

3. Item Number

4. EPC logo (usually required by retailer)

   
   

With each product getting an individual SGTIN96 (UPC + Unique Serial Number), you are assigning an ID for each item in a product to allow visibility and inventory tracking. If you sell a case of 12, each item in that case will have an individual RFID tag and ID number.

Generating this data is what your software partner will be guiding you through. Knowing how to apply this data to your internal ERP systems and use it for everything from production control to inventory management and beyond, is key to an overall successful implementation and integration.

Collecting and managing all this data (generated from everyday production runs) will tax your internal servers eventually. Your internal IT team should have a point person trained and assigned to handle your ongoing RFID initiative and help manage software development / implementation as well as data management and report file export needs.

This is a simplified overview of a very detailed process; many options may apply to your specific needs. This is why the right team is key; “internal + external = success”.