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The practice of facility management (FM) has been evolving with the rapid development of pervasive sensing technologies (PSTs) such as sensors, automatic identification (auto-ID), laser scanning and photogrammetry. Despite the proliferation of research on the use of PSTs for FM, a comprehensive review of such research is missing from the literature. This study aims to cover the knowledge void by examining the status quo and challenges of the selected PSTs with a focus on FM.

This paper reviewed 204 journal papers recounting cases of using PSTs for FM. The reviewed papers were extracted from Elsevier Scopus database using the advanced search.

Findings of this study revealed that PSTs and FM applications form a many-to-many mapping, i.e. one PST could facilitate many FM applications, and one application can also be supported by various PSTs. It is also found that energy modeling and management is the most referred purpose in FM to adopt PSTs, while space management, albeit important, received the least attention. Five challenges are identified, which include high investment on PSTs, data storage problem, absence of proper data exchange protocols for data interoperability, a lack of mature data processing methods for data utilization and privacy of users.

This paper paints a full picture of PSTs adoption for FM. It pinpoints the promising explorations for tackling the key challenges to future development.

The objective of this paper is to propose a solution framework for better project delivery control.

Three emerging technologies that may offer practical solutions are reviewed. These are: automatic product identification, merge‐in‐transit (MIT), and agent based control systems.

Combining project site level and shipment specific control makes it possible to implement MIT in the project delivery chain. This basic functionality of merging deliveries is needed to react to project delays, and improve rescheduling project resources.

Systems design and trials are needed for further development of the proposed solution framework.

Organizations responsible for coordinating project deliveries need to think about the incentives and costs for logistics service providers, and other business partners to participate in MIT solutions.

The proposed framework is based on an open identification scheme. This makes it possible for new project delivery partners and service providers to locate and start using the controlling software applications without prior notification and arrangement.

To provide a new generic model equipped with a “process visualizing” feature by capturing RFID logistics data to represent different logistics processes' status, and sharing them through web‐based technology to supply chain parties.

In order to provide logistics service companies an effective way to manage their logistics processes and help both the up and down stream supply chain parties maximize their activities linkage within the value chain, the proposed system integrates radio frequency identification (RFID) and IT applications to optimize information flow in a supply chain. In doing so, the objective of visualizing logistics process is achieved.

It is found that the proposed model enhanced the performance of third party logistics providers and their supply chain partners in three main areas. They include a significant reduction in inventory level, a substantial drop in the chance of out‐of‐stock and, a significant improvement in the efficiency of delivery. They are among the most critical problems that often exist in a supply chain.

The proposed model requires supply chain participants to share their process data on the web environment so as to achieve the target of collaboration. This demands the need of tight security control over the public internet.

This paper provides useful information and practical guidance for supply chain participants to formulate a “process visualizing featured” information system.

This paper provides a solution to solve common supply chain management problems and offers practical helps to supply chain participants effectively.

It is crucial for the Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to implement a few of the most important Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and reap maximum benefits of sustainability. This paper aims to prioritize I4.0 technologies that can help achieve the sustainable operations and sustainable industrial marketing performance of Indian manufacturing MSMEs.

I4.0-based sustainability model was developed. The model was analyzed using data collected from MSMEs by deploying analytic hierarchy process and utility-function-based goal programming. To have a better understanding, interviews were conducted.

Predictive analytics, machine learning and real-time computing were found to be the most important I4.0 technologies for sustainable performance. Sensitivity analysis further confirmed the robustness of the results. Business-to-business sustainable marketing is prioritized as per the sustainability need of operations of industrial MSME buyers.

This study uniquely integrates literature and practitioners’ insights to explore I4.0’s role in MSMEs sustainability in emerging economies. It fills a research gap by aligning sustainability goals of industrial buyers with suppliers’ marketing strategies. Additionally, it offers practical recommendations for implementing technologies in MSMEs, contributing to both academia and industry practices.

This work analyzes a pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) in terms of supply chain visibility (SCV). The current good distribution practice (GDP) guideline demands increased visibility from firms. The purpose of this paper is to propose a solution for SCV enhancements based on automatic identification (Auto-ID) technologies.

The authors qualitatively analyze data from ten case studies of actors in a PSC. A review of Auto-ID technologies supports the derivation of solutions to enhance SCV.

This work shows that the functionalities of Auto-ID technologies offered by current practical monitoring solutions and challenges created by the GDP guideline necessitate further SCV enhancements. To enhance SCV, the authors propose three solutions: securPharm with passive radio frequency identification tags, transport containers with sensor nodes, and an SCV dashboard.

This study is limited to a PSC in Germany and is therefore not intended to be exhaustive. Thus, the results serve as a foundation for further analyses.

This study provides an overview of the functionality of Auto-ID technologies. In juxtaposition with the influence of the GDP guideline, the use of our Auto-ID-based solutions can help to enhance SCV.

This work analyzes a PSC in Germany, with consideration given to the influence of current legislation. Based on a multiple-case-study design, the authors derive three Auto-ID-based solutions for enhancing SCV.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how logistics performance is affected by the use of different identification technologies and practices for utilising the tracking data.

The paper uses the survey method. The survey instrument is developed in co‐operation with an expert group consisting of both researchers and industry representatives. The data are analysed using multivariate techniques and hypothesis testing.

This paper indicates better logistics performance for companies using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, while no significant differences can be seen for companies using Auto‐ID in general. In terms of registration, best‐in‐class firms have more identification points along their supply chains compared to other firms. Best‐in‐class firms also seem to have more extensive sharing of tracking data with supply chain partners, both upstream and downstream, and in terms of frequency and scope, which contributes to superior logistical performance.

To provide a more robust scientific justification of the survey results, in‐depth case studies should be carried out. Further studies are needed to verify the links between RFID and logistics performance.

The findings may enable managers to estimate the potential of using identification technologies and learn of practices which may enable their organisations to improve logistics performance.

This paper presents empirical links between different identification technologies, attributes of the tracking system, use and sharing of tracking data and logistical improvements.

This paper presents an overview on the Auto‐ID (Automatic Identification) technologies testbed that has been established at the University of Missouri‐Rolla (UMR) with the objective of supporting research, development, and implementation of Auto‐ID technologies in network‐centric manufacturing environments.

UMR's Auto‐ID testbed uses a unique hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulation methodology, which integrates decision‐making model development with the design of networking topology and data routing/scheduling schemes, in order to develop, test, and implement viable Auto‐ID solutions. The methodology is founded on a 3‐level integrated model: controller simulation, distributed controller simulation, and distributed controller simulation with hardware‐in‐the‐loop.

This paper discusses two case studies that highlight the effective use of RFID technology, its potential advantages, challenges, and deficiencies stemming from particular applications. These applications include dock doors, automated guided vehicles, conveyor and automated storage/retrieval systems, integration of RFID middleware with programmable logic controllers, and inventory management of time‐sensitive materials.

The paper presents an innovative idea: hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulation methodology to design automation systems. The approach has been implemented on a variety of applications, which are presented in the paper as case studies.

Automated Identification (Auto ID) applications can provide corporate information systems with the identity of each physical item in the supply chain in an automated and timely manner. The real time availability of item identity allows other information, related to the item, to be drawn on in order to assess both the current state of the product and future actions required. In the context of supply chain operations, widespread introduction of such systems represents a major opportunity to overhaul and improve tracking and tracing systems, process control and inventory management. In the longer term, it is possible that Auto ID systems may enable a complete re‐engineering of the supply chain, by removing a number of the constraints that limit today's supply chain structures. In this paper, we review some key challenges in supply chain operations and introduce the main elements of an Auto ID system. Using a simple categorization of supply chain operations, areas for short term deployment of Auto ID are identified and opportunities for longer term re‐engineering of different sections of the supply chain are highlighted.

This article aims to discuss challenges to Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)-based services from a user perspective located within sociology, anthropology and science and technology studies.

Two cases of toll/ticketing RFID technologies are explored: the mature AutoPASS (tolling on public roads) and the newly implemented Flexus/Ruter Travelcard (public transport) in Norway. A methodologically triangulation of qualitative data is applied to trace the history of RFID implementation, and to compare the benefits proclaimed by suppliers with the hands-on experience of users.

The RFID benefits proclaimed by suppliers were, to a large extent, shared by users in the case of AutoPASS, but to a lesser extent in the case of Flexus/Ruter Travelcard. The cases illustrate that RFID applications are heterogeneous products with different levels of maturity and complexity, applied to fields and services with varied user-groups, functional requirements and privacy concerns. Vital to the success of RFID-based services is good management, compliance with Data Protection Regulations and providing user’s an experience of greater ease-of use and added-value in their everyday lives in comparison to previous systems.

Future research should broaden perspectives and methodologies to better grasp the complex interplay among RFID applications, users and the environment. This entails moving beyond a focus on discursive adoption to ethnographic studies of appropriation and how technology affects social practice.

RFID is undergoing an extremely expansive usability phase – commercially and socially. Research on RFID is scare and fragmented with few contributions from social science. Studies that privilege user perspectives tend to address the needs and concerns of business rather than of users.