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This study proposes targeted modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD's) Joint Forces Ammunition Logistics information system by implementing the optimized innovative information technology open architecture design and integrating Radio Frequency Identification Device data technologies and real-time optimization and control mechanisms as the critical technology components of the solution. The innovative information technology, which pursues the focused logistics, will be deployed in 36 months at the estimated cost of $568 million in constant dollars. We estimate that the Systems, Applications, Products (SAP)-based enterprise integration solution that the Army currently pursues will cost another $1.5 billion through the year 2014; however, it is unlikely to deliver the intended technical capabilities.

The combination of the latest advancements in information and communication technologies with the latest developments in AutoID technologies, especially radio frequency identification (RFID), brings the possibility of high-resolution, item-level visibility of the entire supply chain. In the particular case of retail, visibility of both the stock count and item location in the shop floor is crucial not only for an effective management of the retail supply chain but also for physical retail stores to compete with online retailers. The purpose of this paper is to propose an autonomous robot that can perform stock-taking using RFID for item-level identification much more accurately and efficiently than the traditional method of using human operators with RFID handheld readers.

This work follows the design science research methodology. The paper highlights a required improvement for an RFID inventory robot. The design hypothesis leads to a novel algorithm. Then the cycle of development and evaluation is iterated several times. Finally, conclusions are derived and a new basis for further development is provided.

An autonomous robot for stock-taking is proven feasible. By applying a proper navigation strategy, coupled to the stream of identifications, the accuracy, precision, consistency and time to complete stock-taking are significantly better than doing the same task manually.

The main limitation of this work is the unavailability of data to analyze the actual impact on the correction of inventory record inaccuracy and its subsequent implications for the supply chain management. Nonetheless, it is shown that figures of actual stock-tacking procedures can be significantly improved.

This paper discloses the potential of deploying an inventory robot in the supply chain. The robot is called to be a key source of inventory data conforming supply chain management 4.0 and omnichannel retail.

This paper aims to study the development of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology through an analysis of patents filed with and issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office. A close analysis of these clusters reveals the patent development strategies of two competing factions of RFID technology developers. This paper provides an analysis of the patents along with insights into the contents of the patents held by these two groups.

The analysis is based on Intermec Technologies and the RFID Patent Pool, the two major players in this domain. The comparison of Intermec Technologies and RFID Patent Pool is conducted using meta‐data analysis and patent content clustering. The methodology and approach includes data pre‐processing, key phrase extraction using term frequency‐inverse document frequency, ontology construction, key phrase correlation measurement, patent technology clustering and patent document clustering. Clusters are derived using the K‐means approach and a prototype Legal Knowledge Management Platform.

The findings support a strong link between intellectual property and competitive advantage – specifically Intermec Technologies, which have not joined the RFID Patent Pool. The patent search results show that Intermec Technologies hold basic RFID patents in the early stages of technology development, which has placed the company in a dominant position.

The features of each cluster clearly depict the niches and specialties of companies and provide a historical framework of RFID technology development.

The RFID patent analysis shows that if a company holds crucial patents in the early stages of a developing technology which relate to the fundamental key aspects of the technology, then the company will be more likely to maintain a leading and dominant position in that industry segment (i.e. RFID in this study).

This research uses patent content cluster analysis to explain the rationale behind an alliance strategy decision.

Many abstract journals include patent specifications in their coverage thereby providing references to the most up‐to‐date sources of information which might otherwise be ignored by technicians in smaller enterprises and by students. A survey of some of these journals shows that while many do provide good coverage and indexing, the selection criteria for the patent specifications are sometimes questionable and bibliographic details are inaccurate or misleading. Standards for the identification of patent documents have been developed by the World Intellectual Property Organization and are in world‐wide use by patent offices. Their adoption by abstract journals is strongly recommended.

The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive picture of the innovative efforts undertaken over time to develop the digital technologies for managing the interface between supply chain management and marketing processes and the role they play in sustaining supply chain management-marketing (SCM-M) integration from an information processing point of view.

Patent analysis and actual examples are used to carry out this study. In detail, first, the authors identify the subset of enabling technologies pertaining to the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) that can be considered the most relevant for effective SCM-M integration (i.e. Industrial Internet of Things, Cloud computing, Big Data analytics and customer profiling, Cyber security). Second, the authors carry out a patent analysis aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the patenting activity trends characterizing the set of digital technologies under investigation, hence highlighting their innovation dynamics and applications.

This research provides insightful information about which digital technologies may enable the SCM-M integration. Specifically, the authors highlight the role those solutions play in terms of information acquisition, storage and elaboration for SCM-M integration by relying on illustrative actual examples. Moreover, the authors present the organisations more involved in the development of digital technologies for SCM-M integration over time and offer an examination of their technological impact in terms of influence on subsequent technological developments.

So far, much has been said about why marketing and supply chain management functions should be integrated. However, a clear picture of the digital technologies that might be adopted to achieve this objective has yet to be revealed. Thus, the paper contributes to the literature on SCM-M integration and Industry 4.0 by highlighting the enabling technologies for the Industry 4.0 that may particularly serve for managing the SCM-M interface from an information processing perspective.

To provide practitioners of management a sense of the importance of strategically leveraging the current and historic development of radio frequency identification (RFID) in order to find inexpensive applications of radio frequency‐based (RF) technologies in many areas.

A review of the applied literature on RFID, as well as from practical experience, resulted in a basic model of viewpoint to understand the nature of the emergent RF‐based industry.

Wal‐Mart and other cost sensitive and value chain progressive companies' usage of RFID‐based technology should revolutionize the method that companies' track inventory. However, some of the disadvantages include costs, training, product label and supplies, and privacy infringement. One asset to companies like Wal‐Mart is pallet tracking because it improves on‐time inventory delivery. This helps Wal‐Mart since they rely on just‐in‐time ordering.

RFID is currently used in many industries such as transportation and distribution, manufacturing and processing, and security and law enforcement. The advantages RFID gives to companies are the following: enhanced record management, customer behavior patterns, and accurate inventory tracking.

This paper describes RFID and its implementation process in an academic manner, some disadvantages of RFID, and examples of how the technology can improve customer relationship management (CRM) are discussed. Originality/value – This form of identification can be used in large stores like Wal‐Mart to receive real time information. By implementing RFID, companies will create a fully integrated supply chain system. Traditionally, many supply chain management (SCM) research has simply viewed RF‐based technology as a technological innovation, not a transformational event as this paper presents.

Radio frequency identification or RFID has received much press of late, mainly due to the recent compliance mandates by many of the world’s largest retailers (Wal‐Mart, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Target, etc.) and Gillette’s reported purchase of 500 million units last year. The technology has been proclaimed to ‘lead to an entirely new relationship between people and things’ (J. D. Markman, ‘Invest in the Greatest Thing since the Bar Code’, MSN Money ‐ SuperModels, 25th June, 2003; http:// moneycentral.msn.com/content/P50823.asp). Others have said ‘we think it will be bigger than the Internet. All the Web did was connect computers to computers. That’s not as big as connecting things to computers’ (M. Roberti, publisher of RFID Journal, in interview with Markman, above). Promoters describe a supply chain where all assets are in perfect visibility through production, distribution, retail and consumption. According to one analyst, the world will need about half the warehouse space it needs today (P. Jilek, ‘Corporate Sector Focus, A Killer App?’ CSFB Investment Strategy, 17th June, 2003). This paper introduces RFID technology and its potential implications. Although the technology is compelling, there are serious nearterm challenges. Finally, the paper looks at the impact RFID could have on supply chain facilities and the future demand for industrial real estate.

The purpose of this technical paper is to provide a review of the applications of radio frequency identification (RFID) in healthcare management systems. It seeks to describe RFID's key points, adoptions, risks and benefits, and the areas of its applications. Some applications of RFID in healthcare management are briefly reviewed and three cases are discussed.

The paper provides key information on RFID and the integration of healthcare systems and RFID for generating new systems with higher levels of profitability, efficiency, and productivity.

To make healthcare systems functional and successfully operational, the healthcare industry can use RFID solutions to reduce operating costs by decreasing the labor costs, insurance claims, the risks associated with medical errors, and errors in medication filling pharmacies. This will help the healthcare industry to increase the operating income by reducing working capital through reductions in inventory level and lowering appropriate costs. Such strategies can bring higher levels of profitability and productivity to the healthcare systems.

Owing to the fact that a better management of healthcare system is related to the full understanding of RFID technologies and the system under consideration, sufficient background on the RFID technology along with its risks and benefits are provided and its impact on the healthcare management system including profitability and productivity enhancement are discussed.

In this paper, author has discussed about the RFID active and passive tags, the costs of tags, its producers, and frequencies.