The international standards organization
EPCglobal under
GS1 has ratified the EPC network standards (esp. the EPC information services
EPCIS standard), which codify the syntax and semantics for
supply chain events and the secure method for selectively sharing supply chain events with trading partners. These standards for tracking and tracing have been used in deployments in many industries, and many products are certified as compatible with them. In vehicular applications, tracking is often accomplished using a
GPS tracking unit which communicates through a
telematic control unit. More advanced systems incorporate
video telematics, using devices like a
dashcam to provide visual context for tracking events. In response to an increasing number of
recall incidents for items like food, pharmaceuticals, and toys, vendors offer a range of
traceability solutions and tools.
Radio-frequency identification and
barcodes are two common technologies used to deliver traceability. RFID is often used in track-and-trace solutions and within supply chains. As a code-carrying technology, it can be used in place of a barcode to enable non-line-of-sight reading. The deployment of RFID was earlier inhibited by cost, but its usage is now increasing. Barcoding is a common and cost-effective method used to implement traceability at both the item and case level. Variable data in a barcode or a numeric or alphanumeric code format can be applied to the packaging or label. The data can be used as a pointer to traceability information and can also correlate with production data such as time to market and product quality. Packaging
converters have a choice of three different classes of technology to print barcodes: •
Inkjet (dot on demand or continuous) systems are capable of printing high-resolution (300 dpi or higher for dot on demand) images at press speed (up to 1000fpm). These solutions can be deployed either on-press or off-line. •
Laser marking can be employed to ablate a coating or to cause a color change in certain materials. The advantage of lasers is fine detail and high speed for character printing, with no consumables. Not all substrates accept a laser mark, and certain colors (e.g., red) are not suitable for barcode reading. • Thermal transfer and direct thermal. For lower-speed off-press applications, thermal transfer and direct thermal printers are ideal for printing variable data on labels. ==Uses==