Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Wirtschaftswissen\=schaftliche Fakultät

Information systems for manufacturing often follow a three-layer architecture based on an enterprise resource planning (ERP) layer, a manufacturing execution system (MES) layer, and a shop floor layer. Future requirements on flexibility and adaptability require a much closer integration of ERP systems with the manufacturing floor. A large amount of shop floor data needs to be filtered and fed into business planning applications such as production planning or supply chain management. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips can play an important role in the collection and management of such data.

The authors of this book explain the potential advantages of using RFID technology in a modern manufacturing and supply chain context. Areas of emphasis include integration of RFID data into legacy IT architectures, RFID-MES-ERP integration, and cost-benefit considerations.

The presentation is not restricted to intra-company production planning, but also emphasizes the benefits of inter-company collaboration. Six case studies based on SAP’s ERP systems and MPDV’s MES solution show how to successfully implement cross-company supply chain integration using RFID technology.