Các thông tin sau đó sẽ đi du lịch với mục, chứ không phải là cư trú tại các cơ sở dữ liệu trung tâm. Hình 5-1 cho thấy dòng chảy của thông tin trong một phân cấp so với một hệ thống máy tính điều khiển tập trung. | RFID AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 49 item-specific information can be recorded directly on the tag. The information would then travel with the item rather than reside at the central database. Figure 5-1 shows the flow of information in a decentralized versus a centralized computer control system. To illustrate how the decentralized manufacturing process would work in the real world consider how a company like Dell Computer might use it. Dell Computer makes PC s to order. When an order is made the production process begins. Dell allows its customers to choose between a number of options and features when buying their computers such as processor speed amount of memory hard disk size etc. In a decentralized manufacturing process all of this configuration information could be written to an RFID tag on a empty case. The empty case would then enter the production process at which time the central database which ultimately keeps track of the order would effectively lose sight of it. As the case moves through the assembly line presumably on a conveyor belt the components would be added as directed by the configuration list and then checked off on the tag as having been installed. At times the case might come to a junction where computers that need modems are directed left while those that don t are directed right. An RFID reader installed at this point could check the configuration information on the tag and direct the case to the proper point. Eventually a complete computer packed inside a box and addressed to the customer that ordered it would exit the manufacturing process. Assuming this point of the process is networked to the central IT system the central database could be updated and the distribution process could begin. Distribution Distribution is that portion of the supply chain process where products are delivered to customers and includes warehousing delivering invoicing and payment collection. By automating these processes through the use of RFID .
