How does it work?
- A passive RFID tag is initiated by the e-retailer and the first registration is recorded in IPC’s RFID system database.
- Once a tag has been activated, it is attached to an e-commerce packet by the e-seller.
- Then, the e-commerce packet with a passive RFID tag travels through the operational flow.
- Passive RFID gates at key locations generate events which are translated into data to add value to postal operators, e-sellers and/or customers
Integrated into postal operations
IPC has developed the necessary IT systems to create, capture, classify, manage and report RFID events for postal item tracking purposes. IPC’s RFID Tracking Service provides the necessary service support and management for posts using the passive RFID technology infrastructure.
IPC supports posts with commercial RFID tracked products, as well as several other posts participating in the RFID network and/or considering commercial roll-out of this service within their markets. Participating posts can offer the low-cost tracking solutions to e-retailers in their market. E-retailers can purchase RFID tags from the post to attach to their products.
Reliable and accessible data
The reliability of the tracking data is ensured through the IPC systems by filtering duplicate RFID reads and unwanted data. Moreover, RFID reads are centrally evaluated against clearly defined business rules and events are matched to the appropriate item.
All data is stored in IPC’s Central Data Store and is available to all service users. Customers, e-seller staff or postal experts can consult the relevant RFID events; they can connect to the RFID tracking information via an interface where they can see last location of the item and its current status in the postal operational flow. Currently, several posts are using the RFID Tracking Service for e-commerce packets item tracking, either as a non-barcoded item or in combination with barcode scanning. In the latter case, the purpose is to complement the barcode scanning information.
Services offered to posts
Customer Support:
• Dedicated IT tools and applications for posts with commercial products
• Specific support and assistance to posts considering introducing commercial products
• Design and set-up of pilots for new flows
RFID Network Improvement:
• Network Monitoring Performance programme: read rates of live items and flows through the RFID infrastructure are monitored
• Red Flow investigation: monthly follow-up on all flows with read rate below 95%, including the follow-up of the action plans
• Dedicated posts experts group are monitoring RFID infrastructure performance for QoS measurements (UNEXTM and TD) to improve the RFID network quality and recommend RFID innovations
Reporting:
• RFID Vision: on line analytical and reporting tool
• Monthly reporting: an overview of all RFID events by postal operators as well as breakdown per outbound and inbound post to improve read rate levels with posts
• RFID Services Monitoring Committee: posts participating in the service meet at least four times per year for a follow-up on RFID services and to discuss RFID tracking aspects.
For posts interested to join, IPC runs a special programme for newcomers that enables posts to fully use the service in less than six months.
Benefits
The IPC RFID Item Tracking Service bring benefits for posts and their customers (e-retailers):
• Tracking information is available (to e-sellers and posts) for packets without the use of a barcode via the RFID technology;
• Posts can offer a low-cost tracking solution to their customers.
• Barcode scanning can be completed or even replaced where possible for e-commerce items.
• Continuous support before, during and after roll-out of low-cost RFID tracking solution, thereby making the process easier
• Easy access to tracking data.
• RFID information is available to the customer service teams of postal operators and to e-retailers so that a better and complete
service can be given to consumers.
• Online reporting of the service performance that allows posts to monitor performance of the complete RFID infrastructure
More information
Contact the Tracking team at rfidtrackingteam@ipc.be
