Integrated monitoring and control system for production, supply chain and logistics operations

Meeting customers' demand with the minimum cost, the required quality, and within the expected timeframe is the ultimatum goal of producers and logistics companies alike. To achieve this goal, real-time supply chain systems decisions are needed to address the inherent production, operations, and market uncertainties. Machine failures impact the producers’ ability to meet their scheduled demand. Logistics delays are a significant source of uncertainty, especially when perishable items are transported with direct consequences on delivery time and quality. Real-time condition monitoring for in-transit perishable items requires an adequate infrastructure system available. Two relatively new technologies for the production and logistics domain, RFID and wireless sensor networks, provide the needed sensing, processing, and data storing and communication capabilities. When integrated, the resulting monitoring and control system may allow producers and logistics companies to considerably improve their operations by gaining more visibility for the product movement across their supply chains. This work proposes a framework for the design and implementation of a monitoring and control system for production and transportation operations. The proposed system employs the RFID-wireless sensor networks integration and is intended to provide more flexibility for production, logistics and supply chain activities in the face of uncertainties inherent during operations.