Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will have acquired specific knowledge about the use of Auto-ID technologies (and RFID in particular) in different areas of logistics and production systems, such as, for example, the shelf management, the management of logistics assets and the management of distribution center processes.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The knowledge gained during the course will enable the student to design a solution Auto-ID in relation to the particular application context, as well as to assess the related fallouts in terms of economic savings and process performance.
Making judgements
The knowledge acquired during the course will allow students to quantitatively ponder the use of the Auto-ID technologies in different industrial contexts.
Communication skills
The student will acquire specific vocabulary related to the topics covered in the course, such as, for example, data capturing, RFID technology or barcode technology. It is expected that students will be able to exhibit, whether verbal or in writing, the main concepts covered during the course.
Learning skills
Students who have attended the course will acquire the fundamentals relating to the use of the Auto-ID technologies in the field of logistics and production, and will therefore be able to deepen their knowledge in these areas, through autonomous consultation of specialized texts and articles published in scientific journals or dissemination, even outside of the topics covered closely in class.
Prerequisites
There are no compulsory prerequisite courses.
Course unit content
The course illustrates the use of Automatic Identification and data capture technologies (Auto-ID technologies) in different areas of production and logistics systems. The course focuses, in particular, on the use of RFID (radio frequency identification) technology for data acquisition.
Firstly, the building elements of an RFID system will be introduced, such as tags, readers, antennas, and the infrastructure of the Internet of Things (IoT). Afterwards, the students will go through the use and the impact of RFID technolgy on the identification and traceability of food products, on the management of supply chain processes and logistics assets, and on sales measurement and management.
Full programme
1. Introduction to RFID technology
2. Introduction to logistics and supply chain management
3. RFID technology for the identification of food product
4. The impact of RFID technology in the management of supply chain processes
5. Application of RFID technology for the traceability of food
6. Using RFID technology for the management of logistics assets
7. The use of RFID technology for tracking sales
8. Monitoring the cold chain of the food product through RFID technology.
Bibliography
Rizzi, A., Montanari, R., Bertolini, M., Bottani, E. & Volpi, A., 2011. Logistica e Tecnologia RFID - Creare valore nella filiera alimentare e nel largo consumo. ISBN: 978-88-470-1928-7. Springer-Verlag Italia, Milano.
Teaching methods
The course has a weight of 6 CFU, that correspond to 42 hours of lesson.
The theoretical topics of the course are presented and explained by means of lectures. Moreover, business cases are discussed as practical applications of the main topics of the course.
Exercises and business cases are proposed on the practical parts of the course, and students will be asked to apply the theory presented in lectures to exercises and case studies. As an example, during laboratory sessions, students, divided into groups, will perform experimental measurements associated of RFID reads of items.
Handouts and material will be uploaded at the beginning of the course on the platform Elly (also by means of web links). Students must log in to the course on the platform itself to download all the material. Students non-attending the course are advised to check regularly the Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists in an oral test of 30-40 mins (approx). Typically, 5-6 questions are asked, covering the theoretical part of the lectures and business cases.
Concerning the experimental part carried out in the lab, students will write a report on those activities and will present the results during the exam.
The exam will evaluate knowledge and understanding acquired by students, their application, the ability of making judgements and communication skills. The exam is passed if the evaluation reaches at least 18/30. The 'cum laude' evaluation is awarded if the student is evaluated excellent in all areas of evaluation.
Other information
Attending the course is not mandatory.
