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
Industrial Logistics
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 technology 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
- RFID technology
- Introduction to logistics and supply chain management
- RFID technology for food product identification
- The impact of RFID on supply chain process management
- Use of RFID technology for food traceability
- Use of RFID technology for the management of logistics assets
- Use of RFID technology to monitor sales
- Monitoring of the cold chain of the food product by means of
RFID technology
Bibliography
Rizzi, A., Montanari, R., Bertolini, M., Bottani, E., Volpi, A., 2011. "Logistica e tecnologia RFID". Springer-Verlag Italia, ISBN 978-88-470-1928-7
Teaching methods
The course consists of 6 CFUs. The theoretical topics of the course, corresponding to about half of the hours assigned, are dealt with through face-to-face lessons. In addition, industrial case studies are also discussed as examples of the theoretical topics of the course.
Laboratory exercises and business cases will also be proposed during the course and cover about the remaining half of the hours allocated the course. In carrying out the exercises, students are required to apply the theory to a real problem or case study developed according to the methodological criteria illustrated in the theoretical lessons. As an example, during the laboratory exercises, students can be divided into groups to carry out experimental measurements of items reading through RFID technology.
The teaching material consists mainly of the suggested textbook, which covers all the topics covered during lessons and is therefore particularly suitable for students who will not attend the course. Any slides, notes or additional material used to support the lessons will be uploaded by the teacher on the Elly platform during the course (in any case before the relating lesson), possibly via links to internet pages. To download the teaching material from Elly, students need to subscribe and are encouraged to do so before the course starts.
Students who will not attend the course are reminded to check the teaching material available for each academic year and any information provided by the teacher through the Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination will consist of an oral test of an indicative duration of 30 to 40 minutes. The test typically consists of 5-6 questions which may concern theoretical contents of the course and case studies. With regard to the experimental part in the laboratory, students should draw up a report on their activity, submit it to the teacher and discuss it during the examination.
During the oral exam, the knowledge acquired by the student, his or her application skills, independent judgment and communication skills, as well as his or her exhibition skills, will be evaluated.
The test will be passed if it achieves a score of at least 18 points. The award (cum laude) is made if the highest score is reached in each evaluation area.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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