As one of the top ten core industries in China, Internet of things, has gradually changed our life, by influencing enterprise production, storage and transportation, express, supermarket shopping, etc. By using Internet of things technology in the supply chain, enterprise can optimize the structure and process of supply chain management system, improve the information transmission speed and things matching accuracy, and improve the operation mode of supply chain.
By Jie Zhu and Binbin Fu
Abstract:
As one of the
top ten core industries in China, Internet of things, has gradually changed our
life, by influencing enterprise production, storage and transportation,
express, supermarket shopping, etc. By using Internet of things technology in
the supply chain, enterprise can optimize the structure and process of supply
chain management system, improve the information transmission speed and things
matching accuracy, and improve the operation mode of supply chain. The paper
constructs a supply chain simulation system based on Internet of things.
Firstly we analyze the process of the simulation system, and then introduce key
techniques of simulation platform and main functions of the system. The work
provides a basic platform for follow-up research of Internet of things, and a training
system for students.
1. Introduction
Today IoT
technology has gradually been known, but its use is not so optimistic. Now IoT
has just been partly used in supply chains GPS (Global Position System)
technology application in the transportation process, ZigBee and sensor in cold
chain or warehouse. However RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), the core
technology of IoT, has not been widely applied in the supply chain [1] [2] .
Therefore, this paper constructs a supply chain simulation system based on IoT
technology, which integrates RFID technology, GPS technology, GIS technology,
ZigBee technology, sensor technology [3] , etc. First we analyze the overall
architecture of the system, and then introduce the key technology of the system
implementation and the function and process of the system, which provide a
basic platform for the subsequent IoT study.
2. The Process
Design of Simulation System
Based on
Internet of things and wireless network technology, the system realizes the
trace of product life cycle and visual management. Driven by product sales, data
sharing as the premise and supported by the Internet of things technology, the
whole system is closed-loop supply chain system for simulation the entire
operation including production, distribution centers, transportation enterprise
and supermarket [4] .
First, the
system simulates the production factories. When factory receives the production
and processing of orders from the distribution center, production plan is made.
In production, there are three process including initial product labeling,
product putting in storage, processing. Production finished, with a unique
identification of the product transport to the distribution center, there are
six processes of distribution center management including storage of goods,
inventory management, out of storage, packing container labeling, pallet
labeling, ready to transport. Second, after the distribution center receive
orders from the supermarket that generated stock out and distribution order,
then shipped out the production. Thirdly, the production in transit, the
vehicle terminal in road send information intransit to data center for
distribution center and supermarket real-time view. When the goods arrived to
the supermarket into the supermarket background management including the
storage of goods, inventory management, and the goods on the shelves. The
background to receive replenishment orders from the foreground, it generated
stock out list according to replenishment orders. In the supermarket foreground
system customers choose and buy goods to use smart shopping cart. Intelligent
shelves system can be updated in real time goods inventory information, when
quantity of product was reduced to a certain value, system issued a warning.
Management place replenishment orders according to inventory and sales and
inform the background replenishment as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Business flow chart (a);
Figure 1. Business flow chart (b).
3. The Key
Techniques in the Simulation System
3.1. Production
Environment Monitoring Subsystem
Intelligent
production environment monitoring system to use all kinds of sensors are
gathering all the environmental information on production processes like
temperature, humidity, pressure and degree of vibration information that will
pushed to PC to store by ZigBee transmission network. ZigBee system include:
embedded sensor nodes, RFID reader, PC, production line equipment, etc.
Embedded ZigBee
node equipment of all kinds of sensors installed on each process equipment
real-time monitor environmental information of each production process, such as
temperature and humidity information, production status information, degree of
vibration, etc. When items to be produced into a process, RFID antenna deployed
in the process will read the product ID in the location and then send product
ID to PC. When production process is finished, It store in the database to bind
the temperature and humidity environmental information in the process of
producing and the only sign of products completion the product production
environment monitoring to ensure the safety of the product production and
subsequent traceability requirements.
3.2. RFID
Intelligence in-out Warehouse Management Subsystem
RFID
intelligence in-out warehouse management subsystem, its implementation
intentions and logic as well as the traditional storage member manual input, is
combined with the RFID tag, RFID reader, automatic control, computer, network
and other advanced technology and equipment to complete goods in-out warehouse
management. Purpose is to provide more convenient and flexible, more efficient,
more powerful means of warehouse management.
The RFID in-out
warehouse system is mainly divided into three parts, the sensing module: RFID
tags binding on the packing of the goods. Information reading module: HF or UHF
(Ultra High Frequency) RFID reader. Control module, PC with warehouse
management system. Binding product packaging to RFID tags before cargo
warehousing, when the goods is going into the warehouse, RFID reader and RFID
tag on packaging on radio frequency signal exchange information with control
system through the network, the control system assigned EPC (Electronic Product
Code) number to each goods, a unique identity to ensure the goods traceability
within the warehouse. All the process of warehouse real-time information
transmitted by RFID tag and reader and the control system to make goods visual
management.
3.3. Intelligent
Transportation Monitoring Subsystem
1) Vehicle
location tracking system
Intelligent
transportation monitoring system mainly involves in the GPS technology and GIS
technology, the basic principle of GPS positioning is based on instantaneous
position of the satellite high speed movement known as initial data, using the
method of spatial distance resection to determine the test location. And GIS (Geographic
Information System) is based on geographical spatial database support of
computer hardware and software comprehensive analysis geographic data with
spatial connotation to provide management and decision-making and other
required information.
GPS and GIS to a
certain extent is inseparable. Only the existence of GIS, user can see
intuitive position with avariety of geographical information in PC; only the
existence of the GPS, intelligent transport system can obtain the user’s
location information based on mobile phone positioning, and transmit to the
receiving server through the GPRS data transmission mode. Background management
system access to GPS data and shows by GIS. Car-carried GPS terminal determine
and sent space coordinate information of the vehicle to the WEB server. WEBGIS
system accessed WEB server will get vehicle coordinates information of
geographical environment, background management system through the location
data can be corresponding monitoring and management. As shown in Figure 2.
2) Vehicle Condition Monitoring Systems
Condition
monitoring system for vehicles in road application of the wireless sensor
technology. There are various types of sensors inside the car and tires such as
temperature and humidity sensor, tire pressure sensor transfer vehicle state
information to the car terminal through the ZigBee technology, using the GPRS
technology transfer vehicle environmental information state data to the network
server to realize real-time monitoring of the state of the vehicle. As shown
in Figure 3.
Figure 2.
Structure diagram of smart transportation positioning system.
Figure 3.
Vehicle condition monitoring system.
Car terminal not
only accept the vehicle location information data, vehicle environmental
information data, also identify drivers and EPC code of product in vehicles,
and send GPS data, environmental data, EPC data, personnel information to web
server by GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), which not only achieve
monitoring the position of the vehicle and car environment, also provide
traceability of on-board goods and management according to vehicle EPC.
3.4. Intelligent
Goods Shelves Subsystem
Smart shelves
system can be achieved real-time monitoring goods information in shelves and
update information of on or off shelves. Its design adds a reader antenna to
each cargo grid of conventional shelf and every eight antenna connected to
reader through an antenna adapter. According to the placing of the goods
required, antenna be put on bottom and top of grids. By using a reader
connected to the eight antenna solution reduce the number of reader device,
thus reducing the cost of deploying. Main controller inspect goods number
placed in, whether goods in or out the shelves by controlling the working state
of the antenna. It will inspection of goods and inventory management functions.
Smart shelves equipment should have the following functions:
1) Smart shelves
terminal can show the name, properties, quantity of goods of each position on
the warehouse shelves;
2) Smart shelves
terminal automatic perception goods state whether in or out shelves;
3) Smart shelves
terminal send working information to the warehouse management server;
4) Smart shelves
LED can show Chinese characters, English letters, digits or graph and display
width is four Chinese characters.
3.5. Smart
Shopping Cart Subsystem
The supermarket
smart shopping carts act as assistants to assist the user to choose goods, its
design is based on the existing shopping cart increase IPAD and RFID reader
information interaction with server through wireless network.
The key part of
Smart shopping cart is that IPAD embedded into shopping cart and connected to
the RFID reader, IPAD communicate with the data center and smart shelves using
wireless network .In use process, users put registered membership card into the
card read, then reader read the card information displayed in IPAD, while
shopping guide program starts. Smart shopping cart interact frequently with
smart shelves and data center to ensure information instantaneity. Smart
shopping cart main functions are as follows:
1) View: through
information query in the database, user can get the details of the goods,
including the production information, shipping information, raw material supply
information, at the same time can also see the commodity discounted
information, etc.
2) Goods
location map: through RFID reader of smart shopping car, user can get the
position information of goods and quickly find the desired items through
navigation system.
3) Quick
settlement: through RFID reader of smart shopping car, user can add goods chose
to cart (including physical and virtual cart) and confirm the chose and buy
goods after pass door RFID reader. then complete the quick settlement.
4. The Function
Design of Simulation System
4.1. Production
Management
Platform can
simulate the whole process of production enterprises and make production smart
management function through the application of IOT technology. Production
management module include functions of product labeling, product processing and
finished product checking; The production plan management module draw up the
plan according to receive orders from system; Order management module includes
viewing order information and order processing; Production management module of
the system can manager product categories of system production; Warehouse
management includes inventory management and out of storage management
function, the former monitoring products in stock information, the latter
shipment handling according to processed orders; Customer management module
maintain information of customer; System settings consists of a serial port
settings and information settings and set up the software running parameters
and so on.
4.2. Intelligent
Distribution
In simulated
distribution link, distribution center according to the supermarket order
generate stock out and distribution list, the former is given Warehouse and later
is given transport sector. After out of storage the system automatically
updated inventory information; After the completion of out of storage, the
goods is packing after passing sorting operations; In the packing, a certain
number of finished goods package boxes, and labeling in each box. In the
transport links, box as a unit will be managed. Transport department is
shipment preparation after getting distribution list, first it distribute
vehicles, drivers for distribution list and improve the distribution list
information; At the same time, before loading the number of box is carried in a
pallet, RFID electronic label is affixed to each pallet and pallet ID
associated with the vehicle ID. Form of the only vehicles and the only driver
with the corresponding pallet are monitored eventually.
Smart shelves in
the warehouse will real-time monitor the inventory information updated, if the
inventory number is less than a certain range, distribution center generate
produce replenishment order to inform the production enterprise for production
and processing activities. Smart shelves will realize automatic quick inventory
physical count. And inform the EPCIS (EPC Information Services) server out of
storage, warehousing and inventory of commodity information. This system
complete intelligent inventory management function by adopts the smart shelves.
4.3. Intelligent
Transportation
Platform can
simulate the whole process of transportation and realize intelligent
transportation management functions through the application of IOT technology.
In road link, the drivers of transportation get distribution list and complete
the preparation activities to automatic complete the vehicle and the driver
matching through the RFID technology, and start a series of executable program
of vehicle like opening the GPS system automatically, show distribution tasks
and route, etc. In road, vehicle real-time send in road information to the data
center including vehicle speed and position information, etc. When abnormal
situation have happen, such as speeding, deviating from the transport routes,
system gives an alarm, starts vehicle anti-theft system, and report vehicle
position information to the data center server.
4.4. Supermarket
Foreground Sales
Users, in the
supermarket (shopping mall) using smart shopping cart for purchase, will place
membership card that need to be registered and recharged early to swipe area,
the system will read out the customer information. At the same time it
recommend discounts commodity to customers based on the user’s consumption
records. When the user needs to choose and buy a commodity, it is able to find
the location of the commodity according to the product category, intelligent
touch screen can query the inventory and specific location information of commodity
of system via WIFI network.
When the
customers choose and buy some commodities, they can view commodity information
in intelligent touch screen by RFID module in smart shopping cart read
commodity EPC code of RFID tag, when users click on the confirm button,
commodities will be added to the shopping cart system.
Customer push
the shopping cart to settlement, system will read the goods information of
customers choose through door type RFID reader, if the information of commodity
read with in shopping cart are no difference, then confirm purchase and
payment. Transaction is over.
4.5. Supermarket
Background Management
Supermarket
background system mainly includes smart supermarket background management
system and intelligent materials monitor system.
1) Smart
supermarket background management system, which can realize user management,
commodity classification management, commodity in library management, sales
management, after-sales service, order management and system management
functions.
2) Intelligent
materials monitor system, mainly including goods monitoring, shortage of
monitoring, materials parameter setting, system parameter setting, etc.
Materials monitoring: intelligent terminal equipment that can show name,
properties, quantity of the goods on each position of warehouse shelves.
Shortage monitoring: smart shelves terminal equipment send the working
information to warehouse management server, which you can know whether the
goods out of stock. Material parameters Settings: setup type, product name,
safety stock, color, logo etc. System parameter Settings: including set the
listener port, check interval time of safety stock, RFID reader, data
transmission format. Help: show the version number of the system and operation
manual.
5. Conclusion
This paper built
a supply chain simulation platform system based on IOT technology, analyzed the
application of key technology in the system, and designed smart shelves
subsystem, smart shopping cart subsystem and so on. The operation process is
simulated according to the particularity of the supply chain enterprise [5] .
The system can provide a full range of search service for customers through the
WEB service, and realize the visualization management of the whole process of
mobile commerce so the user can trace the whole process of goods for safety and
achieve more efficient supply chain management.
Keywords: Supply Chain System, System Simulation, IoT Technology
Acknowledgements:
This research
was supported by the Beijing key intelligent logistics system laboratory.
About The
Authors:
Publication
Details:
Advances in
Internet of Things, Vol.05 No.01(2015), Article ID:52748,5 pages 10.4236/ait.2015.51001, Research on Supply
Chain Simulation System Based on Internet of Things.
Copyright © 2015
by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under
the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
References
- Wang, F.Q. (2012) Research New Type of Supply Chain Management Model Based on the Technology of Internet of Things―With Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology as an Example.
- Shen, S.B., Fang, Q.L. and Zong, P. (2009) Research of Internet of Things and related technology. Journal of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (Natural Science), 6, 1-11.
- Wang, B.Y. (2009) Summary of IOT Technology Research. Journal of Electronic Measurement and Instrument, 12, 1-7.
- Lin, G. (2012) Research on Complex Event of Supply Chain Decision Support Based on Internet of Things.
- Han, Y. and Chai, Y.T. (2011) The Architecture Reference of Flexible Supply Chain Simulation System. Journal of System Simulation, 6, 1270-1278.
