What Is an Digital Product Code (EPC)?

For retail functions, Digital Product Code (EPC) typically refers to merchandise tags utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to uniquely establish particular person objects. Every EPC sometimes comprises each a Common Product Code (UPC) or Inventory Retaining Unit (SKU) and a serial number. The UPC or SKU identifies the producer and product kind. The serial number identifies that one distinctive bodily object within the Provide Chain. The EPC can establish pallets, circumstances or particular person items 엘지정수기.

EPC was developed by researchers on the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how as a tool to assist companies establish and monitor particular person objects all through the Provide Chain in real time. EPCglobal Inc., a “not-for-profit” group made up of retail, manufacturing and know-how leaders, governs the requirements for EPC implementation. A number of main retailers are at the moment piloting use of EPC know-how with attire, client electronics and different items.

EPC is seen as the subsequent step within the evolution of Barcode know-how. The place barcodes require an optical scanner to learn the printed image that represents the producer and product kind, the RFID tag containing the EPC makes use of a silicon chip and an antenna to transmit this info by radio waves when prompted by the reader. This eliminates the necessity to bodily contact or scan particular person objects, saving labor price. It additionally, in principle, removes inaccuracies attributable to human error.

How can Digital Product Codes assist Retailers?

As talked about above, EPC know-how improves effectivity for companies by eliminating pointless labor prices and enhancing provide chain visibility and accuracy. This enables retailers to trace and reorder stock extra precisely, lowering gross sales misplaced to “out of shares”. It is no secret that elevated gross sales and diminished prices equals revenue for retailers.

How can Digital Product Codes assist Shoppers?