طراحی یک سیستم مدیریت منابع مبتنی بر RFID برای عملیات انبار

In the past, the selection of resources to execute various warehouse operation services was done solely by experts. In this paper, a RFID-based Resource Management System (RFID-RMS) is designed to help users to select the most suitable resource usage packages for handling warehouse operation orders by retrieving and analysing useful knowledge from a case-based data warehouse for solutions in both time saving and cost effective manner. In addition, a pure integral-linear programming model using a branch and bound algorithm to define the optimum travel distance of forklifts is also developed and embedded in the proposed system. The proposed system, which is suitable for usage in a warehouse operation environment, enhances the effectiveness in formulating resource usage package and managing resource operation by integrating the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), case-based reasoning (CBR) technologies and the programming model for forklift route optimization. Through applying RFID-RMS in the GENCO Distribution System, a multinational logistics company, the utilization of warehouse resources is expected to be maximized while work efficiency will be greatly enhanced.

In the past decade, the change in the global economy has significantly redefined the way enterprises are operated. One of the major changes is that the core activity of warehousing in supply chain is no longer confined to keeping a large amount of stock. Instead, small quantities of goods are delivered promptly from a significantly wide variety of stock keeping unit (SKU) throughout its supply chain (Berg & zijm, 1999). Planning and control of warehouse facilities and systems are therefore made even more complex. In general, most warehouse managers lack timely and quality information derived from accurate monitoring and measurement of resources. They usually rely on their knowledge to formulate material handling solutions to handle different orders. In doing so, bias judgment easily occurs. In such sense, it seems that a systematic approach should be adapted and developed to make sure that the material handling solutions are formulated with out bias. In this paper, an RFID-based resource management system (RFID-RMS) is presented. This is a case-based system incorporating the RFID technology to explore important customer attributes for case retrieval and matching process. With the help of RFID technology, a flexible and timely resource data accessing and collection framework for the system is achieved. In addition, a new customized route optimizing programming model, using real time data of an RFID tag to solve the order picking problems of material handling equipment is developed and installed at the route allocation optimizer, a sub module of resource management engine in the proposed system. The aim of this system is to maximize both the efficient use and productive allocation of warehouse material handling equipment at the lowest operating cost. The paper presents the supportive literature in Section 2. A generic model is developed to integrate the case-based reasoning technology and an advanced automatic data identification technique (RFID), and to embed a branch and bound route optimization programming model. The purpose is to formulate an optimum material handling solution, which is illustrated in Section 3. In Section 4, a case study is presented to show how RFID-RMS is used in improving the warehouse operating performance in GENCO; a US based multi-national logistics company. The results and a discussion on the findings are listed out in Section 5. Finally, the overall conclusion about the use of RFID-RMS is made in Section 6.

A good resource management plan is essential for the success of a company in order to minimize current operation costs while maintaining a high customer satisfaction level. However, formulating good resource planning is always a challenge to logistics service providers. It is not uncommon that even experienced logistics planners always spend excessive time in managing resource allocation. This is mainly due to a lack of useful and comprehensive resource information and a relevant knowledge support system. This paper has proposed an intelligent system that incorporates CBR technique, route optimizing programming model as well as automatic data identification RFID technology to assist logistics service providers in resource planning and execution.