What critical function did the Electronic Product Code (EPC), managed by GS1, provide for RFID?

Answer

It provided the necessary unique, standard address system for tags used globally.

While hardware pioneers like Walton invented the physical tag, the creation of a functional, global RFID supply chain required standardization of data, which was addressed by the Electronic Product Code (EPC). Managed by bodies such as GS1, the EPC functions as a universal addressing system. This standardization ensures that every tag possesses a unique identifier that is recognized and interpreted consistently across various global systems, regardless of where the item was manufactured or where it is being scanned. Without this agreed-upon language and address structure, readers in different international locations would not be able to accurately interpret the data from tags originating elsewhere, preventing efficient global logistics operations.

What critical function did the Electronic Product Code (EPC), managed by GS1, provide for RFID?

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inventiontechnologysupply chainlogisticsRFID