RFID in PLM

RFID
RFID tags are intelligent bar codes that can talk to a networked system to track every product that you put in your shopping cart.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. It's grouped under the broad category of automatic identification technologies.

Consumer Benefits of RFID
Garment tracking within a store
Real-time replenishment prevents stock outs
Faster movement in supply chain
Faster response from retail store

Although radio-frequency identification technology can be used in a broad range of applications, Its focus here is for supply chain and garment tracking. With such technology coming in product life cycle, creates a neccesity for a software to integrate the RFID technology with existing PLM.

The PLM-RFID integration has already hit the market. RFID technology has been there for industries like retail, food processing and many others, its relatively new to Apparel industry.
The tags on individual apparel are designed to enable readers to capture data on tags and transmit it to a computer system without needing a person to be involved.

RFID in Flex PLM
RFID tags on individual items can significantly improve inventory accuracy.
As Sandeep mentioned in another blog on Fashion Merchandising. Flex PLM doesnt have efficient communication among fashion merchandiser , marketing and PLM team. An integration of FLEXPLM and RFID can certainly bridge these gaps and can provide lot more functionalities.
Normally whenever the product is failed / met with accident, the field person inspects the product. Here he should capture the tag id through RFID reader and enter his comment of the product. His comments and the RFID tag number will be sent directly to the PLM system to request design verification. After the initial phase, the product related issues will be just stored in the PDM system. All these captured information can be analyzed and used in new product development.