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Recipient Sector:
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Metals
& Minerals
Construction |
| Donor
Sector: |
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Retail industry
and Parcel Delivery |
| Technology:
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Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) |
| Project
Start Date:
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July 2002 |
| Project
End Date:
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June 2004 |
| Duration:
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2 years |
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Lead
Organisation:
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Building
Research Establishment (BRE) |
Contact
Name: |
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Dr Ranjit Bassi |
Mail
To:
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BassiR@bre.co.uk |
Tel
No:
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01923 664 842 |
Address:
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Bucknalls Lane,
Garston, Watford, WD2 7UR |
Project Summary:
This project aims to improve supply chain integration and flow of information
within the construction related manufacturing sector, by using auto identification
technologies, e.g. RFID tagging, wireless communications and web technologies
which have been used successfully in the nuclear, haulage, automotive
and retail industries.
Project Partners:
Aim Limited
Carter Concrete
Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels
Construction Product Association
Corus Plc
Forticrete
Hazlin of Ludlow
Intellident Limited
M41 (Movement of Innovation)
Trent Concrete
Need:
The engineering sector that manufactures products for the construction
industry is a sizeable market (in excess of £30bn pa). It has not,
however, benefited from recent developments in IT as much as similar sectors.
One of the key areas where costs can be reduced is the procurement of
products for construction and their delivery. Advanced technology is not
currently used to track components through manufacture, procurementand
installation of construction products.
Solution:
The solution is to use electronic RFID tags as a means of storing information
with the product itself and updating the information throughout its journey,
from manufacturer to construction site. This will help identify and locate
products and update information during the entire process, including the
intervening stages, such as: storage at the manufacturer or stockist site;
correct loading of products for the correct destinations; tracking during
transportation; delivery to the correct site and automatic registering
of receipt of goods through a site scanner. It is also possible that it
could be used as proof of delivery and as a paperless delivery note, which
could then be used to automatically trigger invoicing and payment.
Benefits:
A preceding feasibility study funded by DTI ICT-Carrier Programme has
found that an improvement in logistics, of about 1.5%, could be achieved.
Avoidance of misrouting and reduction of disputes regarding delivery of
goods will also result in further savings, as the associated costs of
these problems could amount to about 1% of the cost of materials and products
delivered to construction sites. The reliability and reputation of manufacturers
and suppliers are likely to improve as a result. Further benefits down
the supply chain would be for operational and maintenance information
to be logged and used for condition monitoring, repairs, and ordering
of replacements.
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