A Framework for Data Flow in Apparel Supply Chain Using RFID Technology

Nowadays, automatic data capture or auto identification technology has been booming in the global Textile and Clothing Industries. With the help of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and the electronic product code (EPC) standards, the services for apparel supply chain will be able to provide data or information about products along different stages of this supply chain. All parts of the apparel supply chain including manufacturers, distributors and retailers will be able to have instant access to information about an individual product at any time. The wide adoption of RFID across the supply chain will bring significant benefits leading to reduced operational costs and hence increase profit. This article mainly concerns on the flow of information by means of data throughout the apparel supply chain and relationship between each of its member in supply chain; entity relation diagram (ERD) is also used to make more understandable of this relationship. Each member or organization represents an entity and relation among each is shown by indicating lines. Furthermore, a preliminary description of an infrastructure for data flows is also outlined for our further research work.