Glossary

Brief explanation of subject-related terms/abbreviations

AIM

Automatic Identification Manufacturers. The global industry association that connects, standardizes, and advances automatic identification technologies.

Active RFID transponder
An active RFID transponder is often alternatively referred to as an active tag. With this type of transponder, the energy required for radio transmission is supplied by a battery. This makes it possible, for example, to integrate temperature sensors into the tag.

Aloha method
The method was developed during the construction of radio stations in the Hawaiian Islands. A form of time division multiplexing was used to divide the channel capacity. The reader transmits a request signal at continuous intervals. The transponders respond by transmitting their identification number after a randomly selected waiting time. Since the time of data transmission is much shorter than that of the request intervals, transmission collisions rarely occur.

ABC Articles
Classification of all articles in an assortment according to certain criteria, e.g. sales volume or access frequency. A Articles have high sales volumes or access frequencies, and C articles have low ones. The boundaries between A, B, and C groups are defined on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling System (APS)
An APS is used to map complex logistical structures of a supply chain or a company network in real time.

Agile Reader
Term for RFID readers that can operate on multiple frequencies. See also "Reader".

AGV   
The Driverless transport system is a, floor-bound transport system with automatically controlled vehicles for the transport of materials.

Antenna
An antenna usually consists of a coil serving as a transmitter and receiver unit and is a component of an RFID transponder. It ensures the transmission of radio signals between the transmitter or receiver and the medium (air).

Anti-collision
If several transponders are addressed simultaneously by a reader, they respond at the same time and can thus lead to a collision of the data during the reception. To prevent this, anti-collision methods are used. In this process, the transponders are addressed individually by special procedures ASL Automatic Stacker Guidance System.

Auto ID
Automatic identification. Auto-ID systems offer the possibility to provide information about goods and commodities. Example: Barcode.

Automatic small parts storage
Automatic system for storing small-volume units, usually containers, of low to medium weight.

CAS - Computer Aided Shipping System   
Paperless dispatch processing and addressing of general cargo and pallet orders.

Cash register systems   
PC-based solutions with enormous computing and storage power for integrating cash registers and scanner cash registers into an inventory management system.

CIS    
Customer Information Systems used in retail stores to retrieve information such as item description and delivery status.

Clearing / no-read station     
Work area for identification of goods whose barcodes are not readable, e.g. by image analysis or weight.

Commission

Compilation of specific individual items from a provided assortment to form an order.

Contactless chip cards   
Contactless chip cards use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. This allows the card to communicate with the card reader when the card is held near the reader during a transaction.

Container   
A special type of load carrier.

Container circulation system

Reusable container system in which containers pass through several stations.

Controller       
A controller, in a computing context, is a hardware device or software program that manages or directs the flow of data between two entities. See also: RFID reader.

CRM - Customer Relationship Management

Design of customer relationship processes with a consistent focus on the maintenance and long-term nature of the relationship between the company and its customers.

CRP - Continuous Replenishment Program
Continuous replenishment program along the entire logistics chain from manufacturer to retailer, which determines replenishment on the basis of actual sales.

E-fulfillment     
Delivery of goods ordered via the Internet.

E-Logistics 
Holistic logistics management, management, execution and control of information goods and money flow with regard to e-business.

EAI

Enterprise Application Integration is a uniform integration of enterprise applications - internally and also across different companies.

EAN

European Article Number is a standardized marking for commercial goods consisting of 8 or 13 digits, which is mostly applied to the goods as a barcode.

EAN International

European Article Numbering International is an international organization for the promotion and further development of the EAN standard.

EAS - Electronic Article Surveillance
Electronic anti-theft system with small transponders, which only distinguish between "present" or "not present.

ECR
Efficient consumer response, consideration of the manufacturer-supplier-retailer process chain, which serves to better satisfy consumer needs through cooperation between industry and retail.

EDI - Electronic Data Interchange
Electronic data exchange through standardized message types. A necessary prerequisite for the introduction of RFID processes in retailing.

Edifact

Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport is a cross-industry international standard for the format of electronic data in business transactions. EDIFACT is one of several international EDI standards.

EECC 
European EPC Competence Center issues certification of logistic solutions to create a standard.

Encryption
Encrypted data transmission via RFID transponder.

End-to-end     
All processes from ordering by the customer to delivery at the customer's premises.

EPC     
Electronic Product Code unique number for each product, developed by EPC Global Inc.

EPC Global Inc.     
A joint venture of GS1 and GS U.S. to define standards for the uniform use of radio frequency technology worldwide.

ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning complete business software.

Gate     
An RFID system is arranged as a gate. A gate is often used for goods identification in the supply chain or for people identification at events.


Gateway     
Using a gateway, devices that use different protocols can communicate with each other.


GPS     
Global Positioning System is a navigation satellite system for worldwide positioning.

GS1     
Global Standards One is a worldwide organization for the definition of globally valid standards for the optimization of business processes based on GS1 identification systems, and is responsible for the assignment of the GTIN. GS1 Germany is responsible for Germany.

GS1 Germany     
German service and competence center for cross-company business processes in the consumer goods industry.

GTAG     
Global Tag internationally valid EAN RFID standard.

GTIN     
Global Trade Item Number is an identification number for the worldwide unique identification of products assigned and managed by GS1.

Inlay     
An RFID inlay is a microchip and an antenna that are applied to a film. These inlays are processed by manufacturers into labels or stickers.

Integration Server     
Solution for the implementation of EDI messages and the control of operational processes.

Interactive Voice Response     
Communication between man and machine through voice computer systems International location number. 13-digit EAN number for identification of locations.

Internet of Things     
Electronic networking of transportable everyday objects.

INVOIC     
EDI message, an electronic invoice is an IP telephonyInternet protocol telephony. Telephoning via computer networks, sending voice signals in digital form.

IPC     
Industrial PC - e.g. built-in panel PC. Mainly refers to a personal or professional computer that is specially used in the industrial world and can be used as a manufacturing controller.

Kill Command     
Procedure in which all information stored on an RFID chip is deleted.

KPI     
Key Performance Indicators, strategic measures such as sales performance, productivity, profitability, which are compared with basic key figures in order to obtain meaningful information.

Master data
Part of the data managed in the warehouse system is not changed by other operations and is therefore static.

MDE     
Mobile data acquisition is a process that can collect data away from a computer workstation.

MDT     
Mobile data terminal, data terminal that stores data recorded offline and transfers it to a base station.

MES     
Manufacturing Execution System, a production control system for managing, directing, controlling, and monitoring production in real-time.

Middleware     
Intermediate application, distribution platform to support communication between processes; in RFID technology, connection reader with other company systems such as ERP.

Mobile data acquisition unit     
Hand scanner, handheld, PDA.

Mobile readers     
Devices with or without cabling that are not permanently integrated into systems and can be carried Opposite: stationary readers.

Modulation method     
Especially in RFID technology: frequency modulation (FM).
Method for transmitting analog and digital signals in which the carrier frequency is changed by the signal to be transmitted.

Multiplexer     
Selection switching network in which one of a number of inputs is selected by means of an analog or digital circuit and switched through to a defined output.

OOS     
Out-of-Stock. Shelf gap between shelves, lack of availability of goods.

Order picking     
Term for order picking,  e.g. when the products listed in an order are retrieved from their prospective warehouses.

Orders     
EDI message, electronic order.

Outsourcing     
Transfer of corporate functions to external service providers.

QA     
Quality assurance, a collective term for all measures to ensure constant product quality. Quality assurance ensures high product standards.

QCB     
Quality Control Box, Product for RFID reading/recording, e.g. mixed pallet formation during order picking.

QCG     
Quality Control Gate Product for RFID reading/recording e.g. goods issue in dispatch.

QCP     
Quality Control Point Product for RFID reading/recording e.g. checking tags for remote readability for critical media (beverages, meat, metal, etc.).

QCP smart     
The light version of the QCP. 

QR code

A Quick Response Code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information in the form of black and white squares. The QR code was developed to quickly and easily capture and decode large amounts of data.

Scanner     
mobile data acquisition device, also: RFID reader (based on a barcode scanner)

SCM     
Supply chain management, Coordination and management of all processes within the supply chain from the supplier to the consumer with the aim of minimizing costs and delivery times.

SEDAS     
Standard regulations of uniform data exchange systems, Standard developed in 1977 by GS1 Germany for electronic data exchange; especially invoice data and order data exchange between trade and industry in the consumer goods sector.

Sensor     
Electronic component that can convert physical properties, e.g. from the environment, into an electronic signal.

Serial number     
Unique number to identify all elements of a series.

SGTIN     
Serial Global Trade Item Number, a number stored on an RFID tag that enables each end product to be uniquely identified; standardized by EPC Global.

SKU     
Stock Keeping Unit identification number in warehouse management.

Smart Card     
Plastic card with built-in chip that can contain memory or processor chips; in RFID technology: contactless chip cards

Smart Label     
Combination of passive RFID tag and barcode label.

Smart Shelves     
Smart shelves equipped with RFID readers that are able to automatically detect misaligned merchandise and identify the number of items present on the shelf. This helps to avoid out-of-stock situations.

Smart Tag     
RFID transponder, transponder. An electric tag with an embedded RFID device, attached to an object for the purposes of tracking or storing data relating to its use.

SSCC     
Serial Shipping Container Code worldwide unique number for identifying a shipping unit (e.g. pallet, container, carton, etc.), also: NVE.

Stationary readers     
RFID readers that are permanently mounted in the existing infrastructure.
Opposite: mobile readers.

Tag
A electronic communication device that receives, responds to and forwards transmitted signals and consists of a microchip and an antenna.

Tagging     
Writing RFID tags and applying them to the pallet.

Tag-it transponder
A Tag-it transponder is an RFID transponder developed by the company Texas Instruments. It is a passive RFID chip that can be used in various applications, such as access control systems, logistics and goods tracking systems, or industrial automation. The Tag-it transponder enables wireless communication and identification of objects over short distances using RFID technology.

Tracking & Tracing     
Tracking and tracing = backtracking provides information on the location of goods at a specific point in time. Tracking refers to the determination of the location of a specific object at a defined point in time.

Tracing
Tracing shows what has happened to raw materials, semi-finished products, and end products as they pass through the chain.

Transponder     
Transponder is a combination of the words transmitter and responder. Also: tag.

Transponder tags
Transponder tags are RFID tags, also known as transponders. A transponder is a device that can send and receive signals. In terms of labels, transponder labels are equipped with an RFID chip that stores information and can communicate wirelessly with an RFID reader. These tags are widely used to identify, track, and manage items. They can be applied to products, packaging, or other surfaces and allow for fast, non-contact data collection using wireless technology. Transponder labels find application in various industries such as logistics, warehousing, retail, medical, and many more.

VMI     
Vendor Managed Inventory is a logistical tool to improve the logistics chain, allowing the supplier to access the customer's inventory and demand data in order to maintain stock levels.

XML     
Extensible Markup Language is a widely used standard language for exchanging data between computer systems and for information dissemination on the Internet.

XYZ article     
see also: ABC articles.