Virtualisation of RFID supply chain

Supply chain information infrastructure has been largely built on the basis of solid IT backbone using static identification technology such as barcode. However, like most emerging technologies, very few can integrate seamlessly together. Small to medium enterprises in the supply chain do not have the same resources as large multinational corporations are often left without RFID connectivity, and hence the information link of the supply chain is segmented. In this paper, we propose a virtualisation model, code name "Transparent", which will allow new mobile technologies to work in parallel with the existing RFID framework. The concept of virtualisation is to encapsulate a physical device to behave as multiple virtual devices where the resources of the physical device are shared among the virtual devices. The virtualised supply chain information infrastructure will significantly improve the efficiency of setting up the supply chain system and encourages more cost effective partnering relationships to be built.