Barcoding (AIDC Task Force)

Overview

AIDC Equals Accurate, Actionable and Timely Data

Nothing is more central to the effectiveness of a supply chain than the ability to collect and transmit accurate, actionable and timely data. Automating workflows with Automatic Identification Data Capture (AIDC) technology provides this level of real-time efficiency, accuracy and connectivity.

Specifically, AIDC refers to the methods of automatically identifying objects, collecting data about them, and entering that data directly into computer systems (without human involvement). Technologies typically considered as part of AIDC include bar codes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), biometrics, magnetic stripes, optical character recognition, smart cards and voice recognition.

“AIDC is necessary to achieve the next level of business system automation in our industry — particularly in seed. As product life cycles become shorter, it’s required to reduce errors and improve efficiency, meeting the needs for track, trace and reporting requirements.”

Ron FarrellAgGateway Board Advisory Member

To Meet AgGateway’s Mission – Real-time Information is Required

AgGateway’s mission is to promote, enable and expand eBusiness in agriculture, and fundamental to this mission is the ability to meet farmers’ expectations by supplying the right products, in the right quantity, at the right price, and at the right time and place.

To achieve this level of efficiency, agribusinesses must have accurate and real-time information about production, distribution, inventory and consumption. The implementation of AIDC technologies (bar coding and RFID, electronic messaging, and data synchronisation) creates this highly responsive supply chain.

Track and Trace Systems with AIDC Technology Benefits Agribusiness

Implementation of “track and trace” systems based on AIDC technology across the supply chain enables agribusiness to:

Capture product information down to the field level
Manage the global supply in real-time by creating a “chain of custody”
Prevent counterfeit, inferior products from flooding the market
Deliver accurate data to government agencies
React swiftly, when required, to identify sources of contamination within the food supply chain
Secure our Freedom to Operate (FTO)

Contact us to see how your company can begin to approach an AIDC implementation project. Contact Jim Wilson at email jim.wilson at AgGateway.org, or Member Services at Member.Services@AgGateway.org and say you’d like to talk with the leaders of the AIDC Initiative.

AIDC for Agribusiness Task Force

While there are considerable benefits to using AIDC, the agriculture industry has lagged behind other industries in implementation. Even knowing the considerable benefits of the technology (better inventory control, less shrinkage, fewer errors, easier work flow for receiving and shipping, more accurate pricing for retailers, more accurate lot tracking, and more efficient retrieval of products), companies still hesitate to adopt.

Some of the hurdles AgGateway members note in AIDC implementation include training warehouse employees, scanner procurement and maintenance, installation of a new system throughout a company’s network, and cost.

Given the significant benefits of implementing AIDC, the AIDC Task Force of AgGateway seeks to promote AIDC expansion across the agribusiness supply chain by addressing the concerns above and by providing:

The latest thought leadership and education on track and trace systems
Documentation of use cases specific to agribusiness
An ROI calculator and ancillary support for implementations
Creation of global standards in conjunction with CRISTAL, and
Networking opportunities for AgGateway members and outside communities in support of AIDC adoption.

If you’d like to be part of the AIDC Initiative, contact us via Member.Services@AgGateway.org or join one of our face-to-face meetings at the AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting or Annual Conference.

AIDC for Agribusiness Resources and Thought Leadership

In order to promote implementation of AIDC across agribusinesses, the task force has provided education and tools to learn more about the technology and to get started. While these cover some of the basics of AIDC, the task force will also be focusing on providing agribusiness-specific resources in the future.

Taped Webinar