Purpose - The combination of the latest advancements in Information and Communication Technolo-
gies (ICT) with the latest developments in AutoID technologies, especially Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID), brings the possibility of high-resolution, item-level visibility of the entire supply chain. In the
particular case of retail, visibility of both the stock count and item location in the shop
oor is crucial
not only for an effective management of the retail supply chain, but also for ...
Purpose - The combination of the latest advancements in Information and Communication Technolo-
gies (ICT) with the latest developments in AutoID technologies, especially Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID), brings the possibility of high-resolution, item-level visibility of the entire supply chain. In the
particular case of retail, visibility of both the stock count and item location in the shop
oor is crucial
not only for an effective management of the retail supply chain, but also for physical retail stores to
compete with on-line retailers. We propose an autonomous robot that can perform stock-taking using
RFID for item level identification much more accurately and efficiently than the traditional method of
using human operators with RFID handheld readers.
Design/methodology/approach - This work follows the design science methodology. The article
highlights a required improvement for an RFID inventory robot. The design hypothesis leads to a novel
algorithm. Then the cycle of development and evaluation is iterated several times. Finally, conclusions
are derived and a new basis for further development is provided.
Findings - An autonomous robot for stock-taking is proven feasible. By applying a proper navigation
strategy, coupled to the stream of identifications, the accuracy, precision, consistency and time to complete
stock-taking are significantly better than doing the same task manually.
Research limitations/implications - The main limitation of this work is the unavailability of data
to analyse the actual impact on the correction of Inventory Record Inaccuracy (IRI) and its subsequent
implications for supply chain management. Nonetheless, it is shown that figures of actual stock-tacking
procedures can be significantly improved.
Originality/value - This paper discloses the potential of deploying an inventory robot in the supply
chain. The robot is called to be a key source of inventory data conforming item-level, high-resolution
supply chain management and omnichannel retail.
Theoretical/scientific contribution - The paper shows that a fully automated inventory process
with an accuracy above 99% is possible combining RFID and autonomous robot technologies.
Managerial contribution - This paper shows the managers of traditional retail chains how they
can obtain in a cost-effective way a high resolution visibility of the stock in the retail
oor. This visibility
is necessary in order to both manage the supply chain more efficiently, and to implement the omnichannel
processes necessary to remain competitive with respect to on-line retailers.
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