RFID-based Adaptive Feedbacks between Supply Chain Scheduling and Execution Control

Supply chain (SC) performance depends not only on the excellent planning and scheduling techniques but also on execution control. Recent studies indicated that the scheduling needs to be considered with regard to a real SC execution environment. Modern developments in information technologies such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) provide a constructive basis to incorporate the stages of SC scheduling and execution under the attracting adaptation methods. In this study, we investigate the issues of establishing adaptive feedbacks between SC scheduling and execution from the perspectives of modern control theory. In using optimal control for scheduling stage, feedback adaptive control for execution stage, and attainable sets for analysis of the achievement of the planned performance in a real execution environment, we pro-vide a mathematically unified framework for SC scheduling and execution control. The pro-posed framework makes it possible to analyse the correspondence of RFID functionalities and costs to the actual needs of execution control and support problem-oriented SC adaptation for the achievement of the desired performance. The developed framework can be applied as an analysis tool for the decision support regarding the designing and applying RFID infrastructures in supply chains. Copyright © 2011 IFAC