This phase focused on the analysis and re-engineering of the STAFF business processes, with a special emphasis on the logistics and retail processes that will become RFID-enabled. The main tasks of this phase include:
Visits to STAFF Retail Shop and STAFF Central Warehouse: Three sites visits of SENSAP to the STAFF retail shop took place in order to allow SENSAP engineers to understand the key retail processes. Moreover, SENSAP engineers will also visit the central warehouse in order to study issues associated with the exchange of (RFID based) information between the warehouse and the retail shop. SENSAP already has a good understanding of STAFF‟s logistics processes, since it has deployed (as part of the project ASPIRE) an RFID enabled solution for the STAFF central warehouse.
Inventory of Retail and Logistics Business Processes:
Following the visits, SENSAP performed a thorough analysis and description of existing business processes in both retail and logistics. The later will serve as a basis for analysing the operation of the RFID pilot systems at the retail shop, as well as its interconnection with the RFID- enabled logistics operations of the company.
Specification of Inter-Enterprise Processes:
This task focused on the specification of inter-enterprise processes that span both the logistics and the retail processes. Hence, processes spanning the full supply chain (i.e. spanning order, production, shipment and retail business steps) will be studied and specified for implementation in the scope of the pilot.
Business Process Re-engineering (BPR):
This task focused on the STAFF retail and logistics processes that will have to be changed as a result of the RFID adoption. Following the end of this task, SENSAP and STAFF will have agreed on the new RFID-enabled operations of the central warehouse and the retail store.
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This phase relates to WP2 of the project. The results of the work are documented in relevant WP2 deliverables, which include deliverables on BPR (Business Process Reengineering) and the revised business processes of STAFF.
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8.3 Hardware Specifications M3-M7
This phase and corresponding group of activities will be devoted to the production of hardware specifications for the STAFF transnational inter- enterprise pilot. The main tasks are the following:
Site Visits for Hardware and Environment Inspection:
SENSAP will visit the STAFF retail shop, central warehouse and production facilities in order to understand the peculiarities of the pilot locations and the requirements they impose on the hardware selection.
Inventory of STAFF Equipment:
Based on the site visits SENSAP will catalogue all STAFF equipment that will be involved in the pilot. Emphasis will be put on the existing/legacy computing equipment at both the retail shop and the warehouses, since this equipment will impact the procurement processes of the pilot.
Retail Shop Hardware Specifications:
SENSAP will specify a detailed Bill-of-Materials (BOM) for the hardware components and devices to be deployed in the retail shop. Note that STAFF possesses already an RFID system in its central warehouse, which is expected to signify the need for additional procurements (beyond the needs of the retail shop).
Hardware and Consumables Procurement:
Based on the above mentioned BOM, STAFF will proceed with the related procurement processes. The result/milestone associated with this task is the availability of RFID (and other) hardware at the STAFF retail site. Note that the procurement will also deal with the required consumables (i.e. tags) to be used in the pilot, even though these could be ordered at a later stage.
The above mentioned tasks fall in the scope of the RFID-ROI-SME project‟s work plan. The BOM of the hardware components of the pilot will be documented in D3.1 of the RFID-ROI-SME project. Note that STAFF completed the procurement process as soon as possible in order to ensure that the longest possible equipment depreciation period is charged to the project.
8.4 RFID Software and Middleware Specifications
M5-M8
This phase will provide the software and middleware specifications of the STAFF pilot, including the middleware configuration parameters. The pilot will exploit readily available RFID middleware platforms in order to minimise additional development/integration efforts. Part of the pilot‟s software has been developed in the scope of the ASPIRE project, and will
be appropriately adapted/migrated according to the requirements of the solution. The main tasks of this phase include:
Middleware Requirements and Specifications:
This task will produce detailed specifications for the middleware of the RFID solution. These specifications will cover the whole spectrum of middleware functionalities, including interfacing to the RFID devices, filtering and data analysis functionalities, interfacing to legacy enterprise information systems and device management.
Middleware Libraries Migration:
Part of the software and middleware of the solution (both for logistics and retail) is already available from the ASPIRE project. This task will study the migration of software and middleware libraries of the project.
Middleware Platforms (ASPIRE, S-BOX) Customization Specification:
This task will map the middleware specifications to specific capabilities and functionalities of the target middleware platforms. As already outlined, the solution will be based on readily available platforms, notably the AspireRfid middleware platform and tools (built within the ASPIRE project) and SENSAP‟s S-BOX Suite product which have been integrated (based on AspireRfid) by SENSAP. The task will specify how specific middleware functionalities (e.g., filtering, data collection, business event generation, interfacing to enterprise information systems) will be implemented based on the readily available capabilities of AspireRfid and the S-BOX Suite.
The tasks of this phase will lead to the middleware selection and configuration of the pilot, as anticipated by WP3 of the project. The results of this phase will be documented in WP3 deliverables, notably deliverable D3.2 of the project.
8.5 Hardware Installation and Software Integration
M7-M11
Following the selection and configuration of the hardware and middleware of the solution, this phase will be devoted to the installation of the hardware and the integration of the software. The more specific tasks involved in this phase include:
Hardware Installation:
Concerns the on-site installation of the hardware, following the completion of relevant procurement processes (for the retail shop). The installation will target both AutoID/RFID sensing equipment, as well as actuators and computing equipment. Hardware installation and
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deployment in the STAFF retail shop will be performed on-site by SENSAP engineers.
Middleware Integration:
This task entails the integration of the middleware solution based on the configuration options determined in the previous (middleware specifications) phase. It will include the customization of the middleware platforms, according to parameters pertaining to the pilot.
Integration with Legacy Equipment and Applications:
This task concerns the integration of hardware and middleware with legacy equipment (e.g., through implementation of appropriate drivers/controllers), and legacy enterprise information systems of STAFF (i.e. notably the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system of the company, the POS (Point-of-Sale) Software of the company, as well as the Warehouse Management System (WMS) operated by STAFF).
Warehouse and Retail Shop Interconnection:
This task will be devoted to the software that will integrate the inter- enterprise processes of the solution. The integration work will involve RFID data exchange (e.g., through the RFID information sharing databases), as well as interfacing and interconnection of enterprise information systems residing in the two locations.
The end of this phase will result in the deployment of the solution at the STAFF retail shop and central warehouse. The results of this phase will be documented in D3.3 (dealing with the trial architecture of the solutions), as well as in D4.2 (reporting on the implemented systems) of the RFID- ROI-SME project.
8.6 Testing and Training M7-M13
This phase will focus on the testing of the hardware and the software comprising the pilot deployment. The main tasks are:
Hardware Testing and Fine Tuning:
This task entails the testing of the proper operation hardware of the solution in terms of reading efficiency, reading reliability, compliance to hardware specifications, functionality of the envisaged hardware configuration, as well as its graceful operation within the STAFF warehouses and retail shop. All the readpoints will be tested including readers at the smart POS (Point-of-Sale), readers at the “magic” mirror, readers facilitating access to information of the apparel items, as well as mobile readers for the inventory operations. This task is carried out in the period M9-M10 of the workplan.
Middleware Testing and Fine Turing:
This task entails the testing of the selected middleware suite (i.e. SENSAP‟s traceability server) in terms of its proper operation with the selected hardware, the correct deployment of the target configuration (e.g., in terms of filtering and event generation), as well as the appropriate integration with the e-shop and ERP systems of STAFF. Furthermore, the integration with the systems of the central warehouse will be also tested. The use cases prescribed in the first phase of the work plan will be used as the main test scenarios. This task is carried out in the period M11-M12 of the workplan.
Pilot System Testing (prior to starting pilot operations):
This task will test the pilot system as a whole, against the retail and logistics functionalities specified in Deliverable D2.1 of the project. Specifically, functionalities such as automatic check-out, the smart mirror and the e-salesman, which enabled added-value customer service operations, will be tested. This task is carried out in the period M11-M13 of the workplan. Hence it also extends also in the first month of the pilot operations in order to allow testing of some functionalities even some days after the start of the pilot operation of other functionalities.
Pilot Testing (during the pilot operations):
The testing activities of the STAFF pilot will continue during the actual operation of the pilot, with a view to: (a) testing new functionalities and pilot features, which will be deployed based on feedback from STAFF, (b) testing bug fixes, updates and new releases of the software and middleware of the target system.
Training Plan:
A training plan will be developed including the content and the scheduling of the seminar to key users/employees of STAFF.
Key Users Training (both sites):
Based on the training plan, key users from both the STAFF retail shop and the warehouses will be trained on the RFID operations, including how to use the RFID business intelligence system and RFID device management systems.
The tasks of this phase fall in the scope of WP4 and WP5 tasks of the RFID-ROI-SME project. Hence, the results of the phase will be reported in relevant WP4/WP5 deliverables, such as D5.2 which will report on the required training.
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8.7 Pilot Operation M13-M22
Following the installation, testing and deployment of the pilot, STAFF will commence the inter-enterprise pilot operations. This phase comprises the following tasks:
Site Visits and Technical Support:
During the pilot operations this task will ensure that frequent (bi-weekly) visits of SENSAP engineers to the STAFF locations. SENSAP will provide technical support regarding any technical problems that might arise during the pilot operations. Furthermore, STAFF employees will be offered remote technical support from SENSAP. To this end, appropriate support channels (e.g., e-mail, phone, web site) will be established and maintained.
Systems and Processes Operation:
This task will focus on the actual pilot operation of the STAFF logistics and retail RFID-enabled processes. STAFF will attempt to understand and fully leverage the benefits of these operations (e.g. towards improved promotions management, customer satisfaction and more).
Processes and Services Improvement:
Feedback from the pilot operations will be exploited in order to improve business performance, through the fine-tuning of RFID systems and processes. An appropriate process for fine-tuning systems and processes will be devised.
This phase is directly associated with WP6 of the project. The results of the phase will be reported in relevant WP6 deliverables such as D6.2.
8.8 Pilot Evaluation and Assessment M11-M22
Along with the pilot operations, SENSAP and STAFF will focus on the systematic evaluation of the pilot. The following tasks are included in the related phase:
STAFF Pilot Evaluation Methodology and Metrics:
A detailed evaluation plan for the STAFF pilot (including the methodology and metrics to be used) will be developed. The metrics will include KPIs specific to the apparel logistics and retail processes such as the orders fill rate, picking errors, inventory accuracy, customer satisfaction, reduction of churn rates and more. The STAFF evaluation methodology will take into account the wider evaluation framework of the RFID-ROI-SME project.
First Evaluation Cycle (Impact and Techno-economic assessment):
A first (six month) evaluation cycle will calculate evaluation metrics and consolidate evaluation results based on the pilot operation of the first six months.
Second Evaluation Cycle (Impact and Techno-economic assessment):
A second (six month) evaluation cycle will calculate evaluation metrics and consolidate evaluation results based on the pilot operation of the second semester of the pilot operations.
The pilot evaluation and assessment activities fall in the scope of WP7 in the project. As a result, the evaluation plan, and the evaluation results of the STAFF inter-enterprise transnational pilot, will be reported in D7.1 and D7.3.
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