Traceability applications based on Discovery Services

RFID, in its different forms, but especially following EPCglobal standards, has become a key enabling technology for many applications. An essential component to develop track and trace applications in a complex multi-vendor scenario are the Discovery Services. Although they are already envisaged as part of the EPCglobal network architecture, the functional definition and standardization of the Discovery Service is still at a very early stage. Within the scope of the BRIDGE project, a specification for the interfaces of Discovery Services has been developed, together with a prototype to validate the design and different models to enhance supply-chain control through track and trace applications. © 2008 IEEE.