Revolutionary Bar Code Technology – EPC Network
Promises to create unique code for every piece of merchandise
A new bar code technology called EPC Network, which has been under development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will made its debut in Chicago last month at the EPC Symposium.
EPC stands for electronic product code, which is the new product numbering scheme that`s at the heart of the system. There are several key differences between an EPC and a bar code. First the EPC is designed to provide a unique serial number for every item in the system. By contrast, bar codes only identify groups of products. That is, under the bar code system every can of Coke will have the same code where as using EPC, every can of Coke would have one-of-a-kind identifier. This technology could help reduce theft and counterfeit goods and juggle inventory more effectively. Another feature of the EPC is its 96-bit format as against the 12-digit bar code.
However, the system is very much in the lab stage and probably won`t replace the bar code for another decade. The main reason is the economic factor. The cost of the EPC tags needs to be reduced to fractions of a penny to make it viable. Protection of consumer piracy is also a concern. But EPC still holds a promise for the future.
