EPCglobal Inc, a standards body for electronic product code (EPC) and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, has ratified a software standard for using EPC technology in the supply chain. The Application Level Events (ALE) standard is the first created by the EPCglobal community specifically for software.
ALE was developed by more than 100 companies within the EPCglobal Software Action Group and establishes the approach EPC-enabled software products will take in collecting, managing and routing data EPC technology generates in the supply chain.
Standards developed by the EPCglobal community are foundational elements in the continuing build-out of the EPCglobal Network, which combines RFID technology, existing network infrastructure and the EPC to provide visibility of product information throughout supply chains. Royalty-free standards are a primary goal of EPCglobal, and will aid in the creation of standards-based, interoperable products and the widespread deployment of EPC technology.
An EPCglobal standard ensures interoperability and sets minimum operational expectations for various components in the EPCglobal Network, including software and hardware components. EPCglobal Inc is a joint venture between GS1 (formerly EAN International) and GS1 US (formerly the Uniform Code Council).
