EPC stands for Electronic Product Code, the RFID version of the UPC barcode. EPC is a unique, item-specific identifier. Like the Universal Product Code (UPC) or bar code, the EPC is divided into numbers that identify the manufacturer, product, version and serial number. However, EPC goes beyond UPC by not only identifying the product as an SKU, but also providing access to additional data (via the EPC Network) about the origin and history of the specific units. The EPC tag itself identifies the manufacturer, product, version, and serial number. It's the serial number that takes EPC to the next level. This is the key to data related to specific lots/batches as well as potentially tracking the specific unit's history as it moves through the supply chain. This data is stored somewhere else (the internet or other network) but a standardized architecture allows you to access the data much like you would access a web page (though this would be happening automatically behind the scenes). |
