Providing a methodology for inventory management with the approach of integrating information systems and improving IT system performance using information tracking systems at the workshop floor level.

Master's Thesis

Manufacturing and Production Orientation

Abstract

This research examines the concept of electronic traceability of food throughout the supply chain, emphasizing the Traceable Resource Unit (TRU), information management and information exchange technology from livestock to the consumer's table. To fulfill this responsibility, UML (Unified Modeling Language) is used to create a data-driven product model and to manage TRU traceability data throughout the chain. In this research, a systemic approach has been used to develop a methodology for implementing food supply chain traceability. This research includes two general parts. In the first part, we will introduce traceability, its requirements and implementation requirements, and in the second part, we will use the traceability system to control inventory in the organization. In order to do this, our supply chain has been selected as the target organization. Yogurt supply chain consists of five links that procure the raw material for yogurt production (milk) from the farmer, turn it into yogurt and deliver it to the final customer. We have used identification tools such as RFID for tracking.

Key words: traceability, tracking, follow-up.

1-1-Introduction

This dissertation emphasizes the Traceable Resource Unit [1] (TRU), information management and information exchange technology from farm to table. The consumer explores the concept of electronic food traceability throughout the supply chain. In line with this responsibility, the Unified Modeling Language [2] (UML) is used throughout the supply chain to create a data-driven product model and to manage TRU traceability data. In this chapter of the research, the researcher states the main problem of the research, describes and explains the subject, the necessity of conducting the research and the expected results, and then the basic objectives of conducting the research, the research method, the method of gathering information, and the methods of information analysis are briefly stated, then the terms and specialized words are defined and the structure of the research is explained at the end.

1-2- Description and statement of the problem

In a system Production, to reach the background or history of a product or the current state of the product, solutions are needed. Determining the history or background of the product is important for many customers or many products. It is important for many customers where the product was created, under what conditions, under what processes and when. The origin of the product is also important in many cases. For example, considering the high population of Muslims in the world, it is important to ensure the provision of halal meat for this population of the world. This is necessary for all the countries of the world, and organizations will be able to communicate with more than a quarter of the world's population by providing a certificate that guarantees the halal meat. These organizations must comply with the standard principles of halal food, including that animal feed and ingredients should not be processed from non-halal components; Sharia slaughter and hunting conditions should be implemented according to Islamic laws; separation of halal and non-halal product lines, etc.; In addition, a label or sign should be placed on these processed products so that the consumer can recognize these products.

Also, organic products [3] which are currently receiving a lot of attention from the public. Due to increasing concerns about the residual toxins and chemicals used to eliminate pesticides, organic products entered the market. These products have found a special place in the market and have an approximate price of 20% more than other similar products. Customers of these products are sensitive to the environmental consequences. The production method of these products relies on renewable resources. These products are produced without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In order to make the customer confident about the products he uses, it is necessary to include the place of production of such products and the materials used in their production along with other required information on the product.In a study conducted by Dickinson [4] and colleagues (2002), they found that US consumers are willing to pay more for products that offer traceability, transparency, and increased quality assurance.

Experience shows that consumers are willing to pay more for products that have a traceability ID [1]. In fact, product tracking brings added value to the organization, which has led to the definition of traceability. We mention another example. Among the foods, seafood is highly perishable. Temperature and time conditions are very important for this type of products. Therefore, it is necessary to include these items as part of the product history. In general, the originality and reliability of the product must be under standards and provided under the supervision of organizations. Traceability can be beneficial not only for customers, but also for regulatory bodies. For example, in Finland, the permission to pick berries from the land, regardless of the ownership and occupied area, is under the supervision of certain regulatory institutions. These areas where the products are organic have been mapped. When a berry is harvested from one of these forest areas. The local buyer must confirm the mulberry harvesting area and the mulberry company must maintain the harvest records to ensure the raw materials are organic. Each stage of the supply chain documents information on berries and products. By following these documents, it is possible to determine the area of ??harvesting berries.

1-3-Importance and necessity of research

As it was said in the previous section, due to the significant increase in food-borne diseases during the past few decades and the use of toxins and chemicals harmful to humans in product production, food consumers are more concerned about the food they consume. Food products travel a long distance before they reach the consumer, and are passed through multiple hands in the supply chain. In case of an accident, it is very difficult to find the cause of the accident. This problem has turned the tracking and follow-up of food into a challenging task, and not finding the source of the problem has caused huge losses to organizations and has also caused customer dissatisfaction. This can question the history of an organization and cause the customers of a particular brand to disperse. These cases have caused the food industry and regulatory bodies to introduce traceability and food safety standards and require their sub-assemblies and suppliers to have traceability systems. Since 2002, after the catastrophic outbreak of mad cow disease, the European Union has required commercial food operators to have traceability systems in the field of information systems.

In addition to the food industry, traceability is also required and effective in many service industries and jobs. Below is an example. This example illustrates the necessity of using traceability.

"In the large flower auction hall of Bloemfontein[5] in the Netherlands, there were 6,000 flower growers, with 32,000 transactions, with 2,000 buyer orders that had to be packed and shipped internally or externally before 11 a.m. each morning. Radio Frequency Identification Tags[6] (RFID) 100,000 trucks are part of the complex and automatic logistics of the tracking system. The movement of the trucks was tracked electronically and the orders were picked up from the trucks and delivered to the customers' doors. The RFID tags were read by the antenna by communicating with the procurement software. The personnel could check the exact location of the orders, their contents and the speed of their arrival to the customer check" [2]. These and many other cases are examples of its capabilities, tracking, and uses that make this system a useful tool for any organization. management, and information exchange technologies from cattle to table.