Applications of automatic identification technologies across the I.E. curriculum

The prevailing focus on enterprise-wide integration rather than a narrow focus on the effectiveness of functional areas places more stringent requirements for data integrity as enabler for effective coordination of the activities required to carry out the functions necessary for attaining the organizational mission. Automatic Identification (Auto ID) technologies provide an avenue for attaining a totally integrative enterprise management. For this reason, it is imperative that the I.E. curriculum, under the coverage of systems approach to design and operation, be adequately infused the various Auto. ID technologies and concepts as they apply to the vast areas of interest in the field. These technologies are critical to the success of a number of key areas of particular interest to the industrial engineer, including automated manufacturing systems, distribution, inventory control and other computer facilitated activities related to enterprise integration. This paper focuses on bar-codes, and the approach that has been taken at the I.E. department at North Carolina A&T State University to achieve integration throughout the curriculum.