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• Basic processes, such as warehousing or orderpicking processes, in the sense of process modules oreventually even generic reference processes;• Complex processes composed of basic processes andoperations.However, separation of precisely those basicprocesses is only done according to the flow of objects.In future, it will also be necessary to identify autonomousprocesses by their control tasks, which is expected to leadto new kinds of basic processes and an eventuallymodified syntax for composing complex processes ofavailable operation and process components. To definerespective rules and regulations and to identify andspecify the new process components, these are subjectsof ongoing research.CONCLUSIONSThe increasing interlinking inside the supply chainenabled by complex information technology systemsmakes new demands on logistics systems. New materialand information flow technologies have to ensurematerial flow tracking and tracing as well as controlwithout any gap and close to real-time. Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) technology offers a possibility forlinking material and information flows at a control andmanagement layer as low as possible. Even today, RFIDis already used in parts of the retail business processchain; in future article movements and accountingoperations across the entire process chain shallautomatically be recorded and documented (see Figure2).Application of RFID in logistics allows and requiresnew control systems and autonomous, decentralizedcontrol strategies which independently and flexibly adaptthemselves to changing environmental conditions andconcurrent objectives in special logistics domains (seeScholz-Reiter et al. 2005). In this context, the termintelligent logistics pops up meaning intelligent logisticsobjects that autonomously and self-controlled movethrough logistics networks. Here, an intelligent logisticsobject knows its position and state, perceives itsenvironment, and reacts accordingly, can communicatewith its surroundings, or – in case of missingcommunication – act autonomously and purposefully.Intelligent logistics objects find their way through thematerial flow on their own and finally control or organizethe own flow autonomously. For this, resources areindependently allocated and the objects organize localstrategies. Planning and control processes are shiftedtowards the layer of the physical material flows. Forrealizing this, the supply chain partners or logisticsoperators need to fulfil a number of requirements, suchas:• Common standards concerning processes, measures,data collection;• New control concepts including active action andnavigation or event-oriented navigation, planning,controlling in dependence on the state of thelogistics objects and the process chain.Apart from effects on software design andfunctionality as well as hardware requirements, such ascompletion of a system element’s control component bya decision instance, also effects on the processes andtheir design turn out. However, these effects are expectedto be less related to the physical process structure but tothe logical process structure instead. In future, the lattermight be shaped stronger by decentralized control andmanagement concepts based on self-control and processautonomy. With regard to process design, this goes inline with strengthening the approach of hierarchicalmodelling and process development, but requires furthermethodological development. In addition to this, genericmeasures and characteristics are needed to supportassessment and selection of process structures.1 23456789999manufacturerdistribution centermarket/shop1 – attaching transponders whilst manufacturing2 – packing products into boxes;order picking3 – automatically controlling outgoingconsignments4 – controlling trucks for article protection5 – automatically controlling and accounting in theMaterial Management Systems (MMS)6 – automatically sorting, counting, controllingthe stock7 – automatically controlling the consignment inthe transshipment area8 – transparent article movement from the marketstorage to the retailing area9 – checking availability (stock-taking) andarticle protectionFigure 2. The RFID vision of future – from the manufacturer to the point-of-sale(adapted from IBM/METRO AG 2005).Annual Proceedings of Vidzeme University College “ICTE in Regional Development”, 200659