Abstract
We live in a very demanding and increasingly computerised world. In almost
any area, consumers have a wide variety of choices, yet they demand shorter
lead-times, higher quality and lower costs and if a business is unable to
provide for the consumer’s requirements, the consumer will look elsewhere.
With little to distinguish in manufacturing quality, the efficient use and
management of supply chains becomes paramount.
For a long time, the counterfeiting trade has been a thorn in the side of
legitimate business. Seeking only to generate maximum profit with minimum
effort, they use the reputation of a legitimate business to maximize sales. The
counterfeiter’s task is made easier by the lack of control mechanisms along
the supply chain. This leads to a situation where materials and finished
products are being misappropriated in volume and counterfeit goods are able
to enter the chain, often with help from within the targeted organisation. There
is no mechanism for forcing individuals and organisations to accept
responsibility, allowing for the passing blame.
This dissertation will examine the nature of a system aimed at defeating
attempts at theft, validating an item’s authenticity and positively identifying the
origin and rightful owner of an item. This dissertation will not be explicitly
developing the above system and will concentrate more on the underlying
factors and providing a generic model on which to base an actual system.
First we examine the impact of supply chains on our day-to-day lives, the
concept and the related management paradigms. Next comes the
counterfeiting trade and what motivates the counterfeiter. The examination is
extended to cover the workings of the so-called “Grey Market” and some
steps to combat the trade.
In order to facilitate an implementation, various technologies are examined for
their suitability. This covers diverse technologies from biometric authentication
through the Internet and cryptographic technologies to the use of Radio
Frequency Identifiers. Some specific devices are discussed and user attitudes
towards these technologies are gauged.
Based on these technologies a model is proposed allow a supply chain to be
secured. A variety of concepts, such as packaging, unpacking and sealing,
are introduced and explained. These concepts are combined with the various
technologies for tracking items within the chain and for enforcing nonrepudiation.
Based on the model, the actors within the system are identified
along with the types of information each might expect, allowing generic
datasets to be developed.
With the model and technologies in place a tiered theoretical implementation
is formed showing how each hardware device interacts with the model to form
a solution.
Prof. M.S. Olivier