The EPCglobal Network is a computer network used to share product data between trading partners. It was created by EPCglobal. The basis for the information flow in the network is the Electronic Product Code, which is a universally unique identifier for any physical object anywhere in the world, for all time. The EPC may be encoded in a Radio Frequency Identification tag but is not designed exclusively for use with RFID data carriers. For example, EPCs can also be constructed based on the reading of optical data carriers, such as linear barcodes. The EPCglobal Network manages dynamic information that is specific to individual objects. This includes data regarding the movement of an object throughout the product life cycle. It consists of the following components:
The ONS is a service that enables the discovery of object information on the basis of an EPC. With the Electronic Product Code a matched URL or IP-address can be searched within a database and information sent back to the requester when found. Further information about the object that is associated with the EPC can also be discovered under the URL. The ONS is comparable to the Domain Name System, which is used in the internet to translate names into IP addresses. The ONS is an instantiation of Discovery Services. The Discovery Services are an instrument to find EPC Information Services within the network. They can be compared to search engines of the internet. They offer trading partners the ability to find all parties who had possession of a given product and to share information on RFID events associated with that product. EPCIS is a standard designed to enable EPC-related data sharing between disparate applications within and across enterprises. This data sharing is aimed at enabling a common view of physical or digital object information amongst EPCglobal Network participants. The result is a shareable picture of the physical movement and status of products in the supply chain. The EPC Security Services are tools that allow secured access to the information of the EPCglobal Network in accordance with the access rights of the participants.
