Analytic network process method for automatic identification and data tracking system selection problem: a case study

In current competitive business environment, enterprises aim to collect data in an automatic way in order to reach the targets directly affecting the profitability such as increasing productivity, accelerating product flow, reducing the loss of income, being able to run the staff at high value-added jobs. The effective management of the information flow and the achievement of business profitability goals depend on instant and accurate transfer of data to computer systems. There are many different automatic identification systems and applications such as barcode systems, biometric, RFID, handheld terminals and kiosk, which are currently used for these purposes. The selection of Automatic Identification and Data Collection System (AI/DC) for the organization is a strategic and important decision that requires long studies on. Because it requires the establishment of the system, appropriate training for staff and the redesingning of the facility layout according to the system installed. These adaptations take time and cost for the business. Therefore, an accurate and objective approach is of great importance for the decision to choose the AI/DC system. When expert opinions and the past studies are examined, it has been observed that many quantitative and qualitative criteria must be considered together for the problem of selection of AI/DC system. Therefore, in this study, Analytic Network Process (ANP), which is one of multi-criteria decision-making techniques (MCDA), has been selected as a solution method and is applied for the selection problem of AI/DC system of the factory which operates in metal industry. Regarding the problem, four main criteria and eight sub-criteria have been determined. After a network structure has been created by the ANP method, the best system for the factory has been deternined by evaluating three alternative AI/DC system.