Impacts of radio-identification on cryo-conservation centers through simulation

Abstract

This paper deals with using simulation as a decision support tool for estimating the impact of RFID technologies within biological sample storage areas (called biobanks). Several indicators, including inventory reliability or human resource utilization, are compared and discussed for different scenarios of use of the technologies. A special emphasis is put on the so-called re-warehousing activity that RFID makes possible, and which consists in reassigning tubes to empty places when box are emptied. Optimization algorithms are developed and embedded in the simulator. Results demonstrate the potential interest of RFID in biobanks and the value of simulation for estimating and optimizing such complex socio-technical systems. ©2009 IEEE.