This service provides the functionality of a traditional database with the added benefits of a Graph Database where all data relationships have a type. For example, if the graph represents a supply chain, a relationship type could be as general as 'Member' or more specific as in 'Packhouse'. If a relationship of the type 'Member' connects several nodes, that represents the group participating in the particular activity. A lot of the semantics (ie, the meaning) of a graph is encoded in the relationship types of the application. And although relationships are directed they are equally well traversed irregardless of which direction they are traversed.

In a Graph Database data is organised as a network with the form of each record being Subject --> Object --> Predicate ie: AB Transport --> isMemberOf -->123456, where 123456 is a supply chain transaction. It can therefore be inferred (reasoners) that Tx 123456 hasMember ABTransport.

The diagram below describes the EPCIS Repository. Please note that DBMS is now an RDF Store. Another point to bear in mind, is that the SOAP messaging is optional, as a Rest interface is provided for all forms of interaction. The SOAP layer depicted in the diagram is there for strict EPC Global compliance and may or may not be required in all cases.