ss_blog_claim=a290fbfb2dabf576491bbfbeda3c15bc

Friday, January 19, 2007

Wireless RFID Tags

Shoppers leaving Wal-Mart Stores these days are used to long check-out lines. In a few years, however, those lines well might be history.

Wal-Mart is introducing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to its products--small devices that emit radio waves containing information about product size, price, etc. Though this scenario is still far in the future, such tags could let the world's largest retailer add up the prices of purchased goods as shoppers leave the store and deduct the tab directly from their accounts. Whether such futuristic practices materialize or not, one thing is certain: RFID has begun to acquire a buzz that positions it as the next revolution in the world of retailing.
How real is this revolution? And what does it mean for retailers and
customers?
RFID is a potentially powerful technology that several organizations--including retailers and government organizations--are seriously looking at implementing to ramp up the efficiency of their supply chains.
Still, several hurdles remain. One big question is whether the benefits will be immediate or be spread out years into the future.

In current systems, you may know there are 10 items on the shelf, and that information is compiled in an enterprise planning software system.
With RFID, you know there are 10 items, their age, lot number, expiration date and warehouse origin.
"It's like knowing there are 1,000 people in a city,".
"With RFID, you know their names."

Among the key issues yet to be resolved:

Cost of tags RFID Chips (It's a chicken-and-egg conundrum,if more companies were forging ahead with RFID installations, tags would be cheaper)
Standards in flux (potential suppliers are holding out until those standards are set)
RFID Tags

There's little experience in the field when it comes to integrating multiple RFID systems from various partners in the supply chain Barcode RFID

German supermarket chain Metro is researching how wireless technology can boost retail.

The collection of technology in Metro's Future Store initiative aims to boost store efficiency, enable targeted marketing and cut long queues,among other things.
The Future Store is an experimental store, but it is one that involves real customers using real technology in real time.
As example Bluetooth RFID

"A lot still needs to be done, but the potential is great,"
Morris A. Cohen, co-director of Wharton's Fishman-Davidson Center for Service and Operations Management.
If you want to know more about an interesting subject like RFID Wireless Tags you can find everything at:
RFID Journal and can read the appropriate articles.

This is a sponsored post, please read disclosure policy.

No comments:

 
ss_blog_claim=a290fbfb2dabf576491bbfbeda3c15bc