radio frequency identification

Will Wal-Mart get its tech groove back?

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:59:59 -0400

Wal-Mart is largely credited with pioneering the role of IT as a means for streamlining global retail industry supply chains. Not too long ago, the company was garnering headlines in all of the business and technology publications for these efforts. But in more recent years, IT has played less than a starring role in the firm's operations. The company's once vaulted international expansion plans have not yielded the expected results, and have prompted the company to close facilities in Korea and Germany (The German withdrawal resulted in a $1 billion loss). The reason: an inability to adapt to the local cultures and unseat established players. Analysts also point to poor customer service systems in the U.S., merchandising missteps and setbacks in the company's online initiative. Investments in the deployment of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags throughout its supply chain have also failed to pan out.

For all the details:
- read the hard-hitting article in CIO

Dow CIO focuses on 10 RFID initiatives

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

As Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology begins to make inroads into some enterprises, CIOs can learn a detail or two from Dow Chemical Chief Information Officer Dave Kepler. After Dow internally asked for RFID project proposals two years ago, it received more than 450. It quickly evaluated the proposals and, based on the company's Six Sigma methodology, started to eliminate the projects down to 10. Dow also established a center of expertise dedicated to RFID. Employees in the group were responsible for identifying the projects and evaluating emerging RFID technologies. After a
six-month evaluation period, the projects approved include: Cylinder tracking-using RFID tags and readers to monitor the transport of gas cylinders; Tanker truck tracking; Rail car tracking and product monitoring; Intermodel container and content tracking; Warehouse and inventory management; Product consignment inventory management; Pipeline worker monitoring; Tracking inventory in the company's Agro Sciences unit; Hazardous material tracking; and Maintenance parts tracking.

For all the details on RFID and Dow Chemical:
- see the article in Baseline

Finding applications for RFID

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

All the talk was around RFID at this week's RFID World in Boston where a lot of the focus was on using second-generation active and passive radio frequency identification tags to provide security and authentication. Up for discussion was the idea of how the average wireless device could soon become an RFID reader or how it could be integrated to give a mobile user easy access to all kinds of data. One attendee told Computerworld that he was investigating how to incorporate RFID technology into cell phones which could be used like a "fast track" or "speed pass" to quickly have a credit card authorized for purchasing fuel or food. MIT also showed off some technology from its labs, including an application that allows someone with diabetes to read his or her blood sugar level with a cell phone that's set up to receive data from an arm patch.

For all the details on RFID:
- see the article in Computerworld

Using tags to track mail service

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:01:37 -0400

Customer and client satisfaction is a key business target for every business, including postal operations. That's why Australia Post is using radio frequency identification tags (RFID) to track and assess postal delivery operations. The new RFID approach replaces a manual process to ascertain whether letters and packages are arriving at the expected service time. Postal officials believe the new technology will also help identify any issues that may exist in the mail network.

For more on the RFID strategy:
- check out the report at News.com

Two big hurdles hold back RFID projects

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:01:36 -0400

With the recent news that the U.S. is launching RFID-equipped passports, there's been a lot of excitement building up around radio frequency identification technology (RFID). Looking back over the past year's news items, however, I see a mix of hype and caution, including urgings that enterprises think twice before pulling in the tagging and transmitting data application. Not only is it tough to find IT professionals who know the technology well, the privacy issues inherent in tracking items, products, people and activities have to be seriously considered before moving forward.

For further info about the future of RFID:
- read this in-depth report at Newsfactor

Why one retailer is taking RFID baby steps

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:01:37 -0400

There's no argument that radio frequency identification technology (RFID) can be a huge asset to business--one just has to look at the continuing benefits that Wal-Mart has experienced since its adoption of the technology. But some other retailers are taking a more measured approach and smaller steps towards deployment. One is Global Gillette, which is piloting RFID in its store placement and marketing efforts. While the effort has yielded some good data that the company believes will pay off and has also helped boost sales a bit, the cost and management issues involved will require further review before any larger steps can be taken.

For more on one retailers RFID strategy:
-check out this CIO Insight article

SPOTLIGHT: Why RFID is starting to stall a bit

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:01:34 -0400

At one point it looked like there was no stopping radio frequency identification technology (RFID) from permeating everything from retail operations to manufacturing systems and even security advancements in biometrics. But a new survey shows there is a scale-back in RFID due to some increasing privacy concerns and concern whether such tracking capabilities cross the line when it comes to personal privacy. The potential for abusing such technology has more than a few experts concerned and organizations are backtracking to assess rising privacy worries. That's exactly why a recent FierceCIO item noted the need to put a privacy strategy in place.

For more on the RFID slowdown:
-read this article at CIO Today

SPOTLIGHT: Anti-RFID device comes to market

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:01:34 -0400

Given all the push to get radio frequency identification tags (RFID) everywhere and anywhere, it's not really surprising that someone has created a device to thwart what some view as a privacy-intrusive technology. A researcher in Amsterdam has built what it's calling the RFID Guardian, a handheld device that alerts people to RFID activity--whether its an RFID reader or an implanted chip. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Privacy concerns rise over RFID use

Thu, 11 May 2006 20:01:32 -0400

There's been a steady wave of news over the increasing adoption of radio frequency identification technology, and right along with it is an increasing concern about privacy that comes with the technology. As enterprises consider using RFID they must also consider what the implications are in terms of worker rights to privacy, and some experts say that the long-awaited Big Brother syndrome is finally hitting its stride thanks to the tiny tags. Article

SPOTLIGHT: RFID expertise not staying on pace with technology

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:01:33 -0500

While radio frequency identification is forging ahead, making inroads through supply chains and taking root in many industries and for many uses, the expertise to make the technology work and keep improving on it isn't growing as fast. In fact, a recent report says there will likely be a serious lack of professional RFID skills down the road. As one analyst describes it, there will be a "dearth" of talent. Article