Walmart RFID Pilot...

The Walmart RFID pilot will will be conducted at their Texas Distribution Centers. This pilot will test RFID technology in the supply chain at the case level. It will prove the efficacy of the receiving, warehouse management, and order fulfillment business processes using RFID to track case units.

Walmart has mandated their top suppliers to use RFID technology by 2005. The Walmart RFID technology strategy is to leverage EPC and ISO compliant RFID standards. "Keep it simple" is the message Linda Dillman (WalMart CIO) delivered to technology vendors at the Walmart RFID Technology session. 
WalMart's supply chain partners will find benefits in the additional sales revenue generated, due to improved out-of-stock levels. Lower operating costs will be realized through labor reduction and efficient business processes. For Walmart suppliers, using RFID technology is more than just about compliance with the mandate. The suppliers will create a return on investment within their own operations as well as for Walmart. 

Walmart's leadership is clear to the RFID technology vendor community that "the first to market wins" (and wins big). The Walmart RFID pilot should prove the robustness of vendor RFID systems at their Texas distribution centers. The Walmart compliance market is off and running. RFID technology vendors must develop effective strategies in the immediate future to meet the specific requirements of Wal-Mart and their suppliers. Walmart and their partners will learn from the RFID pilot and adapt their business process to reap the benefits of RFID.