RFID Smart Shelf

RFID Smart Shelf System Pilot Program

3M completes implementation of RFID Smart Shelf System for management of medical files for U.S. Army personnel and their family members at Fort Hood, Texas. The contract is for three-years at a value of $3.76-million for training and maintenance services. Fort Hood, near Austin Texas, is the country's largest active-duty domestic armed forces facility. ...

... "The custom-designed 3M RFID Smart Shelf System is the centerpiece of a pilot program that may be extended to other military installations after a period of evaluation. The system is intended to substantially reduce errors and inefficiencies associated with manual tracking, retrieval, filing and file merging methods of medical records management at Fort Hood, where thousands of files may be in use at the base's six clinics during any given month. In turn, such improvement would make a positive impact on operational efficiencies in health care delivery, the troop deployment process, and the management of medical data collection. One of the top priorities of the system is to provide virtually instant accessibility to complete medical records for soldiers and their family members requiring intensive and complex healthcare services. " ...

Via Sirit: RFID Tracking System Increases Efficiency in Medical Data Collection and Healthcare Delivery

RFID Smart Shelf Dispenser ..

TagSys develops new item-level RFID reader-based devices that target improvement of inventory management for the pharmaceutical, retail, library and industry laundry sectors through an RFID-enabled Smart Shelf and Smart Dispenser products. ...

... "The Smart Shelf simulates the 3D tunnel reader approach on a static standard shelf. The Shelf is designed to read any tag that is placed on the surface of the shelf. Previous designs of RFID shelves have required tags to be perpendicular to the antenna. The new Smart Shelf is designed to provide accurate readings regardless of the orientation of the tag. The Smart Shelf is highly sought after by libraries to help manage high volumes of books and other media, the pharmaceutical industry, where RFID tagged bottles can be tracked and monitored, high-end jewelry stores, and retail, where inventory of items like DVDs and CDs can be monitored to ensure availability during peak seasons of demand. The Smart Dispenser provides a volume based approach to reading the items in the dispenser. A typical dispenser could be a drawer or cabinet used to dispense items to authorized individuals. The items can be placed in any order or orientation in the dispenser. The new design reads the items in the dispenser when the drawer is opened and again when it is closed. The items that are removed are identified through the difference between reads. One user example of the Smart Dispenser is the management of hospital garments (scrubs) used by medical staff. To help hospitals manage hygiene and sterilization requirements, the Smart Dispenser can dispense the appropriate attire to the staff, (e.g. size, number of previous washes, etc.), and also monitor inventory and how that inventory is being managed. " ...

RFID Smart Shelf Dispenser: Via TAGSys: TAGSYS Develops Item-Level RFID Smart Shelf And Smart Dispenser For Pharma, Libraries And Retail ...

RFID Service Provider Joins AIM ...

International Paper's smart packaging (ASURYS) joins AIM. ...

RFID Service Provider Joins AIM: Via AIM: ASURYS Joins AIM Global: Signals Commitment to Automatic Identification and Mobile Solutions ...

... "As a member of AIM Global, ASURYS will join other leading companies who are committed to the growth of automatic identification and mobility solutions through industry standards development, advocacy and the support of a global channel network. ASURYS is a provider of RFID professional services and solutions that integrate the supply chain from manufacturing to the retail shelf. " ...

RFID Key-Fobs Available ...

CARDXX ANNOUNCES SAMPLING PROGRAM FOR CONTACTLESS RFID KEY FOBS FOR POINT OF SALE TRANSACTION MARKET ...

... CardXX, Inc. (CXCQ.PK) a leading smartcard manufacturer, announced that the Company has begun its sampling program of contactless RFID Key Fobs for the retail point of sale (POS) transaction market. Cardxx is working with a number of platform solutions providers to produce unique, branded and distinctive Key Fobs in various form factors to be used in branded loyalty and prepaid programs. The Key Fobs are uniquely designed to provide branded “key chain shelf space” along with contactless functionality. ...

CardXX provides secure encapsulation of advanced electronics through manufacturing and licensing secure and intelligent Smart Cards using its proprietary, patented encapsulation process known as the Reaction Assisted Molded Process (RAMP).

International Paper RFID Smart Packaging ...

International Paper Smart Packaging Through RFID ...

... "Smart Packaging uses RFID technology in the form of the Electronic Product Code (EPC), enabling you to track your inventory throughout the entire supply chain, with the Warehouse Tracking System (WTS), the Logistics Tracking System (LTS) and the Retail Smart Shelf System (RSS). " ...

International Paper (IP) is the world's largest paper and forest products company. Businesses include paper, packaging, and forest products. Headquartered in the United States, International Paper has operations in over 40 countries and sells its products and services in more than 120 nations. Smart Packaging offers customers a full suite of RFID/EPC-enabled supply chain solutions from warehousing and transportation tracking to the retail shelf. International Paper is a leader in the design, development and implementation of integrated RFID packaging and supply chain applications with an emphasis in the Electronic Product Code (EPC). IP’s investment in RFID discovery has resulted in 38 provisional patents submissions. IP’s Tracking Solution at Texarkana is the first fully functioning EPC warehouse in the world.

The RFID Demand-Driven Supply Chain ...

The RFID Demand-Driven Supply Chain: i2 Helps the World's Leading Retailers to Extract Additional Value ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... the millions of SKUs across multiple systems are essential to introducing new products, managing supply chains, merchandising, and implementing RFID and other ...

... The world's leading retailers have the applications they need to run their businesses. However, in order to compete in today's rapidly changing business environment, it is necessary to add applications that work together with existing systems to enhance supply chain flexibility and visibility across multiple systems and extract additional value from technology investments. Retailers are turning to i2 Technologies, Inc. (OTC: ITWO), a leading provider of demand-driven supply chain solutions designed to enable business agility, to help them achieve these goals. Innovative solutions from i2 can help address retail's toughest industry challenges and assist companies to plan merchandise lifecycles to lower inventory and improve shelf availability, control price to increase sales, execute orders to improve customer service, optimize transportation to improve efficiency and manage information to drive business performance. ...

i2 is a leading provider of demand-driven supply chain solutions designed to enable business agility. i2's flexible solutions can synchronize demand and supply across an ever-changing global supply network. Seventeen of the AMR Research Top 25 Global Supply Chains belong to companies who are i2 customers. Seven of the Fortune global top 10 are also customers of i2. Founded in 1988 with a commitment to customer success and supply chain innovation, i2 has a history of delivering value by implementing solutions designed to provide a rapid return on investment.

Additional resources on RFID-enabled demand-driven supply chain for retailers ...

EDI, UCCnet & RFID: Synchronizing the Supply Chain, By Nahid Jilovec;

Mobilizing the Supply Chain: Developing RFID and EPC Professional and Managed Services for the Consumer Packaged Goods and Retail Sectors, By IDC;

RFID Labeling: Smart Labeling Concepts & Applications for the Consumer Packaged Goods Supply Chain, By Robert Kleist;

Turning signals into profits in the RFID-enabled supply chain: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Turning signals into profits in the RFID-enabled supply chain ... behavior makes it demand-driven and enables the ... Event Intelligence in RFID-enabled Value Networks ...

SAP: newest SCM solution will support RFID-enabled execution scenarios ... as well as major retailers such as ... been to build a demand-driven supply chain that delivers ...

Performance Measurement: RFID Software, manufacturing rfid tags: RedPrairie's visibility tool enables retailers to create a demand-driven supply chain and better support overall logistics flow. ...

HP and BearingPoint Expand Global Alliance by Combining RFID Tools: collaborate to implement RFID-enabled technology designed ... technologies linked with supply chain and merchandizing ... a DDSN (Demand Driven Supply Network) strategy ...

Wireless Communication and Smart Card-enabled Route Accounting Drives Efficiency ...

Smart Card-enabled Route Accounting: Zebra Technologies Changes Rules of the Road for Route Accounting ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... It includes wireless communications options such as Bluetooth and 802.11b, and a smart card and magnetic stripe reader module that is EMV certified for use in ...

... When it comes to record keeping and reconciliation at the end of a shift, route drivers who deliver and stock retailers' shelves with beverages, bakery goods, and snack foods, readily admit it's a time-consuming and frustrating chore. While some drivers use automated mobile and in-vehicle systems to record sales orders and issue receipts, those systems are bulky, prone to failure, and inflexible -- severely limiting on-the-spot transaction processing that can save time, increase accuracy and boost cash flow. But now, the rules of the road for route accounting and direct store delivery (DSD) applications are about to change. ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 90 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold four million printers, including wireless/mobile solutions and RFID printer/encoders, and also offers software, connectivity solutions, and printing supplies.

Additional resources on smart card-enabled route accounting ...

Telemetry & Applications: also offers other upwardly mobile features, such as smart card, IrDA, and ... in many scenarios including: field sales, field service, route accounting and ticket ...

Mobile printers, portable printers, Zebra: such as: shelf labeling, bin labeling, product identification and route accounting. ... optional bidirectional MCRs (magnetic card readers) and smart card readers. ...

Route Accounting Solutions from Symbol Technologies: If your organization relies on a mobile workforce for direct store delivery (DSD), route accounting or field service, Symbol Technologies offers powerful ...

Route Accounting, Mobile Computers & Delivery: Route Accounting >. Route accounting is the term used to describe those applications in which goods and services are bought and sold in a mobile environment. ...

Polymer RFID: XINK Laboratories Announces "InstaCure" Conductive Flexographic ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... www.printelec.com ) on December 7. These new advanced polymeric formulations are targeted toward manufacturers and converters producing RFID tagged smart ...

... XINK Laboratories Ltd. of Ottawa, Canada ( http://www.xink.biz ) will launch its new line of InstaCure silver and carbon conductive flexographic printing inks at the Printed Electronics 2004 Conference in New Orleans ( http://www.printelec.com ) on December 7. These new advanced polymeric formulations are targeted toward manufacturers and converters producing RFID tagged smart packaging for use in supply-chain and pharmaceutical counterfeit protection, as mandated by Wal-Mart and, most recently, by the FDA. ...

The XINK™ approach to conductive ink provision is based on the understanding that at this pioneering stage of development for the Intelligent and Active Packaging industry there is no such thing as an "off the shelf product". XINK™ advanced conductive and resistive formulations allow printing of complex electronic circuitry, including flexible paper sensors (package security), sensor grids (smart pharmaceutical packaging), keypads (electronic paper diaries), and of course RFID antennas.

Mobile RFID: International Paper - Smart Packaging to Leverage GlobeRanger's ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... 8 /PRNewswire/ -- GlobeRanger, the leading provider of RFID and mobility software, today announced an agreement with International Paper - Smart Packaging to ...

... GlobeRanger, the leading provider of RFID and mobility software, today announced an agreement with International Paper - Smart Packaging to leverage GlobeRanger's iMotion(TM) Edgeware(TM) platform for RFID supply chain solutions development. ...

GlobeRanger is the leading provider of RFID, mobility and sensor-based software solutions. Its innovative Edgeware(TM) platform, iMotion(TM), provides the critical infrastructure layer for managing devices, networks, data, and processes at the edge of the enterprise, enabling real-time response. iMotion serves as the foundation for GlobeRanger and its partners to rapidly develop, deploy, and manage RFID and mobile solutions. Founded in 1999, GlobeRanger is headquartered in Richardson, Texas.

International Paper is the world's largest paper and forest products company. Businesses include paper, packaging, and forest products. In continuing IP's tradition of being the premier packaging solutions provider, it established the Smart Packaging business in 1999. Smart Packaging offers customers a full suite of RFID/EPC-enabled supply chain solutions from warehousing and transportation tracking to the retail shelf. Smart Packaging is a leader in the design, development and implementation of integrated RFID packaging and supply chain applications with an emphasis in the Electronic Product Code (EPC).

RFID Readers: New RFID Reader Management App

From RFID Journal ... a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, has introduced Sensormatic SensorID Device Commander, software that lets companies manage large numbers of RFID readers remotely ...

Tyco Fire & Security today announced it has formed a team of companies specializing in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies to provide turnkey RFID integration services and solutions for the retail supply chain. Called epcSTARS, this team will initially include ADT Security Services, Inc. and Sensormatic, as well as Rafsec Oy, ThingMagic LLC and GlobeRanger Corporation. George Reynolds, vice president of RFID for Tyco Fire & Security, said by combining each company’s product and service specialties, the team can provide end-to-end RFID solutions to help manufacturers meet 2005 implementation goals set by the world’s largest retailer, WalMart.

Tyco Fire & Security is the single stop for comprehensive RFID tracking solutions. Sensormatic® RFID products are scalable and interoperable, providing maximum flexibility for end users of RFID technology. SensorID RFID solutions can be integrated into existing information infrastructures and are easily configurable to adapt to changing business needs. SensorID RFID readers, tags, labels, software and services provide a total RFID solution for automatic tracking of inventory and new levels of supply chain management. Few companies have the global reach and technical breadth of knowledge that Tyco Fire & Security brings to the RFID arena. The SensorID stationary reader family provides maximum frequency and protocol agility for RFID applications in the retail supply chain. These robust and economical stationary readers are designed to support shipping & receiving dock doors, product routing conveyor systems, picking and sorting configurations, stock room receiving doorways, and smart shelf applications.

RFID Handheld: Windows CE powered handheld reads barcodes and RFID

From WindowsForDevices, CA ... has announced what is claimed to be the world's first fully customizable rugged "Auto-ID platform" for reading both barcodes and RFID tags. ...

The Di-400 from Diagnostic Instruments Ltd. is claimed to be the world's first fully customizable rugged "Auto-ID platform" for reading both barcodes and RFID tags. The device, which is based on a 400MHz Intel XScale processor running Windows CE .NET, is expected to find applications in the asset management, inspection, maintenance, and homeland security markets, according to its maker.

The Di-400 offers a choice of fully integrated RF readers (125kHz, 134.2kHz, 13.56MHz) in combination with a traditional barcode scanner, enabling maximum flexibility for data capture solutions along with the unique ability to integrate emerging RFID technologies as required, according to the company.

There are three off-the-shelf RFID options to choose from: low frequency, 125 kHz (Hitag, EM Marin); low frequency, 134.2 kHz (TI - Tiris LF); and high frequency, 13.56 MHz (ICode, MIFARE, TI). However, the company says that its unique customizable design means that other reader options could be incorporated, such as UHF (862 to 928 MHz). Other ID technologies such as a Smart /Contact ID card reader can also be combined using the internal PCMCIA/CF interface.

RFID Web Seminar: Zebra Technologies Web Seminar Notes
RFID Deployments: Slap and Ship to Total Deployment Strategies to Achieve Compliance and Measureable Operating Improvements

Zebra Technologies Web Seminar, May 10, 2004
On Monday, May 10, 2004, Chris Hook, of Zebra Technologies, and Matt Reim hosted their second web seminar on RFID Technology, titled "RFID Deployments: Slap and Ship to Total Deployment, Strategies to Achieve Compliance and Measureable Operating Improvements"

Agenda is Components, RFID and Bar Code Comparisons, Measuring Improvements, fast-track with smart labels... Focus is on passive RFID tags and systems. Smarts labels have RFID tags embedded in the printed label. Simultaneous identification is when we obtain information from many tags all at same time.

RFID Tags and antennae go into RFID inlays which are then embedded into RFID labels. RFID Components include printers, RFID readers, and hand-held RFID readers. AIDC system VARs provide the RFID subsystems, which are then combined with middleware, which in turn integrated with enterprise business systems.

Barcodes are now ubiquitous. While RFID can replace role of barcodes, it is envisioned that RFID technology will have a much greater impact on business processes, especially the data capture touch points throughout the extended supply chain. The key is identifying the RFID-enabled data capture touch points. There is significant operating expenses associated with these touch points. Whever touching is prevalent, RFID technology can provide value. (Walmart benchmark: each barcode scan costs 5 cents)... Eliminate touches, increase cycle time, save money, increase velocity.

Bar codes and RFID can co-exist in a hybrid environment. Used Sanacorp, Germany as benchmark... Barcodes used on products, bins, and picking tote boxes. Errors still existed in the barcoding as-is state. Sanacorp assessed their barcoding current state. RFID tags were deployed to tote boxes and RFID readers provided routing. RFID technology drove error rates below 0.01%. Performance increased to allow one hour order turn-around in fifteen regional distribution centers. A hybrid solution encompassing RFID and barcoding can work well.

RFID can have a role in supply chain process management in measurement - event management, etc. Up to 30% lower inventory, 8% better on-shelf availability, 10% higher sales. Monitor, Measure, Control, Notify, and Modify are key steps in the lifecycle of RFID technology implementation. It is critical to move beyond the first three steps to achieve high returns on investment, ROI.

Slap and Ship RFID Compliance is minimum work required to meet RFID compliance requirements. Slap and Ship RFID techniques can be supported by optimizing the RFID system performance. What is in the box matters... Absorption and reflectance of the radio frequency waves must be considered and the reading performance must be understood. Pick the technology that will provide the broadest range of performance across your products. Make RFID tags pay for themselves before they leave you facility. Slap and Ship techniques, by themselves, add cost to material handling. Moving further down the RFID lifecycle will position your company to derive value of RFID before your product leaves your end of the supply chain. Drive your RFID implementation. Don't be driven.

Smart Labels are the best way to meet RFID compliance labeling requirements. A hybrid of RFID and barcoding is necessary during the technology transition period, before RFID becomes ubiquitous, like barcoding. Visual identification of printed labels will always be necessary. Airline bag tags have been in trials for a hybrid label with barcoding and RFID.

Zebra role is printing and encoding. Zebra printers will print the label on the RFID inlayed label, encode and validate the RFID data into the RFID tag. Validation and verification is critical step. In an EPC scenario, the EPC number is programmed into the RFID tag and is also printed in human readable and barcode formats on the smart label. Consistency in the data among these forms of data is essential.

RFID applications are surging in warehousing, express parcel handling, returnable container tracking, airline baggage tracking, libraries, video rental, event ticketing (counterfeiting), sensitive document tracking, mass transit ticketing. These are existing standards and recommendation for RFID application: ISO, EAN, UCC, DOD RFID Expert Group (REG).

RFID Applications: AirGATE Technologies Signs Distribution Agreement With iPico, Inc ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... has executed an agreement with iPico Inc., which gives AirGATE the rights to distribute iPico's full line of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products. ...

RFID technology is poised to overhaul the global supply chain
One of the fastest growing areas of information technology that is presently under development is Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID. RFID is an information management tool that employs miniature RF transmitters, sometimes called ‘smart labels’, that are attached to product packages, cases, pallets and shipping containers to communicate their cargo’s identification data via radio waves to “readers” that allow a tagged item to be tracked every step of its journey from component stage in the assembly plant to final manufacture, shipping and movement through all points in the distribution channel, all the way to the retail shelf and eventual purchase by the end user. X-Change Corporation's subsidiary Airgate Technologies is currently developing RFID technologies for rapid global deployment.

Airgate Technologies is a development stage company specializing in wireless technologies. The company designs and develops applications utilized in RFID ("radio frequency identification") deployments. Airgate will deliver RFID solutions in selected vertical markets built around a data management and integration strategy. This strategy is designed to ensure rapid market penetration and maximum return on investment.

RFID: The X-Change Corporation's Subsidiary AirGate Technologies Opens RFID Lab in Allen, Texas

DALLAS, April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirGate Technologies, Inc.,
a wholly owned subsidiary of the X-Change Corporation
(OTC Bulletin Board: XCHC), announced the opening of a new RFID lab in its
corporate office in Allen, Texas.

In response to growing global demand for RFID solutions and requests from
potential customers, AirGate is conducting "smart label" testing and label
orientation and association studies with various tag readers in its RFID lab.

"The AirGate lab allows us to interact directly with our Matrix Analytic
Engines in a controlled environment, operating with customer supplied data,"
said Mike Sheriff, CEO of AirGate Technologies. "The lab-based research is a
first step toward developing consistent performance between tags and readers, but it in no way replaces testing in the customer's actual environment.

"The work we are doing in our lab is an effort to resolve many
industry-wide questions about tag design, a tag's orientation on the 'package'
(case or pallet), and its readability by various readers. Our engineering
team is working with antennas, their placement, and 'tuning' of tags where
required."

AirGate's development team is made up of engineers experienced in network
integration and control systems, VoIP, database development and major
application development in Windows and Unix environments. AirGate engineers have developed and deployed large-scale network management systems involving diverse hardware, nodes and simultaneous real-time events emanating from various data sources, including device, user interaction and alarms. This involved auto-discovery of IP devices and high-level presentation through a GUI interface. This is directly applicable to RFID, with huge amounts of data from tags, readers and gateways.

About RFID
RFID is an information management tool that employs miniature RF
transmitters, sometimes called 'smart labels' or 'smart tags', that are
attached to product packages, cases, pallets and shipping containers to
communicate their cargo's identification data via radio waves to 'readers'
that allow a tagged item to be tracked every step of its journey from
component stage in the assembly plant to final manufacture, shipping, and
movement through all points in the distribution channel, all the way to the
retail shelf and eventual purchase by the end user.

About AirGate Technologies
AirGate Technologies is a development stage company specializing in
wireless data management technologies. The company designs and develops
applications utilized in RFID ("radio frequency identification") deployments.
AirGate will deliver RFID solutions in selected vertical markets built around
a data management and integration strategy. This strategy is designed to
ensure rapid market penetration and maximum return on investment. Please
visit http://www.airgatetech.com for more information.

About The X-Change Corporation
The X-Change Corporation was organized to seek merger or acquisition
candidates. The company intends to acquire interests in emerging technology
opportunities that it believes will generate significant revenues and return a
profit to shareholders. AirGate Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of
the X-Change Corporation. Please visit http://www.x-changecorp.com for further information.

For further information, please contact: Bevo Beaven, Vice President,
bevo@ctapr.com, or Carl Thompson, Principal, carl@ctapr.com, both of CTA
Public Relations, +1-303-665-4200.

RFID for Chemical Monitoring - Keeping labs safer

... Laboratory chemicals with dated shelf lives can become dangerous if not carefully monitored. Paul Ewing and other researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a special storage cabinet system to enhance inventory and tracking of such chemicals and other similar high-risk assets through an antenna-based passive radio-frequency identification tag technology. The "smart cabinet" will track the placement of laboratory chemicals used in a typical research environment inside a small enclosed storage area.

The cabinet uses special shelves that have radio frequency reader capability for constant monitoring of placement and removal of chemicals. Changes are recorded in a computer database, and discrepancies are reported to designated personnel through electronic mail or pager. This eliminates the need for physical inventories. [Contact: Fred Strohl; (865) 574-4165; strohlhf@ornl.gov]

The X-Change Corporation Launches Investor Web Site; X-Change ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... The X-Change Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: XCHC - News) and its wholly owned subsidiary Airgate Technologies have both launched RFID ("radio frequency identification")
related Web sites that are designed to provide facts and data to investors and potential RFID users.

About RFID: RFID is an information management tool that employs miniature RF transmitters, sometimes called 'smart labels', that are attached to product packages, cases, pallets and shipping containers to communicate their cargo's identification data via radio waves to "readers" that allow a tagged item to be tracked every step of its journey from component stage in the assembly plant to final manufacture, shipping, and movement through all points in the distribution channel, all the way to the retail shelf and eventual purchase by the end user.

About Airgate Technologies: Airgate Technologies is a development stage company specializing in wireless data management technologies. The company designs and develops applications utilized in RFID ("radio frequency identification") deployments.
Airgate will deliver RFID solutions in selected vertical markets built around a data management and integration strategy. This strategy is designed to ensure rapid market penetration and maximum return on investment. Please visit http://www.airgatetech.com for more information.

About The X-Change Corporation: The X-Change Corporation was organized to seek merger or acquisition candidates. The company intends to acquire interests in emerging technology opportunities that it believes will generate significant revenues and return a profit to shareholders. Airgate Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of the X-Change Corporation. Please visit http://www.x-changecorp.com for further information.

Sensing RFID Sensors in the Value Chain...

Real-time business needs to predict, sense, and respond to market conditions. Making smarter decisions and reacting faster that the competition is a real source of advantage. Traditional RFID tag technology combined with RFID sensor technology can enable smart decision making further out in the value chain, closer to the material and its environment.

Take the example of materials with a shelf-life. The manufacture date, the item's age, material movements, and environmental conditions can be tracked from creation to current state in a sensor-enabled RFID tag. The monitoring of environmental conditions is supported by the convergence of sensors and RFID technology.

At any point in the supply chain, the object can communicate with the RFID information highway to report a richer and more complete status, and support decisions regarding its disposition in any next step in the value chain...

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