Walmart RFID Standards Discussion

WalMart China Suppliers RFID Program

Walmart will implement RFID tracking with its Chinese suppliers starting in 2009. ...

... "He said the new standards would be put into effect in the apparel sector from November 2008 and gradually cover all products in its stores. " ...

Via ChinaRetailNews: WalMart Radio Frequency Identification

Alien RFID Growth Plans in ND

Alien Technology is growing but has not needed to fully utilize its RFID manufacturing capacity at its Fargo, North Dakota plant. Alien workforce total has lagged behind forecast. The Walmart RFID initiative was one of the key customers of this original capacity forecast. ...

... "Barring an explosion in the RFID market in the next four months, meeting that projection seems unlikely. Jay Tu, Alien’s senior director of operations, said it’s hard to predict how the employment picture will play out at the Fargo plant. Within the next year or two, Alien is looking at adding one or two high-speed tag assembly machines ... " ...

Via INFORUM: Alien Technology in Fargo, North Dakota

Walmart RFID Interoperability

For Walmart to realize the full benefits of RFID, it needs to support interoperability in RFID technology, so that suppliers can leverage their investments across their supply chains. Walmart needs to create a win-win situation to drive adoption. ...

... "It's in the interest of small suppliers that need the competitive pricing that interoperable RFID systems will allow. " ...

Via Computerworld: WalMart RFID Challenges

Walmart RFID Inventory Management Improves Accuracy

Airfreshener RFID-enabled inventory management study shows improved out-of-stock situations for Walmart stores. ...

... "The study's findings that RFID has a positive effect on inventory accuracy underscore the promise that the technology could streamline the supply chain. A more efficient and effective supply chain translates down the line to fewer out-of-stock items or excess inventory. " ...

Via Northwest Arkansas News: RFID improves inventory accuracy, study finds

RFID Research Invests in Item Level Validations

Checkpoint will fund RFID Research Center's laboratory through investment and equipment donation. The research will support proof-of-concept, pilots, and use case validations in areas, such as item-level tracking. The RFID Center sponsors range from RFID technology providers to end user companies, such as WalMart, FedEx, Microsoft, and Tyson Foods. ...

... "The RFID Research Center is part of the Information Technology Research Institute in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University. The Center, which opened in 2005, is a vendor-neutral, third-party testing and research facility focused on the use of RFID and other wireless and sensor technologies in the supply chain. Checkpoint has supplied RFID, electronic article surveillance (EAS) and source-tagging technology and services to some of the world's largest retailers, and will be able to leverage that experience to share its insight and expertise in the area of item-level tracking and shrink management with the RFID Research Center. " ...

Checkpoint Joins University of Arkansas RFID Research Center

WalMart RFID Compliance: Shaw Implements ODIN Tech ...

Shaw will implement ODIN's RFID technology solutions to comply with Walmart's RFID requirements. ODIN technologies is a leader in the physics of RFID solution design, deployment, and installation optimization software. ...

... "Shaw Industries Group, Inc., the world's largest supplier of carpets and rugs, selected ODIN technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID deployments, testing, and optimization software to design, and install an RFID system for supply chain optimization and to also comply with WalMart's mandate. Shaw is part of the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio and plans on leveraging RFID technology to solve multiple business issues. ODIN will be designing and deploying two RFID systems which will provide Shaw with supply chain visibility, efficiency and WalMart compliance. The initial deployment will take place in 3 facilities. " ...

Via ODIN Tech: Shaw Industries Selects ODIN for RFID Supply Chain and Compliance Pilots ...

RFID Podcast: Technology for CEOs ...

Podcast on RFID technology for CEOs ...

... "While WalMart, Target and other retailers have begun to require suppliers to use RFID tags on shipments, there have not been as many full-scale roll-outs of the technology " ...

Via Business Week: The CEO's Guide to RFID

Walmart RFID: Gen2 Tag Implementation ...

Walmart will continue its implementation of RFID technology as it expands the number of targeted stores and plans conversion to Generation 2 tags. ...

... "WalMart Stores, Inc. will bring another 500 stores and clubs online with its RFID (radio frequency identification) initiative by the end of this fiscal year, bringing the total number of its retail locations using the technology to more than 1,000. The company has more than 3,900 locations in the United States.

The benefits of RFID, especially with regard to reducing out-of-stocks, as well as reducing excess inventory, have been documented in a 2005 study by the University of Arkansas. Ford noted that all WalMart installations moving forward would only read Gen 2 tags. As the remaining pallets and cases with Gen 1 tags make their way through the distribution network, WalMart will convert all of its systems to only read Gen 2 tags.

As predicted by industry experts, the cost of the technology continues to fall while performance continues to improve. WalMart expects this trend to continue as users adopt the Gen 2 tags, which, as envisioned, are becoming the industry's global standard thanks to significant work by EPCglobal and its members. Ford said that WalMart continues to work with its next 300 largest suppliers, which are expected to begin shipping test cases in October. These suppliers will go live with their shipments in January 2007, bringing to more than 600 the number of supplier companies using RFID technology in concert with WalMart. " ...

Via Walmart Stores: WalMart Continues RFID Expansion

RFID Automated Application System Supports Supply Chain Strategy ...

Dairy Fresh implements Xterprise RFID automation system to support supply chain performance. ...

... "Dairy Fresh chose Xterprise to deploy the XARM 4000 solution on two manufacturing lines so that supply chain strategies and their customer mandates could be met in a timely manner, without the need for added labor to accomplish the RFID tagging requirements. The XARM 4000 is a fully integrated, automated, RFID application solution that enables Dairy Fresh to easily transition from non-tagged production line packaging to RFID tagged production line packaging. The XARM 4000, designed and built by Carrollton, Texas based Xterprise, is designed around a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) software platform that enables real-time monitoring and control of the complex production line material handling system and RFID printer applicators and verification readers. The system can accommodate full pallet single SKU tagging (case and pallet) and pallet only tagging for their various retailer’s requirements. In addition to using the latest technology to ensure maximum readability of RFID tags in the retailers supply chain, the Xterprise automated solution also provides the lowest cost per case application and the highest case per minute throughput in the industry. " ...

Via Xterprise: Dairy Fresh Deploys Xterprise RFID Source Tagging Solution: WalMart Beverage manufacturer chooses automated solution for RFID case and pallet tagging ...

Walmart RFID Out-of-Stock Impact

University of Arkansas researchers analyze data from Walmart RFID implementations and see significant positive impact on out-of-stock inventory situations for products with specific selling velocities. Those products with very high sell-through did not see any reduction in out-of-stocks. ...

... "RFID technology has the greatest impact on a critical category of products -- those that sell between 7 and 15 units per day -- according to further analysis by University of Arkansas researchers on the impact of RFID on out-of-stock products at select WalMart stores.

The study, sponsored by WalMart Stores Inc. and conducted by Walton College research faculty from Feb. 14, 2005, to Sept. 12, 2005, examined 24 stores, half of which were RFID-enabled and the other half of which were control stores. " ...

Via University of Arkansas: More Findings on Impact of RFID ...

Supply Chain RFID Impact ...

Article explores the impact of RFID on the supply chain ...

... "In the more than 500 stores where WalMart has integrated RFID, radio tags give insight -- they inform employees when supplies enter the storeroom, when they leave it for the sales floor and when empty cartons are taken to the trash. " ...

Supply Chain RFID Impact: Via Louisville Courier-Journal: RFID technology gets kinks out of supply chains

RFID KimberlyClark Gen2 Walmart Tags ...

Kimberly-Clark ships Gen2 RFID tags on products shipped to Walmart. ...

... "Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced it has begun shipping Gen2 RFID-tagged cases of product to WalMart. This next step in the implementation of RFID technology is a result of K-C's extensive research and testing on the compatibility of Gen2 hardware and software with conveyor, packaging, logistics and shipping systems in the company's dedicated Auto-ID research lab in Neenah, Wis. Leveraging the accuracy and up-to-the-minute information the Gen2 platform provides, K-C has shipped to WalMart approximately 100,000 cases of Huggies brand diapers and other infant and child care products since March. Using industry-leading Gen2 hardware and software, K-C encoded the RFID tags, placed them on the cases, captured and transferred product data into its supply chain system, and forwarded the data to WalMart, letting them know their product order had been shipped. " ...

RFID KimberlyClark Gen2 Walmart Tags: Via Kimberly-Clark Investors: Kimberly-Clark Begins Shipping Gen2 RFID-Tagged Cases Of Products To WalMart ...

Walmart RFID Commitment ReAffirmed by New CIO ...

Walmart CIO, Rollin Ford, reaffirms committment to the Walmart RFID program, praising company innovations and the efforts of Linda Dillman. ...

... "The pioneering work at WalMart to mine the supply chain benefits of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) will continue unabated under the Wal-Mart Information Systems Division's new leader. Rollin Ford, WalMart's new executive vice president and chief information officer, who previously served as the company's executive vice president of logistics and supply chain, strongly endorsed RFID technology at the biannual CIO summit, hosted by WalMart on Wednesday in Bentonville. Ford told the audience of CIOs he was thrilled to be in his new position and that both logistics and information systems were at the center of WalMart's competitive advantage. Ford said he intended to build on the success of his predecessor, Linda Dillman, who was named executive vice president of risk management and benefits administration at Wal-Mart. " ...

Walmart RFID Commitment ReAffirmed by New CIO: Via WalMart Stores: New CIO Confirms Wal-Mart Commitment to RFID ...:

Walmart RFID: Dillman Transfers ...

Linda Dillman changes positions for WalMart ...

... "WalMart isn't about to abandon RFID technology, but Linda Dillman is taking a step back from the world of RFID. Dillman, the force behind WalMart's initial RFID mandates, is leaving her position as executive vice president and chief information officer to oversee risk management and benefits administration for the giant retailer. " ...

Walmart RFID: Dillman Transfers: Via John R. Johnson's RFID Watch Weekly: WalMart shuffles RFID management team ...

Via WalMart Stores: WalMart Names Lawrence Jackson President and CEO of Global Procurement: Other senior leadership changes spread talent across the organization: "Linda Dillman, previously executive vice president and chief information officer, will become executive vice president of risk management and benefits administration. She will also lead the company's sustainability efforts. Last fall, Wal-Mart announced aggressive sustainability goals and has recently increased its offerings of organic products. Rollin Ford, previously executive vice president of logistics and supply chain, will become executive vice president and chief information officer, responsible for leading the company's global information systems division. "

Walmart RFID Payback ...

Walmart discusses the payback of RFID technology ...

... "Retailer WalMart Stores continues to build momentum around its radio frequency identification (RFID) tag initiatives, adding new uses for the supply chain technology and getting more suppliers and partners to comply with its RFID mandates. " ...

Walmart RFID Payback: Via Techworld: RFID pays for itself, says Wal-Mart

RFID Savings Program: Discounted Rates ...

... "The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announced a new program designed to help member companies implement Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) and save money at the same time. AAFA has signed an agreement with Avery Dennison – Retail Information Services, a leading supplier of labels, tickets, and tags to the Apparel & Footwear industry, to provide sharply discounted rates for RFID labels to AAFA member companies. These rates are available exclusively to AAFA members who are producers and providers of apparel and footwear products. Under the agreement, Avery Dennison will provide Gen 1 RFID labels as well as the new Gen 2 AD-220 label. AAFA members that need to meet RFID requirements can use these labels for shipments to customers such as WalMart, Target, and the Department of Defense. Minimum orders can be as low as 5,000 labels. " ...

RFID Savings Program: Discounted Rates: Via American Apparel and Footwear Association: AAFA and Avery Dennison Launch New RFID Savings Program (RSP) for AAFA Members ...

Avery Dennison - Retail Information Services provides a global offering of information management, brand identification and solution-enabling products. Brand identification products include woven and printed fabric labels, heat transfers, graphic tags, integrated bar code tags, leather patches, sock bands, size stickers . . . and more. Among the company's Information management products are RFID and bar code price tickets, and carton and pallet labels; webenabled order entry systems; and the InfoChain Express supply chain management solution. Solution enabling products include RFID printers and print/apply systems, bar-code printers, heat-transfer bonders, molded plastic fastening and application devices, anti-counterfeiting and diversion tools. The organization operates ticketing centers and service bureaus in 35 countries and maintains mature, highly reliable global distribution processes throughout Asia, North and South America, Europe and Africa. Avery Dennison Corporation is a Fortune 500 company and member of EPCglobal.

RFID 3PL Walmart Cold Chain Solution ...

Ship2Save implements RFID in the third-party logistics (3PL) cold chain for Walmart. ...

... "Ship2Save has provided Atlas Cold Storage with a RFID system specifically developed to enable this premier Cold Storage Third Party Logistics’ provider to offer RFID services to its customers across North America. The first implementation at Atlas Sikeston, Missouri facility was driven by a request from one of Atlas largest ice cream customers to service WalMart's Texas D.C.'s. Atlas is currently working with another customer on a second RFID implementation in the Midwest and has more planned for the future as demand develops. The continued implementation of RFID Systems across the supply-chain is facilitating the use of more open-looped systems. These systems allow cooperation and data sharing amongst trading partners providing supply-chain visibility and improvements in supply-chain processes. The commitment to this technology by 3PL companies such as Atlas Cold Storage will encourage further RFID adoption amongst their customer base, and in turn pave the way for more open-looped RFID systems. " ...

RFID 3PL Walmart Cold Chain Solution: Via Ship2Save: Cost Effective & Innovative RFID Business Solutions: Pulling RFID out of the Freezer: Ship2save deploys RFID solution for Atlas Cold Storage ...

WalMart Dillman RFID Push ...

Walmart continues to grow and expand. Expect it to push further in the adoption of RFID technology. Linda Dillman keeps the pressure on. ...

... "Another 200 suppliers were to come on board the RFID train this month. As if to show how important the technology is to WalMart, Dillman recently said that the company won't invest any more time in those suppliers who drag their feet in complying with the RFID program. " ...

WalMart Dillman RFID Push: Via The Morning News :: Business Page: Expansion Always In WalMart's Future ...

RFID Reaches Tipping Point ...

Research suggests that RFID technology has reached the tipping point, driven by the efforts of retailers, such as Walmart, and technology vendors, such as SAP. ...

... "A research firm said Radio Frequency Identification technology, or RFID, has reached the stage of development where it would be widely adopted, despite some hiccups in its implementation. A report released by Dallas research firm Regan, Jacob, & Sydeny said successful RFID use by such large firms as WalMart Stores Inc. and German software-giant SAP AG suggested RFID use would grow. " ...

RFID Reaches Tipping Point: Via Philadelphia Inquirer: Business News in Brief ...

RFID Transformation Underway ...

Stephanie Irwin explores the transformation that is underway as the tiny RFID chip is adopted in industry by companies, such as Walmart. ...

RFID Transformation Underway: Via Dayton Daily News: Chip off the new block ...

... "Retailers like WalMart have laid out a road map for RFID, the track-and-trace technology that has turned into a hot research field. RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification, is considered by retailers and their supply chain to be the biggest retail revolution since the first UPC bar code was scanned in a Marsh Supermarket in Troy in June 1974. " ...

RFID Market Leaders: Walmart DOD ...

RFID Market Leaders: Walmart DOD: Via Dept of Commerce: David A. Sampson RFID Conference, U.S. Chamber of Commerce ...

... "According to industry sources, the RFID market for related consulting, implementation, and managed services is expected to reach between $2 billion and $4.2 billion by 2008. In addition, as much as 30% of all capital goods will carry RFID tags by 2008. There are many business reasons to use RFID technology: supply chain visibility, inventory management, ensuring product legitimacy, and shrinkage/loss prevention. It's therefore not surprising that WalMart and the Department of Defense are market leaders as both rely on extensive supply chains. RFID applications are also being tested in other parts of government for logistics support and for public safety and security. But the commercial sector will continue to drive innovation in this area. " ...