Two European retailers are using active RFID tags and readers to manage the movement of personnel through restricted areas in their facilities. German supermarket chains ALDI and Lidl have installed the system in dozens of stores and intend to continue ramping up the deployment to other stores across Europe. The retailers have installed readers at access gates to storerooms and freezers, enabling the reader to trigger opening of the gate when an authorized badge comes within range. The system allows store management to ensure unauthorized individuals don't access these areas, and thereby is intended to reduce theft. In addition, at Lidl, the system can detect if someone with a card has been in the freezer too long, and may be in distress, triggering an alert. Neither retailer responded to requests provided comments for this story.

The solution is now being considered by other retailers as a way to move staff in and out of warehouses quickly, without needing to present cards or open locks, while still maintaining security.

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