Radio frequency identification is accelerating a trend to move business intelligence to the edge of the enterprise. It is a trend few companies will escape and understanding the infrastructure is essential to success.
Application vendors and logistics providers are finally getting the message: Manufacturers and retailers want vertical solutions that focus tightly on their industry challenges.
Despite lingering concerns over standards, reliability and cost, Wal-Mart, DOD and other major retailers are pushing ahead on first-stage mandates that will eventually lead to RFID-enabled supply chains.
With economic activity heating up, businesses are again eager to compete in the global arena. To do so, they need to raise the performance of their supply chains to world-class levels.
Even if you are not among Wal-Mart's top 100 suppliers, the retail giant's push for RFID labels at the case and pallet level by January 2005 deserves your attention. The mandate will have repercussions throughout the supply chain.