RFID lab tour today

About an hour from now, I'm going on a tour of the University's RFID lab.

RFID is Radio Frequency IDentification and it stands to be the biggest logistics/inventory innovation since the bar code.

I don't exactly know how it works, but that's ok...I'm not an engineer.

What happens with a bar code (example):
- bar code is scanned when an item is delivered to a store (everyone knows the store has it)
- bar code is scanned when an item is purchased (everyone knows that someone bought it)

What I think happens with RFID (example):
- the item's RFID tag emits a unique radiofrequency signal
- the store's RFID receivers can tell if it's on a shelf, which shelf it's on, how long it's been there, where it goes after someone picks it up (shopper traffic patterns), etc.

Many trucking companies, consumer products companies, and retailers (Wal-Mart) are very interested in developing this technology. With Wal-Mart, Tyson, and so many trucking companies headquartered within 30 minutes of here, it should come as no surprise that the U. of Arkansas is at the forefront of RFID research and development. But it does surprise some people.

So me and some of the other supply chain MBAs are going to check it out.