Small Firm Tunes In A Winning Business

Small Firm Tunes In A Winning Business


By FRANK BYRT

"CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- When Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, told its largest vendors last year they had to start using radio frequency identification, or RFID, systems, the move sent out shock waves.

RFID has been a buzzword among manufacturers and retailers for about a decade. It is an electronic tracking system that promises a much greater control over inventory than the bar-code system."

- RFID is coming whether we like it or not. The possible business benefits are staggering but the possible privacy violations are also staggering. There is a theme park in Florida that uses this technology to track family members thoughout the park (with their consent) but, because these tracking devices can be made so small, and integrated into products (like clothing) it is possible to track someone without their consent. The benefits to inventory tracking and control are amazing though and I am sure there will be many other creative uses that come out of this technology. -ed.
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