The Supply Side: RFID advances coming to retail sector, supply chain

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is going two-dimensional (2D) with enhanced capabilities in the supply chain. While RFID is not new and widely used in retail, 2D adds more transparency and provides customers with more information about the product.

Mike Graen, with Collation LLC, has been involved with RFID for 20 years working in the supplier community with Procter & Gamble and Walmart on various RFID iterations. He said this time is different because tag costs are lower, and the technology now offers more granularity when item tags are serialized with a unique identification number like a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN).

He said the industry is moving toward 2D barcodes that can carry more information. The 2D barcode also provides a single standardized way to meet supply chain needs and evolving consumer requirements.

The Supply Side: RFID advances coming to retail sector, supply chain