This section is a short summary of RFID technology primarily in the context of supply chain management. For more information, please explore the website links posted in Resources & References. 

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a method of wireless communication that uses electronically programmable transponders (tags) to reveal information associated to an item or person. In reference to supply chain management, RFID allows automated and item specific visibility within an operational environment by increasing process speed, accuracy, and level of detail. RFID enables greater control and effective decision making. RFID technology has been in use since WWII where it was primarily developed for military use and for animal tracking using low frequency radio waves. Despite this historical presence of RFID, high and ultra-high radio frequency based commercial applications are still in an early adoption phase for a variety of factors.
Although RFID performs the same function as the barcode, the value of RFID stems from the significant amount of time saved with increased automation and data analyzed. This is attributable to the fact that information can be read from RFID tags much faster than from barcodes, that several items in a stack or multiple tags can be read at the same time, and more importantly, that no line of sight is required to read the RFID tags.		To view a video of RFID basics, click here or on the image below.

						ERP Warehouse Management System Financials Customer Relationship Management System Human Resources Decision Support System
RFID Tag (Antenna + Chip)		RFID Reader (with Antenna)		RFID S2S-OMS® Middleware		Business Intelligence Applications