wallmart supply chain rfid management

7/30/2019 wallmart supply chain rfid management

1/24

www.final-yearprojects.co.cc | www.troubleshoot4free.com/fyp/

Final Year Project's is One place for all Engineering Projects, Presentation, seminar,

summer training report and lot more.NOTE:-This work is copyright () to its Authors. This is only for Educational Purpose.



2/24


3/24


Final Year Project's is One place for all Engineering Projects, Presentation, seminar,

summer training report and lot more.NOTE:-This work is copyright () to its Authors. This is only for Educational Purpose.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................................4

WHY RFID OVERBAR-CODE? ....................................................................................................................... ..4RFID INFRASTRUCTURE.................................................................................................................................... 5

INTRODUCTION TO SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT ....................................................... ...... ...... ..7

WAL-MART INTRODUCTION AND ITS BUSINESS PROCESSES ....................................................9

OPERATIONS....................................................................................................................................................9BUSINESS MODEL........................................................................................................................................... 10

Market Strategy of Wal-Mart ................................................................................................................10

Organizational Development ................................................................................................................10

Competitive Advantage .........................................................................................................................11

Market Opportunity ..............................................................................................................................11

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENTAT WAL-MART..................................................................................................11Procurement and Distribution ..............................................................................................................11

Logistics Management ..........................................................................................................................12Inventory Management .........................................................................................................................12

RFID IN WAL-MART .............................................................................................................................. ...13

EFFICIENCYIN SUPPLY CHAINWITH RFID ........................................................................................................14

WAL-MART SUPPLIERS................................................................................................................................... 15Kimberly-Clark ....................................................................................................................................15

Kraft Foods ...........................................................................................................................................15

Gillette ..................................................................................................................................................15

CURRENT USAGE OF RFID ....................................................................................................................15

RFID IN MILITARY.......................................................................................................................................16SUCCESSFUL RFID IMPLEMENTATION INDIFFERENT INDUSTRIES...........................................................................16

Volkswagen .................................................................................................................................... ...... .17

Supermarket tries out smart tagging ................................................................................. ...... ...... ...... .17

Sun Microsystems sets up RFID test centre in Scotland .......................................................................17

I.B.M. Expands Efforts to Promote Radio Tags to Track Goods .........................................................17

Texas Instruments .................................................................................................................................17

EPC global Network .............................................................................................................................18

LIMITATIONS AND CHALLENGES OF RFID .................................................................................. ...18

FUTURE OF RFID .......................................................................................................................................20

FUTURE APPLICATIONS.................................................................................................................................... 20

REFERENCES: ................................................................................................................................... ...... ...22

http://www.final-yearprojects.co.cc/http://www.troubleshoot4free.com/fyp/http://www.final-yearprojects.co.cc/http://www.troubleshoot4free.com/fyp/


4/24

Wal-Mart RFID, A Case StudyFall 2005

Introduction

Technology is inevitable in every sphere of life today; it has always made thingseasier. Wal-Mart works on the same strategy, from the above description; we can

understand how diversified Wal-Mart is and the volume of cargo it needs to handle

for each of its businesss. Traditionally, it had started with computerization of

individual stores with small billing machines and had then led to centralized billing forrecord keeping. The technology has grown by leaps and bounds and has becomeincreasingly challenging to maintain large databases of information and maintain

records. Powerful computers networked with high performance clusters maintain andstore this data. This gives a picture as to how technology plays a vital role in todays

businesses.

Traditionally, technology has been upgraded in billing systems and for storagepurposes. A new area where technology could be applied to, where many expenses

could be saved was in inventory management and logistics. Wal-Mart being so huge,needed to keep track of men and material sent across different countries and had to

maintain hundreds of warehouses across the world. Bar-codes have been initiallyidentified as a suitable technology to meet the purpose.

But due to the limitations of barcodes, a new emerging technology called RFID has

been identified to meet the demands. RFID is low cost Radio Frequency Identificationsystem which requires minimum human intervention to carry out tasks ranging from

billing to materials tracking and supply chain management. It is a small wirelessdevice which can store good amount of data and can virtually be tagged to anything.

RFID is an electronic tagging technology as shown in figure 1 that allows an object,

place, or person to be automatically identified at a distance without a direct line-of-

sight, using an electromagnetic challenge/response exchange.

Fig 1: RFID Devices [Source: The Magic of RFID, Roy Want, INTEL RESEARCH, October 2004 ]

Why RFID over Bar-Code?

The ability to read without line-of-sight is the best advantage of RFID over bar-codesystems. RFID readers can sense items even when the tagged items are hidden

behind other tagged items. This enables automation. The challenging part ofimplementing RFID is that tagged items should not be missed by the reader due to

interference, multipath fading, transient effects etc. Missed reads are an unfortunatereality with RFID systems. RFID uses a serialized numbering scheme such as EPC

(Electronic Product Code). Each tag has a unique serial number. Serial number

Page 4 of 24


5/24


information is extremely powerful in understanding and controlling the supply chainand provides much more detailed behavior of the supply chain than can non-

serialized bar codes such as UPC (Universal Product Codes) and EAN (EuropeanArticle Numbering). Serial numbers have many advantages such as food

freshness/expiration. This can tell how for how long an item has been in the supplychain where as such information is not captured in bar code system. Hence items can

be reached the right place at the right time. Furthermore RFID implementationmonitors theft too. For example if number of items reached at the retailers outlet is

less than that was departed from suppliers location, it can be easily tracked for. Inall these ways, RFID systems have stronger sensor networking system or monitoring

system than bar code systems.

RFID Infrastructure

Many software systems used in enterprise systems today are not designed to handleserial numbers as required by the RFID systems. The problem in synchronizing RFID

systems to software system can be best described as the problem in synchronizing a

speaker to a hi-fi amplifier. If the hi-fi amplifier is not synchronized to speaker therewill be distortion in sound signal. Like wise there will be mismatch in capabilities andrequirements if RFID system is not synchronized with enterprise software properly. A

solution to this problem is to introduce a layer between RFID readers and theapplication software commonly known as RFID middleware. It has two levels of

functionality: a lower level device and data management and a higher levelinterpretation level.

Data management layer provides some functionality of filtering of data due to

intermittent appearances and disappearances. This can be achieved by setting sometime threshold levels. For example you could tell the software to record tags as

missing only after they have not been seen for a certain number of seconds. This isimportant because if the reader cannot read certain tags due to interference of

certain objects, the software should not conclude that the tagged item is being soldor stolen. This mechanism would reduce false reads.

Device management is one of the most challenging part of RFID implementation.RFID readers interact with other devices such as motion sensors, programmable logic

arrays and human interfaces. RFID readers operate in ISM (Industrial, Scientific and

medical) bands at 13.56 megahertz, 915 megahertz and 2.45 megahertz. Becauseimplementing RFID is an extensive ubiquitous task, there is a complication of

different bandwidth standards around the world. For example, Japan has verydifferent bandwidth standard than U.S.A. Security intrusion is also an issue in RFID

deployment because RFID readers operate automatically unlike bar code scannerswhich are operated by humans.

Page 5 of 24


6/24


Fig 2: Two Levels of Functionality [Source: Integrating RFID, Sanjay Sarma, Oatsystems and MIT,October 2004]

After the data management layer yields data, the data interpretation layer must

extract inference from such data and forward it to the applications that deploy RFID.This inference mechanism is a very sophisticated task. For example if a tagged pallet

carrying tagged items out of the door should not be confused with the one that just

passes by the door and does not go outside it. This high level of reasoning involves alot of inferences and associations.

Tags can be associated with each other when they are assembled.

Integrating RFID into the enterprise is one task but extracting value for theenterprise at the systemic level is another challenging task which requires lot of

control and effort.

Fig 3: Architecture with Independent EPC Visibility Layer[Source: Integrating RFID, Sanjay Sarma,Oatsystems and MIT, October 2004]

The EPC visibility layer keeps track of RFID data in many level of detail. Thearchitecture for such a system can be shown as in figure 2.The enterprise EPC

systems can then be a single source of all EPC data. The enterprise system can keep

a true and multi resolution record of all EPC data permitting different applications to

Page 6 of 24


7/24


access EPC data at the appropriate resolution. The Auto-ID center has developed asoftware called savant which serves as the edge and the enterprise software. They

also built a prototype of the ONS. EPCglobal operates ONS. EPCglobal also sell EPCcodes to users who want to place EPC tags on their products. EPCglobal run a

number of hardware and software modules of the EPC system. The EPCglobal systemincludes a number of standards for communicating with readers, for middleware of

the edge, and for the edge and enterprise EPC systems. This emergence of EPCglobalsystem has changed the way supply chain is operated today.

Introduction to Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management (SCM) is the coordination of a network of facilities anddistribution options that performs procurement of materials, processing the materials

into finished products, and distribution of the products to customers. SCM is seen asinvolving five core processes. These include planning, sourcing, making, delivering,

and returning.

Fig 4: Typical supply chain showing interrelations between all involved parties. [Source: Auto-ID: Managing Anything, Anywhere, Anytime in the Supply Chain, Bose and Pal, ACM August 2005]

SCM exists in both service and manufacturing environments. A typical supply chainconsists of many interactions between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors,

retailers, with the ultimate goal of providing either a service or a product to

customers. This also works in reverse with the customer at the head of the processwhen returning a product.

SCM is used as a means to integrate planning, purchasing, manufacturing,distribution, and marketing organizations that normally do not work together to

achieve a common goal. Each works toward goals specific to their own organizationthat accomplish narrow objectives. SCM is a way of integrating these varying

functions so that they work together to maximize the benefits for all involved.

Page 7 of 24


8/24


There are three levels of SCM: strategic, tactical, and operational.

Fig 5: Three Levels of SCM [Source: Auto-ID: Managing Anything, Anywhere, Anytime in the SupplyChain, Bose and Pal, ACM August 2005]

Strategic SCM deals with future planning than in looking at market evaluation,capacity issues, new products, and technology changes. This planning is addressing

issues that may be factors several years out. This is accomplished at the executivemanagement level.

Tactical SCM involves a shorter planning cycle. It is more concerned demandplanning, inventory planning, and supply planning. This is determined at a less

senior level than Strategic SCM.

Operational SCM is current planning activities measured in at most weeks.

Operational SCM involves the majority of the operations. It includes demandfulfillment, scheduling, production, transport, and monitoring.

There are many decisions that are made when looking at SCM. They follow the

above categories. Strategic decisions are made over longer periods of time andlinked to a corporations strategy. Operational decisions are more short term and

look at day to day activities. Four major decisions are considered. The includedecisions on location, production, inventory, and transportation. A geographically

strategic placement of the production facilities is key to creating a successful supplychain. Decisions on what products to be produced have to be made wisely and

strategically. Also, where these products (which locations) will be manufactured isvery important to SCM. Inventory decisions and management is critical. Some

inventories are necessary to hedge against uncertainty, but this comes with a cost.Managing these inventories efficiently will be of benefit to the corporation.

Transportation decisions include cost versus benefit. Air transportation is costly, but

fast and reliable. Other modes of transportation may be cheaper, but the sacrifice ishaving to hold inventories due to delays that may occur. If the above decisions aremade with careful and strategic thought as well as with concern for integration, the

supply chain should be efficient and successful.

The overall goal of SCM is to optimize supply chains in an attempt to provide moreaccurate and time sensitive information that can be used to improve process times

and cut costs. Supply chains have been around for decades and a constantly being

improved. The newest opportunity for improvement is the introduction of radio

Page 8 of 24


9/24


frequency identification (RFID) tags. RFID technology will provide real-timeinformation that will allow manufacturers to get better readings of customers and

markets thus further improving supply chains. RFID will help retailers provide theright products at the right places at the right times. Ultimately, maximizing sales

and profits

Wal-Mart has been leading the charge with RFID technology. Having the largestretailer adopt and begin to use RFID technology has given strong backing to the

technology and will only further and quicken the expansion of RFID. They havebegun requiring all their major suppliers to implement RFID technology on all

products supplied to Wal-Mart.

One example of what Wal-Mart has done with SCM and its suppliers is that of itsrelationship with Proctor & Gamble. These two built a software system that hooked

Proctor & Gamble up to Wal-Marts distribution centers. This system would thenmonitor supply levels and when products run low, automatic alerts are sent out to

require the shipment of more products to that distribution center. Wal-Mart has

taken this as far as going to the individual store locations. The shelves aremonitored in real time via satellite links that send inventory messages whenever

Proctor & Gamble products are scanned at a register. This allows Proctor & Gambleto be fully aware of up to the minute product inventories at the actual store locationsand ship additional products as necessary. This concept is a huge step in making

SCM as efficient as it can be.

Wal-Mart Introduction and its Business Processes

Wal-Mart is one of the largest Fortune 500 companies, which is spread across the

globe. It is an arguably the largest retail chain which deals with everything from foodto consumer electronics. In terms of the revenue generated, it leads the fortune 500

companies like GE and Microsoft. Simply put, it has everything a homemaker canever think of. Affordable price range coupled with aggressive online and marketstrategy has lead to wide acceptance for Wal-Mart in towns and cities alike. Wal-

Mart is probably the only largest fortune 500 corporations in the world, which directlyservices the common man.

Operations

Wal Mart operations are comprised of three business segments:Wal-Mart Stores

SAMS CLUB

Wal-Mart International.

Wal-Mart Stores segment is the largest segment, which accounted for approximately

67.3% of their 2005 fiscal sales. This segment consists of three different retailformats, all of which are located in the United States. This includes the following

sections: Super-centers, which average approximately 187,000 square feet in size and offer

a wide variety of products and a full-line supermarket;

Page 9 of 24


10/24


Discount Stores, which average approximately 100,000 square feet in size andoffer a wide variety of products and a limited stock of food products; and

Neighborhood Markets, which average approximately 43,000 square feet in sizeand offer a full-line supermarket and a limited variety of general merchandise.

SAMS CLUB segment consists of membership warehouse clubs in the United States

which accounted for approximately 13.0% of 2005 fiscal sales. SAMS CLUBs in theUnited States average approximately 128,000 square feet in size.

Wal-Mart International operations are located in Argentina, Canada, Germany, South

Korea, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom, the operations of joint ventures in Chinaand operations of majority-owned subsidiaries in Brazil and Mexico. This segment

generated approximately 19.7% of 2005 fiscal sales. Here, it operates severaldifferent formats of retail stores and restaurants, including Super-centers, Discount

Stores and SAMS CLUBs.

For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2005, Wal-Mart topped $10 billion in net

income for the first time in their history and added almost $29 billion in sales.

Business Model

A Business model is central to any successful business. Wal-mart is no exception.

Wal-mart has always been innovating and improving its business model to suite itsorganizational goals and also meet customer requirements, and so has managed to

stay on top year after year. Wal-mart has employed a mixed-business model for itsbusiness for the same.

To understand the Business models used by Wal-Mart, first it is important to know

the factors, which go in defining those models, and how does it relate to Wal-Martspecifically.

Market Strategy of Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart stresses mainly on their Everyday Low prices (EDLP) pricing philosophy,

in which they price items at a low price every day that builds & maintains customerstrust in their pricing. Since they employ both the clicks and bricks and bricks and

mortar methods to market their products, consumers get to choose their productseither the traditional way or online anytime of the day. Though Wal-Mart has not

advertised in Advertising, as many of its competitors do, the trust people have builton the Wal-Mart brand has taken them far from their competitors.

Organizational Development

Wal-Mart has restructured its business into two parts to handle specific

organizational needs.

Specialty Division- Tire & Lube Express

- Wal-Mart Optical

Page 10 of 24


11/24


- Wal-Mart Pharmacy- Wal-Mart Vacations

- Wal-Mart's Used Fixture Auctions- Wal-Mart Alaska Bush Shopper

Retail Division

-Wal-Mart Stores

- Super centers

- SAM'S CLUBS- Neighborhood Market

- International walmart.com

Competitive Advantage

Wal-Mart has been an undisputed leader in offering the markets lowest prices toconsumers. It has always given a price match guarantee, and has challenged other

stores to offer lesser prices and has agrees to reimburse the difference, thedifference of price if any. No other store could meet this and Wal-Mart has been

leading the pack for years.

Market Opportunity

Wal-Mart employs a combination of two Business Models viz.

B2B Single firm network Business Model SAMS CLUB segment of Wal-Martsupports small businesses. Its main focus in this segment is to create its own

network of trusted partners to coordinate supply chains and provide exceptionalvalue on brand-name merchandise at Members Only prices.

B2C E-Tailer Business Model Wal-Mart uses clicks and bricks methodology toprovide millions of its customers online version of its retail store, where customerscan shop at any hour of the day or night without leaving their home or office.

Wal-Mart employs Sales revenue model as it is mainly involved in sale of goods andservices.

These two models help Wal-Mart in achieving its business perspectives related to itsfirms organizational needs and the second helps in its interaction with the customer

and manages goods and services offered by Wal-Mart to the end users.

Supply Chain Management at Wal-Mart

Supply chain management at Wal-Mart can be described in 3 sections.

Procurement and Distribution

Wal-Marts process of procurement involves reducing its purchasing costs as far as

possible so that it can offer best price to its customers. The company procures goodsdirectly from the manufacturers, bypassing all intermediaries.

Page 11 of 24
http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9221&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9220&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9219&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9218&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9217&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9222&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9220&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9219&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9218&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9217&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9222&catID=-8242http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainabout.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0435119815.1127931458@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjaddfdldmdkjcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=about&template=DisplayAllContents.jsp&categoryOID=-9221&catID=-8242


12/24


Wal-Mart has distribution centers in different geographical places in US. Wal-Martsown warehouses supplies about 80% of the inventory. Each distribution centre is

divided in different groups depending on the quantity of goods received. Theinventory turnover rate is very high, about once every week for most of the items.

The goods to be used internally in US arrive in pallets & imported goods arrive in re-usable boxes.

The distribution centers ensured steady flow & consistent flow of products. Managing

the center is economical with the large-scale use of sophisticated technology such asBar code, hand held computer systems (Magic Wand) and now, RFID. Every

employee has access to the required information regarding the inventory levels of allthe products in the center. They make 2 scans- one for identifying the pallet, and

other to identify the location from where the stock had to be picked up. Bar codes &RFID are used to label different products, shelves & bins in the center. The hand held

computers guide employee to the location of the specific product. The quantity of theproduct required from the center is entered in the hand held computer, which

updates the information on the main central server. The computers also enabled the

packaging department to get accurate information such as storage, packaging &shipping, thus saving time in unnecessary paperwork. It also enables supervisors to

monitor their employees closely in order to guide them & give directions.This enables Wal-Mart to satisfy customer needs quickly & improve level of efficiency

of distribution center management operations.

Logistics Management

This involves fast & responsive transportation system. More than 7000 companyowned trucks services the distribution centers. These dedicated truck fleets enables

shipping of goods from distribution centers to the stores within 2 days and replenish

the store shelves twice a week. The drivers hired are all very experienced & their

activities are tracked regularly through Private Fleet Driver handbook. This allowsthe drivers to be aware of the terms & conditions for safe exchange of Wal-Mart

property, along with the general code of conduct.

For more efficiency, Wal-Mart uses a logistics technique called Cross Docking. Inthis system, finished goods are directly picked up from the manufacturing site of

supplier, sorted out and directly supplied to the customers. This system reduceshandling & storage of finished goods, virtually eliminating role of distribution centers

& stores. Because of cross-docking the system shifted from supply chain todemand chain which meant, instead of retailers pushing the products into the

system, the customers could pull the products, when & where they required.

Inventory Management

Considering the rapid expansion of Wal-Mart stores, it was essential to have a very

good communication system. For this, Wal-Mart set up its own satellitecommunication system in 1983. This allowed the management to monitor each and

every activity going on in a particular store at any point of the day and analyze thecourse of action taken depending on how the things went.

Page 12 of 24


13/24


Wal-Mart ensures that unproductive inventory is as less as possible, by allowing thestores to manage their own stocks, thereby reducing pack sizes across many

categories and timely price markdowns. Wal-Mart makes full use of its ITinfrastructure to make more inventories available in case of items that customers

wanted most, while reducing overall inventory. By making use of Bar-coding & RFIDtechnologies, different processes like efficient picking, receiving & proper inventory

control of the products along with easy packing and counting of the inventories wasensured.

Wal-Mart owns the Massively Parallel Processor (MPP), largest & the most

sophisticated computer system in private sector, which enables it to easily trackmovement of goods & stock levels across all distribution centers and stores. For

emergency backup, it has an extensive contingency plan in place as well.Employees use Magic Wand, which is linked to in-store terminals through a Radio

frequency network, to keep track of the inventory in stores, deliveries and backupmerchandise in stock at the distribution centers. The order management and store

replenishment of goods is entirely executed with the help of computers through Point

of Sale (POS) system. Wal-Mart also makes use of sophisticated algorithm toforecast the quantities of each item to be delivered, based on inventories in the

store. A Centralized inventory database allows the personnel at the store to find outthe level of inventories and location of each product at a given time. It also showsthe location of the product like distribution center or transit on the truck. When the

goods are unloaded at the store, the inventory system is immediately updated.

RFID in Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart had initiated its plan to employ RFID technology in its supply chain in June

2003. Subsequently Wal-Mart reinforced its plans and actively asserted on definingthe RFID standards it will be implementing.

The specification of the following RFID components was laid out in November 2003.EPC (Electronic Product Code) specification

Type of Chip that would be installedThe Distribution centers that will accept RFID tagged products

After the defining phase, Wal-Mart specified the RFID requirements to its suppliers

that they should comply with:EPC: 96-bit with a Global Trade Identification number

TAGS: Should operate in UHF spectrum (868 MHz to 956 MHz)

The TAG will carry the 96-bit serial number and will be field-programmable, that willallow the suppliers to write serial numbers to the tags while being applied to the

products.EPC compliant tags in UHF band consists of two main parts:

EPC data format on the chipClass0 or Class1 communication protocol

Class0 is a factory programmable tagClass1 provides the capability to the end users to write serial number on it

Wal-Mart planned to implement Class1 Version2, a globally accepted protocol thatincorporates both specification of Class0 and Class1.

Page 13 of 24


14/24


In addition, Wal-Mart is planning to enhance mobility to its existing RFID tag readersby implementing RFID-enabled forklift. These readers will have the capability to read

the tags on the pallets and transmit data through the RFID network, which wouldhelp the users to be better informed about the supply-chain data.

Efficiency in Supply Chain with RFID

The various components of Supply Chain are: Procurement, Distribution, Logistics

and Inventory Management.

Since the core of Wal-Mart business is perpetual improvement in its Supply Chain

implementation, it believes in no-compromise on implementing an innovative ITinfrastructure and strong communication system as they are they the important links

in the chain for a smooth functioning of the complete system.

Wal-Mart tapped RFID technology with an aim to increase the efficiency of its supplychain. This is because RFID implementation will enhance transparency of their supplychain and hence will help them minimize cost and labor and will strengthen inventory

control. According to Venture Development Corporation,With Wal-Mart selling over $245 billion worth of goods in fiscal year

2003, a 1% improvement in the out-of-stock issue could generatenearly $2.5 billion in very profitable sales.

In addition, a study by Cohen at Wharton chalks out the difference between theexisting inventory management and the RFID enabled supply chain.

In current systems, you may know there are 10 items on the shelf,

and that information is compiled in an enterprise planning softwaresystem. With RFID, you know there are 10 items, their age, lot

number, and expiration date and warehouse origin. "It's like knowing

there are 1,000 people in a city," says Cohen. "With RFID, you knowtheir names."

From the above studies it indicates that employing RFID technology will help inimplementing a seamless supply chain and hence yield profits.

The increase in their efficiency is evident from the news article at Breitbart.com,where it states that implementation of RFID tags in Wal-Marts inventory has helped

boost sales by keeping shelves better stocked. Usage of RFID has reduced out-of-stock merchandise by 16% at the stores that have implemented RFID tags for more

than a year. The CIO at Wal-Mart stated that,Wal-Mart has been able to restock RFID-tagged items three times as

fast as non-tagged items.

In addition to improving the availability of in-stock merchandise, Wal-Mart aims toreduce the practice of manually placing the order and has achieved 10% reduction in

the case.

Page 14 of 24


15/24


The recent studies show that 130 major suppliers ship merchandise to Wal-Martdistribution centers with about 5.4 million tags. Wal-Mart expects to increase RFID

implementation by adding another 200 suppliers that are projected to supply toanother 1000 stores.

At present, Wal-Mart is at a nascent state of implementing RFID. In addition to

strengthening the Supply Chain, the largest retailer is also looking into differentdimensions where RFID can be helpful. As a pilot test, Wal-Mart is working on the

data collected by RFID to analyze the consumer behavior.

According to Venture Development Corporation, the major implementationmilestones of RFID at Wal-Mart are to expand Regional and domestic implementation

of RFID throughout 2005. These include Regional Distribution Centers, GroceryDistribution Centers and Sams Club Distribution Centers in Texas. And, by 2006,

Wal-Mart aims to mandate RFID implementation for all its suppliers.

Wal-Mart Suppliers

Some of the major suppliers of Wal-Mart are:Gillette, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark, Kraft Foods, Nestle,

Purina PetCare Company, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.

Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly Clark is a manufacturer of paper goods products that include Kleenex,

Huggies and Depend. In April 2004, Kimberly Clark tagged its Scott paper towelsshipment with RFID tags to be shipped to Sanger, Texas.

Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods, the largest food company employs RFID system to improve handling of

its bulk containers. Kraft has outsourced its RFID system to TrenStar to handle thecomplete supply chain.

Gillette

Smart razor blades have been introduced to the supermarkets. Gillette has ordered

half a billion tags to track razors. The Gillette Company uses RFID for both pallet andcase applications. All the cases in a pallet are scanned with RFID readers as they

move along the conveyor belt. In a trial at Tesco's new market Road branch in

Cambridge, the packaging of Gillette Mach3 razor blades has been fitted with tinychips.

Current Usage of RFID

RFID technology is rapidly evolving and growing, providing solutions to a wide arrayof problems. Many companies are finding value in implementing RFID systems today

especially when it is applied to solve more realistic supply chain problems. The key

Page 15 of 24


16/24


factor, as with any new technology, is to understand the capabilities of RFID andevaluate how it can be useful to our operations today. Though RFID deployment is

still not full fledged, it is clear that its deployment is an attainable future goal. Thevalue, which is the most important metric for a RFID application, is determined by

considering the following key factors:

Basic asset and inventory visibility needs, Speed, range and reliability needed to

track the target product ROI (Return On Investment) in the context of scope forimprovements

RFID in Military

The U.S. military has also been heavily involved in SCM. The militarys main focus ison getting equipment and necessities to the servicemen and servicewomen who are

on the battlefield. This is quite different from most businesses that often lose sightof the end customer in the process.

In a memo issued back in 2003 by the Acting Under Secretary of Defense that said,The Department of Defense will be an early adopter of innovative RFID technologiesthat leverages the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and compatible tags. Our policy

will require suppliers to put passive RFID tags on lowest possible piecepart/case/pallet packaging by January 2005. We also plan to require RFID tags on

key high-value items. The goal of the military is to improve data quality, itemmanagement, asset visibility, and maintenance. The DOD has done a good job at

meeting this goal. They continue to be on the cutting edge in advances in militarylogistics using RFID and SCM.

The Army has experimented with a concept called anticipatory logistics. Anticipatory

logistics is quite similar to the corporate worlds SCM. They both consist of sevenmain components. These are suppliers, procurement, manufacturing, order

management, transportation, warehousing, and customers. Anticipatory logistics isin an attempt to use technologies, information systems, and procedures to predict

and prioritize needs and provide supplies in a timely manner. The military approach

to SCM is only slightly different than that of the commercial industry. The militaryfocuses on mission requirements as opposed to profit and loss statements, which are

what drives a corporation.

According to a benchmark initiative by Deloitte & Touche, only seven percent of

companies are effectively managing their supply chains. The interesting fact is thesecompanies are seventy three percent more profitable than other manufacturers. This

lends to the belief that proper SCM is beneficial to a companys bottom line. EfficientSCM is difficult to implement and is being widely studied. Companies must find the

right balance between inventory, transportation and manufacturing costs. If this isdone properly, SCM will be successful and the company will likely receive the

rewards by way of increased profitability.

Successful RFID Implementation in different Industries

Page 16 of 24


17/24


Volkswagen

Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker and the fourth largest auto manufacturer inthe world are deploying RFID technology to speed up vehicle pickup and improve

customer service. The system is used to quickly locate a car in the holding lot, whichhas over 10,000 automobiles, and to track the vehicles' progress through a pre-

delivery system.

After the production line, every vehicle is equipped with an i-Q8 tag, an active tagthat contains a unique identification number and pre-delivery tasks. The vehicle is

then delivered to the holding lot. An Intelligent Long Range (ILR) -enabled van withan RFID reader identifies the targeted vehicle when approaching the car. After the

pre-delivery tasks are completed, the status is written to the active tag.

After deploying active RFID solution, Volkswagen claims to have witnessed the

benefit of significant reduction of the vehicle delivery time and productivity has been

improved by as much as four times. The solution also provides additional benefitssuch as improving quality control, electronic work-in-process tracking, and automatic

status update.

Supermarket tries out smart tagging

The electronic radio tags will allow staff and customers to keep track of the goods in

the store. They will also help prevent shoplifting, tracking the items from the shelf tothe till and out of the door. British supermarket chain Tesco has started to install

smart shelves that can track items as they are placed or removed. If the product

goes through the door without being paid for an alarm is set off.

Sun Microsystems sets up RFID test centre in Scotland

Sun maintains that RFID tags have the potential to cut huge costs from the supplychain of retailers and manufacturers and said the European centre will help firmswith the tagging of products, integrating the information into back-end systems and

sharing it with their supply chain partners.

I.B.M. Expands Efforts to Promote Radio Tags to Track Goods

IBMs move into the RFID tag printer business with an RFID-capable printer designed

to help customer reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies. Also I.B.M.

consultants began selling advice on consumer privacy issues related to the use ofradio identification tagging of consumer goods.

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments deploy RFID in the field of logistics/supply chain management. TI-RFID technology connects all phases of the supply chain, from resourcing and

manufacturing to inventory and distribution. RFID creates real time information linksthat speed production, improve quality and streamline delivery.

Page 17 of 24


18/24


EPC global Network

The EPC global Network uses RFID to enable true visibility of objects in the supply

chain. The network has five fundamental elements:The Electronic Product Code (EPC) is a unique number that identifies an item in the

supply chain, whether that is an individual product or a case, or pallet, of manyproducts being shipped.

Each silicon chip of each RFID tag is encoded with a unique EPC that identifies theproduct. The silicon chip is wired to an antenna, and, using radio frequency

identification technology, each tag communicates to an RFID reader its EPC.The Object Name Service (ONS) collects the EPC that is passed on from the reader.

The ONS resides on a computer or local application system. It tells the computersystems where to locate information on the network about the item whos EPC it has

just encountered. This information will typically reside on the Internet, making it

readily available on a worldwide level.Physical Markup Language (PML) is an XML-based language that is used to define

data on objects.

Savant is the middleware technology that coordinates the movement of information over

the computer systems.

Limitations and Challenges of RFIDMany issues still exist about the implementation of RFID that even Wal-Mart mayhave trouble addressing despite their decision to move forward with the new

technology.

Current challenges in RFID implementation are:

Global standards: A single global RFID standard is highly unlikely to

evolve. Like barcodes, standards for RFID will probably vary betweenmany regions of the world. Multinationals like Wal-Mart may need to

implement a variety of RFID standards and technologies across theirglobal organizations.

Technology problems: Problems such as signal distortion, reader

accuracy and speed, and tag transmission capabilities persist making RFID

still not practical for widespread use. Some of the major technicallimitations are:

1. Read-range distances are not sufficient to allow for consumer

surveillance: Most of the RFID tags currently in use have read ranges

of fewer than 5 feet. The read range of the RFID tags depends on theantenna size, transmission frequency, and whether they are passive or

active.

2. Limited information contained on tags: Although someresearchers on RFID support this aspect of the technology by pointingout that the tags associated with most consumer products will contain

only a serial number. However, this number can reveal a lot ofinformation, which is generally used as a reference number that

corresponds to information contained on one or more Internet-connected databases. This means that the data associated with that

number is theoretically unlimited, and can be augmented as newinformation is collected.

Page 18 of 24


19/24


3. Defective and poorly performing RFID tags: RFID tag

manufacturers continue to produce faulty tags. Failure rates in early

RFID pilots have been as high as 30%. Unfortunately, "relatively highreliability" is unacceptable if an RFID mandate calls for a 100% read

rate.

4. Damaged RFID tags: Since tag reading happens automatically

without line of sight and no human interaction, it can be difficult toknow when certain tags are not read. This becomes a serious issue for

business applications built around RFID if 100% read rates are implicitas part of the core business application design.

Data management: Lack of development of right information management

tools to manage the data effectively, is making it difficult to realize the full

potential of RFID in generating a wealth of information. Companies planningto adopt RFID face technical concerns related to effective data capture (or

reading), and to data volume (in database management and transmission).

Cost: Any developing technology is associated with high costs and so is RFID,

which is highly expensive to implement. Individual tags cost about 30 centseach; this will drop to between one and five cents per tag once billions arebeing produced . And depending on functionality, tag readers can cost

anywhere from several hundred to several hundred thousand dollars. Thelargest cost issues, however, reside in the required size of the databases,

their integration with a companys current systems and the effectivetransmission of information. Associated costs can approach the millions of

dollars, but they are unavoidable if the full benefits of RFID are to be realized.

Industry Standards: Many privacy advocates are insisting the companies to

state their intended use of the technologydue to lack of industry standardsregarding the use of personal information that could be encoded on the chips.

Privacy and civil liberties: One major confrontation for RFID technologywould be to deal with the threats to consumer privacy and civil liberties. RFID

tags can be embedded into/onto objects and documents without theknowledge of the individual who obtains those items.

Must be programmed, applied and verified individually, and data

synchronization is usually required.

A final barrier to implementation that may need managing is employeeacceptance, particularly in light of potential job losses.

RFID Practices that should be prohibited:

Merchants must not force their customers into accepting RFID tags in theproducts they buy.

RFID must not be used to track individuals absent informed and written

consent of the data subject. Human tracking is inappropriate, either directlyor indirectly, through clothing, consumer goods, or other items.

RFID should never be employed in a fashion to eliminate or reduceanonymity. For instance, RFID should not be incorporated into currency.

What Should Wal-Mart Do?

Wal-Mart should redefine the scope of its RFID mandate by narrowing the scope ofproducts to those with limited amounts of metal and liquid. Suppliers would not be

Page 19 of 24


20/24


affected with a narrower focus on high-priced products like prescription drugs,apparel, and DVDs etc. It gives additional time for vendors and suppliers to perfect

tag reliability for all products. Forrester recommends that Wal-Mart use its influenceto help create a buying consortium, giving suppliers the collective power to cut tag

costs.

What Should Suppliers Do?

Suppliers should use their initial knowledge to shape mandates by Wal-Mart and

other retailers. In addition to addressing the challenges they are facing inimplementing RFID with Wal-Mart, suppliers should create an internal RFID lead

position with direct access to the CEO.

Future of RFID

Fig 6: State of RFID technology deployment [Source: AMR Research, 2005]

Future Applications

- In the pharmaceutical industry, RFID tags on drug bottles are being used asanti-counterfeiting devices.

-Pet owners have begun implanting their cats and dogs with RFID chips tolocate them should they become lost.

- In libraries, books are being tagged for self-automated checkout, freeing up

librarians to perform other tasks. This also allows a librarian to easily locate abook misplaced on the wrong shelf.

- The USDA is pushing to give every cow in the United States its own unique

identification number, making it easier to track diseases, such as mad cowdisease, back to the originating farm.

Page 20 of 24


21/24


- It has been acknowledged that RFID technology can be used for marketingpurposes or even, in a Brave New World scenario, government tracking of its

citizens. For instance, it is possible to ubiquitously embed the chip within aproduct, for instance a pair of jeans or a set of automobile tires. What is most

frightening, however, is the ability to implant an RFID chip under the humanskin.

The future of RFID is uncertain. There has been a mixed reaction from the various

suppliers and customers who already deployed RFID into their industry. Industry

analysts are unanimous on the view that RFID is going to dominate the industrysoon. RFID technology will reach the zenith by the end of 2006 and from a retailers

perspective the technology will bring a revolution, key retailers such as Tesco and,in particular, Wal-Mart of the US are pushing ahead with the technology that will

end up affecting thousands of suppliers. So too is the US Department of Defense. Itwill be widely used in retail and consumer goods, automotive, healthcare, military,

postal department and other scientific use but if consumers really don't like theidea if it's too confusing for them, too much technology or their privacy concerns

are too strong will the technology survive is the question to be answered.

Two things are clear when it comes to RFID. First off, there has been no clear

roadmap that a company can employ while evaluating RFID opportunities ormandates. The typical approach has been one of trial and error. Secondly, the future

of RFID is going to be determined more by the dominant applications rather than bythe technology. Many see RFID as a technology in its infancy with an untapped

potential. While we may talk of its existence and the amazing ways in which thistechnology can be put to use, until there are more standards set within the industry

and the cost of RFID technology comes down we won't see RFID systems reachingnear their full potential anytime soon.

Researchers have concluded that organizations should keep initial RFID projects ata simpler scale. This might include single stage implementation, such as tracking

cases or pallets within warehouses, or from warehouse to store, or acting as bar-code replacements 9. Before any organization can seriously contemplate using

RFID to support its operations, it should have a firm understanding of the benefitsthat the technology can provide. This level of understanding and experience will be

necessary before moving to more complicated supply chain implementations inmaking RFID a big success. RFID learning curve is a long process and starting with

small projects and then establishing standards for efficient future productmovement can effectively implement it.

As the old saying goes, "the early bird catches the worm." Even if the true benefitswill not be realized for several years, establishing the base RFID infrastructure today

is the key driver for total supply chain adoption and benefit realization tomorrow10.

Page 21 of 24


22/24


REFERENCES:

Bose & Pal. Auto-ID: Managing Anything, Anywhere, Anytime in the Supply Chain.ACM Digital Library: Communications of the ACM, Volume 48, Number 8, Pages 100-

106, August 2005.

Military Edict: Use RFID by 2005. RFID Journal. Retrieved from

http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/604/1/1/.

http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/SepOct02/MS774.htm

http://lcm.csa.iisc.ernet.in/supply_chain_intro.html

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu

http://www.ameinfo.com/66090.html

http://www.logisticstoday.com/ASP/viewarticle.asp?strarticleID=106246&page=1

Smaller, Faster, Cheaper, Quieter. So What Else Is New?NetNews, June 2004

http://www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?

catg=453&contId=5700

http://www.tutorial-reports.com/wireless/rfid/walmart/rfid-future.php

http://www.rfidgazette.org/2005/09/rfid_and_walmar.html

http://icmr.icfai.org/pdf/Operations%20Case%20Study%20-%20Wal-Marts%20Supply%20Chain%20Management%20Pr.pdf

http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/435/1/26/

http://www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1540,1612149,00.asp

http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?

subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=552

http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/09/33OPreality_1.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2661825.stm

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/emergingtech/0,39020357,39118283,00.htm

http://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/Unit%20Two/Security%20Privacy%20Identity/IBM%20promotes%20radio%20tags

%20NYT.html

http://www.physorg.com/news4530.html

Page 22 of 24
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/604/1/1/http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/SepOct02/MS774.htmhttp://lcm.csa.iisc.ernet.in/supply_chain_intro.htmlhttp://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/http://www.ameinfo.com/66090.htmlhttp://www.logisticstoday.com/ASP/viewarticle.asp?strarticleID=106246&page=1http://www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=453&contId=5700http://www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=453&contId=5700http://www.tutorial-reports.com/wireless/rfid/walmart/rfid-future.phphttp://www.rfidgazette.org/2005/09/rfid_and_walmar.htmlhttp://icmr.icfai.org/pdf/Operations%20Case%20Study%20-%20Wal-Marts%20Supply%20Chain%20Management%20Pr.pdfhttp://icmr.icfai.org/pdf/Operations%20Case%20Study%20-%20Wal-Marts%20Supply%20Chain%20Management%20Pr.pdfhttp://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/435/1/26/http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=552http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=552http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/09/33OPreality_1.htmlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2661825.stmhttp://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/emergingtech/0,39020357,39118283,00.htmhttp://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/Unit%20Two/Security%20Privacy%20Identity/IBM%20promotes%20radio%20tags%20NYT.htmlhttp://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/Unit%20Two/Security%20Privacy%20Identity/IBM%20promotes%20radio%20tags%20NYT.htmlhttp://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/Unit%20Two/Security%20Privacy%20Identity/IBM%20promotes%20radio%20tags%20NYT.htmlhttp://www.physorg.com/news4530.htmlhttp://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/604/1/1/http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/SepOct02/MS774.htmhttp://lcm.csa.iisc.ernet.in/supply_chain_intro.htmlhttp://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/http://www.ameinfo.com/66090.htmlhttp://www.logisticstoday.com/ASP/viewarticle.asp?strarticleID=106246&page=1http://www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=453&contId=5700http://www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=453&contId=5700http://www.tutorial-reports.com/wireless/rfid/walmart/rfid-future.phphttp://www.rfidgazette.org/2005/09/rfid_and_walmar.htmlhttp://icmr.icfai.org/pdf/Operations%20Case%20Study%20-%20Wal-Marts%20Supply%20Chain%20Management%20Pr.pdfhttp://icmr.icfai.org/pdf/Operations%20Case%20Study%20-%20Wal-Marts%20Supply%20Chain%20Management%20Pr.pdfhttp://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/435/1/26/http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=552http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=552http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/09/33OPreality_1.htmlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2661825.stmhttp://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/emergingtech/0,39020357,39118283,00.htmhttp://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/Unit%20Two/Security%20Privacy%20Identity/IBM%20promotes%20radio%20tags%20NYT.htmlhttp://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/Unit%20Two/Security%20Privacy%20Identity/IBM%20promotes%20radio%20tags%20NYT.htmlhttp://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/Unit%20Two/Security%20Privacy%20Identity/IBM%20promotes%20radio%20tags%20NYT.htmlhttp://www.physorg.com/news4530.html


23/24


http://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio

_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_s

upply_logsup.html

http://www.rfidgazette.org/2004/06/rfid_101.html

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/27092005/221/rsi-aggressively-prices-rfid-labels.html

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/09/26/143922.html

http://www.sapinfo.net/

http://www.itrportal.com/

http://www.amrresearch.com/

http://www.rfid-101.com/

http://www.rfidgazette.org/2004/06/rfid_101.html

http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,sid%253D24348%2526cid%253D36852,00.html

http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3425801

http://www.infopeople.org/resources/rfid_survey/

http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/story/0,10801,85199,00.html

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:hajF6kp0mQIJ:www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,911,00.html+

which+companies+are+implementing+RFID+technology&hl=en

http://rfidanalysis.org/

http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=53200075&pgno=2

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:AcAEmm5wU24J:networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121091,00.htm

+future+of+RFID&hl=en

http://hardware.silicon.com/storage/0,39024649,39120064,00.htm

http://www.tompkinsinc.com/publications/competitive_edge/articles/02-04-RFID_Pharma.asp

http://www.rfidlowdown.com/2005/11/future_of_rfid.html

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/2005/rfid.asp

Page 23 of 24
http://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.rfidgazette.org/2004/06/rfid_101.htmlhttp://uk.news.yahoo.com/27092005/221/rsi-aggressively-prices-rfid-labels.htmlhttp://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/09/26/143922.htmlhttp://www.sapinfo.net/http://www.itrportal.com/http://www.amrresearch.com/http://www.rfid-101.com/http://www.rfidgazette.org/2004/06/rfid_101.htmlhttp://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,sid%253D24348%2526cid%253D36852,00.htmlhttp://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,sid%253D24348%2526cid%253D36852,00.htmlhttp://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3425801http://www.infopeople.org/resources/rfid_survey/http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/story/0,10801,85199,00.htmlhttp://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/story/0,10801,85199,00.htmlhttp://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:hajF6kp0mQIJ:www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,911,00.html+which+companies+are+implementing+RFID+technology&hl=enhttp://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:hajF6kp0mQIJ:www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,911,00.html+which+companies+are+implementing+RFID+technology&hl=enhttp://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:hajF6kp0mQIJ:www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,911,00.html+which+companies+are+implementing+RFID+technology&hl=enhttp://rfidanalysis.org/http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=53200075&pgno=2http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:AcAEmm5wU24J:networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121091,00.htm+future+of+RFID&hl=enhttp://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:AcAEmm5wU24J:networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121091,00.htm+future+of+RFID&hl=enhttp://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:AcAEmm5wU24J:networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121091,00.htm+future+of+RFID&hl=enhttp://hardware.silicon.com/storage/0,39024649,39120064,00.htmhttp://www.tompkinsinc.com/publications/competitive_edge/articles/02-04-RFID_Pharma.asphttp://www.tompkinsinc.com/publications/competitive_edge/articles/02-04-RFID_Pharma.asphttp://www.rfidlowdown.com/2005/11/future_of_rfid.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/2005/rfid.asphttp://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.searchemall.com/rd/results/rdq_logistics_supply_chain/www.ti.com/tiris/docs/solutions/supply/logsup.shtml/searchemall_TI_RFid_(Texas_Instruments_Radio_Frequency_Identification_Solutions)_offers_the_most_extensive_range_of_transponder_reader_and_antenna_products_for_a_widewww_ti_com_tiris_docs_solutions_supply_logsup.htmlhttp://www.rfidgazette.org/2004/06/rfid_101.htmlhttp://uk.news.yahoo.com/27092005/221/rsi-aggressively-prices-rfid-labels.htmlhttp://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/09/26/143922.htmlhttp://www.sapinfo.net/http://www.itrportal.com/http://www.amrresearch.com/http://www.rfid-101.com/http://www.rfidgazette.org/2004/06/rfid_101.htmlhttp://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,sid%253D24348%2526cid%253D36852,00.htmlhttp://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,sid%253D24348%2526cid%253D36852,00.htmlhttp://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3425801http://www.infopeople.org/resources/rfid_survey/http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/story/0,10801,85199,00.htmlhttp://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/story/0,10801,85199,00.htmlhttp://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:hajF6kp0mQIJ:www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,911,00.html+which+companies+are+implementing+RFID+technology&hl=enhttp://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:hajF6kp0mQIJ:www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,911,00.html+which+companies+are+implementing+RFID+technology&hl=enhttp://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:hajF6kp0mQIJ:www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,911,00.html+which+companies+are+implementing+RFID+technology&hl=enhttp://rfidanalysis.org/http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=53200075&pgno=2http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:AcAEmm5wU24J:networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121091,00.htm+future+of+RFID&hl=enhttp://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:AcAEmm5wU24J:networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121091,00.htm+future+of+RFID&hl=enhttp://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:AcAEmm5wU24J:networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121091,00.htm+future+of+RFID&hl=enhttp://hardware.silicon.com/storage/0,39024649,39120064,00.htmhttp://www.tompkinsinc.com/publications/competitive_edge/articles/02-04-RFID_Pharma.asphttp://www.tompkinsinc.com/publications/competitive_edge/articles/02-04-RFID_Pharma.asphttp://www.rfidlowdown.com/2005/11/future_of_rfid.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/2005/rfid.asp


24/24

wallmart supply chain rfid management

Documents

Transcript of wallmart supply chain rfid management