Walmarts use of rfid technology

It sounded like a fast-paced video game…beep, beep, beep, beep all within micro seconds of each other. As I peeked around the corner, I was amazed to see a stock clerk from Walmart walking through the clothes racks getting a real-time floor inventory with a Motorola RFID scanner. This is how far we have come. Stores no longer spend valuable time and money restocking after hours.

The first volley in their war against our privacy is set to start at their Brockton, Massachusetts store.

Wal-Mart will put Radio Frequency I. You might even stop buying Gillette products or, say, refuse to shop at Wal-Mart. These chips, researched at M. Chipsters say the technology will only be used to help retailers keep track of inventory — like bar codes. One of the keys to the success of giant retailing chains such as Wal-Mart has been the advancement of information technology which allows for tight control of inventory.

With every product assigned a unique code encoded in bar form on the packaging which could be read by a scanner and matched up with information stored in a database, retailers could eliminate the costly and time-consuming processes of individually price-tagging every single item and manually counting items to determine the amount of inventory on hand; instead, prices could be read by scanners at the point of sale, and purchases could be tracked automatically and the number of items sold subtracted from stock-on-hand to calculate current inventory levels.

The RFID chips, when triggered by sensors, emit short bursts of identifying data streamed via radio waves; this system is a significant improvement over bar coding system for a number of reasons, including: RFID chips can store much more information than bar codes.

RFID chips are more robust i. Most important, perhaps, RFID chips can enable the tracking of individual pieces of merchandise. This level of uniqueness in tracking can, for example, aid in the removal of expired merchandise from store shelves or assist in locating items designated as part of a product recall.

The wireless inventory control system trial referenced in this particular warning did not take place. Any materials that were there in Brockton were removed.

We never had products with chips in them. Privacy advocates responded by again raising concerns that the RFID technology could be used not just for inventory purposes, but for intrusive customer-tracking activities: They also worry that retailers will be able to scan customers who carry new types of personal ID cards as they walk through a store, without their knowledge.

Wal-Mart tried to allay fears by noting that it was notifying customers about the RFID tags, that the tags would be easily removable, and that the tags themselves contain no personally identifying information: It also is posting signs informing customers about the tags.

They are essentially barcodes with serial numbers attached. And you can easily remove them. Shim, Richard and Alorie Gilbert.(Radio Frequency Identification) Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the wireless non- contact use of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data, for the purposes of automatically identifying and tracking tags attached to objects.

Over the last few years the cost declines of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, combined with improvements in sensitivity, range and durability, have enabled widespread RFID use in the logistical planning and operation of supply chain processes in the manufacturing, distribution and.

Apr 30,  · Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and a number of its suppliers are using a Dallas distribution center as the starting point for a technology that's targeted to one day replace the bar code.

Walmart's Use of Rfid Technology Essay “Save Money - Walmart's Use of Rfid Technology Essay introduction. Live Better. Wal-Mart” is the slogan that most people refer to the retail giant, Wal-Mart.

With the development of technology, Wal-Mart sought to increase efficiency and reduce costs even further by introducing RFID technology to its supply chain management. In , Wal-Mart announced its plans to use RFID technology in its supply chain practices. May 22,  · Given that Walmart was an early adopter of the technology, it’s surprising they haven’t given it another look.

That technology is .