This is a "Best of" Freightdawg.com article!
Back in February, I wrote an article highlighting an excellent video done by the Metro Group on how RFID works. The video below, which is actually an IBM commercial I snagged from youtube.com, is a clever piece showing what appears to be shoplifting, but is actually one of the key features of an RFID enabled store.
The "shopper" in this case picks up whatever he wants and when the customer passes through an RFID reader at the check out, the products, which are in his pockets, are automatically scanned and charged to his credit card.
Those who have read some of my other articles know I despise check out lines, especially self check outs. I can never make them work. The scenario below is a dream to somebody like me. It speeds me through the store and out to do my other errands. Since the tag reader knows what I bought, it can also be tied to replenishment ordering to resupply the store with the goods I just bought.
Wal*Mart has mandated that their top 100 vendors tag products with RFID tags. One day it will be great if all products are similarly tagged. Just think how convenient holiday shopping will be if you don't have to wait in long check out lines! I might actually venture back into a shopping mall again.
(Note: Some corporate proxy servers ban video from youtube.com. If you see white space below...you may be on such a network. Please revisit from home or a connection that does not go through your company VPN.)
Eric
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