RFID - Your thoughts?

[cwscholbe@dstsystems.com]

Chuck, I am also more concerned about the implications of 911 service on cell phones. One the one hand being able to locate you in an emergency is a good thing. But what about when "they" track your movements for "other" purposes? I don't buy the argument that you shouldn't worry as long as you aren't doing anything you shouldn't be doing. There is a lot about RFID that bothers me. I would be less concerned if I was certain that it was disabled when the merchandise left the store. I would be happier if there was an inexpensive way for me to make sure it was turned of, and turn it off if it wasn't. I don't think enough thought has been given to how this technology can be used/abused for "unintended purposes." FWIW Chris

[EDIguru]

I work for a retail industry vendor. Walmart has just mandated that its vendors become RFID capable within the next two years, some sooner than that. Walmart sets the tone for all--as goes Walmart, so goes the rest of the retail industry. Big Brother is watching us more and more. The buzz in Pa. is that the government will soon be tracking how fast we drive on toll roads where those auto pay scan cards are used. If you go from point A to point B in too short a time, someday in the near future you could expect a speeding ticket in your mailbox!

[Guest.Visitor]

The buzz in the industry these days seems heavy around RFID. I'd like to get the opinion of the group as to where you think this will go. On the on hand, my I.T. personality says it's a great tool. You can inventory an entire store or warehouse in minutes. Never worry about unreadable barcodes again. On the other hand, my personal thoughts are that I wouldn't be too happy about a criminal sitting out in the street in front of my house with a powerful scanner determining the value of all of my possessions. I know that there is talk of a standard way of turning off an RFID when you leave the store. But will this be foolproof? What if you buy something and they claim that their machine that turns off the RFID is broken? Or worse they say it's working when it's not? I'm disturbed by RFID but I also have to plan for the future for my company. Where do you think this will end up? TIA, chuck Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer.

[Guest.Visitor]

EDIGuru, I think the backlash against RFID will be crushing. It will probably never make it into the mainstream, Wal Mart not withstanding. BTW, in California, "toll" freeways are outlawed in the state constitution. There are, however, two toll freeways and a two lane toll car pool lane in Orange county just south of Los Angeles. How did they get around the state constitution? These toll roads are privately owned. And, in fact, you can only drive on them if you have an RFID installed in your car. No toll booths anywhere it's totally automated. This means, of course visitors are excluded since you need to purchase your RFID, tied to your charge card, in advance. Mostly, these roads and carpool lanes are empty since the cost varies. I've seen the 9 mile toll carpool lane's price vary from $1.50 when traffic is light to $6.00 during rush hour. It's a road for the rich, by my account. chuck Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer. "EDIguru" <EDIguru@mcpressonline.com> wrote in message news:6ae76ca6.1@WebX.WawyahGHajS... | I work for a retail industry vendor. Walmart has just mandated that its vendors become RFID capable within the next two years, some sooner than that. Walmart sets the tone for all--as goes Walmart, so goes the rest of the retail industry. Big Brother is watching us more and more. The buzz in Pa. is that the government will soon be tracking how fast we drive on toll roads where those auto pay scan cards are used. If you go from point A to point B in too short a time, someday in the near future you could expect a speeding ticket in your mailbox!