RFID Technology

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is technology that comes in a form of a tag that allows an object to be identified at a distance through the use of radio waves.  These tags are placed on merchandise, varying from shoe boxes to books, and they might eventually replace traditional barcodes.

Although this microchip technology is costlier than barcoding, it appears that retailers and vendors end up benefiting from them over time. With this technology, stores are enabled to receive a real-time measure of their inventory levels which can help reduce stock-outs and we all know that when a retailer’s sales increase due to fewer stock-outs, vendor sales also end up increasing. 

Here’s a picture of the RFID stickers that I’ve found on the inside of one of my textbooks. This technology helps stores/libraries keep track of their merchandise as they move around the premises, and since these tags are sensitive to exit gate sensors, any theft made would set off the alarms.