The DOD looks to RFID to increase supply-chain efficiency and reduce cost.

Everyone seems to be wanting to do more with less these days, but investing in the right technology is a sure-fire way to reduce costs long term. That’s why the Department of Defense (DOD) is looking to RFID technology and ERP systems across its supply chain, ultimately creating a higher lever of efficiency and lower costs.

During a pilot test of the technology, EPC Gen 2 passive ultrahigh-frequency tags were used to track the receipt of supplies across 26 different distribution stations, which greatly increased productivity and reduced errors.

The DOD is excited to move into the next phase of RFID adoption, hoping that greater interoperability will facilitate deployments across a global supply chain. But first, information will need to be shared across the internal supply chain, integrating the RFID data with existing ERP information. The DOD will also invest time in educating technology operators, informing them how the RFID system works and all of the benefits it can provide.

As the DOD continues to advance their RFID-based processes, many of their suppliers are also being asked to tag goods before shipping them. On Nov. 17 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA, the RFID Journal will be hosting, “RFID in Defense and Security 2011” in order to explain the benefits of RFID and the impact to DOD suppliers. Register for the event, or learn more about the promise of RFID.

Tradeshow marketing can be tricky—attendees are often busy and have a certain agenda to fulfill, but in recent years, marketers have been looking for new and creative ways to collect data from attendees. At this year’s RFID Journal LIVE!, there were RFID-enabled kiosks that allowed for real-time Facebook “Likes and “Checkins.” There was even an RFID-enabled photo booth that allowed show attendees to scan their badges, get their photos taken and have them automatically post to their Facebook page and the RFID Journal’s page! Rather than having to search for a smartphone each time, the kiosks provide a convenient way for attendees to participate and update/check-in.

The use of the RFID-enabled kiosks linking to Facebook was strategically done in order to show attendees how RFID can enhance user participation at events, while still providing valuable data, in real-time. The fact that everything is done in real-time allows for marketers to connect with the customers while they are still at the show, creating the potential for more face time.

In collaboration with the RFID Journal, Zebra Technologies and their partners worked to make the RFID kiosks a possibility. Learn more about Zebra here.

If you’ve heard about RFID technology and wondered how it could help your company, then today’s the day to find out. The RFID Journal will be hosting a webinar today from 2-3pm EDT, specifically discussing item-level source tagging.

As more and more retails continue to require item-level tagging on things such as apparel, suppliers face rapid implementation of strategic source tagging.

The webinar will offer solutions and advice from an experienced team that has worked with many different verticals in source-tagging and the delivery of item-level solutions for suppliers in retail. In addition, there will be:

Tips on implementing item-level source tagging
• Creating a lower total cost of ownership through source tagging
• Options for slot source tagging into existing workflow processes<’/li>
• Driving internal value from item-level tagging.
• Q&A Session

For more information, and to register for the RFID event, learn more here.

Recently, we discussed American Apparel’s adoption of RFID technology and what a positive impact its made on their business. If you’re a retailer and wondering how RFID can benefit your business, then you’re in luck. The RFID Journal is hosting a free webinar for apparel and footwear retailers and supplier that will discuss RFID in-depth. Issues such as back-end integration, changes in business process, system complexity, tagging challenges and other issues will all be discussed to give you a close-up of RFID technology.

If you’re interested in attending, the webinar, “RFID Made Easy for Apparel Retailers: Cost-Effective Ways to deploy RFID in Soft Goods Stores,” will be held on June 23, 2010 at 2:00pm EDT. The webinar will include these experienced panelists:

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The RFID Journal recently released an interactive map of RFID deployments throughout the world. This map will serve as a tool, allowing viewers around the world to share information regarding RFID-based projects and to depict how RFID adoption is globally spreading.

While many think RFID is an unproven technology, and it certainly isn’t a fully adopted one as of yet, the map clearly illustrates numerous successful RFID implementations throughout the world.

The map displays dots for each deployment entered and include descriptions based on the industry that they serve, i.e., RFID in retail, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, or other industries. Upon clicking the dot, a summary of the deployment appears in addition to a link where readers can see more information. As more people discover this RFID map, more entries will be made, eventually giving us a much broader sense of where RFID is and what it is doing throughout the world.

Check out the map, or enter your RFID deployment here.