We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » who needs it? you do!
outbound

who needs it? you do!

May 1, 2004
Mitch Mac Donald
No Comments

Almost two years ago when we began planning to launch DC VELOCITY, we quickly learned to ignore the "advice" of publishing professionals who told us it couldn't be done—that our timetable was unrealistic and, anyway, the logistics field didn't need another magazine. Obviously, we disregarded everything they told us; otherwise you wouldn't be holding this magazine in your hands right now. Reader and advertiser feedback over the past 22 months have only confirmed that the conventional publishing wisdom was wrong. As it turned out, the market didn't realize it needed something more contemporary and graphically appealing until it saw just what a businessto- business magazine could be.

In some ways, that's much like the situation with RFID and the efforts to push the technology's widescale adoption. The market may not think it needs it. And with some cause. There's no denying that the logistics field would continue to find fresh ways to boost efficiency and create shareholder value even without RFID.

Still, the promise of RFID beckons. It just needs someone to bring it to the market and show what it can do. So says Simon Langford. As Wal-Mart's chief RFID strategist, Langford is the man responsible for stirring things up in the supply chain world, sending hundreds, even thousands, of logistics professionals scrambling to get up to speed with RFID. They have no choice. If they don't, their goods won't be on Wal- Mart's shelves for long.

Some have accused Wal-Mart of arrogance. They charge that the Behemoth of Bentonville is forcing technology into the market before it's fully cooked. They're partly right, and Wal-Mart knows it. "We knew we had a chicken- before-the-egg scenario in front of us," admits Langford. "But we made the decision to move forward anyway."

Why? Because once Wal-Mart discovered how much it could save— estimates run as high as $8 billion—it couldn't let go of the dream. It became clear that the technology was there, Langford says; the problem lay in exploiting it. The company felt it had no choice but to force the issue. "We knew that we had to keep looking for ways to improve, and although the cost of RFID tags was too high—and still is, in many instances—the technology was available. We believe that by driving implementation as we are, we will boost demand significantly and that the added demand will bring RFID costs down."

The demand is certainly there now, at least for 137 companies that do business with Wal-Mart. Though only its 100 biggest suppliers must comply with Bentonville's mandate to attach RFID tags to incoming pallets and caseloads by January 2005, another 37 second-tier suppliers have voluntarily signed on, according to Langford.

Wal-Mart is busy getting ready as well. By January 2005, it will have three RFID tag reader stations in place at each of its DCs—one at the receiving dock to capture data from the pallet tags, and another inside the DC to read tags on cases as workers break down the pallets and sort the goods. The third read will take place at the shipping dock, where it will capture data on outbound freight destined for a Wal- Mart store near you.

Seems like an awful lot to get done in a little over six months, especially if, as some critics say, the technology's not yet fully cooked. Nonetheless, Langford says the company's not budging on the deadline. "We're not backing off," he insists."We're meeting all the timetables we set initially, and we'll be there come January."

Whether the mandate's the chicken or the egg, the technology's clearly hatched. RFID is here, and it's here to stay. And not just for companies that hope to sell to Wal-Mart. In the last 12 months, the Department of Defense, Target stores, Albertson's and CVS have all issued RFID decrees of their own, and it's a sure bet others will follow. It seems that, just as we found with our little magazine, the market's about to discover it needs it, whether it knows it or not.

Material Handling Transportation Supply Chain Services Automatic Data Capture Bar Codes RFID Scanners Business Management & Finance
  • Related Articles

    do it right or don't do it at all: an interview with Jim Tompkins

    Who you gonna call?

    who you gonna call?

Mitchmacdonald
Mitch Mac Donald has more than 30 years of experience in both the newspaper and magazine businesses. He has covered the logistics and supply chain fields since 1988. Twice named one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the U.S., he has served in a multitude of editorial and publishing roles. The leading force behind the launch of Supply Chain Management Review, he was that brand's founding publisher and editorial director from 1997 to 2000. Additionally, he has served as news editor, chief editor, publisher and editorial director of Logistics Management, as well as publisher of Modern Materials Handling. Mitch is also the president and CEO of Agile Business Media, LLC, the parent company of DC VELOCITY and CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly.

Recent Articles by Mitch Mac Donald

20 years later, the question remains the same: Are you up to SPEED?

Hail and farewell: interview with Gail Rutkowski

Thought I’d something more to say …

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Schneider welcomes first battery-electric truck

  • Fred Smith is not worried about Amazon

  • Outlook 2023: What’s in store for logistics/supply chain?

  • Ports, maritime operators see tide turning as ocean freight tsunami subsides

  • In Person: Steve Beverly of Penske

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Eeafd0c7 0569 4a63 8b31 fdbc5322c7cd

Crown’s DualMode Automated Forklifts Revolutionize the Warehouse

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
As part of the company’s ongoing digitization efforts, DHL Supply Chain has deployed Crown’s DualMode automated reach trucks to help ensure resiliency in the supply chain, with reach trucks available 24/7/365. “AGVs provide a better quality of life for our associates on the floor,” says Gordon Hanthorn, Senior...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • Reusable Packaging for the New Wave of Supply Chain Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing