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 » Letters to the Editor
across the dock

Letters to the Editor

January 1, 2008
No Comments

RFID is not the solution

Re: "is RFID ready to jump into the pool?" (November 2007)

It's nice to see an article on pallets (as opposed to another article on software)! Unfortunately, the article does not recognize the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Pallet users are driven by variable operating costs, which, in the case of pallets, are "costs per trip." In a "closed loop" environment (like HEB's DCto-store movements), the capital investment cost (pallets, readers, hardware, software) may well be justified by the savings in variable costs. In an "open" environment (in which pallets are used to ship product from manufacturers to distributors), what is the value proposition? How does a pallet with RFID capability reduce a manufacturer's trip cost? If it doesn't, then it's a tough sell. For pallet pool operators like CHEP and iGPS, does RFID help them manage their assets and lower their operating costs? If so, then they could share the savings with their customers and it would be an easy sell. Apparently this is not the case, since adoption, as you put it, has been "slow."

The potential for improving overall supply chain performance by improving the contribution from pallets is huge. But RFID is not the solution. What is needed is a new process for sharing the investment cost of the pallet such that the trip cost absorbed by each trading partner is minimized. Third-party pooling has replaced pallet exchange in many segments of the supply chain but has disappointed many. A better solution is on the horizon.
Dave Sandoval, President, B.U.S. Systems Inc.

Editor's note: The writer is head of a pallet management firm that offers an alternative to pallet rental and pallet exchange programs. His proprietary system, the B.U.S. Process, transfers actual ownership of the pallet as it moves through the supply chain in order to reduce costs and administrative chores.


over the top

Re: "don't forget the boots on the ground," SpecialHandling (November 2007)

The military/business analogy is stretched beyond the breaking point. Yes, the military is a great example of logistics and is often a leader in creating and deploying technology, but this opinion piece is way over the top, with the constant parallels between the two organizations non-stop from beginning to end. Please spare us this overwrought rot.
Brian Devereaux, London Drugs


a laughing matter

Re: "my annual letter to Santa," FastLane (December 2007)

I wanted to let you know that I just read your article (excuse me, your "letter to Santa") and thought it was terrific … especially the closing about an MBA on a forklift, which made me laugh out loud!
Pamela Zoellner, MCR, CSM; Senior Vice President, UGL-Equis


under surveillance?

Re: "RFID legislation can be senseless," BigPicture (November 2007)

Although I agree with you that the likelihood that RFID chips will be implanted in humans without their consent is zero, I believe you may have missed the underlying concern. If RFID chips get implanted in items that are worn or carried—including IDs such as driver's licenses and medical cards—they could pose a very real privacy threat.

Once that level of technology is affordable and the scanning and computing capability catches up, it would not be hard for industry and government to start tracking people. Given the government's willingness to trample on individuals' privacy rights in the name of "homeland security," I can see why some states and people are nervous.

I, for one, do not want that technology on me until it can be proven that it can only be accessed with the owner's consent and that the owner knows exactly what information is contained on the chip. Just imagine walking through an airport (or any public space) that's equipped with technology that can read all the RFID chips in your clothes, license, and blood donor card in real time! Now is the time to get a handle on what information is on these chips and how it is accessed, not after it is in place.
Gary Deane, Applications Engineer, Retrotech

  • Related Articles

    Letters to the Editor

    Letters to the Editor

    Letters to the Editor

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

  • RJW LOGISTICS GROUP EXPANDS RETAIL LOGISTICS OPERATION TO DALLAS

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

  • Maersk deploys indoor drones for warehouse inventory counts

Now Playing on DCV-TV

5afe63a5 7125 4318 b851 1e5738df1c91

Patterson Fan Co. | HVLS V-Series Ceiling Fan | Staging Area Air Movement

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
The Patterson V-Series is a high-volume, low-speed industrial ceiling fan that is designed to circulate a lot of air at a very low speed. These fans, ranging in diameters of 8’ all the way to 24’, are perfect for large, open spaces such as staging and shipping areas. One 24’ fan can generate a cooling effect of 6 –...

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