Alien

Starting with the MIT AutoID Center in 1999, whose top goals included tags inexpensive enough to use on consumer goods, the RFID community has created a powerful technology that solves a large and growing number of business problems. Though RFID has gone through the ups and downs typical of a revolutionary technology, the value chain for RFID is now complete, and users across a variety of industries are using it to save money and enhance competitiveness. This paper surveys the state of the industry and offers suggestions for users to keep in mind as they apply this useful business tool.