Together with sensor and real-time location data

[22] Pence, I., ‘‘A Perspective on Material Handling Engineering: History and New Challenges,’’ Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 4:835–840 (1997). [23] Scholz-Reiter, B., Uckelmann, D., Gorldt, C., and Hinrichs, U., ‘‘Einsatz von Auto-ID- Technologien in der Handhabungstechnik – Neue Entwicklungen in der Inbound/ Outbound Supply Chain,’’ ZWF – Zeitschrift fu¨r wirtschaftlichen Fabrikbetrieb, 3:97–101 (2006).

By way of summary, three areas emerge from these research initiatives that warrant careful planning, starting with the challenges of using low-power wireless data acquisition technology, with respect both to electromagnetic performance of tags in relationship to specific products and packaging, and to downstream RF environments in which the tags are to be read. These issues have been explored in the technology section (Chs. 2–8).

A second theme is the requirement to extend visibility over entire product lifecycles, an increasingly recurrent topic as governments seek new ways to gain visibility on globalizing supply chains. In this context RFID is being evaluated not just for tracking outbreaks of contaminated products but also for holding sup-pliers responsible for the environmental, safety, and economic (tax) impact of their product as seen in retail, aerospace, cold chains, and automotive end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) (Chs. 9–14).