RFID Technology and Wal-Mart

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the effect that technology has on Wal-Mart. It discusses what radio frequency identification (RFID) means to Wal-Mart and its potential effect on the general public. The paper briefly looks at the Uniform Code Counsel and UCCnet. It also discusses Wal-Mart's software, the sale of transaction data and what can be found on the Wal-Mart website.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Summary
Radio Frequency Identification Acceptance
UCCnet Takes a Stand
Wal-Mart on the Web
Wal-Mart Software
Selling of Consumers' Transaction Data
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"It is not hard to find and buy consumer information. Today, many companies sell consumers information as a means to generate revenue. Customer's information is also use as a marketing tool to draw customers. Many consumers disapprove of selling their data especially if they will not gain or benefit from it. According to John Rendleman, "Information is worth a lot of money. The Direct Marketing Association--the trade group that represents the companies that market their products using offers delivered via mail, telephone, magazines, the Internet, radio, or TV--says companies spent $191 billion in2000 on direct-response advertising solicitations. Those efforts produced $1.7 trillion in revenue" (Rendleman, 2001). Thou there is lots of money in selling transaction data, Wal-Mart decided to stop selling general sales data to six market-research companies that combined the data with information from other companies to create industry-wide reports on retail sales trends (Rendleman, 2001). In the report, Rendleman reports that a spokes person from Wal-Mart pointed out that, "Our competitors were getting more out of the third-party aggregation than we were, so it made more sense for us to stop" (Rendleman, 2001)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bacheldor, Beth. (2004, March 8). Tout RFID Benefits To Consumers, New Report Says. Information Week. Retrieved March 13, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.extol.com/files/Tout%20RFID%20Benefits%20To%20Consumers,%20New%20Report%20Says.pdf
• Barlas, Demir. (2002, October, 10). E-Business New: Wal-Mart upgrades EDI model. Line56. Retrieved March 15, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.line56.com/articles/default.asp?articleID=4083&TopicID=2
• Bicknell, Bob (no data). KYW News Radio. Is RFID the High-Tech Equivalent to Typhoid Mary? Retrieved March 13, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/15585.php
• Gilbert, Alorie (2003, August 14). Business Tech: Wal-Mart boon for software makers. Cnet: New.com. Retrieved March 15, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://news.com.com/2100-1017-5064075.html
• Post, G., & Anderson, P. (2006). Wal-Mart: Supply Chain Management. Management Information Systems. 4th Ed. (pp. 227-229). New York, NY.

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