Target, Inc.

The progress of RFID-enabled container standards hits a snag.

To achieve significant inventory reduction goals and improve supply chain performance, Unilever taps SmartOps Multistage Inventory Planning & Optimization (MIPO) solution in North America.

Like most consumer goods manufacturers, Thermos is facing increased pressure from its larger retail partners like Wal-Mart, Target and Walgreens to deliver orders faster and more accurately, and to implement new technology standards like radio frequency identification (RFID).

Late last year, clothing manufacturer VF Corp. signed a three-year agreement to purchase RFID tags and readers from Alien Technology to identify products in cases and pallets headed to Wal-Mart and other retailers that use RFID.

The past year was one of struggle and experimentation in consumer goods companies' use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), with lingering standards, product immaturity, cost and return on investment issues clouding the ability to reach Wal-Mart's January 2005 mandate.

The supply chain is a critical and influential component of your overall business strategy -- typically impacting 75 percent of operating results.

Technology vendors and consultants have made Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) overly complex and confusing.

Even though most diet fads come and go faster than a Britney Spears wedding ceremony, there appears to be one universal mission statement about health that rings true from sea to shining sea: A well-balanced diet and plenty of exercise are key ingredients to a quality life.