According to Hayward, “HP is now a producer of RFID-enabled goods, a provider of RFID consulting and integration services, a participant in global RFID standards development, and an innovator in RFID-related technology such as tags, readers, and middleware [software].”
HP started its radio-frequency identification program in early 2003, and now has 26 plants involved with RFID. HP is likely as far along on a major scale with RFID rollout as any United States-based packaged goods company.
By the end of this fall, all 65 HP consumer product lines destined for Wal-Mart stores will be RFID tagged at the case and pallet level. Hayward adds that another 40 products destined for Sam’s Club stores will also be tagged. With a supply chain estimated to be worth $50 billion, HP operates the 9th-largest nonmilitary supply chain in the world.
Some components used in HP’s electronics products are tagged at the subassembly level, according to Hayward. Apart from sub-item tagging, Hayward says that packagers should consider making the RFID tag removable where they can for the benefit of consumers who desire to remove it. Speaking from experience, Hayward offered the following RFID advice:
