By Mark Roberti

Sept. 1, 2003—RFID Journal was launched as an independent online publication on March 1, 2002, long before most business magazines had even heard of radio frequency identification. We understood the technology's importance, and we understood that businesspeople would need clear, objective news about developments and detailed information about how to deploy it. Our mission from the beginning was simple: help companies use RFID technology to cut costs, improve efficiencies and increase sales by reducing out-of-stocks.

When we launched the online publication, which has grown to be one of the largest supply-chain-technology sites on the Web, using RFID to track goods through the global supply chain was little more than a dream conceived by a few researchers at MIT. As that dream moves rapidly toward reality, the needs of companies are changing. RFID Journal is evolving to meet those needs.


In June, we launched RFID Journal Live! (www.rfidjournallive.com), an executive conference that drew some 450 senior executives eager to understand the business case for RFID and network with counterparts struggling with similar implementation issues. In October, we will hold our first RFID Journal University (www.rfidu.com), a series of hands-on educational seminars for those who need to understand how RFID systems work and how to begin planning a pilot.