Supply chain / Logistics Management is currently undergoing a step-change in performance improvement through the deployment of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enabling technology infrastructures. Pioneers such as Wal-mart, the Department of Defence (DOD), Target, Marks & Spencer, Kimberley Clark, Caterpillar, HP etc are leading the way supported by the “Auto ID Centre” at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consisting of academics and materials logistics specialists.  Supply Chain 2020 at MIT is attempting to identify factors that determine logistics success. According to Prof Sing at the MIT auto-ID Centre, superior supply chains share certain characteristics:

1)     Their operating models create a competitive advantage for the business.

2)     They emphasise high-performance execution that is defined by metrics

3)     They support and enhance the overall strategy of the business

With this in mind, Concordia supported the Centre for Competitiveness to organise a benchmarking study visit to a number of large multi-national organisations in the USA to learn how best-in-class companies were developing their supply chains for competitive advantage through the widely published use of RFID enabling technology in their supply chains.