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This is a good example of technology at work. *IF* the RFID makers are US related, producing better jobs here overall, it's a good thing.

RFID will only create a tiny number of jobs in comparison to what it destroys. It essentially consists of three components: The RFID chips (which are already being manufactured in Asian countries), RFID scanners (also manufactured offshore), and the database software to tie it all together (currently US dominated, but ripe for outsourcing).

I was lucky enough to see an RFID demo once, and it was pretty impressive. The "shopper" had a cart loaded with RFID enabled merchandise and rolled it through the scanner. The scanner read the entire cart at once and calculated the total in seconds (it even made sure that nothing had been de-tagged by comparing the carts weight against its baseline). The computer then read the "shoppers" RFID enabled credit card, instantly billed them, and produced a receipt. The "shopper" only broke stride long enough to pull the receipt from the machine.

Walmart has already directed ALL of their top suppliers to start providing RFID enabled products by 2005, and it's expected that most manufacturers will have RFID support by 2010. Once RFID is commonplace, the need for checkers disappears. They will be replaced with "Checkout Assistants" who will help those few people who have difficulties with the system, but we'll only need about one of them for every 15 registers.

So what's left after we gut the service sector?

That's why I qualified it with a big 'if'. 'if RFID hired a lot of Americans as builders of the tech, and they upkept it, it would be an advance.

However, it'll be built offshore, after TI and so on did the research work. Our guys will be laid off, and so will the store workers.

The benefits will go to the chinese worker. And the Indian tech support guy. The American store owner will benefit a tad, but the majority of people will get slammed. By far.

RFID ... create a tiny number of jobs ... The RFID chips (which are already being manufactured in Asian countries), RFID scanners (also manufactured offshore), and the database software to tie it all together (currently US dominated, but ripe for outsourcing).

Bzzzzzt!

Overly broad, inaccurate portrayl, non-reflective of the reality of the players, the activity in this field ...

1) RFID Company Sites on the Web

2) VCs Are Writing Checks Again

VCs Are Writing Checks Again

Venture capital spending increased in the second quarter, and that's good news for the RFID industry and end users.
Aug. 11, 2003 - Hidden among all the bad news about the continued bloodshed in Iraq, the terrorist bombing in Jakarta and the supposed end of privacy at the hands of RFID, there was some bright news for the RFID industry and end users last week.
In the second quarter, venture capital funding in the United States grew quarter-on-quarter for the first time in more than three years.
And 62 percent of the 442 deals involved IT startups.
MORE - see link above