Can RFID navigate through the "black hole"? Today, the
battleground for maximization of supply chain
performance depends largely on execution in the last 100
feet—the distance between the receiving docks of a
retail store and its customer checkout counters. While
new systems and technology have improved the visibility
of goods from manufacturing to store delivery, they
appear to fall into a "black hole" once they reach the
retailer's receiving dock, either directly from the
supplier or through the retailer's distribution center.
The operational steps currently undertaken in the final
100 feet are burdened by inaccuracies, delays, and
suboptimal in-store execution. 2008
