Business enablers. Supply chains : a brief overview ; The history of barcodes ; Barcodes-- up close and personal ; Conclusion ; In summary -- RFID in detail. Typical RFID system components ; Transponders ; Operating frequencies ; Form factors ; Smart cards ; Close-coupling smart cards ; A brief aside : inductive vs. capacitative coupling ; Proximity-coupling smart cards ; Slotted aloha : how it works ; Layer by layer ; The OSI model and the RFID interface ; Vicinity-coupling smart cards ; Summary ; RFID security considerations -- RFID applications. Short-range RFID applications ; Long-range RFID applications -- Final throughts. RFID in action ; RFID implementation issues ; Looking ahead ; The RFID players ; Manufacturers ; Final thoughts -- Appendix A : common industry acronyms -- Appendix B : glossary of terms