UK retailer Tesco to purchase 4,000 RFID readers

ADT, a provider of electronic security solutions, has signed a multi-year contract to provide UK retail giant Tesco with Electronic Product Code (EPC) radio frequency identification (RFID) readers and antennae. The contract follows the successful completion of an RFID pilot program with Tesco.

The first phase of the contract involves the provision of over 4,000 readers and 16,000 antennae by autumn 2005 for the dock doors and merchandise receipt points at approximately 1,300 Tesco stores and 35 distribution centers across the UK, with further deployment planned. This may potentially include the international Tesco business.

This solution will be a key enabler of Tesco's radio bar code and secure supply chain programs, which promote increased product availability, reduced prices and improved customer service. This initiative supports the goals of EPCglobal for worldwide adoption of a universal standard for the retail supply chain. EPCglobal is an open, worldwide consortium of supply chain partners working towards global standards for the adoption of EPC RFID.

“ADT successfully came up with the solution that meets the specific requirements of our supply chain,” says Colin Cobain, Tesco’s IT director. “Their pan-European capabilities are key to meeting our ambitious roll-out plans.”

www.tesco.com
www.adt.com
www.epcglobalinc.com