New RFID Research Center Hosts Tour

University of Arkansas students demonstrated radio-frequency identification technology and its use in the retail supply chain at an open house Tuesday at the RFID Research Center’s new location.

Bill Hardgrave, the center’s founder and former director, said during a news conference at the event the new facility “has blown me away.”

The 20,000-SF metal building is set up to simulate every aspect of the supply chain, from manufacturing and a distribution center to layouts representing grocery, department and convenience stores. It’s about twice the size of the previous location.

RFID uses a wireless system to transmit data from tags on products to a receiver to identify and track the product through the supply chain.

The building off Arkansas Highway 16 east of School Street is the center’s third location since it was founded as part of the Information Technology Research Institute in the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

Hardgrave pointed out that the space allows researchers to test RFID tags and readers in the full supply chain from start to finish, something they weren’t able to do in their previous, smaller locations.

Now dean of Auburn University’s College of Business, Hardgrave reflected on the history of the center, which started in 2004 as a single project in his office at the UA.

He showed a photo of the 64-SF office that served as its first lab when the center officially opened in June 2005. His first employee was a graduate student named Justin Patton, who is now the center’s managing director.

“I think the reason we’ve been so successful is we’ve stayed true to our mission,” Hardgrave said, which is focusing on the business value of RFID technology rather than technology development.