UAs RFID Research Center Opening New Home to Visitors

The University of Arkansas RFID Research Center will open its expanded facility to guests and visitors on Sept. 11.

The facility at 1637 Fred Hanna Drive in Fayetteville is the third location for the center since it was founded in 2005 as part of the Information Technology Research Institute at the Sam M. Walton College of Business. A 20,000-SF existing warehouse space, the expanded facility is about twice the size of the center’s previous location.

RFID is short for radio-frequency identification, and uses a wireless system to transmit data from tags on products to a receiver for the purpose of identifying and tracking the product through the supply chain. UA students will be available to demonstrate the technology during the Sept. 11 event.

“After seven years of intensive research into emerging technology in the retail supply chain, we’ve been able to build the most complete supply chain technology simulation facility operating today,” the center’s director, Justin Patton, said in a news release.

Also according to the release, the expanded facility includes improvements to the demonstration, research and laboratory areas and means a larger scope for the center’s mission. New areas for the study of emerging supply chain and retail technologies are planned for future development, further expanding upon the current on-site educational opportunities for students and visitors.

The facility also houses testing areas and office amenities for board member companies and associated businesses of the center.

“We now have the opportunity and resources to start combining RFID with other emerging retail technologies,” Patton said. “This is where it gets really exciting.

“With the huge upheaval in physical retail stores as well as the addition of mobile purchasing and the Internet, the supply chain of the future is being completely rewritten with a new focus on technology. The new center puts the University of Arkansas firmly at the forefront of these efforts.”