Archive for August, 2009

Gen2 RFID tags for eco-packaging

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

http://www.pcworld.com/article/170013/rfid_to_help_keep_the_worlds_mail_on_time.html?tk=rss_news

With these new passive RFID tags, the cost of inventory management and potentially delivery of goods in eco-packaging will get cheaper. Right now, a lot of packaging gets thrown away after 1 use. We envision a world where all cardboard boxes are replaced by recyclable and reusable packaging but this is a tremendous logistical problem since you have ensure that this packaging gets returned back to the sender. Having a way to track it cheaply and get it returned means that we can reduce our waste of cardboard boxes and pallets thereby saving a lot of trees. In the long term, this will reduce the overall costs of packaging. The cost of recyclable, returnable, packaging needs to take into account the cost of the return transportation.

How would this work?

  • Any size and shape packaging can be made using a flat pack model and embedded with these new RFID passive tags. The packaging should be made from recyclable material that is durable. This applies to pallets as well.
  • The packaging is used to ship goods. Customers are billed for the packaging along with the goods. This allows for returns of the goods or the packaging or both. If the packaging is returned, the customer is credited back. They don’t have to send the packaging to landfill. This packaging then can be re-used over and over again. The packaging has to be a flat pak so it can easily be stacked on a pallet and combined with other packaging from other customers in the region similar to the FedEx and UPS model. After enough has been collected, it can all be shipped back to their sender. Having the tags helps to know where to send it back to. A credit should be given by local governments to people who don’t send stuff to the landfill and also to businesses and customers who use recycled/returnable packaging to ship their goods. Perhaps this can be done through the issuance of carbon credits that can be applied to the expense of this packaging.
  • Manufacturers need to produce flat pack packaging that is just as easy to use as cardboard boxes with built in RFID passive tags with unique global numbers
  • A database is required to ensure who has the assigned RFID tags similar to how bar coding works.

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Unemployment rate dips — a little

Friday, August 7th, 2009

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Unemployment-Rate-zacks-781736208.html?x=0&.v=1

Although we are still in a recession and people loosing jobs at this rate is never a good thing, it helps to recognize that employment is a lagging indicator. No one thought that the unemployment rate could be reduced so soon. We are encouraged that things seem to be stabilizing and we hope for a good second half of 2009. It is still a difficult economic situation but if this continues, we will all breathe a little sigh of relief.

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Retail sales forecast looking better

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Although the retail sales for July was down at major retailers, their forecast for the second half is looking up. The economic indicators are looking better as the economy stabilizes.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/32304094

As the consumers get more savvy about the environment, retailers can start promoting their eco-friendly credentials to attract the high value eco-conscious consumers. This can be done by not only providing more eco-friendly products but also merchandising in an eco-friendly displays.

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Credit Card processing rates are highway robbery!

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

We as merchants want to make it very easy for our customers to purchase but trying to figure out the merchant processing rates is crazy. We are getting charged between 2.2% to 4.2% for accepting credit cards. Most banks provide ACH (Automated Clearing House) where funds can be transferred between banks at no charge. We as a company would rather pass the savings on to the customer. The merchant processing rates affects the pricing of our product. We would be willing to give the credit card customer a 1% discount on sales if they use ACH or direct funds transfer instead of using Credit or Debit Cards. It is more convenient than credit cards. Not all banks provide ACH capability, however. Most of our large accounts already do this and it is a very convenient for them and for us.

Let us know your thoughts.

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Posted in Finance, General | No Comments »