ETD: 961 "I have an idea..."; Idea for credit card security;
RFID increase
E-Tailer's Digest
etd_post at gapent.com
Thu Mar 9 11:36:40 GMT 2006
E-Tailer's Digest --- Everything for the Retailer
Issue #0961 March 9, 2006
George Matyjewicz, Moderator mailto:georgem at gapent.com
Published by: GAP Enterprises, Ltd. http://www.etailersdigest.com
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CONTENTS
[1] Greetings
[2] "I have an idea..."
[3] Idea for credit card security
[4] Wal-Mart To Double Number of RFID Suppliers and Stores by 2007
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[1] Greetings.
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Hi All:
On Tuesday we will have a special report entitled: "Businesses Adopt
Online Payments to Improve Cash Flow and Save Time and Money." It is
something that should be of value to you. Stay tuned.
List member Kaye Snyder has a process that she has used successfully
in business, for which other retailers have approached her to use in
their stores. Now she wants to know if it is something she should
market, and how. Any ideas?
Credit card fraud is a major issue now-a-days. We have some simple
procedures to prevent fraud. Think they will ever get implemented?
RFID is growing. Wal-Mart is doubling the number of suppliers and
stores for RFID use. We are looking at it for a client, and would
love to see a warehouse that uses triangulation to store the goods,
i.e., pinpoints exactly where in the warehouse the goods are located
- the exact shelf in the bin. Has anybody seen such a program?
Now, let's get to everything for the retailer.
Sincerely
George Matyjewicz, PhD
Chief Global Strategist, GAP Enterprises, LLC
mailto:georgem at gapent.com
http://www.etailersdigest.com
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[2] "I have an idea..."
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I have been a retailer for nineteen years, and through trial and
error, have developed a very workable office system for handling
everything from ordering product to paying invoices. I have several
business friends that have asked me to show them how to set this up,
and I wonder if this might be something marketable?
Thanks for your time,
Kaye Snyder
Emaline Brook & Gift Services
http://www.emalinebrook.com
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Yes, it is marketable. There are a couple of issues, which I am sure you knew:
1. How much will it cost to market it, and to whom?
2. Will retailers pay for the service, and if so, how much?
I notice retailers, especially startups, don't like to spend money,
or don't have the money to spend. They should include in their
startup costs services like this that will save them money over the
long haul.
My wife has a similar issue using Excel. She is a pro at it, and
saves companies money using various templates. The above two issues stump her.
Sometimes the little things are hardest to communicate. Last week I
was having lunch with a vendor and noticed plastic bags filled with
water hanging around the edge of the restaurant. I told him it was
to keep away flies, who go near them, and get frightened because they
see these huge eyes staring at them. He then tells me how to keep
the Canadian Geese off your property - run a single strand of white
twine around the property, and they don't cross it (he tested it, and
watch it work). So we bought thought about buying plain twine for $1
and selling it for $50 as a cure all - Special Twine To Chase Away
Canadian Geese. It would work for a week, until somebody learns they
can do it cheaper.
So, yes, it is a great idea. Now you need to figure how to market it.
Do any of our list members have any ideas?
George
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[3] Idea for credit card security
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Today's WSJ has an article on credit card security and how big
retailers aren't complying, mainly because it is a major
technological change, and it takes time.
What I can't understand is why the card issuers don't do a simple
procedure to assure the proper person is using the card (at least in
brick & mortar stores) - put your picture on your card! Sure, the
mass mailings of cards would have to cease, but that's not so
bad. You go to a local bank branch, have your ID checked to your
driver's license, or other form of ID, have your picture taken, and
have it affixed to cards. It's done with driver's licenses,
passports, and other forms of ID. Why not credit cards?
A second alternative would be a thumb print verification. When you
get your card, have your thumb print in your file, and even online
cards could use a thumb print verifier (very inexpensive at computer stores).
A third, and more sophisticated method would be to have your card
attached to the serial number on your computer (like the VIN# on your
auto). When you use your card online, the ID# must match. Yes,
there is an issue if you are not at your computer. Then the call
you, or have a fall back way to verify.
To me these are very simple ideas. So why don't they use them?
George
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[4] Wal-Mart To Double Number of RFID Suppliers and Stores by 2007
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Wal-Mart is planning to double the number of stores, including Sam's
Club outlets, that employ RFID technology from 500 to more than 1,000
by January 2007. The retailing giant also expects to expand the
number of suppliers using RFID to ship goods to Wal-Mart from 300 to
an additional 600-plus during the same timeframe, according to
Carolyn Walton, VP of Information Systems, Wal-Mart Stores.
Walton claims there is no turning back on Wal-Mart's commitment to
moving forward with RFID and underscores the progress the retailer
has made in leveraging the technology: She states Wal-Mart's
out-of-stocks were reduced by more than 16% in stores with RFID, and
that -- when out-of-stocks occurred -- product was put back on
shelves three times faster in stores with RFID than in those not yet
using the technology.
Walton also points to key areas of focus heading forward: regarding
perishable foods, using RFID tags to ensure that shipments of bananas
are exposed to precisely the correct amount of nitrogen and thus
ripened to perfection, and a pilot involving speed--to-shelf testing
in which associates unloading shipments would have an RFID reader to
identify priority products then speed their handling at the docks.
Article at...
http://www.imakenews.com/edgellris/e_000112175000042393.cfm?x=b6V6wjC,b1PJcv1q
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