Jackson noted that the RFID effort at VF was slowed early on as the company waited for RFID costs to drop.

J. Kevin Brown, director of information systems at Daisy Brand Inc., which makes sour-cream products, said that his firms's use of RFID technology to track inventory can allow it to keep abreast of how long perishable goods are in the supply chain.

Dallas-based Daisy Brand uses RFID technology from Alien Technology Corp. in Morgan Hill, Calif.

Brown also said the RFID system can help prevent thefts and track the success of new products.

Bob Berg, senior business systems manager at DHL Worldwide Express in Scottsdale, Ariz., is working to implement an RFID system to improve the security of goods in transit, help protect perishables from spoiling and improve supply chain performance for customers.