Davison Schopmeyer is the Senior Director of the RFID Professional Services Organization at Manhattan Associates.

RFID data gathering is a two way street. Companies pass shipment information to RFID equipped retailers who in turn send data back. What information is being sent back to manufacturers and distributors by Wal-Mart? How timely is it? Is this typical of other retailers with similar programs?

All the retailers who have announced to-date have stated that data sharing will be part of their RFID programs. The data points being sent are: Receipt at a Distribution Center, Shipment from a Distribution Center, Receipt at a Store, Transition from Stockroom to Sales Floor, Product Stocked on Sales Floor.