Overcoming visibility issues in a small-to-medium retailer using automatic identifcation and data capture technology: An evolutionary approach

In this paper, the authors study the inventory control practices of a small-to-medium retailer to identify common challenges this type of organization experiences with respect to automated data capture (ADC) and the implementation of an enterprise wide information system. The study explores a single case of a hardware store in a regional town in New South Wales, Australia. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees, focusing on issues related to inventory control including delivery discrepancies, checking and sorting of orders, locating stock and goods, loss prevention, customer purchasing and point of sale processing and replenishment. Flowcharts illustrate the current processes of the retailer with an understanding of how ADC technologies like bar code and radio-frequency identifcation (RFID) impact the retailer. The fndings promote an evolutionary approach toward the use of automated data capture technology by adopting barcode technology and subsequently introducing the complementary RFID technology.