Abstract
With 15 to 20 percent of goods sold being returned worldwide, managing returns is a focus area for many hi-tech manufacturers. Using technology to improve business process needs often offers several business benefits. RFID is currently an emerging technology that promises significant business benefits in returns management too. This literature tries to address the several aspects of RFID applicability in returns management. The manufacturer needs to carefully align his business needs with the technology to achieve the targeted benefits.

The benefits of utilizing RFID in the (forward) supply chain are widely documented and have been published by many manufacturers and analysts as well. This white paper attempts to take this further to list and describe the benefits of RFID in the returns/reverse supply chain as well. The utilization of RFID for returns management is recommended if we can implement and utilize it in the forward supply chain to gain efficiencies both in the forward and reverse flow of goods.

Author Siddhartha Shrivastava

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