More efficient, more intelligent, but also more expensive.
Most consumers only see bar codes in use at the store.
They also contain the information used to track products, manage inventory, and determine how many of which items are in stock and when it's time to order more. Each tag is made up of a coil, a silicon chip, and a resonant capacitor. It then transmits data back to the reader, which passes the data on to a computer. Although more expensive than bar codes, RFID tags offer companies operating cost savings through increased efficiency. They hold more data than bar codes, data that is specific to the individual item and can be rewritten or expanded on the fly.