Meanwhile, the transmitted data can be used to build EDI transactions for customers and suppliers. While both technologies are well proven, the survey confirms what many suspect - neither is widely used yet in industrial applications. In the next 2 yr, they plan to spend more on RFDC than any other single technology. In second place are bar codes followed by vision systems and then voice systems. As is the case today, RFID and biometrics once again bring up the rear.
Shipping is the department most often mentioned followed by receiving.
The pecking order continues with manufacturing processes, picking, incoming materials storage, and finished goods storage. But the fact that ADC is used in any particular department is only half the story. At least as important is what happens to the data once it has been collected. The next three departments that most actively share data are receiving, storage of finished goods, and incoming materials storage. The standings of additional departments are listed in the table.