I was thinking  about RF tags and possible uses for them that are not too intrusive. FOr vendors, you want to be able to restock someone that you have a contract with quickly and easily, so that they never run out and need to call you for an emergency delivery. For users/business people, you want your items to work and always be there when you need them.

Solution: For disposable items and inventory, embed the RF tag in the wrapper of a disposable single serve item (a roll of toilet paper, pens, notepads) so that when the wrapper is taken out with the trash, the item no longer shows up in inventory.

But how will you do inventory? Servers are getting smaller and smaller, as are wireless solutions. Place multiple stations throughout your facility so that the inventory system simply consists of playing "Marco Polo" with the tags, you could do an inventory every shift change. Compare/contrast that with the numbers you get from the running totals of your picks/restocks and you've got a great means of tracking theft.

6:56:33 AM    

Almighty Ruler of the all,
 Whose Power extends to great and small,
 Who guides the stars with steadfast law,
 Whose least creation fills with awe,
      O grant thy mercy and thy grace,
      To those who venture into space.

By Robert Heinlein, via Jerry Pournelle

6:49:49 AM