Editing Logistics (section)

== Logistics automation ==
{{Main|Logistics automation}}
[[File:Automated Storage and Retrieval System - Defense Visual Information Center · DD-ST-96-00253.JPEG|thumb|An [[automated storage and retrieval system]] used by both the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] at [[March Air Reserve Base]] in [[Riverside County, California]], in December 1995]]
[[Logistics automation]] is the application of computer software or [[Automation|automated]] machinery to improve the efficiency of logistics operations. This typically refers to operations within a warehouse or distribution center with broader tasks undertaken by [[supply chain engineering]] systems and [[enterprise resource planning]] systems.

Industrial machinery can typically identify products through either [[barcode]] or [[RFID]] technologies. Information in traditional bar codes is stored as a sequence of black and white bars varying in width, which when read by laser is translated into a digital sequence, which according to fixed rules can be converted into a decimal number or other data. Sometimes information in a bar code can be transmitted through radio frequency, more typically radio transmission is used in RFID tags. An RFID tag is a card containing a memory chip and an antenna that transmits signals to a reader. RFID may be found on merchandise, animals, vehicles, and people as well.