From tracking with RFID to intelligent products

The Internet of Things notion is sometimes being employed to signify the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) for tracking and tracing of products in supply chains. However, RFID is only one auto-ID technology among others. The world is already full of products with embedded identification, processing power, sensors etc. that can do much more than ordinary RFID tags. When such products will have the means to communicate between themselves and with other systems we will eventually reach a limit where they could be called intelligent products. Intelligent products are capable of collecting information and reacting on it proactively, e.g. estimating needs for maintenance or repair. With increased computing power and communication capabilities, products may also become pro-active.