A method of tracking tags at several successive points of a business process, said method comprising: attempting to read each tag at each successive point; populating a database with information corresponding to the reading of each tag at each successive point and the time of each reading; modifying part of the information in the database as a function of other information in the database; and using the modified information to track the tags through the business process. view more

The method of claim 1 wherein the tags are associated with products which carry the tags, and wherein the products are handled in a supply chain during which the products and their tags pass several tag reading points, and further comprising adjusting the supply chain as a function of the modified information in the database. view more

A method, comprising: obtaining identity information regarding an entity which enters a controlled space; monitoring, using a wireless tracking system communicatively coupled to a computer system, locations and movements of the entity and objects within the controlled space; automatically associating, using the computer system, the identity information regarding the entity with status information regarding additions, removals, returns, defective status, or movements of the objects to/from/within the controlled space; and transmitting the status information and the associated identity information to a server communicatively coupled to the computer system and configured to automatically notify a user of the status information, wherein at least one of the objects is automatically returned or picked up as a result of such notification. view more

A method, comprising: using a handheld device to access an assessment program stored in a memory of a computing device located geographically remote from the handheld device, the assessment program being configured to enable a field assessment in a specific industry; collecting field data associated with the field assessment using the handheld device in response to the assessment program; using the handheld device to determine a geographical location of the handheld device; and communicating the field data collected using the handheld device and the geographical location of the handheld device to the computing device. view more

An apparatus, comprising: means for establishing a two-way communication channel between a server and at least one handheld device located at a field geographically distant from the server; means for accessing a program stored at the server to enable an assessment at the field using the at least one handheld device; means for managing data collected at the field using the at least one handheld device responsive to program; means for determining a geographic location of the at least one handheld device; and means for enabling communicating the data collected at the field and the geographic location of the at least one handheld device between the at least one handheld device and other devices or the server. view more

The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for enabling updating field operation assignments for each of the at least one handheld device.

A computer-readable storage device storing computer executable instructions that are executable by a computer system to cause the computer system to perform operations for data interchange, the operations comprising: creating an electronic document having a plurality of bar codes, wherein the plurality of bar codes encode respective data tags and data items, and wherein at least one of the data tags includes an identifier identifying one of the data items; and sending the electronic document for decoding of a first one of the plurality of bar codes to recover a first data tag and a first data item. view more