Located in Neuss, Germany, near Duesseldorf, the Innovation Center was established by METRO Group to advance the development of RFID technology in retailing with its technology partners.

The NCR FastLane installed at the Innovation Center has an integrated RFID reader. In its current implementation, the hybrid self-checkout deactivates the merchandise security function of the RFID tag during the scanning process, thus enabling the customer to exit the store without triggering a security alarm.

"Working with the METRO Group RFID Innovation Center gives NCR a unique opportunity to test innovative technologies before actual deployment," said Chris Herwig, NCR's director of retail technology. "We look forward to extending the RFID-related functionality of the hybrid self-checkout in a future phase, reading product information associated with the electronic product code, or EPC, in the tags."

The NCR FastLane installed at the Innovation Center incorporates an RFID read/write device manufactured by FEIG ELECTRONIC GmbH. The system supports the EPC standard being adopted by METRO in its supply chain.

METRO Group has targeted November 2004 for the introduction of RFID into the logistics operations of Metro Cash & Carry, Real and Kaufhof stores. The purpose of the Innovation Center is to give METRO Group and its partners an opportunity to test the technology and be prepared for the November rollout.

"The deployment of RFID technology will make retail processes much more efficient at all merchandise flow points up to the front-end checkout zone," said Gerd Wolfram, executive project manager of the METRO Group Future Store Initiative. "In the RFID Innovation Center, the METRO Group is also testing new ways to read RFID labels at the checkout. This will help retailers improve significantly their material flow and product selection. We are also working on effective ways to meet consumer needs for optimal data privacy."