The first is somewhat remarkable in its mixing up of concepts of wireless data sensors with RFID tags and where each would actually be  used (e.g."the mash is RFID monitored for chemisty" then later "during the bottling process, RFID tags on cases .... enable a complete genealogy of the wine from vineyard to end product."*) but it then moves on to a fairly good review of some of the barriers to implementation before coming to the conclusion that there are many rewards and few risks and "For those who make the leap the benefit of RFID will grow as they achieve operational integration."  A sidebar gives tip of the hat towards the importance of Complex Event Processing (CEP) in distibuted message-based systems.

RFID EVERYWHERE
Coming to a Store Near You  - By Peter Henry
Wal-Mart mandate or no, radio-frequency identification technology is gradually expanding beyond the retail world into other areas. But those seeking to adopt RFID solutions can learn much from what retailers have accomplished—and what they plan to unveil.

The second article is self described as "a crib sheet" with pointers to  resources avaialble to systems developers, and has several useful web links:

TOOLS AND TRENDS
RFID Primer - By Rick Wayne
Incorporating RFID technology into your organization’s business can represent a fundamental transformation, like the decision to use computers in the first place. Here’s a crib sheet of available SDKs, service providers and other resources to get you on your way.

* here I'm reminded of one of Stanford Beer's (the father of managerial cybernetics) poems " How Many Grapes Went into the Wine" (otherwise known as "The Cost Benefit Analysis Song")- goto