This year, in June CNN named MEMS (Micro electro-Mechanical Systems), type of nanotechnology, one of its Top 25 Innovations of the last quarter century. A CNN-commissioned panel of technology leaders placed MEMS at no. 11, ahead of ATMs, display panels, HDTV, the Space Shuttle and flash memory in terms of relevance, impact, or future potential to impact everyday Americans during the course of daily life.

MEMS has already changed the life through many applications ranging from airbags to anti-lock brakes. Now, it's time for supply chain to catch up and leverage the power of this technology.

Intermec Technologies Corp. introduced recently the use of MEMS to supply chain data collection equipment. The use of MEMS-based technology offers the first major revolution in laser-based data collection in 20 years, making it possible to produce laser data collection scanners that are significantly faster, smaller, lighter and more efficient than today's legacy scanners.

The use of MEMS in supply chain applications promises similar behind-the-scenes improvement to a company's supply chain operations. Because MEMS-based laser scanners are able to read bar codes up to 40 times as fast as today's legacy equipment, workers are able to capture information more rapidly and efficiently, speeding the flow of information through a supply chain and improving supply chain visibility.