New techniques concerning the automatic identification of objects (Auto-ID) show unique potential for being used in the economy. This paper focuses on the technology of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and examines its uses and potentials regarding selected economic sectors. In the course of this paper, RFID will be directly compared to the bar code, the currently most prevalent system for object identification in the economy. To this end, the different basic modes of operation of both technologies will be introduced, and differences between their technical realizations will be brought to light. Moreover, this paper distinguishes and evaluates both technologies with regards to their potential use in three different branches of industry. Their differentiation provides the basis for determining and evaluating the RFID technology- probability of replacing the bar code in the consumer goods sector, the logistic sector, and the pharmaceutic sector.