Photos: At Accenture, RFID and sensors are on track

Accenture's Robert Hasson

"A light sensor can tell you if a door's been opened," which is useful in deterring theft or when handling light-sensitive materials, Hasson said. "You can also have weight sensors to see if the carriage has been unloaded. Once it has, you can bill people earlier, and see an immediate return on cash."

For a chemical company client, Accenture used satellite communications with a network of cars, solar-powered communications devices and temperature probes.