A method and system for tracking an item associated with a read/writable tag programmed with a current identifier. The system comprises a plurality of tag readers and a control entity configured to send to at least one of the tag readers a next identifier associated with the tag. Upon receipt of the next identifier, the at least one of the tag readers is configured to reprogram the tag with the next identifier when a presence of the tag is detected. The control entity may be further configured to identify each of the at least one of the tag readers as being a tag reader that the item has a potential to encounter.