A system and related methods for dynamically re-configuring a radio frequency identification tag reader, engaging software business processes, or combinations of both, using a radio-frequency-readable configuration tag which physically associated with one or more RFID-tagged articles in a physical handling flow. The configuration tag reader is positioned prior to a radio frequency identification tag reader in said material handling flow, which allows the configuration reader to read the contents of the configuration tags before the articles reach the identification tag reader. Based on the contents of the configuration tags, the identification tag reader can be re-configured dynamically, such as re-positioning a reader antenna or adjusting reader power levels, and specific business processes can be executed, such as triggering special reporting, surveillance, or handling procedures, specific business processes may be initiated, document generators may be engaged, or a combination of these actions may be performed.