RFID Implementations Require Industry Specific Expertise, Survey Reveals

Results from Manufacturing Insights' 2nd annual global Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) report entitled, RFID Worldwide Perspective, reveal most companies are cautiously spending on RFID, but the prospects are encouraging. RFID continues to grow overall, however the growth rates vary by industry and geography. Manufacturing Insights will present findings and make recommendations for manufacturers considering RFID implementations during a web conference today (February 14, 2007) at noon ET.

"The survey results should help manufacturers identify how to justify new RFID projects in terms of business objectives, technologies, and more," states Kimberly Knickle, director of research for Manufacturing Insights. "Despite a general uptake in RFID spending over the next few years, the aggregate results shine a light on the difficulties in justifying broad deployment of RFID for buyers and the associated disappointing market growth for technology sellers."

Along with industry preferences, the survey highlights the regional RFID strategies manufacturers are planning.

• In Asia, companies are proceeding with RFID plans for two major business reasons: asset tracking and improved supply chain visibility. Asia/Pacific companies ranked mandates almost last.
• U.S. companies rank mandates and/or federal regulatory requirements as the primary objective of an RFID implementation, followed by track and trace improvements.
• Western European companies are looking for supply chain efficiencies to deal with the tight logistics and smaller retail stores within the European Union, which require more precise systems and processes.

The RFID Worldwide Perspective is the first report in a series of releases over the course of the year. Each quarter Manufacturing Insights publishes an update to the survey and makes recommendations based on conversations with manufacturers preparing to implement RFID solutions.