The channel has said its customers are showing more interest in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, according to results of a new survey conducted by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
The worldwide survey of 155 IT companies found that 46 percent of their customers have implemented one or more RFID solutions, either as pilot projects or production deployments. This is an increase from a 2007 survey, when IT companies reported 34 percent of their customers had initiated RFID projects.
The most popular RFID deployments now used by customers are asset tracking, cited by 32 percent of IT companies surveyed; personal identification (28 percent); supply chain (25 percent); retail marketing (15 percent); and closed-loop manufacturing (9 percent), according to the CompTIA survey.
Customers come from a cross section of industries, including services, government, finance, healthcare, retail, communications, and manufacturing.
RFID offers adopters of the technology a number of benefits, from improvements in manufacturing, inventory and distribution processes, to reduced costs for product theft, spoilage or obsolescence, said Matthew Poyiadgi, VP EMEA for CompTIA. Its incumbent on our industry, with help from organisations such as CompTIA, to help customers overcome any obstacles to RFID usage and help them benefit from the efficiencies this technology can deliver.
Among the RFID products and services IT companies say they are delivering to customers today are:
Hardware installation and maintenance 62 percent
Consulting 46 percent
Training 43 percent
Software implementations 40 percent
The Web-based survey was conducted during the second quarter of 2008 and questioned IT channel companies on their current and future intentions for addressing RFID.
About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world's $3 trillion information technology industry. CompTIA membership extends into more than 100 countries and includes companies at the forefront of innovation; the channel partners and solution providers they rely on to bring their products to market; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their technology investments.
Add a Comment
No messages on this article yet