))) Systems Integrators and VARs Predict Growing RFID Business Opportunities

))) DALLAS, TX (June 2, 2003)

Distributors, systems integrators, and value-added resellers (VARs) attending the Texas Instruments RFID Boot Camp “Real Revenues and ROI Right Now” on May 12 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida predict a bright outlook for radio frequency identification (RFID) over the next 36 months. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed said that RFID comprises none of their current auto-ID deployments. However in three years, 24 percent indicated RFID would represent more than 50 percent of their auto-ID deployments, with 27 percent saying RFID would represent from 36-50 percent. When asked what is driving their interest in RFID, 72 percent said they see new business opportunities for the technology and 53 percent said their customers were requesting it.

“Our RFID Boot Camp attracted an enthusiastic and optimistic group of both industry newcomers and experienced integrators and resellers who are driven by the tremendous opportunities that RFID offers today,” said Bill Allen, marketing communications manager, TI-RFid™ Systems. “We’ll continue holding these educational events to assist them in building their RFID capabilities so they can deliver the applications their customers are demanding.”

In what industry do VARs and integrators think RFID applications will have the greatest impact in the next three years? Respondents were asked to rank their top three choices from a list of the following – access control, anti-counterfeiting, item-level retail tracking, supply chain, ticketing and wireless payment. According to those surveyed, 72 percent ranked “supply chain,” 54 percent said “item-level retail tracking” and 43 percent put “access control” and “anti-counterfeiting” (tied) as the top three RFID applications that will have the most impact in the next three years.

When it comes to misconceptions or concerns about RFID technology that integrators and VARs are encountering, they most often cite cost, read range, privacy, environmental and security issues. “It’s clear that as RFID moves to the mainstream, we need to educate a larger segment of the technology, business and consumer market about the broader value and benefits of RFID,” said Allen.

Texas Instruments, the leading supplier of the broadest range of RFID products in the industry, developed the RFID Boot Camp to provide executives, engineers, and IT managers with an in-depth view of the latest technologies and to teach integrators and resellers about cutting-edge applications and the business value and competitive advantages RFID solutions can offer their customers. 185 participants attended the first Texas Instruments RFID Boot Camp, which included distributors, systems integrators, value-added resellers and end users. The next RFID Boot Camp will be held in the coming months.