Expanding mandates, proof that RFID lowers out-of-stocks, lower tag prices and agreed-on formats for sharing data will all give RFID/EPC adoption a boost.
Vendors announcing lower prices for EPC UHF RFID tags have created plenty of buzz, but they are unlikely to accelerate adoption dramatically in the near term.
Does RFID technology offer any real value for companies that aren't behemoths? You bet it does, and midsize companies can learn from larger early adopters.
Companies need to develop in-house experts with a good grounding in the fundamentals of RFID, which is why training programs and certification are becoming so important.
Market research firm Venture Development Corp. says vendors are contributing to confusion among end users by providing misleading information. The situation is likely to get worse as EPC Gen 2 products start hitting the market.