ROI Is Important—Even When Choosing Events

We've been working with EPCglobal North America on a live demonstration of three EPC Information Services (EPCIS) applications: track and trace, e-pedigree and electronic proof of delivery. These will be run out of our RFID@Work Demonstration Center, and will involve other exhibitors running separate EPCIS applications that will interact live on the show floor. Those deploying EPC systems can see how they can deliver real benefits by making it easy to share data securely with supply-chain partners.

And we've been working with IBM and Ubisense on The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt, which will involve teams competing to track down objects in the hall. While the game is designed to be fun, it will also demonstrate how Ubisense's ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and IBM's software could be employed for a variety of applications, such as tracking employees evacuating a facility in an emergency. If you would like to sign up or join a team, visit the IBM booth during exhibit hours.

Another big benefit for attendees this year is the sheer number and quality of new products that will be exhibited (view a partial list of new products that will be introduced at the event). Vendors have made great strides in improving performance and making deployments easier. We've created stickers that will be placed in front of many booths where exhibitors will show off their new or enhanced products.

In addition, there will be stickers for those vendors whose products have been nominated for our first Best in Show Award. The quality of all the products nominated as finalists is impressive. Here's what Bill Hardgrave, director of the University of Arkansas' RFID Research Lab and one of our judges for the awards, said: "Some of the technologies entered for this year's Best In Show award are truly game-changing and will allow us to do things heretofore impossible with RFID technology" (see RFID Journal Announces Winners of Second Annual RFID Journal Awards).

The bottom line: Those attending RFID Journal LIVE! 2008 will come away with at least half a dozen ideas about how to use the technology to improve the way they do business, and they will meet the vendors able to provide the technology that is most appropriate for their application. And that means attendees will, indeed, get an ROI from attending the event.

Mark Roberti is the founder and editor of RFID Journal. If you would like to comment on this article, click on the link below. To read more of Mark's opinions, visit the RFID Journal Blog or click here.