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Consumer Packaged Goods EDITOR'S NOTE
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Evangelizing RFID
I am acutely aware of the need to deliver value to our premium members, and to those who attend our events. And just saying RFID is great isn't going to cut it. Showing them how and where RFID delivers value, however, will get them to renew their premium membership, and to come back to our events. So will pointing out that RFID won't work for a specific application, or that a company is better off using bar codes or ultrasound technology. (I owe my friends at Sonitor a mention here, because I mistakenly said, at the event, that their products use infrared technology.)
Now, that might not be exactly what RFID companies that advertise on our Web site and in our magazine, or that exhibit at our events, want to hear. Their job, after all, is to sell RFID hardware, software and services. But the savvy ones understand that selling 1,000 interrogators, or a million tags, for an application that doesn't require such products won't earn them any loyalty. And the reality is that RFID delivers so much value, in so many applications and so many industries, that there's just no need to oversell it.
We conducted a survey of those who attended this year's LIVE! event, and asked, "Did you come away from this event with new ideas that could help your company make or save money?" Of the 157 people who responded, 78 percent said yes, while only 3 percent said no, with 19 percent undecided.
I feel very good about those numbers. Now, some may read the above statistics and say I'm an evangelist with converts, but I prefer to think of myself as a journalist and businessman who provides quality, objective information people can use to make smart business decisions. And the smart business decision for tracking assets, work-in-process and some products in the supply chain, as well as for many other applications, is to employ RFID. Amen.
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.
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Now, that might not be exactly what RFID companies that advertise on our Web site and in our magazine, or that exhibit at our events, want to hear. Their job, after all, is to sell RFID hardware, software and services. But the savvy ones understand that selling 1,000 interrogators, or a million tags, for an application that doesn't require such products won't earn them any loyalty. And the reality is that RFID delivers so much value, in so many applications and so many industries, that there's just no need to oversell it.
I feel very good about those numbers. Now, some may read the above statistics and say I'm an evangelist with converts, but I prefer to think of myself as a journalist and businessman who provides quality, objective information people can use to make smart business decisions. And the smart business decision for tracking assets, work-in-process and some products in the supply chain, as well as for many other applications, is to employ RFID. Amen.
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.
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READERS' COMMENTS
Evangelizing RFID
Hi Mark, Concerning evangelizing RFID - I would agree to the concern over the connection to the Katherine Albright's of the world with the word 'evangelize', however, I consider you the anti-thesis for overhype and overselling the technology. Whereas many could get caught up by the hype & promotion, RFIDJournal (you & your fine staff) brings balance to the sales pitches in the market. You provide us - the consumers - with balanced information to readily say 'yes - it works in this scenario' or 'No - you shouldn't employ RFID to find matched pairs of socks at home'. You balance the hype with clear information to provide a launching pad for our own investigations. You encourage us to work out our own dynamics in all of our own circumstances. And, for that I thank you for your excellent service. Best Regards, Damon
Posted By: D. McDaniel 5/12/2008 at 6:52:58 AM
Evangelist, so what?
Hi Mark, I do agree that its not about RFID, its about what RFID can do. I've been an RFID evangelist myself, I was proud of it and I remain. However, when I started talking to customers about RFID, I felt that I'm more biased towards the technology rather than to its value, and the customers could feel it too! But being so, made them get some of my energy and think about the value. What I am saying here is that you should always keep in mind how RFID can help the business and promote it with the passion and belief of Jesus!! I hope we don’t get Crucified before people believe The thing is: promoting the business value of RFID does not conflict with being an evangelist for RFID. I think they are both connected.
Posted By: H. Nofal 5/13/2008 at 11:32:06 PM