RFID Journal today announced that its 10th annual RFID Journal Awards will be sponsored by the RFID Professional Institute, a nonprofit, scientific and charitable organization whose mission is to promote the “public good” that comes from having industry and professionals achieve high levels of professionalism through the research, education and development of the RFID science and knowledge base.
The RFID Journal Awards are widely recognized as the industry’s most prestigious commendation. Next year’s winners will be showcased at the RFID Journal LIVE! 2016 conference and exhibition, to be held on May 3-5 at the Orange County Convention Center, located in Orlando, Fla. RFID Journal is accepting submissions now through Jan. 29.
The 2016 RFID Journal Awards will be given in eight categories:
Best RFID Implementation
This award will be presented to the end-user company that has demonstrated the best use of RFID to improve its manufacturing, supply chain or retail operations. The winner will be the company that best demonstrates how RFID is delivering real value to shareholders.
Best Use of RFID to Enhance a Product or Service
This award will be given to the end-user company that has employed RFID technology to enhance an existing product or service. The winner will be the company that best demonstrates how it is using RFID to provide additional value to its customers.
Most Innovative Use of RFID
This award will be granted to the end-user company with the most novel use of RFID technology. The winner will be the company that best demonstrates how it is utilizing RFID in a new or unusual way to solve a business problem, deliver a return on investment to shareholders or improve customer service.
Best New Product (Formerly Best in Show)
The winner of this award will be determined by a team of judges at LIVE! 2016, and will be the company that exhibits the best new RFID product or service at the event.
RFID Green Award
This award will be given to the end-user company that has demonstrated the best use of RFID technology to improve the environment, increase recycling or enhance sustainability.
Best NFC Deployment
This award will be granted to the end-user company that has demonstrated the best use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for consumer or other applications.
Best Internet of Things Deployment
This award will be presented to the end-user company that has demonstrated the best use of Internet of Things technologies to improve how it does business, enhance a product or engage customers.
RFID Special Achievement Award
This award will be given to a person who has contributed to the RFID industry. This could be an end user, researcher, vendor, inventor, standards developer or other individual who has contributed to the advancement of the entire RFID industry.
Formerly called the RFID International Institute, the RFID Professional Institute was established in 2012 by 10 RFID industry members, including Mark Roberti, RFID Journal’s founder and editor, who served as the institute’s original vice-chairman (see International RFID Institute Prepares Certification Program). In early March of this year, the nonprofit officially announced its name change in order to better reflect its long-term mission and scope.
“The RFID Professional Institute’s mission is to promote professionalism within the RFID industry, and there is no better way to highlight this mission than to sponsor the prestigious global RFID Journal Awards,” says Ian Robertson, the CEO of Supply Chain RFID Consulting and the incoming chairman of the RFID Professional Institute. (Once Robertson becomes chairman on Jan 1., 2016, Roberti will resume the role of vice-chairman.) “We are pleased to work with RFID Journal to highlight the best RFID deployments,” Robertson states.
The editors of RFID Journal, as well as an independent panel of judges, will evaluate all entries and choose this year’s winners. Awards submissions are due no later than Jan. 29. An awards ceremony will be held at RFID Journal LIVE!, and the winning entries will also be featured in RFID Journal’s digital magazine. More information about the RFID Journal Awards is available at www.rfidjournalawards.com.