So no-one's afraid now of mentioning the R word. It's no longer a question of talking ourselves into one. We're here - although some of the banking news today is a little more encouraging (so far!)
Already I've seen posts that discuss the benefits of open source and collaboration technologies in a recession. I wonder what the prospects are for RFID projects? Does less discretionary budget mean RFID-based projects cannot get off the ground? Or does the need for business to be more efficient point the way towards cost-effective initiatives that offer an opportunity for organisations to consider RFID (even on a pilot scale), that they haven't got around to doing anything about before? There are opportunities for organisations to learn more about RFID by visiting centres of excellence such as the RFID Test Centre in Cheshire.
Ultimately, does RFID necessarily have to be a big-ticket item? Or are there ways of making it work industry by industry, even in challenging times?
Comments (2)
Well, for what its worth we're still seeing interest in new projects, especially where a low investment can demonstrate a quick win and in areas where a partial deployment for a proportionate cost delivers a disproportionate benefit.
To me the gating factor (as for many technologies) is still the individual within a business that has the vision to apply RFID and the drive to push it through. To solve this the RFID industry has to focus more and more on solutions targeted to particular vertical markets or application domains and practical demonstrations of what is realistically acheivable. (Which is why things like the RFID Test Centre is an importantt resource.)
Posted by John Williams | October 14, 2008 2:38 PM
Posted on October 14, 2008 14:38
Even before the current recession we've seen a shift into doing business the "old fashion way". That is, helping customers solve real business problems - where the solution can clearly increase their revenue or reduce their costs.
From this perspective, our discussions with prospective companies seldom start with the topic of "RFID", but rather what is the problem and how would we help solve it.
Once that's clearly defined, then RFID enters the picture as just a component of the solution.
Whether in a bull or bear market, companies will always need to solve real business problems.
Posted by Sam Liu | October 14, 2008 6:37 PM
Posted on October 14, 2008 18:37