Industry Association (CompTIA) is launching a new initiative to advance the adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology throughout the computer, electronics and information technology (IT) industries.
“With more than 19,000 members worldwide representing virtually every segment of the IT industry, CompTIA is uniquely positioned to help them minimize the challenges and maximize the benefits of RFID,” said David Sommer, vice president of e-commerce at CompTIA.
The challenges the initiative will focus on include: collaboration between trading partners, suppliers and customers; standards for RFID that are still being developed; and the significant investments in hardware, software and human resources. In addition, the computer, electronics and IT industries must address RFID issues separate from other industries. For example, there are problems with placing RFID tags in electronic goods.
“Companies that take a wait-and-see approach to this technology as the standards evolve could end up at a competitive disadvantage,” said Richard Morrissey, director, e-business development, American Power Conversion Corp. and president of the CompTIA Electronics Industry Data Exchange (EIDX) Leadership Group.
CompTIA currently has a task force in place to define potential applications for RFID technology within the information and communication technology (ICT) services and support realm. This effort includes work on a standard for data either directly residing on RFID tags or tied into the RFID that will be most effective in the provisioning of ICT services and support.
Other issues CompTIA intends to address include:
How RFID will impact the computer/electronics/IT supply chain
Interaction with adjacent supply chains such as automotive, aerospace and government
Ongoing RFID education and training for resellers, solutions providers and other audiences
RFID is the featured topic at the CompTIA Spring EIDX Conference May 18 through 20 in Durham, N.C. The program, “RFID – Preparing Your Channel for What the Future Holds,” will feature representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, DHL, IBM Global Services, Insync, Paxar, RedPrairie, Sun Microsystems, and Texas Instruments. For more information on the conference, visit: www.comptia.org/events/get_event.asp?eventid=EIDX200405 .
www.comptia.org/
