Growing Awareness of RFID Leads to Deployments in a Myriad of Applications and Industries in APAC.

SINGAPORE -- The radio frequency identification (RFID) value chain in Asia Pacific is witnessing increasing growth due to RFID's ability to support various applications for the track and trace function. With end users beginning to realize the potential benefits of having a form of track and trace coupled with enhanced security features at real time, there has been a spurt in RFID deployments across various verticals and industries.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.automaticidentification&security.frost.com), RFID Value Chain Analysis in Asia Pacific, finds that RFID technology is becoming more pervasive in the environment as new applications supported by RFID are being developed to solve several existing inefficiencies.

Asia Pacific is witnessing increasing deployments in various emerging applications such as baggage handling in the aviation industry and anti-counterfeiting of drugs in the pharmaceuticals industry.

For instance, the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has already deployed an extensive RFID tracking system to keep track of the thousands of baggage that it processes on a daily basis. The baggage handling project leveraging on RFID conducted for HKIA is already considered the largest single site for ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID deployment at an item level.

"Due to the initial success of the project, several other airport authorities across Asia Pacific are already in the midst of conducting feasibility studies and pilot runs to test the effectiveness of the baggage handling system," cites Frost & Sullivan Research Associate Richard Sebastian. "The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is supporting such moves by airport authorities in bids to increase efficiency of the baggage handling system to avoid common issues such as theft and simultaneously increase overall security of the airports by having better traceability and visibility of all baggage."

Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed the use of RFID by pharmaceutical companies to combat counterfeiting, and expects RFID to enable a platform for an electronic pedigree (e-pedigree) among all stakeholders involved in the pharmaceutical value chain. Such support from international organizations will certainly enthuse RFID deployments.

"Increasing amounts of deployments make the RFID value chain a profitable business to enter although the market is still in the growing stage," notes Sebastian. "As more enterprises look at RFID as the key enabler toward greater visibility and added security of their business, more companies are expected to enter this market, thereby increasing competition."

However, as RFID is still nascent, not all system integrators (SIs) have sufficient technical and business acumen to carry forward a project, especially large-scale deployments at an enterprise level or beyond. Currently, only a handful of SIs posses the skill-sets and capabilities required to handle projects that require high levels of integration of the back-end systems.

Previously engaged in only small-scale projects, it will be a while before SIs gain adequate experience and competency to undertake large scale projects. SIs will need to ensure their employees are sent for the sufficient trainings in order to achieve the knowledge required. There are several training and educational institutions offering specialized training for personnel to achieve both business and technical competency required in an RFID initiation.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the RFID Value Chain Analysis in Asia Pacific, then send an e-mail to Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications, at [e-mail], with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

RFID Value Chain Analysis in Asia Pacific is part of the Automatic Identification and Security Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: Asia Pacific. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership service, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com.

RFID Value Chain Analysis in Asia Pacific

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