Real-time testing: If the basic test is successful, the organization tests the solution on a real-time basis. If the firm has a number of stores, it might decide to test the solution in one or two of them. Real-time testing gives an idea of how the solution would fare if implemented on a larger scale, in a live environment.

Integration: In case the real-time test is successful, the solution is then integrated into the organization. Careful consideration is required before the integration of the solution. Certain procedures might have to be changed, and certain new procedures might have to be introduced. Also, if any tracking technology is already in existence in the organization, it has to be determined whether it would have to be eliminated altogether or the new solution would be able to co-exist with the old one.

RFID, with its wide range of applications, can be used in various sectors. Apparel, healthcare, banking, chemicals, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, law enforcement, libraries, offices, aircraft manufacturing – these are just a few of the sectors that have benefited from the manifold applications of RFID, to a lesser or greater extent.

Statistics has revealed that on an average, organizations in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution have shown a 200% ROI (Return On Investment) through the adoption of RFID.

Awareness about the benefits of RFID has grown considerably in the last few years, and it is still growing. 1.02 billion RFID tags were sold in the year 2006, and the market for RFID products is expected to grow by a factor of 6 by the year 2017. It is believed that the applications for which RFID is used will rise in future. The asset tracking application of RFID is expected to grow tremendously in the near future. It will provide benefits not only to businesses, but also to customers, and there would be wide-spread acceptance of the technology.

Experts believe that as far as the application of RFID in the apparel and fashion industries is concerned, applications at the retail store level are considered more promising. The effect of using RFID in retail stores is directly visible in terms of customer satisfaction, rise in sales and profits. There is a lot yet to be explored with reference to the other, long-term applications of this wonderful technology called RFID.

The bottom line

It would not be wrong to say that the 'evolution of the RFID revolution' has begun. It is just a matter of time before RFID applications are everywhere. As some experts have pointed out, over the next few years, RFID might become a 'requirement', rather than a 'technology worth having'.

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