RFID is the fasted growing Auto-id technology, with an estimated 24% annual growth rate. Despite having been around for some years, it is still considered to be an emerging technology, and new innovations, developments and standards are evolving all the time.

Since it's introduction, vendors and users have been searching for a "killer" application to emerge, which would establish RFID as a mature Auto-Id solution but this has not yet happened. The possible exceptions being niche market applications such as vehicle immobilisers and transportation solutions representing areas where RFID has no serious competitor, and animal ID where RFID enjoys increasing success.

Overall, security/access control and transportation are the most common applications for RFID. It is anticipated that by 2005 supply chain management applications will join hence in representing the major market revenue opportunities.

Currently the main application areas where RFID is enjoying the greatest success are

• Animal Identification (livestock and pets)
• Asset Tracking
• Planned Maintenance
• Time and Attendance
• Access Control
• Laundry Management
• High Value Garment Identification
• High Value Product Authentication
• Library Management
• Manufacturing Control
• Waste Management
• Transportation

Owing to the large distances in North America, RFID systems are uniquely suited for use in the rigorous rail environment. On site programmable tags permit the full industry standard 12-character identification of each individual item of rolling stock by type, ownership and serial number. [more]

The movement and use of valuable equipment and personnel resources can be monitored through RFID tags attached to tools, computers, etc. or embedded in compact security badges. [more]

Textiles as part of the manufacturing or laundry processes can have RFID tags placed in containers or actually on the product itself. These tags are capable of sustaining repeated wash /drying cycles and in some instances chemical processes such as cleaning and dying.

In the Plant Environment, RFID solutions are ideal for identification of high-unit-value products moving through a tough assembly process. These processes may involve painting, baking, and in some cases chemical cleaning e.g. Engine manufacture. The impace to with stand the rigors of hostile environments is related to the construction and durability of the RFID tag whilst still using standard readers to read/write information. [more]