RFID may enhance customer service

PS Vidyalakshmi

CHENNAI: Radio frequency Identification (RFID) is expected to build in a parallel eco-system and would go beyond its existing role of tracking materials to tracking human needs and movements.

Satyam Computer Services supply chain management practice head Satish Kamath stated this while speaking to CyberMedia News during the RFID India 2005.

He said, "RFID technology will no longer be just a technology of tracking materials in an inventory or a plant. But, there would be a change in the type of application, which would help read and inform about the individual preferences and habits, before they reach the prescribed destination."

"RFID is growing at a rapid pace, but there are only few takers for this solution. RFID in India is still in the exploring stage as many companies are still experimenting with RFID for their various tracking activities, he added."

"The companies, who deploy RFID as a solution, do not get immediate returns on investment, but the situation is expected to change in the next few years, as RFID would build in a process of both technology and transparency within the organization," he further observed.

"RFID had an early launch in India and the growth rate and acceptance is tremendous when compared to other launches in India like TV, PC or even mobile phones, which had a slow growth and acceptance in the market," Kamath said.

He added that currently only the automotive and manufacturing units/industries are making use of this RFID technology. However, the steel and other furnaces industries are also in the process of implementing RFID technology, to keep track of their hot iron rods and others.

"Today, an RFID tag can withstand heat of 250 degrees centigrade but research is on to build tags that can bear up the heat of 1,600 degrees centigrade, which would be of use to the steel, space and other heavy industries," Kamath observed.