RFID Baggage Handling Savings Potential Significant

Baggage handling report confirms opportunity size and positions RFID technology as a means of reaping cost savings benefits. ...

... "According to this year's Baggage Report published today at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Amsterdam, the air transport industry lost $3.8 billion in 2007 because of growing pressures on baggage management linked to passenger volumes, tight aircraft turnaround times, and heightened security measures. Figures from WorldTracer, SITA's fully-automated system for tracing lost and mishandled passenger baggage used by 400 airlines and ground handling companies, show that 42.4 million bags were mishandled or delayed in 2007. The air transport industry handles around 2.25 billion pieces of checked baggage every year. In 2007, the single largest cause of baggage delay was in transfer baggage mishandling, 49%, but this number has been falling steadily since 2005 when it was at 61%. This was followed by ticketing error/ passenger bag switch/ security/ other, 14%; failure to load, 16%; space-weight restriction, 5%; loading/offloading error, 5%; tagging errors, 3%; and arrival station mishandling, 8%. " ...

Via SITA: RFID used for Bag-Handling Crisis

Ladybag RFID Technology

Students have fun with RFID technology application. ...

... "It's a smart bag that uses RFID technology to ensure that you leave the house with those three staples you need in the modern world: mobile, keys, and wallet ... " ...

Via Gizmodo Australia: Ladybag Idea Uses RFID

Walmart RFID Inventory Management Improves Accuracy

Airfreshener RFID-enabled inventory management study shows improved out-of-stock situations for Walmart stores. ...

... "The study's findings that RFID has a positive effect on inventory accuracy underscore the promise that the technology could streamline the supply chain. A more efficient and effective supply chain translates down the line to fewer out-of-stock items or excess inventory. " ...

Via Northwest Arkansas News: RFID improves inventory accuracy, study finds

HighGrowth RFID Market Expected

Market study sees RFID technology adoption sustaining high growth rates over the next five years. Various industries are in pilot activity. While other industries are increasing adoption to realize the full benefits. ...

... "The 2007 figure represents a 24% growth over 2006, and the curve to 2012 indicates a compound annual growth rate of 21%. " ...

Via ABI Research: RFID Markets Stay Strong at 21% Annual Growth Through 2012

EU RFID Risks Manageable in Near Term Riskier in Networked Future

European technology study group assesses the use of RFID technology and its challenges. The analysis sees current privacy risks as limited, but envisions future risks associated with integrated information sources that may allow mining of the aggregate information, which could increase the likelihood of potential surveillance. ...

... "Although a more comprehensive survey would need to be undertaken to draw definite conclusions, these first accounts suggest that, relative to the scale of implementation, few Identity Management issues actually occur. In general, both user and maintainer of the RFID settings perceive RFID merely as an electronic key or wallet. The reason for this can be twofold. First of all, in all the cases it is clear who maintains the data and needs to comply with the guidelines on data protection. Second, many systems currently only cover a small area of a specific setting and run parallel to legacy systems. The RFID systems therefore only disclose small fragments of their users’ identity, limiting the maintainers' possibilities for control. " ...

Via European Union Scientific Technology Options Assessment: RFID and Identity Management in Everyday Life (PDF)