IBM expands radio frequency ID range

IBM has extended its range of radio frequency identification (RFID) offerings with a suite of services targeting industrial companies and mid-market businesses.

The newly launched services for industrial firms include consulting, development of the RFID business case, technological proof of concept, internal pilot, trading partner pilot and full rollout of the systems.

They will be geared towards the automotive industry, aerospace and defence, manufacturing, chemicals and petroleum, forest and paper and electronics companies.

IBM said that RFID consultants would assess a company's operating environment and test parts and products for performance. Testing is done at the client's site and at the company's RFID test centres in Japan, France and the US.

In addition, customers will be supported by IBM Research, with development of specialised systems and tools for specific needs.

"While IBM has seen explosive growth in demand for RFID in retail and consumer product goods, increasingly IBM's industrial customers are using RFID to cut costs, improve quality and create efficiencies on the plant floor, in warehouses and transportation," said Faye Holland, worldwide RFID solutions leader at IBM Global Services, in a statement.

IBM's RFID offerings for mid-market clients include a development workshop, site survey, pilot and testing services.