RF-Location/Tracking Systems are Rapidly Making Their Presence Felt

    SAN JOSE, Calif.--May 15, 2001--Radio frequency (RF)-location/tracking systems providers face an evolutionary market in its infancy stage, but are preparing for a potentially immense revenue windfall.
    According to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.frost.com), "World RF-Location/Tracking System Markets," this industry generated $27.32 million in 2000 and is projected to reach $277.82 million by 2004.
    "There is a need within the market for alternative tracking technologies and systems. Manual tracking is inefficient, sometimes unreliable and costly," says Frost & Sullivan Analyst Deepak Shetty. "People are interested in more sophisticated technologies that are multi-user friendly and have multiple operations. RF seems to have many of these advantages."
    The challenge for vendors is identifying vertical markets that can benefit most from these systems' capabilities while generating the greatest revenues. Accelerated growth is restrained by low end-user awareness of RF location/tracking technologies.
    "Of the 160 potential end-users interviewed for this study, less than 10 percent had a clear understanding of this technology, and less than 40 percent had even heard of it," says Shetty. "After identifying the proper industries, manufacturers must educate end users through trade shows, publications, and case studies."
    According to Shetty, to attract potential customers vendors must assure compatibility with existing enterprise systems. Integration and interoperability with complementary technologies will be essential to the success of RF location/tracking systems.
    With significant capital presently invested, vendors of RF-location/tracking systems must seamlessly integrate their products with other solutions that give continuous, instantaneous information on a real-time basis.
    Frost & Sullivan presents the 2001 Marketing Engineering Awards to companies that have worked diligently to make a positive contribution to the RF-location/tracking systems market. These market specific awards are presented to ELPAS Ltd., Savi Technology, and WhereNet Inc.
    Frost & Sullivan, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is a global leader in international strategic market consulting and training. This ongoing research is part of the Global RFID Market Service, which also includes market analyses on Supply Chain Management Market and Asset Management Market. Frost & Sullivan also offers custom consulting to a variety of national and international companies. Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press.

    World RF Location/Tracking System Markets

    Report: 7905-11