Disclosing this, Mr. Sudhir Rao, Managing Director of Bartronics India Limited said Bartronics had taken a headstart by organising a RFID Forum India 2004 along with its US associate EMS to introduce the technology and create awareness for the same.

Speaking about RFID Mr. Rao added that RFID is the most sought after technology world over especially since the World’s largest retailer Wal-Mart and the US Department of Defence, asking its vendors who supply merchandise to them to be RFID compliant by 2005. This has pushed RFID into the public eye and moved it from company science experiment to boardroom priority with a focus on improving enterprise wide operations. Indian firms that are looking to supply their merchandise to Wal-Mart need to be RFID-compliant by 2005. Besides these areas, RFID is making revolutionary changes in consumer packaged goods, retail, automotive and military. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, many airlines are also looking at using RFID to ensure tamper-proof security.

RFID Technology provides a wireless, over-the-air-interface. Unlike barcode data storage, line-of-sight communication is not necessary. RFID uses an integrated microchip and antenna that reads information. The combination of the chip and antenna is called an RFID transponder, tag or inlet. When the RFID transponder is placed in the field of an RFID reader, information is transmitted to the reader and processed by a computer.

Originally adapted during World War II to identify ‘friendly’ aircraft, RFID has proliferated into other applications such as toll payment, supply chain management, cashless payment, ticketing, brand authentication, security access, patron identification and amusement parks. When used this technology can ensure tremendous cost savings in many areas of application, most notably in supply chain management. It is estimated that by deploying RFID nationwide, the US economy can save $500 billions annually in inventory management.

Indian firms looking to sell their merchandise in overseas markets especially in US soon need to be RFID compliant. Even firms in Europe may soon insist on RFID tagging very soon. The industries that will drive RFID spending include consumer packaged goods and retail, automotive and military. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, many airlines are also looking at using RFID to ensure tamper-proof security. The US Transportation and Security Administration estimates that the US Airline industry will have to spend about $5 billions over the next 10 years to upgrade baggage screening systems to comply with laws passed after 9/11. Many Airlines see RFID as the technology that can help them comply with the new regulations.

It is heartening to note that Indians, Internationally are in the forefront of RFID Technology. As the demand for the same is increasing by the day, many Indian companies like Infosys, Wipro and Cognizant Technology Solutions are also eyeing the RFID pie seriously. In addition to giving Indian IT companies a great opportunity for exporting services and software, RFID can also modernise India’s antiquated supply chain infrastructure, saving thousands of crores for the economy and reducing costs for the consumers.

Batronics India which is already a major player in Barcode Technology in India, RFID compliment to its business. Hence, Batronics foray into RFID is very logical. Barcode Technology is a major player in Barcode in India and it is the oldest company in India. Adding more on Barcoding industry in India, Mr. Bhanu Prakash V, Country Manager, Bartronics India Ltd said, Indian industry for Automatic Information and Data Collection (AIDC) is estimated to be worth Rs 60 crore and growing at the rate of 20 per cent per annum over the past four years. The growth rate is expected to increase at a much higher rate over the next few years due to volatile and prevalent insecure environment and also due to the awareness for technologies which is on the increase in Indian Corporate Sector. BIL is a proud market leader with a market share of 25 per cent, while the rest of the market is widely fragmented among many players.

BIL, a ISO Certified Company, has established a strong presence of its products over the last fourteen years since its incorporation. With over 65 personnel manning marketing (total staff strength 140), Bartronics India Limited today is a top notch provider and high end supplier of variety of products like Barcoding Printers and Scanners,HHTs,DCTs,Media Supplies like Direct Thermal Labels,Thermal Transfer Labels and Tags. BIL also supplies Universal Access Points ,Vehicle Mount computers to its long list of clients ranging from industrial, business to various government organizations. It is fully equipped to provide cutting edge services in Barcode printing, scanning, software solutions, Education services of international standards and various other services. Bartronics also has a full-fledged Service Centre manned by trained engineers. The service centre prides itself in providing quality repair service with a fast turnaround. The high level of professionalism exhibited by the Service Centre personnel has earned it the status of "Authorized Service Centre" for all our Principals.

BIL has technology tie-ups with world leaders like Intermec, PSC Scanning and Zebra Technologies of USA and Synel Industries of Israel. BIL is successful in introducing new and better products constantly. As a result of which it has today 80 per cent of top 100 companies and 60 per cent of top 200 companies in India as its clients. These include Ashok Leyland, Chennai; CDFD-CCMB, Hyderabad; DERL, Hyderabad, Dr. Reddy’s Labs, Hyderabad; Escorts JCB Ltd, Faridabad; Hindustan Lever Ltd at Hyd, Vijayawada, Chennai and others; ITC Delhi; ITC-BPL; L&T, Pondicherry; Modi Xerox, Delhi; ONGC, Mumbai; Ranboxy Labs, Delhi; Raymonds, Mumbai; Southern Railways, Chennai; Titan, Bangalore, TTD, Thirupathi and 2500 other strong clientele.