Barcoding, Inc., provider of supply chain efficiency, accuracy, and connectivity, predicts the continued growth of the radio frequency identification (RFID) market in 2016.With increased standards, lower system costs, greater solution reliability and higher adoption rates, RFID is poised for an explosive year, according to Barcoding experts. The company will highlight the technology and one of its key applications in the free webinar, “Bringing RFID to Asset Management,” scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 11.   The following are Barcoding’s top five RFID industry trends for 2016:

1. RAIN RFID: The RFID industry has coined a new name for passive, ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID: RAIN RFID. Promoted by the RAIN RFID Alliance, a global organization, RAIN RFID is catching on – although the technology behind it remains the same.
2. Low-energy Bluetooth Tags: A growing number of industries are using low-energy Bluetooth tags in place of active/Wi-Fi RFID tags. These tags are much less expensive than active tags and are easy to deploy, as many users already rely on Bluetooth-enabled devices within their enterprises, like smartphones.
3. Hybrid RFID systems: Systems that utilize both active RFID (for tracking high-value, large items in real time) and RAIN RFID (for tracking large-volume, low-cost items), are becoming more prevalent, especially in the industrial and healthcare spaces. In many of these cases, low-energy Bluetooth tags will take the place of active tags.
4. Use of Memory Space: RFID tags now have the space to store information beyond a simple identifier. More enterprises are taking advantage of this, utilizing tags as a notepad or flash drive. Plus, there is no need to upload the information to a database in order to retrieve it.
5. Pre-printed Tags: The technology exists to print and encode RFID labels on demand. But, instead of printing their own labels, many users are purchasing pre-printed/pre-encoded labels. This approach is not only cost effective, but frees up personnel from monitoring and managing printers onsite.

Tom O’Boyle, director of RFID, Barcoding, Inc., said, “Although barcodes will remain relevant for years, RFID will continue to become more widely used, as companies are finding new, cost-justifiable applications. However, the goal of deploying RFID remains the same – to improve data collection and gain visibility into that data in order to drive greater efficiency, accuracy, and connectivity.”   Hosted by O’Boyle and Jackie Luo, CEO of eQuip!, Barcoding’s Feb. 11 #SupplyChainGeek Network webinar, “Bringing RFID to Asset Management,” will discuss how RFID tracking technology provides a holistic view of an enterprise’s physical assets without user-initiated, line-of-sight labor. This webinar will showcase the available technologies, describe the value the technologies can deliver, and provide an account of a recent implementation at a manufacturing facility. To register – join the #SupplyChainGeek Network for free at www.SupplyChainGeek.com