RFID Moving Into the Data Center, Says ABI Research

Business Wire, Sept 30, 2008

LONDON -- IT managers are increasingly finding value in using RFID within their own IT operations. This is spurring adoption of RFID in data centers and across corporate campuses.

IT assets are key infrastructure for any modern business and IT managers need to be certain that equipment is documented, traceable and secure. Detailed, accurate and regular auditing of IT assets is a necessity. At most companies this still an expensive, largely manual process, but RFID can deliver quicker, more detailed and more accurate day-to-day management of these important operational assets.

"RFID IT asset tracking is starting to gain momentum in data centers. Managing and auditing this equipment is a serious pain point for IT departments, and automating those applications with RFID can drive clear ROI," says ABI Research principal analyst Jonathan Collins. "The environment also suits RFID: the density of valuable equipment within a restricted area limits the cost and increases the efficiency of an RFID deployment. Once RFID is deployed in the data center there is a base for RFID tagging to extend further within IT asset management across an organization's IT infrastructure."

IT asset tracking, currently just a fraction of a percent of the worldwide RFID asset tracking market, will grow to take more than a 10% stake by the end of 2013. Both passive and active RFID offerings will be used. Some deployments may even employ a mix of both technologies, but improvements in passive UHF system capabilities and the technology's lower equipment costs mean it will lead shipment volumes and revenues.

RFID vendors and systems integrators are offering a range of products from specialized tags and software to systems design and integration. What's more, IT equipment manufacturers - so far including HP and IBM - are offering RFID tagging as part of their product specification, and tagging will increasingly be an option many IT managers will look for when specifying their new equipment.

A new Research Brief from ABI Research, "RFID IT Asset Tracking" (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/research_brief/RFID_Research_ Briefs/119) explores how RFID asset tagging of IT equipment can deliver quicker, more detailed and more accurate day-to-day management of some of the most important operational assets within an organization.

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It forms part of the firm's RFID & Contactless Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/RFID_Research_Service).

ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call 1.516.624.2500.