In 2006 automotive, consumer goods, transportation and logistics industries will greatly increase the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, according to a new research study by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). The findings are based on the results of a web-based survey of 510 North American companies.

Over one-half of more than 500 organizations surveyed in North America have either completed RFID implementations or plan to do so within the next 12 months. 46 percent of consumer goods makers, 34 percent of food and beverage makers and 24 percent of textile and apparel manufacturers are implementing RFID solutions because of a mandate from Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart Stores announced that it would require its top 100 suppliers to put RFID tags on shipping crates and pallets by January 2005. More recently, the company announced that it will expand its RFID efforts to its next 200 largest suppliers by January 2006.

"Much of the RFID adoption in North America is being driven by mandates and directives from key organizations, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the Food and Drug Administration and Wal-Mart," said David Sommer, vice president of electronic commerce at CompTIA.

This BeyeNETWORK news item contains information from a recent press release by the company mentioned.