IBM and OATSystems say they will now jointly deliver radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions in Australia and New Zealand.

The announcement is an extension of the already successful global partnership, which has seen IBM and OATSystems work together on projects for some of the world’s largest industrial manufacturers, retailers and consumer goods companies.

Effective immediately, the companies say the partnership will help Australian retailers, consumer products companies and manufacturers harness the potential of RFID technology to deliver compelling business benefits in areas like inventory availability, promotions execution and asset management.

Since 2005, OATSystems and IBM have worked together to market an integrated offering comprising OATSystems RFID applications, IBM’s RFID infrastructure software and IBM Global Business Services’ strategic input on business case development and system design.

This partnership provides a complete end-to-end RFID service — from ascertaining the business case for change and identifying business processes that need to be integrated, through to the implementation, roll-out and maintenance of software and hardware systems.

The service also includes real-time process alerts and analytics, enabling customers to continuously improve supply chain performance.

"An RFID implementation should be about more than just the technology," says Martin Dolce, Business Transformation Consultant with IBM Global Business Services A/NZ.

"To be successful, business processes need to be reviewed and changed where necessary. That determination can only be made by engaging stakeholders throughout the organisation such as finance, operations and IT.

"To maximise the value of RFID technology, organisations need to take a holistic view of their business and their key stakeholders within the business."

Dolce says IBM is committed to being technology agnostic, so that improvements or changes to supply chain management are about business benefit rather than technology for technology’s sake.

According to IBM, Australian businesses have been taking a ‘wait and see’ attitude to RFID, cautious to embrace what is perceived to be a relatively immature technology.

"However with greater accuracy rates, lower implementation costs, packaged applications and increasing benefits being derived from supply chain collaboration, attitudes in Australia are shifting to examine the potential the use of RFID," Dolce says.

Another barrier to business adoption of RFID in Australia has been the lack of key skills. IBM has made a significant investment in this area, bringing in experts from overseas and upskilling engineers and consultants across ANZ.