automatic
point of
data capture
sale
an ever increasing pace in terms of by Merrick Edwards, UK channel
VIEW
technological advances, market manager at Intermec. “We plan to drive
opportunities or threats, consolidation an increasing amount of our business
and general economic climate. So, in through the channel in the coming
Jephcott’s view, what does the future years as end users require more and
INTER
hold for AIDC distribution? From her more local expertise and support,”
perspective, the run of mergers and he said. “Additionally, we anticipate
acquisitions has stabilised and the that those manufacturers that are
distribution landscape is likely to remain improving their own supply chain
much as it is today for some time. “The processes will be leaner and more
market will continue to house a mixture environmentally friendly.”
of both Pan-European distributors and
specialist distributors at both a national Hardware developments
and technical level,” she said, adding: and RFID
“Also, growth will continue as the shift As far as hardware development is
of nearly all the major manufacturers to concerned, Edwards believes that
Merrick Edwards: “RFID pickup will
devices will become more
continue to increase in a range of
compact with a longer battery
industries as the results from the first large
RFID implementations become known and
life coming from increased
drive the adoption of the technology by
energy efficiency. He also
small and medium-sized enterprises.”
maintains that new features
such as voice picking, GPS, AIDC industry looks positive, with
longer range scanning, area many new and exciting products and
imaging and additional wireless developments to look forward to. a71
protocols – including Wi-Fi, Wi-
Max and cellular – will continue
to become more commonplace.
BLACKROC AND INTERMEC
AT A GLANCE
And what of RFID product
Intermec & Blackroc have
development over the next
been partner organisations
three to five years? “RFID
for over 10 years. As part
pickup will continue to increase of an ongoing development
in a range of industries as the strategy, Blackroc has
results from the first large RFID
recently undergone a
implementations become
company transformation;
known and drive the adoption
recruiting a number of new
of the technology by small and
technical and sales staff and
introducing new corporate
medium-sized enterprises,” said
branding. These changes
Edwards. He also anticipates
have been realised in order
that tags will get smaller and
to further strengthen is value-
an indirect model persists. In a less expensive to manufacture, and
added services to the channel
landscape that is dominated by big readers will become more reliable with
in the UK. Blackroc has the
Pan-EMEA distributors, it has become longer read ranges. technical expertise and the
increasingly evident to us at Blackroc ability to sell and support the
that there is still a valid position for a With Blackroc Distribution being part
complete range of Intermec
national distributor in the UK. As we of a group that is actively involved with
products and services.
don’t serve mainland Europe, we are integration at both the product and
Services include pre-sales
naturally smaller than our Pan-European systems level, Jephcott believes that
support, RF site surveys,
installation and commissioning
counterparts; enabling us to offer a RFID is a specialist technology to be
and post-sales technical
high level of personal support to our considered alongside barcoding in
support; offering resellers a
resellers. This is clearly reflected in our appropriate applications. “It is renowned
true ‘one stop shop’. With
customer base, the majority of whom for requiring expert knowledge, so may
offices and stockholding in
are very loyal to us as they value our not easily be sufficiently supported by
Stafford, Blackroc is centrally
mutually beneficial relationship.” mainstream distribution,” she said. placed to meet the product
Whilst it is clear that some sizeable and support expectations of
Jephcott’s positive belief that distribution challenges lie ahead, our commentators
UK based resellers.
will continue to prosper is also reflected believe that the general outlook for the
www.itrportal.com
IT RESELLER – JUNE 2008 9
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