In good times and bad, the turn of the year brings predictions of what’s in store — or not in store, as is the case in ABI Research’s annual look into the crystal ball for trends in the global connectivity and emerging technology sectors.
For example, ABI analysts say, 2010 will not see a decrease in overall RFID spending among organizations using, deploying, evaluating, or piloting RFID technology. In a 2009 end-user survey, nearly half of the respondents said they will increase their annual spending in 2010, ABI reported. Roughly one-third reported flat spending, while 11% anticipated a budget decrease and less than 8% had no planned budget for RFID.
ABI cited strong deployments and pilot activity in supply chain logistics and asset management among the forces that will drive spending. “The data offer an early indication that 2010 end-user spending and overall market growth rates could be significantly higher than in 2009,” ABI reported, adding that if the economy continues to improve, 2010 may also mark the start of a sharply higher-than-expected growth rate over the next few years.
2010 will not see “rampant consolidation activity” in 2010, ABI said, though the research house believes “certain segments of the RFID vendor value chain are ready or even overdue for consolidation.” However, if the economy continues improving, consolidation activities will increase. If the economy suffers a “significant setback, then consolidation activity may take on a different tone as vulnerable vendors are faced with difficult decisions.”