Victorian RFID Technology On Show In Japan
Victorian RFID Technology On Show In Japan |
| Media release - 20 June 2005 |
| Victorian businesses in the bourgeoning Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology industries will have the chance to showcase their products as part of the world's largest ever trade mission of Victorian ICT companies to Japan. The Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Marsha Thomson, has arrived in Japan to lead a delegation of 32 Victorian ICT companies and organisations for a series of high-level meetings with key Japanese companies in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya and attend the Aichi World Expo 2005. Of the 32 companies attending, eight are at the forefront of developing RFID and ITS technology in Victoria. Ms Thomson said the trade mission would promote the strengths of Victoria as an investment location and an internationally competitive source for innovative products and services, including the RFID and ITS technology industries. "The potential of RFID technology is enormous and some industry experts are predicting that it will have as big an impact on the way companies do their business as the Internet," Ms Thomson said. "With Victoria placed as Australia's major transport and logistics hub, our experience in supply chains provides a strong base to build our reputation in transport technologies - a field in which Victoria is already recognised as a pioneer. "Earlier this year the Bracks Government launched the Intelligent Transport Systems Network - a new industry cluster that will draw together our technology and transport industries with the aim to boost research, development and application of ITS. "Victoria is also supporting the creation of a new National Intelligent Transport Systems Centre of Excellence in Melbourne, which will provide a training and commercialisation facility for transport distribution and logistics technologies. "Through the Japanese trade delegation, the Bracks Government is helping the Victorian ITS and RFID industries become not only national leaders, but international contenders in their field." Victorian RFID and ITS organisations participating in the ICT trade mission to Japan include Intelligent Transport Systems Australia, CSIRO - Manufacturing and Infrastructure - Transport Futures, Dejai, Intelematics Australia, Chip Development, iCRYSTAL, Thermodata and e-Centric Innovations. RFID provides a relatively low-cost form of digital information storage that can be written and read without the need for contact or direct line of sight. It has already been used extensively in toll collection, public transport and building security systems and has the potential for wider use in the distribution, manufacturing and consumer goods industries, in particular in reducing costs to business. On the mission, Victorian businesses Thermodata, iCrystal and e-Centric Innovations will be given the opportunity to better understand Japanese business requirements and to work towards new international partnerships to grow their technology. Thermodata specialises in the development of software and solutions based around low cost data-logging devices, specifically to fulfil the requirements of industries where temperature monitoring of sensitive items is required. These include the manufacturing, transport and storage of food and medical products. iCrystal specialises in tracking and tracing using RFID and bar code technologies applied to asset tracking and supply chain solutions. iCrystal develops RFID middleware that provides connectivity from RFID readers to EPCglobal networks and enterprise applications. e-Centric Innovations' products complement solutions in business intelligence, knowledge management, mobile, wireless and telematics. Ms Thomson said the RFID and ITS delegates would benefit from the opportunity to participate in a specially tailored program of business development activities and liaise with relevant businesses in Japan. There will also be a number of networking functions, she said. "The trade mission is another tangible way the Bracks Government is providing opportunities to grow the ICT industry in Victoria through building business relationships with our Japanese counterparts," Ms Thomson said. "The companies involved are participating though Multimedia Victoria's Trade Fairs and Mission program, which provides financial assistance to Victorian ICT companies with less than 200 employees to attend recognised overseas trade fairs and missions. "This important Bracks Government program is encouraging Victorian companies to take their products to the world." The Aichi World Expo - 'Exposition of Global Harmony' - will take place from March to September 2005 with more than 120 countries participating. The Expo is expected to attract 15 million visitors. |
| Intelligent Transport Systems Australia Inc (ITS Australia) CSIRO - Manufacturing and Infrastructure - Transport Futures Dejai Pty Ltd Intelematics Australia Pty Ltd Chip Development Pty Ltd |
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