VIC launches RFID cluster

An RFID industry cluster has been launched in Victoria, designed to slingshot the state to the forefront of the radio frequency identification (RFID) market.

Marsha Thomson, Victorian Minister for Information and Communication Technology, argued that the cluster -- Vic RFID Action -- was the first of its kind in Australia.

"The potential of RFID technology is enormous, with many industry experts already predicting that it will have as big an impact on the way companies do business as the internet," Thomson said.

The cluster will receive $100,000 funding from the Bracks Government to establish a "collaboration of providers, users and others concerned with the research, development and application of RFID", according to a statement from the Minister.

Thomson quoted research from industry analyst The Yankee Group, that found manufacturers in the US will spend more than US$5 billion on RFID tags and infrastructure during the next three years.

The Minister is hoping that Victoria will establish itself as a "centre of excellence in RFID".