AIM Global, CompTIA to Collaborate on RFID Industry Certification Effort

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) and AIM Global: The Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility today announced they are working together to develop a vendor-neutral, multi-dimensional certification program for radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

The certification initiative will help address an industry-wide shortage of professionals knowledgeable about RFID technology. Many companies eager to adopt the technology are beginning to be slowed in their efforts by a scarcity of qualified RFID integrators. Organizations are also challenged because many of the skills required for successful RFID implementations are not typically associated with information technology (IT) staffs. As RFID adoption grows in 2005 and beyond, the skills shortage will become ever more pronounced.

"AIM members can play a critical role in the RFID certification development process through our work with CompTIA," said Dan Mullen, president, AIM Global. "This collaborative effort is in line with our ongoing work to develop educational materials that help business and industry better manage the collection and integration of data with information management systems."

"From the physics of the hardware installation to the challenges of integrating RFID-generated data with existing business processes, a broad base of expertise is required for successful implementation," said David Sommer, vice president, electronic commerce, CompTIA. "Working with AIM, recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, and other organizations we can structure a vendor-neutral certification to address the hardware, software and business process needs created by RFID."

On December 8 and 9, representatives from more than a dozen companies and government agencies are scheduled to meet with AIM Global and CompTIA executives at CompTIA world headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., to discuss the RFID certification initiative. Issues the group intends to address include the business need for RFID skills development; and the scope and structure of an industry accepted RFID certification.