Objective of the Network To enable the adoption of RFID Technology by SMEs across the European Community

A message from Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda: “RFID, the Internet of Things and related technologies will help shape our future. Strategic Governments will manage to invest in the deployment of these technologies whilst we collectively need to reflect on the ethical and other societal concerns that are implied, as well as the values that the Internet of Things will enshrine.”

A message from Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda: “€50million have already been invested in the Internet of Things research and development and the first results of this collaborative effort will become visible before the end of For me there is nol douibt thatb 2011 is the defining year for RFID and the Internet of Things in Europe” “€50million have already been invested in the Internet of Things research and development and the first results of this collaborative effort will become visible before the end of For me there is no doubt that 2011 is the defining year for RFID and the Internet of Things in Europe”

“RFID will form the basis of better and safer healthcare, drastically improved supply chain management, low cost environmental monitoring for a cleaner, more sustainable future We need a pro-active European approach so that we can benefit from the advantages of RFID whilst giving citizens, consumers and businesses choice, transparency and control.” Viviane Reding, Former EU Commissioner for Information, Society & Media

AN EU SPONSORED THEMATIC NETWORK... RFID Do you know what it is? Do you know what it does? Did you ever consider if it might help you or your company?

AN EU SPONSORED THEMATIC NETWORK DO YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY ITEMS DO YOU NEED TO MANAGE ITEM INFORMATION DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS TRACKING ITEMS OR ASSETS WOULD YOU BENEFIT FROM INCREASED THROUGHPUT OF ITEMS DOES YOUR AVAILABLE SPACE CAUSE STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL PROBLEMS DO YOU ENCOUNTER BOTTLENECKS IN SORTING ITEMS ARE YOU ABLE TO TRACK AND RECOVER PALLETS AND CONTAINERS DO YOU HAVE TO PERFORM TIME CONSUMING MANUAL INVENTORY CHECKS DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEFT OR MISAPPROPRIATION OF GOODS HOW RELIABLE IS THE DATA YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR BUSINESS PROCESSES IS MANUAL DATA ENTRY A SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF YOUR BUSINESS COULD YOU USE NON LINE OF SIGHT READING CAPABILITY LOOK AT THESE 12 STATMENTS. DO ANY APPLY TO YOU? IF THE ANSWER IS “YES” RFID COULD BE THE ANSWER TO IMPROVED EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY and.. PROFITABILITY!

Strategic Approach The network strategy is to concentrate on two distinct area of priority: –Enabling adoption by providing adequate policy tools, including enabling policies and awareness towards decision makers, industry and governments –A programme of activity to raise general awareness of RFID among users, SMEs and the general public In effect a “push” and “pull” approach

Resources to achieve our strategy In order to achieve our strategy, we have developed a series of work packages (WP) broadly based around each key point. One network member is leading each WP, supported by a number of other network members.

Policy Priorities Ensure a fair and balanced view of RFID in data protection and privacy legislation Develop a clear technology roadmap and market analysis Develop a common terminology for RFID applications across Europe Gain agreement for a highly visible RFID sign across Europe

Policy Priorities Ensure a fair and balanced view of RFID in data protection and privacy legislation WP1 – Led by GS1 Develop a clear technology roadmap and market analysis WP2 – Led by Fhg IML Develop a common terminology for RFID applications across Europe WP4 – Led by ETSI Gain agreement for a highly visible RFID sign across Europe WP5 – Led by AVANTA

Awareness Priorities Establish a database of best in class exemplars of RFID use Generate awareness and uptake by SMEs across Europe Ensure Governmental awareness of RFID and RACE programme throughout Europe Develop membership of the RACE network Coordinate all dissemination activity under central brand and identity guidelines

Awareness Priorities Establish a database of best in class exemplars of RFID use WP3 – Led by Filrfid Generate awareness and uptake by SMEs across Europe WP6 – Led by RFID Nordic Ensure Governmental awareness of RFID and RACE programmes throughout Europe WP9 – Led by AIM (UK) Develop membership of the RACE network Led by Membership Committee Coordinate all dissemination activity under central brand and identity guidelines WP7 – Led by ELTRON AUEB,Greece

Management and Coordination The network has put a 3-tier management structure in place: 1A professional external coordinator (WP8) working closely with a 2Management Board made up of all WP leaders plus 3 GA members advised by a 3General Assembly representing the views of all network members

Deliverables and Results Each Work Packages has its own individual set of deliverables and action plan to produce them. These have been listed in the formal annual review. However, a number of overriding actions have now been identified for year 2 of the network as being key to the success of the project and needing coordinated joint activity.

Policy Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved Ensure a fair and balanced view of RFID in data protection and privacy legislation and start information/ education Follow up endorsement of PIA Framework. Issue press release after endorsement. Seek media coverage in specialised press. Provide content for RACE website dedicated space. Prepare briefing material to WP9 and WP6. Propose webinar for different target groups (to RACE Network, to governments, etc. ) Monitor EU Privacy and Data Protection Framework review. Monitor and inform about emerging and enabling policies around RFID Monitor EP discussions and EC initiatives Provide Updates to the network

Policy Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved Identify the state of the art of technologies Figure out possibilities in the pipeline and define technologies on the market A technology roadmap showing the future development of RFID applications will be produced and rolled out by September Results will be presented on a web platform for SMEs. On this platform they will be able to find out which technology (tags, readers, frequencies) they could use in their applications. Provide an overview of RFID related EC activities An interactive map of all EC projects involving RIFD activities will be completed and placed on the RACE website by March The new members will have the opportunity to easily understand the different actives and groups (research projects, recommendation, STF 396, IREC, etc.) and could contact the designated person.

Policy Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved Support discussion process within STF 396 by reviewing final requirements Providing further stakeholder input Disseminate information about existing signs and their conditions of use A report on existing RFID signs and their conditions of use will be produced by September (Note: EU Commission would welcome WP5 to stay involved in the further debate about an RFID sign) Use the RACE Network FID platform to place an EU-wide call for ideas for a harmonized sign The requirement for a call for ideas will be reviewed based upon the outcome of STF 396 discussion. If appropriate this will be put in place by March 2011, but if not, WP5 will revert to the originally scheduled deliverable for M24 and hold a stakeholder meeting on awareness initiatives.

Awareness Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved Target 200 RACE network- RFID members by June 30th Existing members to recruit their own members Get one member from all 27 Member States Membership committee work on targeted areas Completed database of Government contacts in 15 Member States by June 30th Appoint liaison partners in all Member States Briefing conference call of liaison partners Produce electronic Government brochure explaining what RACE is New RACE website Obtain content from all members Manage and place content as appropriate

Awareness Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved PR plan in place to cover rest of year 2 by end May Identify key events/timescales during the year Match RACE actions with other forecast events Develop agreed themes and template Put in place process to translate and forward on press releases in local languages by end May Write to all members asking for volunteers Develop English language press mailing list Ask members to develop mailing list for each EU member state Prepare Report of relevant SME organisations by State and Industry Sector. Publish report RACE network-RFID partners have already been appointed in 18 Member States to prepare local reports. Partners will be appointed in remaining Member States to complete the overall picture. Report will be featured on RACE website

Awareness Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved Prepare Report identifying SME end user requirements and barriers to adoption. Promote European SME attendant to special conference in Brussels November 24th Work with 5-minute RFID diagnostic to create awareness among SMEs Produce questionnaire for RACE members to distribute among identified SME organisations to establish end user requirements, and barriers to adoption. Create SME Awareness across Europe throughout the length of the project Use existing activities - for example The European Golden Tag Award. Create the European RFID Scholarship award Identify and Participate in National and European SME events. Produce appropriate material for the RACE website

Awareness Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved Assist SME business and start adoption initiatives Produce report which establishes and identifies key indicators. Produce report which Analyses Best Practice examples and guidelines Obtain global view of SME awareness Fill the database with numerous RFID case studies: 80 by the end of year 2 Communication to all Race-networkrfid members. Articles posted on members association and other publication

Awareness Programme Key Actions for Year 2 ActionHow it will be achieved Identify sectors of activity where RFID is spreading. Produce a template to be circulated to all Race- networkrfid members. Each member must identify 2 sectors of activity. Establish cooperation in the database development with at least 3 other entities outside the project members Use the network members to seek interesting entity for cooperation.

Success Criteria We believe the network can be considered a success if the following have been achieved by the end of Year 2: –200 Members –80 case studies in database –Governments in 10 States active

Success Criteria (cont.) –2 Major conferences for SMEs –Press coverage achieved across all member states

Work Package 9 The main tasks will be to establish details of existing National Government initiatives and support programmes relating to RFID: Establish a communication pack to go to all Governments and Government agencies outlining what RACE networkRFID is, what it is doing and how we can help Plan Governmental workshops in the second half of 2010 and at the end of the project at which Governments can give examples of their own Best Practice and get an overview of what is happening in the RFID marketplace generally Develop a framework and a set of deliverables for creating member-state-funded national centres for RFID It is planned that the work of WP9 will commence at the 2010 General Assembly in Frankfurt

Quarterly RACE Newsletter

Summary The RACE NetworkRFID project is committed to demonstrating the benefits of RFID as a business improvement process and a tool for enhanced social cohesion across the greater EU region After a difficult first year, the network is now focused on a series of specific and targeted actions to support the SME community Helpful and positive support has been received by the EC assessors to help develop these actions The network is confident of a successful future for the project EUROPE – LEADING THE WORLD