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Widespread success kills

RFID nickel tag myth

Issue #188 | April 17, 2009 | by Andy Kowl

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me, "Are there 5¢ tags yet?" . . .

Recently an executive from a book binding plant asked me about that Unicorn of RFID, "the nickel tag." Like so many others, he had "learned" from the early analysts and pundits that until RFID tags cost five cents or less, RFID will remain a pipe dream.

"If I could save you $250,000 next year, what would you care how much the tags cost?" is my standard response.

This is a real question. Some of the RFID tags with the biggest payback might cost $200. Would you pay $200 to save $500? Probably not. How about if it saved you $5,000? $50,000? There must be a number.

I am not saying I know how much you can save, but isn't that a number you should know? Since part of my job is to talk to people about RFID, I get a pretty interesting mix of reactions.

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