WASHINGTON-Radio-frequency identification and global positioning system applications could find increasing traction in the enterprise space, according to a new study by Harris Interactive and ForceNine Consulting.
RFID and GPS applications are relatively rare among large enterprises today with only 10 percent of businesses using RFID applications and 23 percent using GPS applications, said the report, “Enterprise Wireless Trends: Carrier Positioning, Applications and Purchasing Behaviors.” But RFID and GPS applications were both mentioned by respondents in the report as likely new applications that will be included in the next round of wireless contracts.
Push-to-talk and Wi-Fi also were mentioned as new applications for upcoming contracts.
“We are seeing interest in more aggressive deployment of some of the newer technologies and applications, but it is uneven across industries,” said Andrew Roscoe, partner with ForceNine Consulting. “GPS for example, is already fairly well established in the communications, transportation and utility industries. Manufacturing tends to lead in RFID.”
The survey also found a relatively high level of discontent among large enterprises about their current wireless contracts. About one-fifth of respondents said they would give their existing services top ratings.
“Wireless continues to rate below other communications services in overall satisfaction to large businesses,” said Barry Goodstadt, vice president of the Customer Loyalty Management Research Practice at Harris Interactive. “Interestingly, there were not dramatic differences in overall satisfaction across carriers. However, there were significant differences in carrier satisfaction associated with specific components of service, such as geographic coverage, pricing, billing and customer service.”
