Taking yet another look back on 2006 is Phil Lazo, VP and General Manager of Symbol Technologies, RFID Global Products group. In what is perhaps the understatement of the year, he says 2006 was "challenging":

I think 2006 was a challenging year for the industry. We saw some vendor consolidation and a fairly high profile IPO that didn't happen. The market was characterized as a building year across multiple segments with a few significant expansions, most notably the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency depots but also we saw new beachheads such as deployment in postal and parcel in Europe and the Middle East. Most notably we saw the seeds of new applications that will enhance our growth chances in 2007.

Speaking of 2007, it will likely be a year where the market will build incrementally. So there will be no hockey stick effect in the market but we will sustain our business going forward and there are established markets that will be expanding their programs. New applications and markets that take a larger foothold will also come into place.

All in all, Lazo's interview is roughly consistent with the other reports about 2006. Mandate volumes never came. And everyone is looking ahead to 2007 and hoping it will be better.

Asset tracking and baggage handling are mentioned as key areas that saw some growth.

The most interesting part of his interview to me was his prediction for 2007 and beyond, where he sees opportunity for RFID tags to converge with sensors. Not only will items be identified, but through sensors they will be able to signal temperature readings, for instance.

Read the full interview of Phil Lazo at the AIM Global website.

Read the previous three RFID 2006 Year in Review posts containing other takes on 2006, also, to see similarities and differences:

RFID 2006 Year in Review - Volumes Lower Than Anticipated

RFID 2006 Year in Review - Some Lost Their Shirts

RFID 2006 Year in Review - Retail Mandates Disappoint