Mark Roberti, whose opinion column on RFID Journal is always a must-read, asks a critical question in his latest column: "Is RFID Losing Momentum?"

He notes that no new mandates have been issued in seven months and one company has pulled out of the market. He goes on to answer the question:

"I don't think it is, though it might appear to be. That's because the excitement about RFID's potential is being superseded by the hard work involved with deploying the technology in a way that delivers measurable business value. We are entering what Gartner calls the "trough of disillusionment" -- the period in the evolution of a new technology when hype gives way to reality. I sensed this at our executive conference last month....

But a little reality is not a bad thing. In fact, it's a sign of progress that companies are coming to grip with many of the issues that have to be overcome before RFID can deliver a return on investment."