Issue #182 | March 6, 2009 | by Andy Kowl

Check out these reader questions just now posted:
• A manufacturer looking for printed circuit board mounted Gen 2 passive tags
• A Texas civil engineering company looking to track expensive tools
• A company which makes clothing hangtags looking for help to add Gen 2 inlays
• A university researcher wondering about taking his product commercial
• A rental equipment company wondering how long the lifespan of RFID would be on their equipment.
• A car wash chain looking into how RFID could help their access control

If you sell information technology products and services, I'd think you might want to meet them. No problem. We will introduce you to hundreds of such folks who may need your help – or you, theirs.

For those in the business of developing and selling Information Technology, we can now announce the launch of our newest portal, IT Sales Network – and we are giving you a free Profile to promote what you sell, right now.

The missing RFID wristbands
Just the other day, a California IT hardware reseller wrote they were looking for "500 RFID wristbands" to fill an order for a new overseas client. For many suppliers that is too small an order to bother with.

After all, it is not that simple. You can't ship "500 RFID wristbands" without first asking for more details. Though this is small potatoes for many companies, somebody else is reading these words and thinking, "Sounds like a new customer to me."

We recently met a well-established IT solution provider who wanted to buy lots of RFID wristbands. His company had many hospital clients, and he had customers asking for them. Since one of his company's biggest suppliers is PDC – whose website says it "offers hospitals . . . the widest selection of (RFID) wristbands" – this did not sound like a problem. Website notwithstanding, his contacts insisted they do not make these wristbands.

How is that possible? Why are there obstacles to buying wristbands for resale? IT Sales Network will shatter such business roadblocks.

Finding solutions can take more than one
Another new RFID Switchboard member wrote last week he was looking for "a solution applying RFID technology for Museum Audio systems." As a journalist, I find this topic fascinating. Tying RFID to certain displays is already happening; but I sure do not know where to direct him

We started looking for such a vendor a few months back when a European company specializing in IT consulting and display technology for museums contacted us. They felt sure there must be some RFID technology worth selling to their customers. We asked a couple dozen sponsors and other suppliers; but nobody had even a suggestion.

I know somebody can help these companies looking for museum solutions. How will those who are keen to sell this technology know where it stands as it matures? IT Sales Net makes you part of the discussion.

One of my sales gurus, Jeffrey Gitomer (www.Gitomer.com) says, "Give value first." The more you take time to provide answers to fellow industry members, the more you become known for the expertise you can offer – the "go to outfit" when you need something.

Free Profiles on IT Sales Network for industry members
We are asked questions like this all the time; but we cannot research everybody's needs.
For those companies looking to buy RFID solutions and who take the time to fill in the forms on Switchboard, our sponsors – some of the finest RFID providers anywhere – are glad to help. (Buyers' Request forms)

Maybe you can help these buyers and find new technology provider partners. Sign up now for your free profile. It takes about a day for full approval and member privileges; but you can begin exploring right away.

Groucho Marks famously said, "I don't care to belong to any club that would have me as a member." Nonetheless, we are limiting participation in Sales Net to those who build and sell B2B technology. There will be a short waiting period on approvals, but this is for your benefit, too, to get the most from this resource.

Please understand we are still in a beta stage, so you may well encounter some bugs. If you do, we'd appreciate clicking the Contact Us on the bottom of each page and letting us know. Not all features are even visible yet – lots of cool stuff coming.

Based on the current membership in RFID Switchboard and our newsletter subscribers, there are already about 3,000 pre-approved members – and about 10% of them already have their Personal Profiles partially completed from early pre-registration. [Many of you need to update your Profiles please!} Contact us if you can't find your temp passwords or for any reason: Questions@VARbizexchange.com