7 June 2005 -- GS1 UK EPCglobal Conference and Exhibition sets the standard for RFID in the supply chain

GS1 UK, formerly e.centre, the UK authority on global cross-sector supply chain standards, has today announced the second annual GS1 UK EPCglobal Conference and Exhibition. Taking place on 7 June 2005 in the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, the event will promote a deeper understanding of RFID in the supply chain, providing strategic guidance and implementation experience from global industry leaders such as Wal-Mart, Gillette Group International, Astra Zeneca, IBM Business Consulting Services, BT Auto-ID Services and Ovum.

Targeted at all those involved in supply chain management, retail, manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals and packaging, in addition to industry consultants and solutions providers, the GS1 UK EPCglobal Conference and Exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to find out more about best practice in implementing RFID. Senior Executives from GS1 UK and EPCglobal will disclose the latest developments in the EPCglobal standards for RFID in the supply chain, outlining how businesses can benefit from adopting these standards.

As is often the case with new technologies, the introduction of RFID into the supply chain has been accompanied by hope, misunderstanding, hype and analysis, said Steve Coussins, Chief Executive, GS1 UK. To enable companies to better understand RFID and the opportunities it brings, the GS1 UK EPCglobal Conference and Exhibition will act as a definitive source of information, providing an essential insight both from the organisations setting the standards and the companies who are piloting the technology.

Chris Adcock, President of EPCglobal Inc., added "EPCglobal is leading UK industry closer to RFID adoption through the development of global standards. RFID will bring huge benefits to the supply chain, but it is important that organisations keep in step in order to take advantage. This conference will update you on the progress we have made with standards, and also on wider issues such as public policy, and how the technology works in the context of existing systems investments."

Conference speakers will be drawn from all areas of the supply chain - manufacturing and packaging, warehousing and distribution and retailing. Supporting the conference programme an exhibition, with workshop sessions from RFID experts such as IBM Business Consulting Services, BT Auto-ID Services, Deloitte, Markem and Zebra Technologies, will enable visitors to gain first-hand experience of the latest technology developments in RFID.

To find out more about the GS1 UK EPCglobal Conference and Exhibition and to register please visit www.gs1uk.org/epcglobal. Delegates registering before 1st May are eligible for a discount of 10 per cent.