KUALA LUMPUR: Symmid Corp Sdn Bhd and Total Industry Solution (TIS) Network Bhd jointly launched a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) centre of excellence here last week.

The centre, called Symmid-Erev RFID Solution Centre, is the first of its kind in Asia and is aimed at increasing the understanding and development of emerging RFID technologies in Malaysia, the companies said.

Symmid is a local integrated-circuit design house and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kumpulan Modal Perdana (KPM), the investment arm of the Ministry of Finance, that administers and manages the Venture Capital for Technology Acquisition (VCTA) fund.

KPM’s executive chairman, Tan Sri Dr Omar Abdul Rahman, said RFID will likely replace existing barcode systems for tracking and identification of people, assets and locations in the future.

“As such, we want the centre to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for ministries and government agencies, as well as for the private sector, to deliver customised RFID solutions,” he said.

Omar said there are also plans to create a Technopreneur Development Programme within the centre.

Such a programme would open up opportunities to local technopreneurs to participate in the centre’s existing and future RFID projects, both locally and internationally, he said.

“This would help the country produce customised RFID solutions which could result in the creation intellectual property (IP).

“These IP rights could further enhance the centre’s capabilities and put Malaysia on par with other countries,” he said.

Omar also said the RFID industry is still in its infancy and there are vast untapped markets in Malaysia and Asia, as well as in Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) members countries.

“As Malaysia chairman for both OIC and NAM, the country can take a lead in introducing RFID technology solutions to these nations,” he said.

TIS senior general manager Zurina Amnan said the fully operational centre will spearhead local RFID development through showcases, training, and R&D activities conducted at the centre.

Companies that are interested in implementing RFID are allowed to test the technology before investing in it, she said.

Zurina also said the centre could help these companies review their goals, customise and match the technology according to their needs.

For more information, go to www.symmid.com/live.