RFID-teknologi fremmer vækst og innovation

Last week Nokia announced it will close its development division in Denmark. 950 people will be out of a job by the end of 2012. There is no softening the blow of this bad news. It is regretful when large companies downsize their activities in Denmark.

But I'm certain that those 950 people will not be out of work for long. Because when one door closes another usually opens. And high-tech jobs are Denmark's key to the future. Our competitive edge in the international market is not one of cheap labour. But of an intelligent, efficient and innovative workforce.

The use of new technology gives greater productivity – giving more value from each hour worked. Therefore it is essential that as a nation, as private companies and as public institutions we must ask ourselves:

Which new technologies can help create growth, new knowledge and new welfare?

I believe some of our solutions lie with broadband internet connections, cloud computing and RFID. This conference on RFID technology will help pave the way for future innovations.

I myself have had some previous experiences with RFID technology.

Almost ten years ago we established a cooperative effort with Mitch Resnick from the Massachussets Institute of Technology, to introduce RFID tags to our products and packaging. I will be the first to admit it: that project was never a success. Maybe the technology was not quite ready yet? But since then there has been a lot of successful projects.

But we learnt from the experience. We learnt the value of RFID technology – a technology that is now making a serious impact in both the Danish and global markets.

It shows that one must have the courage to dive into the sea of digitalisation. Only in this way can you learn to swim in it.

If Denmark and Danish companies are to succeed in an international market, they must embrace digitalisation. We have to be like a fish in the sea of digitalisation.

RFID in use

There are many good examples of RFID technology today – examples we can learn from.

One of the best international examples perhaps, is the supermarket giant, Walmart. This chain was among the first to adopt the barcode and they are also at the forefront with RFID tags. When a shipment of merchandise arrives at a supermarket, a scanner simply reads it and the system registers which items are in the shipment, because Walmart demands, that all goods are tagged. No need to open any boxes to find out.

RFID tags play a substantial part in the chain of operation and are a cost-effective solution. A clever solution indeed.

But the use of RFID tags is not restricted to the private sector. In my opinion the public sector should be a platform for innovation and growth.

This should be reflected in the forthcoming joint public digitalisation strategy which will be in effect until 2015. It should be an ambitious strategy that ensures a simple, effective and cohesive public sector. It demands that we think long term in the public digitalisation.

The strategy must maintain Denmark's position of strength in the digitalisation arena. Fortunately, Danish citizens, businesses and public employees are among the most digital in the world.

That is why we should also embrace RFID technology in the public sector. Not for the sake of the technology itself but because it provides a better and cheaper service.

RFID technology has already made an impact in certain areas.

Danish libraries have adopted the technology and provide a better and more effective service. We have also seen examples of hospitals taking advantage of the technology. With an RFID tag, doctors and nurses can log onto all the computers they use during a shift without having to type in user names and passwords. This efficiency saves time, which is better suited for the patients.

But we must continue to find new and innovative ways to take advantage of the technology.

Therefore I am happy to see that the Healthcare Innovation Center, under the Capital Region of Denmark, is expected to launch a large innovation project with a great deal of focus on RFID. I hope this project can help ignite the digitalisation of healthcare.

RFID and protecting privacy

I have no doubt of the benefits of RFID technology, but we must not be overcome with technological enthusiasm. We also need to focus on the inevitable challenges that come with new technology.

This is very much on the EU agenda, particularly in relation to protecting privacy, but also in stimulating the spread of technology.

And of course, measures to protect privacy must be taken.

Some of you may remember the movie "Minority Report", in which the shops display personalised wall-to-wall commercials directed at the individual customer. These commercials knew exactly when a customer last bought a beer or went travelling. They were based on intimate – some might say intimidating – knowledge of each individual's consumer-patterns. This is a scenario we must avoid.

We must not violate citizens' privacy, and must make sure they feel safe and are properly informed.

Only when addressing these issues can we take advan-tage of the potential of RFID:

• we can improve digital services
• workflows and inventory management can be made more efficient
• And automisation can save many resources.

RFID in an online world

I do not see RFID technology as an isolated phenomenon. On the contrary, it is an expression of a world where everybody is online 24/7.

In fact, the generation born after 1990 has been called Generation C. C is for Connected, Communicating, Computerised and Clicking.

The government's goal of all citizens having access to 100 Mbit broadband internet connections by 2020, will build the digital highway of the future. The highway that ensures innovation, growth and welfare reaches the entire country.

RFID technology amplifies this trend. RFID not only allows all people, but also all things, to be online. What can be digitalised, will be digitalised. This opens new possibilities for interaction between things and people. It opens the door to the intelligent home, to more effective businesses and to a more efficient public sector.

So there is no time to waste. Let us embrace the technology and create new growth, new ideas and new workplaces.

I hope your conference will be as a productive and innovative as the technology you discuss today.