 already brim- ming with developing standards, large company entrants, start-up software developers, and numerous systems integrators. Despite some recognizable large company names, success is still to be determined, says Erik Michielsen, a senior analyst with technology research ABI, based in Oyster Bay, New York. Texas Instruments, Symbol Technologies, NCR, Philips, and Sun Micro- systems are only some of the big-name companies that have entered the world of RFID. Some recognizable names have entered the RFID fray as systems integrators, namely, IBM, Accenture, BearingPoint, Unisys, RedPrairie, and Manhattan Associates. Process questions abound, such as where to store the data, what data should be stored, how to secure and maintain data, and what is the optimal method to integrate data with existing business solutions. Some integrators, such as SAP, are developing enterprise-level RFID patches for cus- tomers. There are others, known as warehouse management systems compa- nies, which include Manhattan Associates, RedPrairie, and Provia. Long-time DoD integration partners such as Unisys, Lockheed Martin, and Accenture are stepping up government-based RFID efforts. "Due to the time constraints and the still-developing standards, prior rela- tionships will drive RFID integration contracts even more than with previous rollouts, such as ERP or supply chain management systems," notes Michielsen. "This is not necessarily good for the RFID business, as the process discour- ages competition and rewards relationships over capabilities. The upside is that established relationships will better enable scalable, successful solutions due to better understanding of environment, staff, and business goals." Another complex issue is that RFID is new and there have been few full- scale projects to date, especially for supply chain solutions. Although integra- tors such as SCS, Unisys, and Lockheed Martin have extensive, long-term relations with the DoD, they do not have extensive experience with passive, UHF RFID tags. The leading