AIM Today

AIM is the trusted global industry association for the automatic identification and data capture community. Through standards development, industry advocacy, education, research, and collaboration, AIM helps organizations responsibly implement technologies including barcodes, RFID, RAIN RFID, NFC, IoT, RTLS, and other identification and data capture solutions.

Representing AIDC in a Changing Regulatory Environment

AIM works to ensure that automatic identification and data capture technologies are understood and appropriately represented as governments and regulatory organizations develop new policies.

Recent areas of focus include:

Digital Product Passport requirements and the need for globally aligned, interoperable product identification and data-sharing systems.
Protection of the 902–928 MHz spectrum used by RAIN RFID in response to the NextNav petition before the Federal Communications Commission.
Cybersecurity requirements, including standards-based approaches to connected-product security and the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.
FDA implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, including the recognition of machine-readable records and traceability technologies.
Drug Supply Chain Security Act requirements for pharmaceutical product identification and traceability.
Food Safety Modernization Act Section 204 and the use of AIDC technologies to strengthen food traceability, outbreak response, and supply chain visibility.
Unique Device Identification requirements and the continued advancement of safer, more efficient healthcare supply chains.

AIM brings together technical experts, solution providers, manufacturers, end users, regulators, and standards organizations to provide practical industry input on these important issues.

Protecting RFID Operations and Spectrum Access

AIM continues to advocate for the reliable operation of RFID and RAIN RFID systems throughout North America and globally.

Working with members, academic researchers, and industry partners, AIM has helped evaluate the potential impact of proposed changes to the lower 900 MHz spectrum. This work includes technical analysis, real-world testing, public comments, industry education, and collaboration with other organizations representing RFID users and technology providers.

These efforts help protect RFID deployments supporting retail, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, food, and other critical supply chain operations.

Developing Practical Industry Resources

AIM’s industry groups transform technical expertise into resources that organizations can use.

The Technical Symbology Committee, RFID Experts Group, and Visibility Technologies Group develop educational documents, implementation guidance, technical recommendations, and standards-related resources addressing emerging industry needs.

Recent work has included:

A QR Code Phishing Awareness resource to help businesses and consumers recognize potential risks when scanning unfamiliar QR codes.
Guidance supporting the proper implementation and evaluation of 2D barcode systems.
Resources explaining the role of RFID, NFC, BLE, UWB, IoT, and other technologies within the broader AIDC ecosystem.
Supply chain visibility materials illustrating how AIDC technologies support products throughout their lifecycle.
RFID security and privacy education.
Technical work involving barcode verification, scanner configuration, data content, tag performance, and interoperability.
Updates to foundational RFID and track-and-trace resources.

AIM also published three new industry resources in 2026 addressing important developments in identification, traceability, and supply chain technology.

Providing Industry Research and Direction

AIM’s Industry Direction Report brings together input from industry leaders to examine the technologies, business pressures, regulatory developments, and market trends shaping the future of AIDC.

Additional AIM research, surveys, outlook reports, case studies, webinars, and podcasts provide organizations with insights into topics such as artificial intelligence, supply chain visibility, RFID adoption, 2D barcodes, digital product identities, cybersecurity, healthcare traceability, food safety, and warehouse automation.

These resources help industry professionals understand not only which technologies are emerging, but how they can be applied effectively.

Expanding AIDC Education

AIM’s AIDC 101 and advanced educational workshops provide practical instruction in the technologies that support modern identification, automation, and supply chain operations.

The workshops introduce participants to barcode, RFID, RAIN RFID, NFC, RTLS, IoT, data standards, and other AIDC technologies through expert presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on learning.

AIM continues to expand this educational programming through in-person workshops, virtual events, webinars, podcasts, technical documents, and collaborative programs with its chapters and industry partners.

Supporting the Next Generation of Industry Leaders

AIM established Women of AIDC and Young Professionals in AIDC to strengthen professional development, mentorship, leadership, and community within the industry.

Women of AIDC provides opportunities for networking, recognition, thought leadership, and career development while highlighting the accomplishments of women who are helping shape the future of AIDC.

Young Professionals in AIDC connects emerging professionals with industry leaders, educational opportunities, volunteer projects, mentoring, and peer networking.

Together, these communities help AIM support a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive industry.

Connecting a Global Community

AIM works closely with its chapters, members, partner associations, research institutions, standards organizations, and industry groups around the world.

Through global chapter meetings, collaborative events, technical projects, webinars, workshops, research initiatives, and reciprocal partnerships, AIM helps connect regional expertise with international industry priorities.

This collaboration enables AIM to identify emerging challenges, share knowledge across markets, reduce duplication of effort, and support consistent, standards-based implementation of AIDC technologies.

Advancing Standards and Interoperability

For more than 50 years, AIM has helped develop the standards, identifiers, symbologies, and technical frameworks that allow AIDC systems to operate consistently across organizations, industries, and national borders.

Today, AIM continues to support global standards development through its work with ISO, IEC, ANSI, GS1, and other organizations. AIM also serves in important standards administration and registration authority roles and provides a forum where industry experts can contribute directly to the future of identification and data capture.

AIM’s work helps ensure that products, assets, locations, and information can be identified, captured, and exchanged accurately throughout increasingly connected global supply chains.