Building the Future Together: Key Takeaways from VARTECH

Building the Future Together: Key Takeaways from VARTECH

VARTECH was a powerful reminder of what happens when builders gather with a shared purpose: to turn vision into reality. The energy on the floor was unmatched, serving as a masterclass in where our industry is heading. Innovation isn’t just about the next shiny object; it is about deliberate, connected strategy.

 

From cutting-edge RFID developments to next-generation barcode scanning and Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS), the future of operations is happening right now. Here’s a few key takeaways from this year’s incredible event:

 

 

  • Preparation meets execution: Get your plans, find the right people, and bring your tools. Success in this landscape isn’t accidental. It requires a clear strategy, the right talent in your corner, and the exact tools to execute flawlessly.
  • Problem-first mentality: Identify the problem first—then talk technology. It’s easy to get distracted by the latest tech trends. However, the best solutions start by deeply understanding the customer’s pain point before mapping out the technology to solve it.
  • The power of integration: A connected solution is the solution. Siloed technology is a thing of the past. True innovation lies in how seamlessly our systems, data, and people integrate with one another.
  • Ecosystem resilience: The entire supply chain ecosystem is vital. No business operates in a vacuum. A truly resilient strategy acknowledges and strengthens every single link in the supply chain.

Missed the Event? Connect with AIM Members Today

If you couldn’t make it to VARTECH, you don’t have to miss out on the momentum. You can get your questions answered directly by AIM members who possess the exact tools you need to optimize your supply chain, retail operations, and data capture strategies.

 Thank you to everyone who made this event a resounding success. The inspiring ideas and energy shared here will keep our conversations active and our momentum moving forward for weeks to come.

ScanSource P1 Conference – Redefining Relationship Partnerships Built on Truth and Honesty

ScanSource P1 Conference – Redefining Relationship Partnerships Built on Truth and Honesty

The energy was electric at ScanSource’s Partner First event, where industry leaders gathered to map out the future of technology, channel growth, and connected solutions. AI isn’t just on the horizon—it is here. ScanSource is fully equipped and business-ready to guide partners seamlessly through this massive digital transition.

 

The event launched with an exciting introduction of our new Specialty Technologies Group President, Mark Morgan. He took the stage to break down the rapid evolution of the tech stack and the massive shift toward converging markets. Partners walked away with a clear blueprint of emerging industry trends and actionable strategies on how ScanSource is ready to fuel their growth.

 

The fastest-growing sectors in tech don’t just innovate—they solve real-world problems. At our recent event, two dynamic panels brought together industry experts to share actionable insights on transforming retail operations and modernizing patient care through connected technology. The Retail Panel: Focused on solving today’s biggest retail headaches. Experts demonstrated how to slash inventory shrinkage and fix fragmented operations using connected technologies to drive smarter, more efficient outcomes.

The Healthcare Panel: Tallying up the power of integrated solutions. This session explored how secure networking, mobile devices, AI communications, and high-fidelity video unite to eliminate alarm fatigue, enable real-time care, and elevate patient experiences.

The momentum continued as CEO Mike Baur spotlighted key mega trends for future growth, focusing heavily on cybersecurity, AI, digitalization, automation, channel enablement, connectivity, and the massive shift toward cloud and subscription models. One of the biggest takeaways? Recurring revenue is king. Building a subscription-based model supercharges gross profits and unlocks a much broader Total Addressable Market (TAM)—ultimately helping partners capture a much larger piece of the market pie.

Beyond the main stage, the Supplier Expo and vibrant networking sessions hummed with activity. Partners and suppliers connected face-to-face, exploring cutting-edge solutions and sparking meaningful conversations to drive future business.

 

Thank you to everyone who made this event incredibly valuable and engaging. The ideas shared here will keep our conversations—and momentum—moving forward for weeks to come!

AIM Global Chapters Share Regional Momentum, Standards Leadership, and Industry Collaboration

AIM’s quarterly chapter meeting brought together leaders from across the global AIM community to share updates, highlight regional priorities, and identify opportunities for continued collaboration. The meeting reflected AIM’s role as a worldwide authority on barcode, RFID, RTLS, mobile computing, and related automatic identification and data capture technologies.

Across chapters, a common theme emerged: AIM members are actively helping industry respond to regulatory change, digital transformation, traceability requirements, and the growing need for interoperable standards.

AIM Germany: Advancing EU Standards and Industry Collaboration

AIM Germany provided a detailed update on its continued participation in European standardization and regulatory discussions. Key areas of focus include the Digital Product Passport, Cyber Resilience Act, Radio Equipment Directive, cybersecurity regulations, and frequency harmonization for RFID.

AIM Germany also reported on its spring members meeting, where board members were re-elected and a membership fee increase was approved beginning in 2027. Planning is also underway for an autumn meeting hosted by Epson in the Düsseldorf area.

Chapter highlight: AIM Germany continues to play an important role in EU technical and policy discussions, especially around DPP, CRA, RED, RFID frequency harmonization, and cybersecurity regulation.

AIM Russia: Supporting Standards and National Traceability

AIM Russia reported 19 member companies as of June 2026 and continues to operate in partnership with GS1 Russia through a joint secretariat. The chapter remains active in standards development, advocacy, user education, and technical consultation.

AIM Russia serves as Secretariat for GOST Technical Committee 355 and participates in international standards activity through ISO and CIS technical committees. Recent standards activity includes updated Data Matrix specifications and syntax standards for high-capacity automatic data capture media.

Chapter highlight: AIM Russia is supporting national traceability initiatives using AIDC technologies such as UHF RFID and Data Matrix, while maintaining strong alignment with ISO-based standards.

AIM India: Expanding Industry Visibility and Event Participation

AIM India shared updates on its successful webinar, “How RFID is Transforming Retail Operations,” which saw strong participation from registered attendees. The chapter also reported continued growth in its digital presence, with 1,918 LinkedIn followers and a team strength of 11.

AIM India also participated in several major industry events, including the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Rising Bharat Summit, Chintan Shivir on India’s medical devices export ecosystem, Times Now Summit 2026, and India Pharma 2026. These activities helped position AIM India within conversations around AI, AIDC, manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and national technology growth.

Chapter highlight: AIM India is building strong visibility through webinars, national conferences, and engagement in conversations around AI, RFID, MedTech, pharma, and India’s broader innovation economy.

AIM North America: Workgroups, Awards, and Member Engagement

AIM North America reported 96 total members across manufacturers, solution providers, distributors, end users, associations, government agencies, universities, and emeritus members. The chapter also highlighted upcoming award presentations recognizing individuals, organizations, and government leaders contributing to the use of AIDC and AIT.

Several active workgroups were featured. The UDI Work Group, chaired by Jay Crowley, recently hosted a virtual seminar with more than 150 registrants and is developing guidance on selecting 2D scanners. The Food Supply Chain Work Group, chaired by Julie McGill, is preparing comments related to FDA traceability requirements and developing educational resources. The Cannabis Work Group, chaired by Duane Roebuck, continues to build podcast content around inventory tracking, QR codes, safety, smart packaging, and related topics.

Chapter highlight: AIM North America continues to drive industry education and advocacy through active workgroups focused on UDI, food traceability, cannabis, 2D barcodes, and member engagement.

AIM Asia: Launching a Regional DPP Workgroup

AIM Asia reported the official launch of its Digital Product Passport Workgroup, which has already held its first meeting. The workgroup is focusing on industries where digital traceability and product transparency are becoming increasingly important, including garments, semiconductors, food, and pharmaceuticals.

The chapter is also developing a new regional web platform to strengthen member collaboration, resource sharing, and engagement across Asia.

Chapter highlight: AIM Asia is expanding regional collaboration through a new DPP Workgroup and a digital platform designed to connect members and support shared resources.

AIM Denmark: DPP Education and New Leadership

AIM Denmark highlighted recent activities, including its April AIDC seminar, “DPP as Growth Motor,” which helped attract interest from both members and non-members. The chapter emphasized the importance of expanding DPP conversations beyond pharmaceuticals to include retail and other industries.

AIM Denmark also announced new board leadership for 2026 and 2027, with Christian Meinhardt serving as Chair, Henrik Stilling as Vice Chair, and Merete Skov Pedersen as Secretariat Lead. Upcoming activities include an AIDC ERFA event at New Aalborg Hospital in August.

Chapter highlight: AIM Denmark is using DPP-focused education and healthcare-centered events to broaden AIDC awareness and strengthen regional engagement.

AIM Japan: Standards Participation and DPP Implementation Challenges

AIM Japan discussed challenges related to ISO/IEC JTC 5 participation and Digital Product Passport implementation.

AIM Global will follow up with AIM Japan to discuss how to collaborate more closely on standards and data formatting concerns in more detail.

Chapter highlight: AIM Japan is raising important questions around international standards participation, data formatting, and practical implementation challenges related to DPP.

AIM China: Digital Food Labeling and Consumer Transparency

AIM China reported progress on the Prepackaged Food Digital Label Platform, which is supporting more than 70 food companies as they transition to digital product information. This work is helping improve consumer access to product data, strengthen transparency, and support traceability through digital labeling and identification solutions.

The chapter also continues to promote adoption of RFID, smart labels, IoT, and other AIDC innovations across multiple sectors.

Chapter highlight: AIM China is advancing digital food labeling and consumer transparency through a platform supporting more than 70 food companies.

AIM Korea: Supporting the Smart Food QR Project

AIM Korea, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and GS1 Korea, provided consulting and technical support for the Smart Food QR project. This initiative supports the transition from traditional 1D barcodes to GS1 global 2D barcodes on food products.

The project is expected to improve digital access to food information, strengthen traceability, and support the use of global standards for richer product data.

Chapter highlight: AIM Korea is helping advance the transition to GS1 global 2D barcodes for food products through the Smart Food QR project.

AIM Global: Standards, Advocacy, Community, and Education

AIM Global provided an update organized around four key pillars: standards, advocacy, community, and education.

On the standards front, AIM highlighted its work as a redirector for ISO/IEC 15459 issuing agencies, the transition to 2D barcodes, AI and robotics, e-labeling, smart packaging, and IoT labeling.

In advocacy, AIM discussed ongoing global regulatory activity and efforts related to the FCC NextNav petition, where AIM joined a multi-association letter regarding proposed realignment of RFID frequency bands. AIM also noted continued work around the EU Digital Product Passport and plans for future DPP workgroup meetings.

Community updates included member meetups, chapter collaboration, Women of AIDC, Young Professionals, and opportunities to expand global mastermind groups. AIM also highlighted educational resources including the AIDC Fundamentals video series, RFID Community Connect post-event materials, partnered webinars, podcasts, and the Transportation, Logistics, and Warehousing industry survey.

Chapter highlight: AIM Global continues to connect chapter activity through standards leadership, advocacy, community engagement, education, and cross-regional collaboration.

Looking Ahead

The quarterly chapter meeting demonstrated the strength and diversity of AIM’s global network. From EU regulatory engagement and digital product passports to food labeling, healthcare traceability, RFID education, and 2D barcode adoption, AIM chapters are addressing the issues shaping the future of automatic identification and data capture.

AIM will continue working with its global chapters to strengthen industry education, support standards-based implementation, and help members navigate the evolving technology and regulatory landscape.