Tennis Australia's IT manager Chris Simpfendorfer said he doesn't think RFID tags will replace tickets in the short term as "barcoding works really well". "Barcoding may be old, but it is effective and flexible; for example, customers can buy the e-ticket online, print it from the Web site, and bring it to the site," Simpfendorfer said, adding that barcoding simply "does the job".

This year's tournament, meanwhile, will see officials with RFID tags on PDAs demonstrate asset tracking when passing through a Melbourne Park marquee.

Simpfendorfer said Tennis Australia is investigating RFID applications presented to it by technology partner IBM to determine if the business returns add up.

"Asset management is there, but not for ticketing," he said. "We will also investigate the potential for [RFID] access control to the site."

That said, Simpfendorfer believes an RFID ticketing system would have some advantages over barcodes, like streamlining queues into events and monitoring the movements of attendees throughout spectator areas.