RFID Vendors - The Americas

Alanco Technologies: Alanco is a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based provider of information technology. In May 2002, the Alanco acquired RFID tracking technology through the acquisition of the operations of Technology Systems International. TSI is a developer of the proprietary TSI PRISM wireless RFID tracking technology utilized primarily in correctional facilities security management and personnel monitoring (see RFID Reforms Prism Management).

Alien Technology: Based in Morgan Hill, Calif., Alien provides high-volume, low cost, EPC-compliant radio frequency identification (RFID) products including tags and readers. Using Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA), a patented manufacturing process, Alien manufactures electronic product code (EPC) tags used in a variety of applications including supply chain management, logistics operations and anti-counterfeiting to improve inventory management and reduce operating costs.

The Argent Group: Based in Troy Michigan, the Argent Group is a small consortium of businesses formed to offer RFID and smart label users a complete service, including specification, selection, and installation of hardware, and software, and systems integration. The companies are converters and printers of various materials for incorporation into adhesive or non-adhesive labels, which are used throughout automotive, pharmaceuticals, consumer products and other supply chains. Argent specializes in the manufacture of smart labels, many of which incorporate RFID technology. They can print antennas using conductive inks and can assist clients with selection of the most appropriate chips and antenna designs.

Avante International Technology: : Based in Princeton, N.J., Avante has developed a portfolio of more than 12 granted, allowed and pending patents covering wide aspects of antenna arrays, reliable inlets and methods for using RFID. Avante makes and sells low-cost soldered interconnected RFID tags using "chip-jumper," tracking systems with RFID encoded with relational check code for data integrity, and positive medication patient matching with RFID to reduce medication errors. Avante's sister company AIT sells low cost substrate for making soldering interconnected inlets for 13.56 MHz, UHF and 2.45 GHz RFID inlets.
Axcess International: Formerly Axcess Inc., Carrollton, Tex.-based Axcess International (OTC: AXSI.OB) provides security and asset management systems that locate, identify, track, monitor and protect assets. It has three main lines of business RFID system solutions, Prism Video products (closed circuit television) and LAN (local area network) connect products. It's proprietary, active (battery-powered) RFID systems are used for vehicle access control as well as personnel and automatic asset tracking and protection.

Balogh RFID: A global manufacturer of RFID systems, Balogh has facilities in the U.S. and Europe. It makes passive tags, readers, transceivers and proximity sensors for applications ranging from harsh industrial environments and food processing to access control and personnel tracking.

Baumer Ident GmbH: This Weinheim, Germany-based subsidiary of the Swiss technical company Baumer Electric develops, produces and sells object-identification-systems.

Bluesoft Inc.: Based in San Mateo, Calif., Bluesoft develops positioning solutions for short-range wireless networking standards. Its AeroScout WLAN Location System provides a platform for enterprise-level location-based applications, which is fully compatible and integrated with a Wi-Fi network. This real-time location system can locate both standard Wi-Fi devices (PDAs, laptops, RFID and barcode readers etc.) as well as AeroScout Wi-Fi Tags. AeroScout Tags are active RFID tags which transmit a unique tag ID that is detected by the system. Its location is determined accurately in real time through a triangulation algorithm. With this system, manufacturers can locate WIP inventory, expensive tooling, dies and jigs and other equipment. Retailers can locate shopping carts and employee handhelds in a store. In logistics environments, trailers, containers and vehicles can all be efficiently located in large yards and distribution centers.

Checkpoint Systems Inc.: Based in Thorofare, NJ., Checkpoint is a multinational company that manufactures digital RF electronic article surveillance (EAS) and RFID systems, RF source tagging, and barcode labeling systems. Applications include automatic identification, retail security, and pricing and promotional labels. Checkpoint has a global network of 30 subsidiaries and provides professional customer service and technical support around the world.

Escort Memory Systems: Founded in 1985, Scotts Valley, Calif.-based EMS develops, manufactures and supports RFID installations in companies around the globe. Supply Chain customers with applications such as WIP, Quality Control, Warehousing, and Logistics have all turned to EMS RFID for inventory management, tracking, and data collection systems. EMS uses 13.56 MHz technology and has particular expertise in supply chain and industrial manufacturing applications.

EZ-ID Animal Identification: This Greeley, Colo.-based company is affiliated with AVID ID Systems, which pioneered the development of radio frequency identification for use in animal identification in the 1980s. EZ-ID offers RFID transponders in the form of rumen bolus, ear tags and transponder implants, as well as readers and scanners that read different manufacturers' products. Its products are used to track livestock, fish and wildlife, companion pets and research animals in U.S. and international markets.

Fowler: This company makes a read-write chip with 256 KB of memory, which is used to track assets in cases where information must remain with the item.

HEI: This Minneapolis, Minn., based company specializes in the design, manufacture and testing of ultra-miniature microelectronic devices. The company ooffers turnkey RFID systems, including module assemblies, standard and custom tags, readers and integrated software packages. Its technology can be used for supply chain, manufacturing, inventory control, anti-theft and other applications.

Hypercom: A Phoenix, Arizona, maker of point of sales terminals. The company’s HyperPASS system uses RFID key fobs for payment with its ICE terminals.

Identec Solutions: A Canadian company based in Kelowna, BC, Identec offers long-range active RFID equipment for asset tracking."

IDmicro: A Tacoma, Wash., company that designs, manufactures, and integrates RFID solutions for identification access control and security, asset tracking, customer recognition and mobile commerce.

Indala: Acquired by ASSA ABLOY in November of 2001, Indala manufactures proximity cards and readers. Its line of FlexPass readers combines intelligent programming technology with interchangeable components, including uniform modules and a range of stylish cover designs. Indala's product portfolio also consists of FlexPass cards, tags and OEM modules. Founded in 1985 and acquired by Motorola in 1993, Indala's installed base consists of approximately 60 million cards and 1 million readers. The company's headquarters is located in San Jose, California.

Intermec Technologies Corp.: A UNOVA Inc. company, Intermec is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag RFID, mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.

Intersoft: This Tullahoma Tenn., company makes equipment for a variety of RFID applications, including asset tracking and customer loyalty. It’s been in business since 1991.

Matrics: Based in Columbia, Maryland, Matrics integrates components to provide solutions for supply chain and asset tracking.

Marconi Commerce Systems: This Greensboro, NC, division of Marconi Plc., which made RFID system for retailers and for environmental control, was sold to Danaher Corporation (http://www.danaher.com/index_db.html) in February 2002. Danaher’s press release didn’t indicate whether the company would continue to operate as a separate entity, but it appears to be doing business under its original name, Gilbarco (http://www.gilbarco.com/).

Melexis: Based in Concord, New Hampshire, Melexis makes sensor ICs and RFID tags with rolling codes are used in automobile keys to provide extra security.

Microchip Technology: Based in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip manufactures the PICmicro® field-programmable RISC microcontrollers, which serve 8- and 16-bit embedded control applications, and a broad spectrum of high performance linear and mixed-signal, power management and thermal management devices. The company also offers complementary microperipheral products including interface devices; microID™ RFID devices; serial EEPROMs; and the patented KEELOQ® security devices.

Micron Technology Inc.: The Boise, Idaho, chip maker produces some RFID transponders.

OmniTek: An ADEMCO Group Company and a division of Honeywell's Security & Fire Solutions, OmniTek provides a complete family of 125 kHz Prox readers and 13.56 MHz contactless smart Card readers for the access control industry. OmniTek can provide both finished card readers as well as OEM modules for integration by system integrators and OEMs.

Omron: Founded in Kyoto, Japan in 1933, Omron is one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced electronics and control system components. It has revenues of more than $5 billion in the year 2000. The company's North American operations are based in Schaumburg, Ill.

Open Tag Systems : Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., Open Tag Systems (OTS) offers low-cost, ergonomic hand-held RFID readers. A wide range of reader interfaces allows OTS products to be integrated into existing systems. OTS products can be used in point of sales, manufacturing, warehousing and other applications. The company is privately held and sells to distributors worldwide.

Plitek: Based in Des Plaines, Ill., Plitek is a manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labels containing embedded RFID tags from a variety of vendors. The company is technology agnostic and sells labels that are compliant with ISO14443A, ISO 15693, ISO 18000, EPC Class 0 or EPC Class 1. It offers RFID labels that operate at 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.45 GHz frequencies. Plitek also manufactures smart tickets and tags.

Quelis ID Systems: Based in the Mirabel International Trade Area, near Montreal, Quebec, Quelis develops and manufactures RFID transponders through the use of an innovative manufacturing technology that it calls Wire On Chip (TM). Quelis was founded in November 2000 and is now offering a full set of transponders called SmartQTags (TM) on standard or custom integrated circuits.

Philips Semiconductors: Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the biggest electronics companies on earth, and it’s semiconductor unit is big in RFID. It makes contactless smart cards, smart labels and other RFID products.

RCD Technology Corporation: A Bethlehem, Penn., manufacturer of copper-based antennae for RFID tags and inlets, smart cards, EAS, inventory control, and other uses.

RFID, Inc.: A privately held company that traces its roots back to 1984, RFID, Inc. is manufactures RFID systems for end users, resellers, integrators, VARS, as well as the development of new RFID systems for OEM’s interested in customized systems for incorporation into their own product offerings.

SAMSys Technologies: This Canadian company provides RFID hardware solutions and RFID integration consulting services. SAMSys offers a selection of readers spanning low frequency, high frequency and UHF, supporting a broad range of protocols. The consulting service focuses on the front-end of the RFID implementation process.

SCM Microsystems: Based in Fremont, Calif. Provides a full range of digital security systems and sophisticated smart card readers.

Siemens: The German industrial giant’s MOBY division is one of the biggest players in RFID in Europe.

SIRIT: This Toronto-company's Radio Frequency Solutions division creates custom RFID readers that are embedded into industrial printers, hand-held computers and cashless payment terminals from major manufacturers. The division also does R&D for smart shelves that can read radio frequency waves emitted by RFID chips embedded into product packaging. The information can be used to alert employees when stock or inventory is low and to facilitate automated merchandising techniques for consumer products companies. Founded in 1993, SIRIT also has divisions that focus on Automatic Vehicle Identification applications, including electronic toll collection, parking and access control, airports, fleet, vehicle registration and intermodal applications.

SkyeTek: This Boulder, Colo. startup manufactures 13.56MHz RFID readers. It also offers RFID systems integration and RFID engineering design services, including custom RFID hardware and software. It sells to OEMs and markets to end users through a network of distributors, value added resellers and systems integrators.

SpectraID: From its operations in the USA and Europe, SpectraID distributes UHF global RFID tags, inlets and labels, and custom designs UHF tag antennas at 869MHz - 950 MHz. The company offers its antenna designs under license, and distributes RFID inlets, tags, labels and readers direct to large end user organizations and through a partner chain of value-added resellers, systems integrators and dealers.

STMicroelectronics: This Geneva, Switzerland-based semiconductor company develops and delivers semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. STMicro is a well-established provider of contactless and RFID technology and offers a wider range of products for all RFID applications. The product range covers both long range and short range 13.56 Mhz tags as well as a new range of products for UHF. Products can be supplied in wafer form or as finished tags. An advanced reader chip with authentication and anti-clone features is also available for short range implementations.

Symbol Technologies: Symbol dominates the market for handheld bar code scanners. The company is now moving into RFID and is a member of the Auto-ID Center.

Tagsys: Tagys is a spin-off of Gemplus, the French smart card company. It sells smart labels that use four different chip designs.

TEK Industries, Inc.: Based in Manchester, Conn., TEK makes a variety of handheld readers, including an adapter for a Palm handheld computer.

Texas Instruments: Dallas, Tex.-based Texas Instruments designs and manufactures other semiconductor products including standard logic devices, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), microprocessors, microcontrollers and digital imaging devices. It is also a supplier of radio frequency identification systems that operate at low- and high frequency. It has announced plans to offer UHF products as well. Today, TI has about 22 percent of the market. It is one of the few semiconductor companies that provide finished RFID tags, as well as readers. Its products are based on ISO standards and it plans to produce EPC transponders. For an in-depth report on the company, see ).

TransCore: One of the leading providers of active RFID tags and readers. It's technology is used for toll collection systems, fleet management, tracking railway cars, mobile commerce and tracking baggage at airports.

Vanguard ID Systems: Based in West Chester, PA, Vanguard ID manufactures bar coded, magnetic striped, RFID cards, and key tags in a variety of formats.

Verifone: This Santa Clara, Calif., company makes point of sales terminals that read RFID tags.

WhereNet: This 5-year old company offers real-time location tracking technology for keeping tabs on high-value items, such as semi-tractors and semi-trailers. Ford uses their equipment on its assembly line for parts replenishment. WhereNet is backed by Crosspoint Venture Partners, Bay Partners, and other VCs.

X-ident USA: This subsidiary of X-ident of Duren, Germany, is a manufacturer of RFID labels, tickets and tags that operate at 13.56MHz and 915MHz. The company is able to provide 100 percent functional products