RFID hardware provider Alien Technology and RFID systems integration provider and consultancy Unisys have strengthened their relationship through a global joint marketing and reseller agreement.
“This agreement is part of an overall commitment to do business together, over and beyond what we’ve already done,” says Peter Regen, vice president of Unisys’ Global Visible Commerce unit. Alien has a long-standing relationship with Unisys, and has installed its equipment at Unisys solutions centers on four continents. Unisys is a gold sponsor of Alien’s RFID Solutions Center Dayton and has also worked with end users deploying Alien hardware. This agreement makes Unisys a reseller of Alien goods, as well.
“Our new reseller agreement means that Unisys will now be selling our product line. It takes our partnership to the next level,” says Susan Pearson, Alien’s vice president of alliances. Pearson explains that Unisys’ expertise in providing end-to-end supply chain visibility solutions in key vertical markets, combined with Alien’s solutions, will help drive the global adoption of RFID.
Under the companies’ joint marketing and master reseller agreement, Unisys will sell Alien products and services worldwide as components of its comprehensive supply chain visibility solutions for the retail, transportation, defense, consumer packaged goods, health care and other industries. Applications will include in-production, in-transport and in-store visibility; brand and consumer protection; secure commerce; and asset tracking and management. Unisys will offer its customers a series of hands-on educational workshops for individuals and companies looking to deploy either passive or semi-passive RFID systems. The workshops will be held in the Alien RFID Academy, associated with the RFID Solutions Center.
As a gold sponsor of Alien’s RFID Solutions Center, Unisys can use the center to provide its clients with consulting, implementation and testing resources. Alien opened the solutions center earlier this year. Numerous technology partners and government agencies support the center, as do five area universities. Alien hopes the center will serve as a valuable resource for end users, researchers and RFID vendors alike (see Alien Opens Dayton RFID Lab).
According to Regen, one important element of the agreement is that it enables Unisys to resell and integrate Alien hardware in all countries. “This broadens our relationship,” he says, “not just in terms of products, but also in enabling us to do business together across the globe.”