AWID EPC Gen2 Readers And Modules Shipping
AWID's current production reader demonstrated the ability to read all EPC protocols simultaneously (Class 0, 0+, 1 and Gen2) and is often used around the world to read and program Philips ECP Class 1.19 and ISO 18000-6 A & B tags.
Andy Chapman, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Marketing, Printronix: "One of the reasons we selected AWID as a partner is its true multi-protocol platform; we are proud to be part of a demonstration that produces true proof of performance. AWID and Printronix have delivered what the industry needs now. Printronix's SL5000e MP printer and developer kits contain the AWID multi-protocol encoder and provide capabilities to address applications that require EPC™ standards. With these, we are giving customers the greatest flexibility and a solid migration path to future standards. This affords users asset protection because they can transition to EPC Gen 2 standards via a simple firmware upgrade in the field."
AWID has been profitable for the past 3 years and shipped nearly 39,800 readers and reader modules in 2004; "EPC Gen2 compatibility from our current production readers will turbo-charge AWID's already strong financial performance through 2005" remarked Donny Lee, AWID CEO.
Although AWID is one of the world's most successful RFID reader and reader module suppliers, AWID has historically done little advertising and promotion, however this is about to change. "RFID users need to know that AWID is expanding its product engineering team for 2005, accelerating new product developments, globally locating its application engineering support near customers and pursuing a common product development roadmap with AWID's growing list of strategic partners," said Jeffrey Jacobsen, President of AWID.
Greg Matula, Hewlett Packard's RFID Technical Manager. Upon hearing about AWID's Gen2 protocol demonstration, "HP has implemented RFID technology in more than 25 manufacturing and distribution facilities around the world. AWID products were selected for many of HP's facilities because of their performance-to-price ratio and capabilities. HP has been very pleased with AWID products and support."
At the current production price of $500 per reader, AWID's reader family is the least expensive and offers the most advanced multi-protocol reader performance available today. AWID's multi-protocol Gen2 RFID modules and readers have been in production and shipping since July 2004. For example, since last July, all AWID 1501-A RFID modules used in Printronix SL5000 printers or in Psion Teklogix handheld readers, as well as many new RFID enabled products currently in approvals for production in 2005, provide full multi-protocol EPC Class 0, 0+, 1, 1.19, ISO 18000-6A/B performance and the same Gen2 read and write capabilities demonstrated to the EPCglobal users and hardware suppliers on December 3rd.
About AWID
Applied Wireless Identification Group, Inc. (AWID) is a world leading manufacture of EPC and ISO compliant multi-protocol Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products.
Using "Circulating Phased Array" and "Fast Look Ahead Decay" patented manufacturing technologies, AWID manufactures EPC and ISO readers used in numerous applications including supply chain management, logistics operations and anti-counterfeiting, improving inventory management and reducing distribution costs.