Savi calls active RFID market mature, signs 7 licensees

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Mountain View, CA – Savi Technology , a provider of active radio frequency identification (RFID)-based technologies, said the first seven companies have licensed its active RFID technology, signaling a maturing market for the RFID industry. The licensees gain access to Savi’s intellectual property for active RFID products based on the ISO 18000-7 active RFID air protocol standard, Savi noted in a Jan. 11 statement.

“Broad participation in our ISO 18000-7 licensing program is a sign of a maturing market for active RFID, and a confirmation that standardization will continue to turbo charge this marketplace,” said Bob Kramer, chief executive officer of Savi Technology. “The commitment demonstrated by multiple companies under the licensing program is significant to the growth of RFID’s benefits in supply chain asset tracking and other applications. This also establishes a sound baseline for interoperability and future implementation of RFID-based electronic seals and other container security devices.”

Savi Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin , launched its ISO 18000-7 RAND (Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory) program on Aug. 24, 2006, with a “Quick Start” program that ended Dec. 31st, and an ongoing “Basic” licensing program. The seven participants below, Savi says, will provide the market with best-of-breed, properly licensed equipment based on international standards. ISO 18000-7 addresses air protocol standards for RFID equipment operating at 433.92 MHz, and has been supported in nearly every major trading country worldwide, Savi says. The companies are:

• Apogee Total Solutions , formerly Active RFID Systems Inc., is a Raleigh, NC-based provider of active RFID tags, readers, specialty devices, and mobility solutions, including a line of real-time locating software tools and applications.

• Convergence Systems Ltd, based in Hong Kong, engineers and manufactures UHF passive and active RFID readers, antennas, RFID modules, and custom RFID tags.

• Evigia Systems Inc., based in Ann Arbor, MI, provides wireless sensor products including active RFID tags, readers, and multi-sensor tags with small form factors and extended battery life based on its ultra-low power integrated CMOS-MEMS technology.

• Graphic Industries Inc. of Pennsville, NJ, provides membrane switches, RFID smart labels and nameplates to the defense, medical, and commercial supply chain markets.

• Hi-G-Tek, based in Rockville, MD, is a global provider of RFID-based sensors and solutions for real-time monitoring of critical assets and sensitive materials.

• Identec Solutions , headquartered in Lustenau, Austria, specializes in long-range wireless tracking and tracing solutions, which help simplify manufacturing and logistics processes and bring more transparency to the supply chain.

• Impeva Labs, based in California's Silicon Valley, provides global tracking, monitoring, and security for intermodal dry and refrigerated containers as well as other mobile and fixed assets.

Savi says it has more than 16 years of experience in providing active RFID solutions for the management and security of supply chain assets, shipments, and consignments. Its parent company, Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, employs about 140,000 people, and reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

Search RFID at www.controleng.com to read other coverage. Look for an RFID cover story at www.controleng.com/archive under 2007 February (mid-month).

Click here to learn more about the ISO-18000-7 standard.

— Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, MHoske@cfemedia.com