Tyco Fire & Security Forms RFID Alliance — epcSTARS
05 November, 2003
category: Contactless
Initial team to include ADT, Sensormatic, Rafsec, ThingMagic and GlobeRanger
BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Tyco Fire & Security, a major business segment of Tyco International Ltd., today announced it has formed a team of companies specializing in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies to provide turnkey RFID integration services and solutions for the retail supply chain. Called epcSTARS, this team will initially include ADT Security Services, Inc. and Sensormatic, as well as Rafsec Oy, ThingMagic LLC and GlobeRanger Corporation.
George Reynolds, vice president of RFID for Tyco Fire & Security, said by combining each company’s product and service specialties, the team can provide end-to-end RFID solutions to help manufacturers meet 2005 implementation goals set by the world’s largest retailer, WalMart.
“Each member of the epcSTARS team is a leader and innovator in the RFID industry with individual expertise covering entire RFID solutions from concept to deployment for the retail supply chain,” Reynolds said.
Members of the epcSTARS team include:
– The Sensormatic development team will provide its expertise and
technological leadership for the group. Through the Sensormatic and
SensorID brands, these team members bring 30 years of experience in
design, manufacture and deployment of reader, antenna and tag
technologies.
– ADT Security Services, Inc. will provide sales, support and
professional services, including technology and site assessments,
program management, system installation and maintenance. ADT has a
long history of deploying large-scale, complex electronic systems. ADT
operates more than 230 service centers throughout the United States and
employs more than 25,000 dedicated professionals in the U. S. alone.
– Rafsec Oy, Finland, will bring its tag manufacturing expertise to the
team. The company is one of the world’s largest producers of RFID
tags, including low-cost RFID tags that are interoperable with EPC-
compliant reader systems.
– ThingMagic, Cambridge, Mass., the creator of the original agile reader
for MIT, will supply the group with some of the newest reader
technology available.
– GlobeRanger, Richardson, Texas, will provide its innovative software
platform for solution development and management, specifically in the
area of RFID device management. GlobeRanger is one of the leaders in
RFID and mobility software solutions for the supply chain.
According to Mike Snyder, president of ADT Security Services, Inc., the epcSTARS alliance provides RFID end-users with access to turnkey RFID solutions that meet the latest EPC standards.
“Our goal is to provide customers with a direct link to complete RFID solutions that provide maximum value at each step of deployment,” said Snyder “The epcSTARS team is comprised of a core group of companies committed to bringing to market state-of-the-art RFID components that are flexible and interoperable.”
EpcSTARS is a non-exclusive group. The alliance is open to adding other world-class companies that can further enhance the value of the group’s turnkey RFID solutions. The solution components can also be unbundled as required.
“We will first look at what best meets the commercial needs of the customer, and second at balancing the interests of the alliance members,” said Tyco’s Reynolds. “The flexibility of this team approach will allow us to quickly respond with varying combinations of products, features and services to fit the specific needs of end users. We also have the ability to add additional epcSTARS members that may have other specific RFID products and expertise.”
The initial goal of epcSTARS is to provide a seamless, full RFID solution that will add value for end users, have the ability to adapt to advancements in the technology, while providing the highest performance at the lowest cost.
The epcSTARS name was derived in part from the group’s commitment to the open standards of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) Network, which is overseen by the EAN.UCC System’s RFID management body, EPCglobal. The STARS acronym stands for service, tags, antennas, readers and software, although these are just components of the integrated solutions services the alliance will provide its customers.
About Rafsec, Oy
Backed by the strength of its parent, the UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Rafsec, headquartered in Tampere, Finland, has the largest capacity in the industry for the integrated production of high quality RFID transponders suitable for numerous end-use applications. Rafsec’s flexible production enables the customization of products, as well as fast deliveries in different formats. Rafsec supports all major technology platforms.
About ThingMagic
Based in Cambridge, Mass., Thing Magic is a design and development company with broad expertise in computing and communication technologies, engineering mathematics and applied physics. ThingMagic’s staff scientists and engineers draw from these disciplines to design and develop scaleable systems in the field of RFID and sensing.
ThingMagic licenses its designs for manufacturing and distribution to market leaders and provides prototyping, custom product development and long- term R&D services to Fortune 1000 and early stage companies. ThingMagic’s licensing activities include agile RFID tag readers for use in supply chain management and low-cost embedded tag readers for use in consumer products and medical devices.
A sponsor of the MIT Auto-ID Center since 200a, ThingMagic has been actively involved in the development of the Auto-ID Center’s EPC specification and the Auto-ID Center’s field tests. ThingMagic continues to play a key role in the development and deployment of scaleable RFID systems. ThingMagic is widely regarded for its highly sophisticated Mercury(TM) Platform. Initially designed for the Auto-ID Center, the platform has since been commercialized and is being offered for sale by ThingMagic and its licensees. This system has been deployed in a number of pilot programs at major end-user sponsors of the MIT Auto-ID Center.
About GlobeRanger
GlobeRanger is the leading provider of RFID and mobility software solutions. Its innovative platform, iMotion, provides the critical software infrastructure that transforms real-time data, from the edge of the enterprise, into actionable information. iMotion serves as the foundation for GlobeRanger and its partners to rapidly develop, deploy, and manage RFID and mobile applications. Founded in 1999, GlobeRanger is headquartered in Richardson, Texas. www.globeranger.com.
About ADT
Celebrating its 128th anniversary, ADT Security Services, Inc., a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, is the largest single provider of electronic security services to more than five million commercial, federal and residential customers throughout the United States. ADT’s total security solutions include intrusion, fire protection, closed circuit television, access control, critical condition monitoring, electronic article surveillance and integrated systems. ADT’s web site address is http://www.adt.com.
About Tyco Fire & Security
Through its Sensormatic and SensorID brands, Tyco Fire & Security develops innovative solutions using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for the retail and manufacturing supply chains. Tyco Fire & Security, a major business segment of Tyco International Ltd., (NYSE: TYC, LSE: TYI, BSX: TYC), designs, manufactures, installs and services electronic security systems, fire protection, detection and suppression systems, sprinklers and fire extinguishers. With $10 billion in annual sales and more than 100,000 employees, Tyco Fire and Security Services includes more than 60 brands, which are represented in over 100 countries. Its products are used to safeguard firefighters, prevent fires, deter thieves and protect people and property.
