VENDORS

     There are numerous vendors of RFID tags, readers and middleware.  No information on RFID annual sales are available (due to firms being privately held or part of a division of a larger firm and RFID “division” sales are not broken out).  Below are three large suppliers of RFID hardware/middleware.   

Alien Technologies. 

<http://www.alientechnology.com/about/index.php>

    Alien was founded in l994 and employees about 235 people worldwide. Alien Technology provides UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products and services to customers in retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, defense, transportation and logistics, pharmaceuticals and other industries. Organizations use Alien's RFID products and services to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and security of their supply chains, logistics and asset tracking operations. Alien's products include RFID tags, RFID readers and related training and professional services. Alien's patented Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA) technology and related proprietary manufacturing processes are designed to enable the manufacture of high volume, low cost RFID tags. 

Avery Dennison. 

<http://www.rfid.averydennison.com/pages/about.html>

     Avery Dennison RFID is a division of Avery Dennison, a global leader in pressure-sensitive technology, self-adhesive base materials and self-adhesive consumer and office products.   Avery Dennison RFID was formed to zero in on the critical link between RFID hardware, software and databases ... the RFID tag. Since all RFID information flows through them, tags must send a clear signal for RFID to succeed. Relying on our existing core competencies and our track record making billions of high-quality electronic labels annually, we are creating tags that send a clear signal no matter what the read angle, package contents, reader protocol or environmental interference.  Using customer needs as our starting point, we’ve set out on a clearly marked path to move from global leader in labeling to best-in-class RFID tag manufacturer.

IBM. 

<http://www-1.ibm.com/businesscenter/smb/us/en/solutionsrfid>

     IBM (RFID) is executing an end-to-end RFID solution strategy from business case to pilots, implementation and rollout. At the core of this strategy is a comprehensive, flexible solution framework designed to deliver rapid return on investment while providing a roadmap for the future. IBM has moved aggressively to support the industry through early research, involvement in industry standards organizations, and customer pilot projects. Based on this early experience coupled with the breadth and depth of the solution components we offer, IBM is uniquely positioned to support you in leveraging RFID to transform your business.