Tyco Builds Team of Companies to Provide RFID Services

Tyco Fire and Security 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.

The team, called epcSTARS, includes Tyco companies ADT Security Services Inc. and Sensormatic, as well as Rafsec Oy, ThingMagic LLC and GlobeRanger Corp.

George Reynolds, vice president of RFID for Tyco Fire and Security, says the team’s effort will be devoted to providing end-to-end RFID solutions to help manufacturers meet 2005 implementation goals
set by the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart. “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 in a statement.The Sensormatic development team will provide the technological leadership for the group. Sensormatic’s team members bring 30 years of experience in design, manufacture and deployment of reader, antenna and tag technologies. ADT will provide sales, support and professional services, including technology and site assessments, program management, system installation and maintenance.

Rafsec Oy of Finland 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 of Cambridge, Mass., created the original agile reader for MIT, while Richardson, Texas’ GlobeRanger will provide a software platform for solution development and management, specifically in the area of RFID device management.

EpcSTARS is a non-exclusive group and is open to adding other companies. “We will first look at what best meets the commercial needs of the customer, and second at balancing the interests of the alliance members,” says
Reynolds.