Trimble and TagMaster Partner to Deliver ThingMagic Powered RFID Systems

ThingMagic Modules to be integrated into TagMaster RFID Readers for Railway Industry Asset Tracking and Hands-free Identification for Access Control and Vehicle Applications

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Trimble

Aug 31, 2011, 06:30 ET

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today that TagMaster, a leading producer of advanced long-range, radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for automatic identification, will integrate the ThingMagic® Mercury5e (M5e) embedded UHF RFID reader module into its new stationary readers. TagMaster's readers are designed for asset tracking applications in the railway industry as well as hands-free solutions for personnel and vehicle access control.

Businesses such as rail transportation systems, parking facilities and airlines are looking to overcome competitive challenges by reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies and asset utilization. In response to these customer demands, TagMaster is integrating the M5e module into its newest line of UHF RFID readers to deliver increased efficiency, security and convenience, while minimizing environmental impact with low power output, small form factor and discreet design.

"Certain industries and applications carry with them complex economic and operational challenges that require very specific RFID solutions," said Bo Tiderman, CEO of TagMaster. "The railway industry and automatic identification applications fall into that category. Long-range read capabilities are a must, and the RFID system must also support various environmental requirements, high-speed read capability, and flexible configuration options. The ThingMagic M5e design satisfies those requirements with its extensive feature set, small size and superior performance, giving us the ability to easily create products and information services that serve our customers' specific needs."

The ThingMagic M5e enables the TagMaster XT-3HD and XT-3 Readers to be built to suit a wide range of requirements. Key features of the readers include full functionality ECP Gen 2 (ISO 18000-6C) compliance, GEN4 Linux operating system, which provides powerful processing capabilities within the reader and maximum flexibility in terms of application integration, and customized application development using TagMaster's open source Software Development Kit. The XT-3HD is a rugged outdoor reader designed to comply with railway standards. It has a read-range of up to five meters and will read EPC Gen 2 UHF ID Tags mounted on passing trains or wagons. The TagMaster XT-3 Reader is primarily designed for people and vehicle access control applications, such as parking garage access where long-range identification in combination with high-speed RFID tag reading may be required.

"Our RFID modules and developer kits are designed to serve as tools to build innovative and customizable RFID solutions for worldwide deployment, across a variety of markets," said Tom Grant, general manager of Trimble's ThingMagic Division. "TagMaster is an excellent example of a company that is successfully satisfying a variety of complex regulations and customer parameters and we're proud to be in a position to help make that happen. It's these types of solutions that spur the advancement and adoption of RFID."

With its expanded functionality, the ThingMagic M5e is a one watt, credit card-sized reader module ideal for adding UHF RFID read and write capabilities to a wide range of fixed and mobile devices. The ease-of-use of the ThingMagic embedded reader modules enable rapid RFID solution development so partners can bring products to market faster and at a lower development cost. Further simplifying development, the ThingMagic MercuryAPI reduces time-to-market by providing customers with a common platform with which to develop highly complementary RFID-enabled solutions based on the company's broad portfolio of embedded and fixed/finished RFID reader products.

About TagMaster

TagMaster is a Swedish technology company founded in 1994 with headquarters in Kista (Stockholm), Sweden. TagMaster designs and markets advanced long-range radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and information services associated with automatic vehicle identification, rail bound transportation, asset management and people access, in order to increase efficiency, security, convenience and to decrease environmental impact. TagMaster exports mainly to Europe, Asia and North America via a global network of partners, systems integrators and distributors. TagMaster shares are traded on First North in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information, visit: www.tagmaster.com.

About Trimble's ThingMagic Division

Trimble's ThingMagic Division is a leading provider of UHF RFID reader engines, development platforms and design services for a wide range of applications. ThingMagic develops products for demanding, high-volume applications and provides consulting and design services to create solutions for challenging applications. ThingMagic's customers include some of the world's largest industrial automation firms, manufacturers, automotive companies, retailers, and consumer companies. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the ThingMagic business was founded in 2000 by a group of visionary PhD graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab. ThingMagic is "The Engine in RFID™".

For more information, visit: www.thingmagic.com.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location--including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.

GTRMB

SOURCE Trimble