Motorola Tops RFID Reader Vendor Ranking

Motorola has been ranked at the top of the latest Vendor Matrix released by ABI Research. Convergence Systems Limited (CSL) and Psion Teklogix claimed the second and third spots in a worldwide evaluation of passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) handheld reader vendors.

The matrix is an analytical tool to provide an understanding of vendors’ positions in specific markets. Vendors are assessed on the parameters of “innovation” and “implementation” across several criteria that are unique to each vendor matrix. Although taken into consideration under certain criteria, product performance benchmarking is not a focus of this vendor matrix.

”Mobile computing, bar code scanning, and RFID are highly complementary technologies and major strengths for Motorola, helping drive handheld product innovation within the organization,” states Michael Liard, RFID practice director. “The company’s global reach, partner/customer support capabilities, installed base, and an approach to RFID that cuts across many industries while addressing the needs of verticals all helped bolster the overall implementation score relative to the competition.”

For this particular matrix, under "innovation," ABI Research examined the vendor’s product offering mix and the readers’ overall designs, GUI and/or user input configuration, and critical performance enhancements such as battery life expectancy, antenna design, and wireless connectivity options. The vendors’ industry leadership, influence, and knowledge transfer were evaluated, as well as their perceived strength and innovation in engineering.

Under "implementation," the vendors were scrutinized according to the following criteria: manufacturing capabilities and strategy; pricing strategy and perceived price-to-value quotient; overall market position, leadership, and strength; perceived strength within verticals and/or applications targeted/served; persistent market presence and experience; partner strategy, approach, and support capabilities; scope of distribution channels; and go-to-market strategy and approach.

ABI Research, www.abiresearch.com