Unisys, Alien build RFID solutions alliance

Alien Technology Corp. has signed an agreement with Unisys Corp. to deliver to market radio frequency identification technology, products and services designed to increase supply chain visibility, security and efficiency.

The joint marketing and reseller agreement melds Alien's RFID readers, tags and professional services with Unisys' infrastructure and server technologies and consulting and integration services. RFID Solutions Center Dayton, a division of Alien Technology, will play a pivotal role in delivering the solutions to market.

Currently, Alien equipment is installed at Unisys' solutions centers on four continents.

Under the two companies' agreement, Unisys of Blue Bell, Pa., will sell Alien products and services worldwide as part of comprehensive supply chain visibility solutions for retail, transportation, defense, consumer packaged goods, health care and other industries.

Applications will include in-production, in-transport and in-store visibility. They also will address brand and consumer protection, secure commerce and asset tracking and management.

Alien products covered by the agreement include Alien's recently launched Gen2 EPCglobal-compliant Alien ALR-9800 Enterprise Reader. Also included is Alien's battery-assisted passive hardware for cold chain management applications, which involves temperature sensitive goods that require special handling. Unisys also will offer its customers the educational services of the Alien RFID Academy.

Alien is based in Morgan Hill, Calif.

Unisys, which has 36,400 employees and annual sales of $5.8 billion, ranks No. 22 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of federal IT prime contractors. The 2006 Top 100 list will be released May 15.