Alien Technology Introduces Enterprise-Focused Windows Mobile RFID Connected-Handheld

Alien Technology announced the addition of two further models to its industry proven ALH-9000 range of “connected-handheld” UHF RFID reader products. The new models leverage the existing ALH-9000 feature set while offering the enhancements and benefits provided by Windows Mobile 6.5, such as application availability and streamlined software interfacing.

Two levels of functionality are being offered with the new Alien Windows Mobile 6.5 reader in a similar manner to the Windows CE 5.0 equivalents. The base level (ALH-9010 Windows Mobile, ALH-9000 Windows CE) includes Wi-Fi, 1D bar code reader (laser), USB connectivity, a 3.5” QVGA touch screen and a 3,000mAh lithium polymer battery. This unit comes well equipped with a full set of standard accessories, including:

• Cradle with Ethernet and USB.
• Gun handle.
• Sync cable.
• Power adapter for U.S. or Europe.
• Stylus pen.
• Hand strap.
• Protective screen film.

An upgraded Alien unit (ALH-9011 Windows Mobile, ALH-9001 Windows CE) includes the standard accessories and adds a camera, 2D-bar code scanner, Bluetooth, HSDPA cellular wireless connectivity, GPS and an additional 4,500mAh battery installed in the reader handle. Additional optional accessories include leather case, vehicle charger and additional batteries.

“These innovative readers provide the critical, robust performance customers expect from Alien Technology, including read sensitivity, interference rejection and high read-rates — all in one of the most compact, yet rugged and sturdy platforms,” said Mike Frieswyk, Alien Technology, vice president of sales and marketing. “The Alien Connected-Handheld is now being used by some of the largest names in key RFID application areas including retail, apparel and defense, among others.”

Examples of Alien partners supporting the connected-handheld readers include Active Identity, a Lebanon-based, industry-leading solutions provider of software, services and hardware for automated and mobile systems, and Tagit Solutions, a California-based software solutions provider for automating business processes.

“We have been very happy with the read performance of the Alien connected-handheld in our Electronic Vehicle Identification application,” said Georges Khalil, Active Identity’s managing director. “We were able to read tags 50 percent faster, at a 25% greater distance than other handhelds units that we were testing against. We were particularly happy with the unit being so light and compact, which made this unit the most appealing to handle frequently or for long periods.”

“Alien’s ALR family of handheld RFID readers is a game-changer in the handheld-based inventory solution market. We can read a high volume of tags rapidly and accurately, even in challenging environments,” said Sandee Mukherjee, vice president of business development at Tagit Solutions. “The ultra-fast processor and highly sensitive reader in these handhelds have also enabled us to write innovative, CPU intensive algorithms for automatic location estimation. This in turn drops the inventory cycle time by a whopping 67% when compared to other RFID based inventory solutions currently available in the market. This is an inventory solution on steroids, you just can’t beat this performance.”