Data-Defined Reader™ Technology Radicalizes Price Points, Simplifies RFID Development
BOULDER, COLO., July 19, 2005 - SkyeTek, Inc. today introduced ReaderWare™, an open-architected software suite that unlocks the traditionally black-box nature of RFID reader hardware. ReaderWare is available for both HF and UHF reader designs, including the SkyeTek M8 UHF reader module which has sold out of its initial inventory of developer kits.
“Most reader technology is based on legacy systems and derived from purpose-built vertical and proprietary technology,” said Rob Balgley, CEO of SkyeTek. “ReaderWare makes pervasive RFID possible by making reader hardware easily programmable and accessible to literally thousands of applications and developers who can now embed RFID reader hardware into non-RFID-specific technology.”
“Socket used the ReaderWare software suite and SkyeTek’s reader reference designs to develop the Socket Compact Flash Reader Card,” said Kevin Mills, CEO of Socket Communications. “SkyeTek and the ReaderWare software suite accelerated our development efforts and eased our integration issues, allowing a very quick time to market.”
“ReaderWare redefines and simplifies the RFID reader through a comprehensive approach to tag protocols, baseband processing, host-communication, security options, and reader configuration parameters,” said Sean Loving, CTO and founder of SkyeTek. “As a data defined reader technology, ReaderWare disaggregates the hardware and software components of the reader, allowing OEMs to treat hardware as a commodity and focus on what they want the application to actually do.”
The architecture of the ReaderWare software suite allows:
• Value-added applications to reside partially or fully ‘on-reader’
• Simplified integration for both developers and OEMs
• An ‘a la carte’ menu of reader technology building blocks
• Code portability across different hardware platforms
• Applications to control low-level hardware functions
• Better network edge performance
ReaderWare 1.0 is available immediately as a licensed development platform for new and existing OEM reader designs or for use with SkyeTek’s small footprint, low power, Tagnostic™ reader reference designs.
Along with the release of version 1.0, SkyeTek also delivered an open invitation to developers and OEMs to engage in a discussion of ReaderWare’s evolving architecture and API specifications – details at blog.skyetek.com on July 20, 2005.
About SkyeTek, Inc:
SkyeTek delivers a turn-key RFID application that enables real-time management of field-based inventory and
resources. This capability allows manufacturers and service providers to track the movement of inventory, assets,
and workers in real-time from the factory, through the field, and ultimately to the customer site enabling
significant increases in revenue, efficiency, productivity, and compliance. In addition to its MetaFi application
service, SkyeTek also provides RFID reader modules as well as comprehensive professional and support services.
SkyeTek is a privately held, venture-backed company headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, with sales
operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.skyetek.com.