14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone maker Motorola has recently announced the launch of a new radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, the Motorola MC3090-Z. According to the company, the new handheld reader comes to the market as the lightest high-performance industrial product in its class. It comes with an ergonomic and rugged design like the MC3000, while also including the first dual-axis antenna in the industry, enabling a versatile usage in areas like retail, healthcare and business environments.
“Given the level of user activity around RFID today – particularly in high-growth application segments such as item-level traceability in retail and asset management – interest in handheld passive UHF readers is at its highest peak and continues to climb,” said Michael Liard, RFID practice director at ABI Research. "Motorola's new MC3090-Z RFID handheld comes to market at an important time, as with more users evaluating RFID in myriad markets, new requirements are emerging that must be addressed, especially when it comes to handheld reader flexibility, form and function.”
Among the specifications the MC3090-Z comes around with we can count support for Gen 2 technology, bar code scanning capabilities, an omni-directional antenna for orientation-insensitive data capture, something that should make it fit for retail cycle-counting, inventory and asset tracking. At the same time, the new MC3090-Z handheld RFID reader comes with a rugged design, and can withstand a four-foot drop to concrete. According to Motorola, it can be used in various environments, including dusty ones, can support spills and wipe-downs, as it is IP54 sealed. Not to mention that it is compatible with Microsoft Biz Talk Server 2006 R2 and supports apps built on Microsoft.NET 2.0-based APIs.
“Motorola continues to deliver on its promise to design new technologies that meet the specific needs of customers as they look to integrate RFID solutions into their existing business environments,” said Mike Poldino, vice president and general manager of RFID, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions.”With the introduction of the MC3090-Z RFID reader, Motorola is raising the bar in innovation by offering the industry’s only high-accuracy, high-performance solution in a small form factor. For our retail customers, the MC3090-Z addresses the growing demand for a flexible handheld solution that is easy to grip and use all day – ultimately improving employee efficiency and performance.”
The handset vendor has also announced that the new Motorola MC3090-Z handheld RFID reader is expected to hit the North American market in the first quarter of the next year. It will become available via all Motorola channel partners and Motorola sales, and should reach global availability during 2010, the company also stated.