Omni-ID
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio-frequency identification |
| Predecessor | QinetiQ research division |
| Founded | March 2007 |
| Headquarters | San Mateo County, California , United States |
| Products | Passive UHF RFID tags (Ultra, Max, Flex, Prox, Curv) |
| Owner | HID Global (since 2021) |
| Website | www |
Omni-ID is a privately held enterprise founded in 2007 that specializes in passive UHF Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. The company focuses on creating RFID solutions optimized for dependable operation in demanding environments, such as on metal and liquid surfaces.
Founding
Omni-ID emerged from a research division within QinetiQ, a defense technology organization formed after the UK government’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) was restructured in 2001. This division concentrated on addressing the difficulties of reading RFID tags near metals and liquids. On August 22, 2007, Omni-ID was awarded UK patent GB2429878 for an "electromagnetic radiation decoupler," enhancing RFID tag performance under these challenging conditions.
To commercialize this breakthrough, Omni-ID was established in March 2007 with initial capital provided by Cody Gate Ventures LLP, a technology venture fund created by QinetiQ and Coller Capital. Later, in February 2009, the company secured an additional $15 million through a Series C funding round led by Cody Gate Ventures to accelerate expansion and product innovation.
HID GLOBAL
In 2021, HID Global broadened its RFID offerings by acquiring Omni-ID, thereby strengthening its position within the RFID technology market.
Products
At the heart of Omni-ID’s product line is a patented metal layer incorporated into passive RFID tags that enhances signal reflection, allowing precise reads on metal surfaces, liquids, or submerged items. Independent verification of this technology has been ongoing since 2008.
The company manufactures five primary tag variants—Ultra, Max, Flex, Prox, and Curv—each engineered to balance size and read range to address different application requirements. The Ultra tag offers the longest read distance of up to 135 feet with fixed readers, catering primarily to logistics and asset tracking industries. Max and Max HD are designed for extended-range tracking of vehicles and outdoor assets worldwide. Flex provides a moderate read range with a slim form factor suitable for various uses, while the compact Prox tag offers a 4-meter read range ideal for managing high-value IT assets. The Curv tag is tailored for cylindrical objects, enhancing application versatility.
In 2008, Omni-ID introduced OmniTether to facilitate attachment of RFID tags to objects lacking adequate surface area, alongside launching a Service Bureau that simplifies tag deployment by pre-printing barcodes and encoding client inventory information. Later that year, the Omni-ID On Demand system enabled customers to print and encode Prox tags on-site, supporting faster implementation and operational efficiency.
September 2009 marked the release of the Ultra tag, a high-performance UHF Gen 2 product capable of reaching a 135-foot read range, reinforcing Omni-ID’s leadership in manufacturing and transportation sectors.
Awards
Omni-ID was recognized as a finalist and second runner-up at the RFID Journal Awards in April 2008. Additionally, it received the Asia Pacific Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award for UHF RFID Tags in 2009, underscoring its pioneering contributions to RFID technology.