Zebra Launches their New RFD8500 UHF RFID Sled for Mobile Devices

Zebra is excited to announce the RFD8500, a high performance Bluetooth UHF RFID/Scanner sled. With the RFD8500, you can empower select Zebra and compatible third-party mobile devices, smartphone’s and tablets with enterprise-class UHF RFID and 1D/2D bar code scanning technology, whenever and wherever you need it — simply, easily and cost-effectively.

Just pair this Bluetooth-enabled sled with your mobile device and attach the mobile device to the RFD8500 for single handed RFID reader operation — or put the mobile device in a pocket or holster and use the RFD8500 in standalone mode. With support for Android, iOS, and Windows, you get real investment protection — the RFD8500 sleds you buy today will work with the devices you use now, and in the future.

When it comes to performance and ease of use, whether your workers are capturing RFID tags or bar codes, the RFD8500 is unparalleled — workers can capture tags and bar codes faster and with ease, enabling enterprises to achieve increased levels of inventory visibility, productivity, operational efficiency and customer service. Zebra’s high performance, lightweight and ergonomic RFD8500 sled offers full-shift battery life making it ideal for indoor inventory and asset management, product search and replenishment applications in environments like retail stores, warehouses and healthcare facilities.

Key Features

• Multi-OS and multi-platform – Leverage your mobile computing strategy and add world-class data collection capability in an economical way. Zebra’s first multi-operating system RFID sled is designed to instantly transform Zebra mobile devices – such as the TC55, MC40 and TC70 – as well as select Android, iOS devices into handheld RFID readers. Providing peace of mind that the investment you make today will serve your business needs tomorrow.
• Fast RFID tag capture – With self-optimizing AutoMac and our patent-pending breakthrough antenna design, you get maximum read/write speeds and coverage required to maximize workforce efficiency in various environments.
• High capacity battery for full shift operation – Our unique power-optimizing algorithm delivers the superior battery cycle times that ensure full-shift power, even with intensive usage.
• Flexible connectivity options: Bluetooth or Batch mode – Enable a wireless connection to your mobile or backend systems via Bluetooth 2.1 or later. If a wireless connection is not available, batch mode enables the collection of up to 500 bar codes and/or 42,000 RFID tags. Just sync the data with the host mobile device at your convenience.
• EPC Global Gen2 v2 support – RFD8500 cryptographic authentication of the tag provides extensive protection against tag cloning, allowing businesses to deploy non-clonable tags to prevent counterfeit product from entering your supply chain. The RFD8500 also allows businesses to protect a consumer’s post-sales privacy, for instance, by hiding data until a tag is interrogated by the RFD8500 with an untraceable privilege – when a purchased product is returned for refund or exchange.
• Accessory ecosystem for easy mounting of various mobile devices – The RFD8500 sled is available with a comprehensive accessory ecosystem including multiple device adapters that enable easy mounting of the sled for single-handed operation.
• Easy Application Development – RFD8500’s powerful Zebra Easy Text Interface (ZETI) can be used across many OS platforms for faster and easier application development without the need for an SDK.