What AsReader does

AsReader is a hardware brand and wholly-owned subsidiary of Asterisk Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange ticker 6522), a Japanese corporation founded in 2006 and headquartered in Osaka. The company designs and manufactures automatic identification (AutoID) hardware, principally UHF RFID readers/writers and 1D/2D barcode scanners, delivered across multiple form factors including DOCK-Type/SLIM smartphone-mounted sleds (ASR-030D, ASR-031D, ASR-M30S), GUN-Type long-range readers (ASR-L251G, with speeds over 1,000 tags/second and a 40-foot read range), SLED/Pocket/Finger-Type portable scanners, and Fixed-mount readers (ASX-510R/520R). The underlying technology leverages proprietary linear polarized antennas with 60-degree apertures for focused scanning and supports iOS, Android, and Windows devices via MFi-certified, USB-C, or magnetic connectors, with batteryless smartphone-powered designs in newer SKUs. Software includes AsCameraX (Android) and AsCameraLite (iOS) camera-based barcode scanning, AsReaderOne facial recognition, AsCode, the free AsReader SDK supporting Objective-C/Swift, Java/Kotlin, .NET MAUI, and Flutter, and vertical-specific apps such as the Walmart-compliance QC Checker app.

The business model is primarily hardware-driven: devices are sold direct or through field sales teams at MSRPs such as $1,499 on the flagship ASR-L251G, with SDKs provided free of charge and paid support services available, plus recurring consumables revenue from RFID tags (including Stora Enso ECO-compatible paper-based tags). AsReader serves enterprise customers across retail (Aoyama, Tokyu Hands, Walmart suppliers), logistics (global delivery companies operating fleets of 20,000-80,000 devices), manufacturing (Toyota, Kawasaki), and healthcare (350+ hospitals worldwide), with offices in Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Shiga, Nagoya, Portland (US regional HQ), Rotterdam (European HQ), Dalian, and Shenzhen. Go-to-market relies heavily on trade show presence (NRF, MODEX, RFID Journal LIVE!, CES, EuroShop, EuroCIS, PACK EXPO, HIMSS, GS1) supplemented by direct enterprise field sales and developer relations, and the company holds approximately 70% of the sled market in Japan per source materials. Notable 2024-2025 strategic moves include the RecoHand wearable RFID launch with FCC/FDA approval, the ASR-M30S SLIM-Type product refresh, and partnerships with Locus Robotics, Kyocera, Teijin Frontier, and LOGISTEED extending the company's reach into warehouse automation, rugged enterprise devices, and wearable form factors.

Name

AsReader

Legal name

Asterisk Inc.

Website

https://asreader.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AsReader, a brand of publicly traded Asterisk Inc. (TSE:6522), designs and manufactures RFID readers/writers and barcode scanners across multiple form factors, serving enterprise customers in retail, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

RFID and Barcode AutoID Hardware

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Barcode Scanners & Data Capture Devices (1D/2D/RFID Readers) (HDACAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Barcode Scanners & Retail/Industrial Data Capture (HDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• RFID readers and writers
• Barcode scanners
• AutoID hardware
• Handheld scanning devices
• Image recognition solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Tustin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Device Sales: AsReader generates primary revenue from selling RFID readers/writers, barcode scanners, and related hardware devices. Products include pocket-type, gun-type, sled-type, wearable, and fixed-mount scanners. Pricing varies by model with ASR-L251G priced at $1,499 MSRP.
2. SDK Licensing and Software Development: AsReader provides free SDKs for iOS and Android development, enabling third-party developers to build applications compatible with AsReader hardware. Paid support services available for application development.
3. RF Tags and Consumables: Company offers various RFID tags including standard aluminum inlay tags and ECO-compatible printed tags from Stora Enso for sustainability-focused applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AsReader manufactures and sells handheld UHF RFID readers/writers and 1D/2D barcode scanners in multiple form factors (GUN-Type, SLIM-Type, DOCK-Type, SLED/Pocket-Type, Paddle-Type, Finger-Type, Fixed readers, and Wearable/RecoHand) that attach to or work alongside iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones. The company also provides camera-based image recognition scanning software (AsCameraX, AsCameraLite), RFID encoding verification apps (QC Checker), facial recognition solutions (AsReaderOne), and specialty retail solutions such as RFID-enabled smart jewelry trays and Digital Product Passport scanning. AsReader serves enterprise customers in retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and jewelry industries with hardware, free SDKs, and consumables such as RFID tags.

Product overview

AsReader, a brand of Asterisk, Inc. (TSE:6522), specializes in RFID readers/writers, barcode scanners, and image recognition technology for automatic identification (AutoID). The product portfolio includes multiple form factors: DOCK-Type (ASR-030D, ASR-031D, ASR-M30S SLIM) for smartphone mounting, GUN-Type (ASR-L251G) for handheld long-range scanning, SLED/Pocket-Type (ASR-A24D, ASR-023B, ASR-025S, ASR-M24D) for portable scanning, Fixed readers (ASX-510R, ASX-520R), and CAMERA-Type for smartphone camera-based scanning. Key software includes AsCameraX (Android) and AsCameraLite (iOS) for barcode scanning, AsReaderOne for facial recognition, AsCode for barcode solutions, and QC Checker app for RFID encoding verification. Retail solutions include Smart Jewelry Tray, RFID Reading TUB, BOX-Type reader, and Digital Product Passport scanning. The company serves retail, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and jewelry industries across global markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASR-L251G GUN-Type RFID Reader/Writer Gun-style handheld UHF RFID reader/writer with over 1,000 tags/second read speed and 40-foot (12m) read distance. Features linear polarized antenna with 60-degree aperture for focused scanning. Compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Used by enterprises in retail, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.
• ASR-M30S SLIM-Type Smartphone-Mounted RFID Reader/Writer Ultra-slim and lightweight smartphone-mounted UHF RFID reader/writer weighing 75g (2.65oz). Batteryless design powered by attached smartphone. Reading distance of 5-16 feet (1.5-5m) depending on tag type. Supports USB Type-C and magnetic charging. IP54 rated. Certified for MFi, FCC, ISED, CE, UKCA, and TELEC markets.
• ASR-030D/ASR-031D DOCK-Type RFID Reader/Writer Thin smartphone-mounted UHF RFID reader/writer weighing 80g. ASR-030D variant for US/FCC markets and ASR-031D for EU/CE markets. Read distance up to 118 inches (~3m). Battery-powered with 5 hours continuous operation. MFi certified for iOS devices.
• ASR-A23D 2D Barcode Reader for Android Dock-type 2D barcode reader for Android devices using OTG connection for stable connectivity. Supports HID mode for direct barcode data display without APP development. Also supports serial communication mode with dedicated SDK for app development.
• ASR-R250G Long-Range RFID Reader Long-range UHF RFID reader capable of scanning at extended distances in UHF mode. Can also read 1D/2D barcodes. Used for fire equipment management and NASA applications on the International Space Station.
• RecoHand Wearable RFID Reader Wearable UHF RFID glove-based reader that reads RFID tags when users grab items. Achieves 50% efficiency improvement by eliminating separate scanning step. Only wearable RFID device enabling one-to-one tag scanning by touch. FCC approved for US market. Developed with Teijin Frontier using professional golf glove material.
• ASX-510R/ASX-520R Fixed RFID Readers Fixed-mount UHF RFID readers designed for stationary scanning installations such as RFID reading tubs and smart retail fixtures.
• ASR-023B Finger-Type Barcode Reader Compact finger-worn barcode reader designed for hands-free scanning operations.
• Smart RFID Jewelry Tray RFID reader embedded inside jewelry presentation tray that monitors items as they go on and off the tray, capturing customer interaction data for retail insights. Helps locate misplaced jewelry and provides conversion rate analytics.
• Digital Product Passport (DPP) Scanning Solution Scanning solution for Digital Product Passports - digital records tracking products from raw material extraction through production to recycling. Supports both 2D barcodes and RFID DPP tags. Designed for EU mandate compliance requiring product data transparency.
• ECO-Compatible RFID Tag Environmentally-friendly RFID tag with inlay printed using special conductive ink instead of aluminum. Disposeable as paper waste and readable at same distances as standard aluminum inlay products. Distributed by AsReader from Stora Enso.
• AsReaderOne Facial Recognition Application Facial recognition and authentication application. Collects human facial images and feature data for comparison. Provides face-based door unlocking service. Users manage their own facial information via the app. Data stored on cloud until user deletion or 10-year inactivity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Inventory counting reduced from 165 hours (15 people, 11 hours) to 2 hours with store remaining open
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Teijin FrontiercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2024Co-development of RecoHand, a wearable RFID device made from professional golf glove material. Teijin Frontier brings textile expertise while AsReader provides RFID technology. Product achieved FCC approval in 2024 and was named RFID Journal Best New Product finalist. Partnership enabled entry into US market for wearable RFID solutions.
• LOGISTEEDmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2024WMS software integration partner for warehouse management. LOGISTEED provides warehouse management software that integrates with Kyocera rugged smartphones and AsReader scanning solutions for logistics automation.
• Locus RoboticsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2024New technology partnership for human-robot collaboration in warehouses. Locus Origin AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) integrates with RecoHand RFID technology to create state-of-the-art warehouse management systems optimizing manual processes.
• Kyocera MobilemajorTechnology or Integration · 3 November 2024Integration of AsReader barcode and RFID scanning with Kyocera rugged smartphones (DuraForce PRO 3, DuraSport 5G) for enterprise scanning applications. Kyocera Class1Div2 smartphones combined with AsReader technology for warehouse and field operations.
• XemelgocoreTechnology or Integration · 6 June 2023Joint development of QC Checker mobile app to help Walmart suppliers verify RFID tag encoding accuracy. App available on App Store works with AsReader devices to detect encoding errors, duplicated tags, and confirm correct EPC/UPC information matching. Partnership formed in response to Walmart's 2022 RFID tagging mandate.
• WipromajorTechnology or Integration · 14 January 2022Wipro uses AsReader with Augmented Reality (AR) technology to show real-time inventory levels and find missing items. RFID scanning data is analyzed, stored, and accessed via AI-powered chatbot. Partnership demonstrated at NRF 2022.
• PT Next / Pac Team GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 January 2022Partner Mike McElduff works with luxury watch and jewelry brands demonstrating RFID conversion for customer engagement. Partner supports jewelry and retail customer demonstrations at trade shows.
• Stora EnsominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAsReader distributes Stora Enso ECO-compatible RFID tags made from printed material instead of aluminum. Tags can be disposed of as paper waste and offer sustainability benefits while maintaining read distance performance comparable to standard tags.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• CSL (Convergence Systems Limited): Hong Kong-based manufacturer of UHF RFID readers and antennas, including fixed and handheld form factors. Overlaps with AsReader's UHF RFID reader portfolio in retail and logistics.
• Alien Technology: Provider of UHF RFID readers, tags, and inlays for retail, logistics, and manufacturing. Overlaps with AsReader's RFID reader/writer and tag distribution business.
• Impinj: Leading provider of UHF RFID tags, readers, and gateways. While Impinj focuses more on fixed readers and silicon/chips, its endpoint readers overlap with AsReader's fixed-mount and handheld UHF portfolio.
• Zebra Technologies: Global leader in barcode scanning, RFID, and enterprise mobile computing. Directly competes with AsReader across handheld, sled, and fixed RFID readers serving retail, logistics, and healthcare customers.
• Datalogic: Italian-headquartered manufacturer of barcode readers, mobile computers, and RFID solutions. Competes with AsReader in retail, manufacturing, and logistics AutoID use cases, particularly in EMEA.
• Bluebird Inc. Korean manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, barcode scanners, and RFID sleds. Direct competitor in smartphone-attached and handheld data capture devices, particularly in APAC markets.
• Honeywell Productivity Solutions: Major provider of barcode scanners, mobile computers, and RFID readers across retail, logistics, and manufacturing. Overlaps directly with AsReader's enterprise handheld and sled portfolio.
• Cognex Corporation: Provider of machine vision and industrial barcode readers used in manufacturing, logistics, and retail. Competes with AsReader's image-recognition and fixed barcode/RFID solutions for industrial and enterprise customers.
• Technology Solutions (TSL): UK-based manufacturer of handheld UHF RFID readers designed to attach to consumer smartphones. Closely comparable to AsReader's DOCK/SLIM-type smartphone-mounted RFID readers in form factor and use case.

Emerging players

• Scandit: Software-led provider of smartphone-based barcode scanning and computer vision SDKs. A partial substitute for low-end hardware scanners and a complement/competitor to AsReader's AsCameraX/AsCameraLite apps.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AsReader