Technology Solutions
Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd (TSL) is a Loughborough-based manufacturer of mobile RFID readers and embeddable RAIN RFID modules, owned by HID Global (ASSA ABLOY). It designs proprietary ASCII and STORM protocols, sells exclusively via global distributors, and serves enterprise customers across retail, healthcare, rail, aerospace, and industrial verticals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersLoughborough, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Technology Solutions does
Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd, trading as TSL, is a UK-based manufacturer of high-performance mobile RFID readers and embeddable RFID modules, headquartered in Loughborough and operating as a subsidiary of HID Global (an ASSA ABLOY Group brand) since 2019. The company designs and manufactures its products in-house — covering electronics, firmware, RF design, application development tools, and injection mould tooling — under ISO 9001:2015 certification, with a portfolio spanning Bluetooth UHF RAIN handheld and wearable readers (1128, 1153, 1166, 2128 family, 3138, 3166), an LF/HF wearable (2173), and Impinj E710/E910-based OEM modules (3117, 3417, 3419).
TSL's differentiation rests on two proprietary technology layers: the ASCII 2 Protocol, a parameterized command set that abstracts complex tag operations into simple pre-configured commands for developers across iOS, Android, Windows, and Xamarin, and the STORM RFID Protocol for embedded integration. Hardware-side differentiators include the ePop-Loq mounting system, software-programmable output power (0.1 dBm steps), and read rates of ≥1200 tags/sec with the latest Impinj silicon. The company supports 60+ third-party software integrations and publishes free SDKs to drive ecosystem adoption.
The business model is hardware-led with a recurring-revenue overlay: revenue is generated primarily through sales of readers, modules, and accessories (mounts, docking stations, batteries), complemented by the CompleteCare and CompleteCare Plus multi-year maintenance subscriptions (1, 3, or 5 year terms) that provide extended warranty, advance exchange, and accidental damage coverage. Pricing is quote-based with list prices available only to registered users. TSL sells exclusively through a worldwide network of distributors and system integrators covering the Americas, EMEA, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, serving end customers in retail, healthcare, transportation/logistics, industrial manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and aerospace — with named enterprise logos including Lululemon, Deutsche Bahn, Lindström, Centauro, SEKISUI Aerospace, and Tallaght University Hospital.
Technology Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Technology Solutions
- Legal name
- Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd
- Website
- https://tsl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd (TSL) is a Loughborough-based manufacturer of mobile RFID readers and embeddable RAIN RFID modules, owned by HID Global (ASSA ABLOY). It designs proprietary ASCII and STORM protocols, sells exclusively via global distributors, and serves enterprise customers across retail, healthcare, rail, aerospace, and industrial verticals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Technology Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile RFID Readers and Modules
- NAICS
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)
- SIC
- Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- RF, Antennas & Wireless Components Retail (CRACAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sensors & Modules (IMU, GPS, Camera, RF) Retail (CRACAKAC)
Keywords
Where Technology Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Loughborough
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Technology Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales (RFID Readers and Modules): TSL generates revenue primarily from selling mobile RFID readers, embeddable RFID modules, and related hardware accessories. Products include handheld readers (UHF and LF/HF), modules, device mounts, docking stations, chargers, and spare batteries. All products come with 12 months standard warranty.
- CompleteCare Maintenance Program: Extended warranty and maintenance programs providing comprehensive coverage including manufacturing defects, normal wear and tear, advance exchange, and accidental damage cover. Available in CompleteCare and CompleteCare Plus tiers for terms of 1, 3, and 5 years.
- Free SDKs and Software: TSL provides free Software Development Kits for iOS, Android, Windows, and Xamarin development. Demonstration apps are available at no charge, though some may require free registration for downloads. This supports hardware sales by enabling application development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Product list prices available for registered users |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | CompleteCare maintenance programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels6 records
Technology Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd (TSL®) designs and manufactures mobile RFID readers, including handheld, wearable, and embeddable UHF (RAIN) and LF/HF modules, alongside proprietary firmware, the ASCII 2 and STORM protocols, and free SDKs for iOS, Android, Windows, and Xamarin. Products are sold to enterprise customers through a global network of distributors and system integrators, with an extended CompleteCare maintenance program offered as recurring service revenue.
Product overview
Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd (TSL) is a manufacturer of high-performance mobile RFID readers and related products. The product portfolio centers on a range of handheld and wearable UHF RFID RAIN readers (including the 3138, 3166, 2128L, 2128P, 1166, 1153, and 1128), complemented by embeddable UHF RFID modules (3117, 3417, 3419) for OEM integration. The ecosystem includes LF/HF RFID readers (2173), Bluetooth-enabled apps for demonstration and configuration (RFID Explorer, 2173 Explorer, RFID Scan Scan Write, RFID Tag Finder, RFID Web Wedge, TSL Reader Configuration, RFID Sensor Tag Explorer, RFID Inventory), device mounts (ePop-Loq, Pop-Loq, Slide-On), docking stations, chargers, and spare batteries. TSL also offers the CompleteCare maintenance program and comprehensive development tools including the STORM RFID Protocol SDK and ASCII Protocol for multiple platforms. The company provides Software Development Kits for iOS, Android, Windows, and Xamarin, all based on their proprietary ASCII 2 protocol. As part of HID (an ASSA ABLOY Group brand), TSL serves diverse industries through a global distributor network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 3166 Bluetooth Rugged UHF RFID RAIN Reader
Quantifiable outcome
- Read rates of ≥1200 tags/s with E710 chip modules
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Technology Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Technology Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration71 records
Feature5 records
Technology Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- HID (HID Global)flagshipTSL is part of HID, a leading provider of trusted identity solutions. HID powers identities for people, places, and things worldwide, with over 4,000 employees and operations in 100+ countries. HID is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand.
- ImpinjcoreImpinj is a strategic chip supplier for TSL's RFID modules. TSL products feature Impinj E710 chips (3117, 3417 modules) and Impinj E910 chips (3419 flagship module). TSL is listed as an Impinj Connected Partner.
- RAIN AlliancecoreTSL is a member of the RAIN Alliance, promoting RAIN RFID technology. RAIN uses the GS1 UHF Gen2 protocol standardized as ISO/IEC 18000-63.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Technology Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HID Global: HID is TSL's parent company and a broader identity/access player; it overlaps with TSL via RFID tags and readers for identification, but its portfolio spans credentials, readers, and IoT services well beyond TSL's mobile reader niche.
Direct peers
- CSL (Convergence Systems Limited): CSL manufactures fixed and handheld UHF RFID readers and modules with global distribution - a head-to-head rival in mobile RFID readers targeting the same integrator and OEM channels as TSL.
- ATID Co., Ltd. Korean manufacturer of UHF RFID handheld readers and modules that competes directly with TSL's reader and module families across integrator and OEM channels.
- Zebra Technologies: Zebra is the dominant enterprise mobile computing and RFID handheld vendor with RFD40/RFD90 readers and broad direct enterprise reach - TSL's closest direct competitor in Bluetooth UHF RFID readers, with deeper enterprise sales coverage and broader product line.
- Datalogic: Datalogic produces rugged industrial handhelds and RFID sled readers (e.g., Memor series) that compete with TSL readers in retail, manufacturing, and logistics. TSL even makes ePop-Loq mounts for Datalogic terminals.
- Honeywell: Honeywell offers rugged mobile computers with integrated RFID (CT45/CT60 series) and serves the same enterprise retail, logistics, and healthcare customers as TSL via direct global sales channels.
- Nordic ID: Finnish manufacturer of UHF RFID handheld readers and fixed readers serving retail, logistics, and asset tracking - a focused direct competitor in mobile UHF RFID hardware.
Others
- Impinj: Impinj is TSL's primary RFID chip supplier (E710/E910) and a RAIN Alliance partner; it also sells its own reader modules/ICs, making it both a critical supplier and an indirect competitor in the RAIN RFID ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Alien Technology: Alien provides UHF RFID tags, readers, and inlays; partial overlap with TSL in fixed and integrated RFID reader modules, with broader exposure to tags.
- Bluebird (Pax Networks): Bluebird produces rugged Android enterprise mobile computers with optional RFID sleds, increasingly competing in retail and logistics handheld RFID alongside TSL.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Technology Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceTechnology Solutions compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Technology Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Technology Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Technology Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Technology Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Technology Solutions
What does Technology Solutions do?
Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd (TSL®) designs and manufactures mobile RFID readers, including handheld, wearable, and embeddable UHF (RAIN) and LF/HF modules, alongside proprietary firmware, the ASCII 2 and STORM protocols, and free SDKs for iOS, Android, Windows, and Xamarin. Products are sold to enterprise customers through a global network of distributors and system integrators, with an extended CompleteCare maintenance program offered as recurring service revenue.
Is Technology Solutions a public or private company?
Technology Solutions is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Technology Solutions founded?
Technology Solutions was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Technology Solutions based?
Technology Solutions is headquartered in Loughborough, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Technology Solutions make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales (RFID Readers and Modules) is the primary driver. The others are completeCare Maintenance Program and free SDKs and Software.
Who are Technology Solutions's main competitors?
HID Global is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are CSL (Convergence Systems Limited), ATID Co., Ltd., Zebra Technologies, Datalogic, Honeywell and Nordic ID. Impinj is listed as an others. Emerging players are Alien Technology and Bluebird (Pax Networks).
Does Technology Solutions have an API?
Yes. TSL provides the STORM RFID Protocol SDK and ASCII Protocol for embedded integration. The STORM Protocol SDK allows development in C, C#, and Java languages on platforms including .NET, Android, Windows and Linux. The ASCII Protocol is a sophisticated, parameterised set of commands that carry out multiple actions locally within the RFID module, enabling multiple complex tag operations to be executed using simple pre-configured commands. TSL's ASCII 2 SDK supports Android, iOS, Windows, and Xamarin platforms. Developer documentation is at www.tsl.com/support/rfid-development-tools.
What industry is Technology Solutions in?
Technology Solutions's product category is Mobile RFID Readers and Modules. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAKAM, RF, Antennas & Wireless Components Retail, with a secondary code of CRACAKAC, Sensors & Modules (IMU, GPS, Camera, RF) Retail. Its NAICS code is 3342 and its SIC code is 3669.