rfid timing systems
RFID Race Timing Systems designs and sells RFID-based passive UHF and active transponder timing systems, consumable tags, and integration software for professional race timers and event organizers across running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, skiing, and canoeing events worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersPerth, Australia
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What rfid timing systems does
RFID Race Timing Systems is a privately held Australian manufacturer of RFID-based event timing equipment, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Perth, Western Australia. The company designs and sells passive UHF Gen2 timing systems (Ultra4 and Ultra8), an entry-level system (Joey), and the 2024-launched EchoActive active transponder platform, supported by a catalogue of consumable tags, antennas, antenna mats, LED race clocks, and integration software. Its customers are professional contract timers, event organisers, schools, clubs, and triathlon/multisport race operators across running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, skiing, and canoeing disciplines. Select marquee events include the Manchester Marathon, Vasaloppet, Ironman 70.3, Cape Town Argus, and Copenhagen Marathon, with company materials claiming thousands of events served globally each year.
The company's core technical proposition is an open-systems approach: hardware reads any UHF timing chip on the market rather than locking customers into proprietary coded chips, and integrates with leading third-party timing software (RaceDirector, Racetec, Runscore, PikaTimer) instead of mandating proprietary software. Quantified performance includes 1-millisecond timing precision, 300 tags/second read rate, internal GPS time sync, and battery-powered portability for field use. The 2024 EchoActive addition extends the platform into active transponder timing with 5-millisecond precision and 150km/hr capability, addressing high-speed use cases.
The business model is predominantly hardware sales (one-time purchase of professional systems, entry-level systems, and per-unit consumables) supplemented by a small subscription component (Encoder software at $250, Outreach subscription at $275). Distribution is via the company's own e-commerce storefront and direct regional sales contacts in Australia/NZ/Asia, the USA, and the UK & Ireland. The company is bootstrapped, with no external funding rounds, acquisitions, or parent entity disclosed, and operates with a small lean footprint across three regional offices.
rfid timing systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- rfid timing systems
- Legal name
- RFID Race Timing Systems
- Website
- https://rfidtiming.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- RFID Race Timing Systems designs and sells RFID-based passive UHF and active transponder timing systems, consumable tags, and integration software for professional race timers and event organizers across running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, skiing, and canoeing events worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
rfid timing systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Timing Equipment
- NAICS
- Other Spectator Sports (711219), Spectator Sports (7112)
- SIC
- Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports Officiating & Competition Management (MPAGAMAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fan Engagement & Onsite Technology (RFID, Cashless, Apps) (MPAGAAAL)
Keywords
Where rfid timing systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Perth
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
rfid timing systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Timing Hardware Systems: Sale of professional timing systems including Ultra4, Ultra8, Joey, and EchoActive Base. One-time hardware purchase with varying price points based on capacity and features.
- Transponders/Tags: Disposable and reusable timing transponders including Smartrac Dogbone, Short Dipole, Hutag XC-2, and EchoActive Transponders. Consumable revenue stream with per-unit pricing.
- Accessories: Antennas, cables, LED race clocks, rain covers, trigger inputs, and neoprene ankle bands.
- Software: Encoder software ($250) and Outreach subscription ($275) for real-time data relay. RFIDServer provided complimentary with systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | EchoActive Base - Professional active timing reader |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | EchoActive Nano - Portable low-cost reader |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | EchoActive Transponder - Active battery-powered transponder |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | LED Race Clocks - Display timing results |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Timing Tags - Disposable UHF chips |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reusable Tags - Hutag Multisport |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Antennas and Accessories |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Joey Timing System - Entry level |
| Subscription | Annual | Outreach Subscription - Real-time data relay |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
rfid timing systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RFID Race Timing Systems designs, manufactures, and sells RFID-based event timing hardware and consumables for mass-participation sporting events. The product portfolio spans professional passive UHF systems (Ultra4 and Ultra8), the entry-level Joey system, and the 2024 EchoActive active transponder system, complemented by disposable and reusable timing chips, antenna mats, side antennas, LED race clocks, and proprietary software (RFIDServer, Encoder, Outreach). The company serves professional timing operators, race organizers, schools, clubs, and charities across running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, skiing, and canoeing worldwide.
Product overview
RFID Race Timing Systems is a manufacturer of RFID event timing equipment with three main product tiers: professional systems (Ultra8 and Ultra4), entry-level system (Joey), and the 2024 EchoActive active transponder system. The company operates an 'open system' approach, allowing customers to use any UHF timing chip rather than proprietary locked chips. Core timing hardware reads passive UHF Gen2 tags or active transponders, supported by antenna mats and side antennas for various event configurations. Complementary software includes free RFIDServer (hardware interface), paid Encoder Software, and Outreach (real-time data relay). The product portfolio includes various timing chips (Smartrac Dogbone, Short Dipole, Hutag XC-2 multisport tags), LED race clocks, and accessories (trigger inputs, rain covers, antenna cables). The company integrates with third-party timing software including RaceDirector, Racetec, Runscore, and PikaTimer.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost savings of ~$14,000 USD per large event (20,000 competitors) through unlocked chip pricing
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use rfid timing systems
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
rfid timing systems technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature5 records
rfid timing systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- RaceDirectorcoreThird-party timing software that integrates with RFID Race Timing Systems' hardware. One of the world's most advanced timing packages used in the majority of races globally.
- RaceteccoreLeading timing software solution that integrates seamlessly with RFID Race Timing Systems' Ultra and Joey hardware platforms.
- RunscorecoreEstablished timing software integrated with RFID Race Timing Systems. Part of the proven timing software ecosystem recommended for use with their hardware.
- SmartraccoreTag manufacturer providing Dogbone Monza R6 and Short Dipole Monza R6 timing chips. Standard supplier of low-cost unlocked UHF tags.
- ThingMagiccoreUSB encoder manufacturer. ThingMagic USB Plus encoder sold bundled with encoding software for tag programming.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
rfid timing systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IPICO Sports: IPICO Sports provides RFID-based timing systems (Elite and IPICO readers) used at road races, marathons, and multisport events globally. Comparable in passive UHF chip technology and professional timer customer base.
- ChronoTrack: ChronoTrack (now part of MYLAPS) provides UHF RFID timing systems and disposable bib tags for road races, triathlons, and cycling events. Comparable product portfolio and target customers in the mass-participation timing market.
- MYLAPS: MYLAPS (formerly ChampionChip) is the dominant sports timing company globally, offering active and passive transponder timing chips, decoders, and software for mass participation events. It is the most direct competitor, using a proprietary locked-chip model that RFID Race Timing Systems explicitly positions against.
- Race Result: Race Result is a German sports timing company offering passive RFID timing systems (e.g., RSystem, Decoder) and the RaceResult scoring software widely used at international events. Direct competitor in UHF timing hardware and event scoring for running, cycling, and multisport.
- J-Chip: J-Chip supplies passive RFID timing chips and systems used at major running and cycling events, including Ironman events. Comparable offering in disposable and reusable tag-based timing for endurance sports.
Broad incumbents
- Zebra Technologies: Zebra Technologies (formerly Motorola Solutions' RFID business) is a major enterprise RFID hardware and tag provider. A broad incumbent in the RFID space that could enter sports timing or supply tags to competitors.
- Impinj: Impinj is a leading UHF RFID chip and reader manufacturer (including the Speedway Revolution platform used in RFID Race Timing Systems' Ultra systems). It is an upstream technology provider and incumbent in the broader RFID market, enabling rather than directly competing in sports timing.
Regional players
- SportStats: SportStats is a Canadian race timing and results company providing timing services and equipment for running events in North America. Comparable in event timing services though more regionally focused on Canadian and North American race markets.
Emerging players
- Race Roster: Race Roster is a race registration and timing platform that integrates with multiple timing hardware providers. An emerging player in the event technology stack that complements or competes at the registration/entry point of race timing.
- RunSignup: RunSignup is a leading online race registration platform offering integrated timing solutions. An emerging player bridging registration and timing, increasingly competing with traditional timing hardware companies for race organizer relationships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
rfid timing systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
rfid timing systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
rfid timing systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
rfid timing systems 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 rfid timing systems
What does rfid timing systems do?
RFID Race Timing Systems designs, manufactures, and sells RFID-based event timing hardware and consumables for mass-participation sporting events. The product portfolio spans professional passive UHF systems (Ultra4 and Ultra8), the entry-level Joey system, and the 2024 EchoActive active transponder system, complemented by disposable and reusable timing chips, antenna mats, side antennas, LED race clocks, and proprietary software (RFIDServer, Encoder, Outreach). The company serves professional timing operators, race organizers, schools, clubs, and charities across running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, skiing, and canoeing worldwide.
Is rfid timing systems a public or private company?
rfid timing systems is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was rfid timing systems founded?
rfid timing systems was founded in 2003.
Where is rfid timing systems based?
rfid timing systems is headquartered in Perth, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does rfid timing systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Timing Hardware Systems are the primary driver. The others are transponders/Tags, accessories and software.
Who are rfid timing systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IPICO Sports, ChronoTrack, MYLAPS, Race Result and J-Chip. Broad incumbents are Zebra Technologies and Impinj. SportStats is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Race Roster and RunSignup.
Does rfid timing systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for rfid timing systems.
What industry is rfid timing systems in?
rfid timing systems's product category is Sports Timing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAMAK, Sports Officiating & Competition Management, with a secondary code of MPAGAAAL, Fan Engagement & Onsite Technology (RFID, Cashless, Apps). Its NAICS code is 711219 and its SIC code is 7948.