Alfi was established in 1962, when Gianni Colombo and Giovanni Ippolito started actively operating in the electronic sector with the objective of developing highly innovative and technologically advanced products. In 1974 the Company distinguished itself for conceiving the first electronic access control system for ski lifts and tows in San Vigilio di Marebbe and the following year it supplied the new-born Superski Dolomiti ski centre with the equipment and materials required for ticket issuing and checking. Starting in 1989, Alfi was one of the very first Italian companies to engage in research & development activities in the RFID technology sector, one of whose main applications was the creation of the first "hands-free" access control system for ski lifts and tows. Alfi subsequently specialised in the development and production of integrated systems for access control in the entertainment-sports sector, while continuing its intense research activities in the industrial and ICT sectors as well as registering several patents for the prevention of the counterfeiting of products and documents and for transponder security.