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WhereNet Introduces Multimode Active RFID Real-time
Locating System Tag
May 24, 2007
WhereNet Corp., a Zebra Technologies company and the leader
in wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced general availability of the multimode WhereTag
IV active RFID asset tag. Supporting both ISO 24730 and IEEE 802.11 (Wi?Fi)-based real-time locating system (RTLS) applications,
the WhereTag IV works with WhereNet's integrated wireless architecture for real-time location, messaging, telemetry, and
workforce communication applications, providing constant asset visibility with the degree of location accuracy matched to
the enterprise customer's specific business requirements.
"Due to the way radio waves propagate and given
the inherent trade-offs associated with various location technologies, WhereNet's multimode active RFID tags represent
a natural evolution in the company's product portfolio," said Michael Liard, RFID research director at ABI Research.
"Depending on the application and environment, end users are realizing that multiple tracking technologies are required
for optimal asset management."
"With every new product introduction, we further bolster our position
as a 'one-stop shop' for wireless location solutions, offering the optimum technologies that match the application
requirements of our customers," said Dan Doles, vice president and general manager for WhereNet. "The multimode
capability of the WhereTag IV aligns with our corporate strategy to deliver solutions that specifically address unique business
problems across the enterprise or the supply chain, and provide a rapid return on investment."
Ubiquitous
Asset Coverage from Carpeted Offices to Rugged Industrial Environments
Whether tracking personnel in a high-security
office building, defibrillators in a hospital, work-in-process in an assembly operation, or containers in a marine terminal,
the WhereTag IV asset tag has universal applicability for any enterprise challenged with reducing inventory and labor costs
while increasing throughput, security, and customer service.
Customers can use the WhereTag IV ISO 24730 mode for
high-precision applications in indoor or outdoor environments, and the IEEE 802.11 mode for applications requiring lower precision
in more stable, "radio frequency (RF) friendly" environments.
Enterprises such as automotive and aerospace
manufacturers, marine terminal and rail operators, and distribution facilities use ISO 24730 RTLS applications to address
the following business requirements and environment constraints:
Dynamic RF, high-multipath, harsh industrial environment
Need for location accuracy of 5 to 10 feet
Need to track a large number of assets
Operate in
a long locate range: 300+ feet indoors and 3,000+ feet outdoors
Requirement for extended battery life
WhereTag IV can also operate in 802.11 mode to support applications in environments characterized by any of the following
factors:
Stable RF environment (indoor carpeted areas)
Lower precision locate (within 30-50 feet)
Low-cost presence detection in stable environments
Dense 802.11 infrastructure
When used in
multimode, WhereTag IV's capabilities allow assets to roam seamlessly through multiple location technologies providing
constant asset visibility with varying degrees of location accuracy matched to application requirements
Expanded
Cisco Relationship
The WhereTag IV multimode asset tag leverages WhereNet's fully integrated RTLS architecture,
which combines WhereNet's time difference of arrival (TDOA) technology to locate asset tags in ISO 24730 mode, and the
Cisco Wireless Location Appliance part of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, which locates tags in IEEE 802.11 mode.
Through an open application programming interface (API) and in accordance with the Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) tag
program, the WhereTag IV transmitter is compatible with the Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance. By adding the Cisco
Unified Wireless Network with the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance and the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to its RTLS
architecture, WhereNet offers a seamless solution as its robust Visibility Software Server (VSS) gathers data from the multimode
WhereTag IV and filters the appropriate information as required by the specific application software.
"Location-based
active RFID applications have been proven to automate business processes and deliver strong returns on investments in a variety
of environments," said Ben Gibson, director Mobility Solutions, Cisco. "Given the prevalence of Wi-Fi installations
around the world, it's natural for us to team with technology providers to deliver location-based applications for enterprise
customers. Furthermore, with the advent of ISO 24730 multimode tags, we anticipate accelerated adoption of real-time location
system-based applications as they become a de facto standard for companies driven to continually optimize business processes."
Pricing and Availability
Pricing for WhereNet's real-time locating system and associated applications
is based on the configuration requirements of the customer's system and the size of the installation; a small WhereNet
system begins at $50,000. Pricing for the WhereTag IV product is $55.00 each. WhereTag IV will be available in August 2007
from WhereNet.
Source: MoreRFID
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