RFID Tag provides asset visibility with location accuracy.
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Press Release Summary:
Supporting ISO 24730 and IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) based RTLS applications, multimode WhereTag(TM) IV works with integrated wireless architecture for real-time location, messaging, telemetry, and workforce communication applications. In ISO 24730 mode, it meets need for location accuracy of 5-10 ft and operates in locate range of 300+ ft indoors and 3,000+ ft outdoors. In Wi-Fi mode, unit supports environments with precision locate within 30-50 ft and dense 802.11 infrastructure.
Original Press Release:
WhereNet Introduces Multimode Active RFID Real-Time Locating System Tag; Combined ISO and Wi-Fi Capability Provides Optimum Wireless Visibility Solution for Any Enterprise
SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 22 - WhereNet Corp., a Zebra Technologies company (NASDAQ:ZBRA) and the leader in wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today general availability of the multimode WhereTag(TM) 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:
o Dynamic RF, high-multipath, harsh industrial environment
o Need for location accuracy of 5 to 10 feet
o Need to track a large number of assets
o Operate in a long locate range: 300+ feet indoors and 3,000+ feet
outdoors
o 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:
o Stable RF environment (indoor carpeted areas)
o Lower precision locate (within 30-50 feet)
o Low-cost presence detection in stable environments
o 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.
About WhereNet Corp.
A Zebra Technologies company, WhereNet is the first company to deliver a single wireless location and communication infrastructure that reliably and cost-effectively manages valuable mobile resources and can deliver a complete return on investment within 6-12 months. Based on patented, standards-compliant technology resulting from a collective 100+ years of development, the WhereNet active RFID, real-time locating system solutions enable companies such as APL, BMW, Ford Motor Company, and NYK Logistics and facilities like Tobyhanna Army Depot to reduce inventory, lower operating costs, and improve operations. The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award; was recognized for strong ROI by Computerworld; was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100; and has been recognized as a wireless innovator by Forrester Research, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies, Plant Engineering, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazines. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, WhereNet has offices throughout the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit the WhereNet web site at www.wherenet.com, or call 408-845-8500 (in the U.S.), +32 3 286 84 50 (in Europe) and +86 21 51758558 (in Asia). Information about Zebra bar code, card and RFID products can be found at http://www.zebra.com/.
Source: WhereNet Corp.
CONTACT: Sally Kenvin of WhereNet, skenvin@wherenet.com
Web site: www.wherenet.com/
http://www.zebra.com/
