RFID Tag: WhereNet Active RFID Real-Time Locating System Tag: ISO and WiFi Capability
WhereNet Corp., a Zebra Technologies company and one of the leader in wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced recently 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
- Stable RF environment (indoor carpeted areas) -- Lower precision locate (within 30-50 feet) -- Low-cost presence detection in stable environments -- Dense 802.11 infrastructure
WhereTag IV can also operate in 802.11 mode to support applications in environments characterized by any of the following factors:
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(TM) (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.
WhereNet is a registered trademark and WhereTag and Visibility Software Server are trademarks of WhereNet Corp. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
SOURCE: WhereNet Corp.