WhereNet Introduces Active RFID Asset Tag
WhereNet Corp., a Zebra Technologies company, recently 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."
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 applicability for any enterprises 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
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.
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.
"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."