Transmenu powered by JoomlArt.com - Mambo Joomla Professional Templates Club

FTA "Ekahau Inc., [...]today announced that it is developing a Wi-Fi-enabled badge [...] that combines location capabilities with a display, which supports wireless text messaging and enables users to acknowledge messages by using the tag’s two integrated call buttons. [...] enterprises are able to use their own Wi-Fi networks for tracking applications and two-way communications, rather than managing and paying for separate paging services."

Beam me up Scotty.

Powerful combination
According to Marcus Torchia, senior analyst for wireless/mobile enterprise solutions at the Yankee Group, "Accurate location tracking and two-way communications is a powerful combination for enterprises interested in improving the efficiency of their employees or streamlining their processes. By developing a tag with such a wide array of features, Ekahau is enabling enterprises to get creative in the use of their Wi-Fi networks for more than just the average voice or data services."

The T301-B is the latest member of Ekahau's family of RTLS products, which already includes the Ekahau Positioning Engine server software, Tracker application software, and tags for tracking assets, inventory and individuals.

New applications abound
Wi-Fi RTLS location tracking technology and text messaging in a single badge gives enterprises a foundation for many new wireless applications for personal safety, work flow and equipment management. With such a solution, enterprises could more easily capitalise on their investment in campus-wide Wi-Fi networks.

The T301-B tag will incorporate audible alarm signals, multicoloured LEDs and a screen to provide messaging capabilities. As a result, the system will be able to provide audible, visual and text-based alerts or work-flow messages to individuals carrying or using the badges, much like traditional paging or text messaging services.

Features and functions
The display will assist with asset tracking as well, enabling the tag to display routine maintenance or usage priority information and inform users of the status or condition of an asset. Because of Ekahau's unique two-way messaging capabilities, T301-B users can send alerts via the tag's push buttons to signal others about maintenance issues, the status of a particular asset or when to pick up an item from inventory.

According to Antti Korhonen, president and CEO for Ekahau, the display and call buttons on the T301-B will enable new applications such as:

• Location-based paging or alerts to inform individuals that they have entered a hazardous work area and what they must do to comply with regulations;
   
• Status reporting for assets that require regular maintenance;
   
• Paging and locating key on-call employees, such as doctors in hospitals where cell-phone use is often prohibited;
   
• Work orders for work-in-progress inventory items, such as a list of manufacturing errors that must be corrected on high value assets;
   
• Display of location history to show workflow or production status;
   
• Paging services for enterprise campuses, where people can be paged based on their location for a specific task or work order;
   
• Theme parks, sports venues, restaurants or resorts, where patrons must wait to be seated or receive VIP services. With location information, such patrons also can be located in the facility for personal attention by the staff.

Thin form factor
With an ultra-thin form factor, the T301-B tag also should also be ideal for applications that entail tracking people within an enterprise campus area.

The tag will include new features designed specifically for safety and security applications. For example, it will have an integrated pull-strap alarm that enables a staff member to call for help or other assistance immediately. This type of feature is critical for compliance with various European Union regulations that require companies to provide lone workers with a resource to call for help in emergency situations.