Posted April 13, 2006
Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare: New Products
Ekahau Announces New Partners
Ekahau and Symbol Technologies announced a solution to help organizations more efficiently track the location of inventory and assets with radio frequency identification (RFID). The first implementation of this new application will use Symbol's MC9000 mobile computing RFID reader, which incorporates Ekahau location-enabling software designed to locate where RFID tags are being read.
The Symbol MC9000-G RFID mobile computer integrates Ekahau's location-tracking software which, in conjunction with a computer running the Ekahau Positioning Engine 3.1 (EPE) application, uses existing Wi-Fi networks to show in real-time the location of the devices. The combined solution will enhance the functionality of passive RFID tags by tracking the location of the mobile computer when in use and converting the location information into EPC RFID data in the supply chain. This unique approach marries the benefits of real-time location systems (RTLS) and RFID by extending the tracking capabilities of RTLS to RFID.
"Symbol rugged mobile computers embedded with Ekahau's Wi-Fi-enabled, location-tracking solution are powerful tools for retailers and other companies that rely heavily on passive RFID tags to manage inventory, and can benefit from knowing where those products reside at any given time," said Tuomo Rutanen, vice president of business development at Ekahau. "Staff can reduce the time searching large warehouses or retail facilities, and more quickly find the RFID-tagged items, which allow them to better attend to customers' needs."
The Ekahau EPE 3.1 is the only software-based real-time location system on the market today. The EPE leverages existing Wi-Fi networks, and with its patented positioning technology based on site calibration, can identify the location of tracked objects within a few meters.
Ekahau also announced that it is collaborating with Digi International to embed Ekahau's location-enabling technology into the Digi Connect family of wireless LAN embedded modules and external device server products. The Digi Connect 802.11b WLAN products provide wireless connectivity to a wide range of edge devices, such as medical equipment in health care facilities and industry leading WPA2/802.11i security which is a critical requirement in many commercial-grade applications. By enhancing the Digi Connect product line with location tracking capabilities from Ekahau, customers will have a robust and secure wireless networking solution that allows them to easily and cost-effectively add applications to track assets, equipment and people.
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