Comments on: Pros and Cons of WIFI Based RTLS (Part 2) http://www.innovez-one.com/blog/2007/09/16/pros-and-cons-of-wifi-based-rtls-part-2/ A blog about innovative applications, RFID, mobile Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:13:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: David http://www.innovez-one.com/blog/2007/09/16/pros-and-cons-of-wifi-based-rtls-part-2/#comment-2270 David Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:36:02 +0000 http://www.innovez-one.com/blog/2007/09/16/pros-and-cons-of-wifi-based-rtls-part-2/#comment-2270 <p>Thanks for your input, although Versus system has some benefits I personally view active RFID to have more disadvantages than advantages. Key being the costs of implementation will likely be highly. Unlike a WIFI based RTLS system, you do not leverage a current infrastructure. Adding to that, to get inches accuracy localization, you are likely planting readers all over the place. </p> <p>Secondly I see Versus system seem to slant towards the healthcare, clinic environment. Versus system is likely to work for healthcare needs but less likely applied in a more generic sense.</p> <p>Acute Accuracy does not necessarily win the game here. The differentiation of localization solutions is in the accuracy - not every application requires inches based accuracy. It means, if the WIFI based solution offers an average accuracy of 3 - 5 metres, it may just be a better solution versus the hassle and cost of planting readers everywhere.</p> Thanks for your input, although Versus system has some benefits I personally view active RFID to have more disadvantages than advantages. Key being the costs of implementation will likely be highly. Unlike a WIFI based RTLS system, you do not leverage a current infrastructure. Adding to that, to get inches accuracy localization, you are likely planting readers all over the place.

Secondly I see Versus system seem to slant towards the healthcare, clinic environment. Versus system is likely to work for healthcare needs but less likely applied in a more generic sense.

Acute Accuracy does not necessarily win the game here. The differentiation of localization solutions is in the accuracy - not every application requires inches based accuracy. It means, if the WIFI based solution offers an average accuracy of 3 - 5 metres, it may just be a better solution versus the hassle and cost of planting readers everywhere.

]]> By: Miranda Hahn http://www.innovez-one.com/blog/2007/09/16/pros-and-cons-of-wifi-based-rtls-part-2/#comment-2265 Miranda Hahn Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:52:40 +0000 http://www.innovez-one.com/blog/2007/09/16/pros-and-cons-of-wifi-based-rtls-part-2/#comment-2265 David, I like the didactic nature of your blog. Since your site is a good source of information for persons researching different RTLS offerings, especially the pros/cons of exclusive read RFID locating and wifi locating, I think it would be good to include Versus Technology, Inc. Primarily focused on improving safety, satisfaction and efficiency within the healthcare environment, the Versus system is deployed in more than 500 facilities worldwide. Versus combines active RFID and infrared technology to provide the precise real-time location of people and assets. While wifi systems can locate (at best) to a little over 3 feet, the Versus system can locate to room-level, even bed-level (within inches, in fact). The Versus system leverages a facility’s wifi network to communicate location information, but relies on exclusive reads for more accurate information, which is necessary to automate events or for accurate billing capture. This allows hospitals to leverage existing resources and cut down on manual tasks, saving time and money. Miranda Hahn Communications Coordinator Versus Technology, Inc. www.versustech.com David,

I like the didactic nature of your blog. Since your site is a good source of information for persons researching different RTLS offerings, especially the pros/cons of exclusive read RFID locating and wifi locating, I think it would be good to include Versus Technology, Inc. Primarily focused on improving safety, satisfaction and efficiency within the healthcare environment, the Versus system is deployed in more than 500 facilities worldwide.

Versus combines active RFID and infrared technology to provide the precise real-time location of people and assets. While wifi systems can locate (at best) to a little over 3 feet, the Versus system can locate to room-level, even bed-level (within inches, in fact). The Versus system leverages a facility’s wifi network to communicate location information, but relies on exclusive reads for more accurate information, which is necessary to automate events or for accurate billing capture. This allows hospitals to leverage existing resources and cut down on manual tasks, saving time and money.

Miranda Hahn
Communications Coordinator
Versus Technology, Inc.
www.versustech.com

]]> By: Chaser120 on Digg http://www.innovez-one.com/blog/2007/09/16/pros-and-cons-of-wifi-based-rtls-part-2/#comment-1746 Chaser120 on Digg Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:11:20 +0000 http://www.innovez-one.com/blog/2007/09/16/pros-and-cons-of-wifi-based-rtls-part-2/#comment-1746 David, This is an excellent review of technologies though as Marilyn points out, you are missing a technology. You say that RTLS requires pre-Calibration. This is true of older technology. Tag to tag RTLS for asset tracking and locating does not require calibration, is highly scalable works well in high metallic environments. low power draw Further it is proven to be accurate for the cost versus competitive products. See comments by Dieter Uckelman at RFID Journal Live in Orlando, May 2007 http://www.supplychainmarket.com/content/news/article.asp?docid=592ede36-2c1d-4f8f-9197-5e9ee4ff7a82&atc~c=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO The tags are currently designed for heavy industrial, high visibility and can be buried. Ergo - yard applications, industrial and manufacturing. A good replacement for GPS Then go to: http://www.lbszone.com/content/view/2397/2/ A PDA can be used to run the app for tag to tag RTLS - hence the common business tool is used for mobile forms and direct inventory land ERP wireless link - beypassing battery issues. David,

This is an excellent review of technologies though as Marilyn points out, you are missing a technology.

You say that RTLS requires pre-Calibration. This is true of older technology.

Tag to tag RTLS for asset tracking and locating

does not require calibration,
is highly scalable
works well in high metallic environments.
low power draw

Further it is proven to be accurate for the cost versus competitive products. See comments by Dieter Uckelman at RFID Journal Live in Orlando, May 2007

http://www.supplychainmarket.com/content/news/article.asp?docid=592ede36-2c1d-4f8f-9197-5e9ee4ff7a82&atc~c=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO

The tags are currently designed for heavy industrial, high visibility and can be buried. Ergo - yard applications, industrial and manufacturing. A good replacement for GPS

Then go to:

http://www.lbszone.com/content/view/2397/2/

A PDA can be used to run the app for tag to tag RTLS - hence the common business tool is used for mobile forms and direct inventory land ERP wireless link - beypassing battery issues.

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