REAL-TIME LOCATION

Real-time location system (RTLS) technology first came to market in early 2000 when several vendors began testing how different wireless systems could be used to locate mobile assets and people within enterprise campuses.

From a technical marvel almost a decade ago, the core RTLS technology has matured into a viable solution for today's business challenges of determining the location of assets or people. But the full potential is still waiting to be unleashed.

According to several market analyst firms, the RTLS market is expected to double annually to exceed US$1 billion in revenue in the next three years.

The healthcare industry is leading the adoption of RTLS because it has unique needs with regard to the use of mobile equipment. The manufacturing, mining, government and logistics markets also are developing rapidly and are adopting RTLS solutions.

The primary reason for deploying RTLS is to locate people and assets. The obvious benefit is to prevent re-purchase or the over-purchase of assets to cover for those that are merely misplaced. In hospitals, misplaced equipment can impact the quality of care and even endanger lives.

Secondarily, the information regarding the location of objects is used for gaining visibility into workflow, enabling users to optimize operations, which in turn improves their processes and margins. And thirdly, knowing the location of workers - such as miners and first responders - supports and enhances safety initiatives.

In most cases, the benefits of RTLS are so obvious that there is no hesitation in the enterprise manager's mind that RTLS can clearly improving productivity and profitability, so it makes sense. This reaction, of course, helps drive market adoption and growth.

TAG TECHNOLOGY

RTLS tags are small computers that have a radio interface, software and a basic user interface. The tags run simple software routines for specific tasks, such as reporting location upon motion or stopping motion, reporting in at timed intervals, entering sleep mode, between scheduled events, tamper events, configuration changes and receiving new instructions from the engine, among other applications.

With bidirectional communication in place, tags can be remotely activated and configured. Two-way communication enables a tag to have audible/visual indicators, such as ring tones or LED lights that can be used to help find an object. One or more push buttons on an RTLS tag can drive workflow applications such as supervisor requests, maintenance requests and asset status, to name a few.

Advanced RTLS tags are capable of sending and receiving short text messages. This type of messaging capability supports a wide array of applications that allow personnel to communicate using small radio tags cost-eff ectively over the Wi-Fi network. Text messaging enables a number of new interactive RTLS applications, such as sending device status (e.g. utilized, needs maintenance, etc.), paging personnel, and sending security or workflow related alerts with codes or other instructions.

Additionally, a messaging tag or badge may interact with back-end applications. For example, a device status or simple "find item" feature can be built into the badge, where the user selects an item that he wants to locate on the tag's scroll-down menu, and the system responds with a list of items that are nearby.

Communicating with thousands of tags in a wireless network requires proper systems management for ensuring that the tags and the network smoothly interoperate. Such management must happen automatically in the background. The system must be able to alert administrators to events such as tags that have low battery levels or that they are being inadvertently removed from an asset. Tag management is required for managing tag configurations when there are changes in the network infrastructure, such as when network parameters are altered.

THE WI-FI WAY

In order to establish location, an RTLS solution must have a way of obtaining measurements from locatable objects in real time. In theory, these measurements can be anything from radio signal strengths to simple visible light. However, the most practical methods use radio signals because they penetrate walls, providing more ubiquitous coverage throughout a campus.

Almost any type of radio can be used to gather these measurements, but deployment becomes more cost-eff ective if existing infrastructure can be leveraged. Wi-Fi (802.11) networks have become a standard infrastructure for many RTLS deployments because existing wireless access points can be used for location reference purposes without impacting other services or functions on that network.

Almost all RTLS vendors use some type of radio frequency technology as the location infrastructure backbone because radio waves penetrate through walls and provide ubiquitous coverage. These systems typically require wiring or a connection to power and an Ethernet backbone or connection to a Wi-Fi network.

Most commonly, the corporate Wi-Fi (802.11) network is used for location tracking applications. By using the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure, an organization can save in deployment costs since a secondary infrastructure used only for location tracking is not required. The organization can continue to use this same Wi-Fi network for its data, voice and video, as well, with few, if any, changes. If more access points are required within the Wi-Fi network, these additions also benefi t other uses of the network such as data and voice communications.

Another benefit provided by Wi-Fi is the fact that the Wi-Fi signals bleed into outdoor areas around buildings. This signal bleed can be leveraged by an RTLS system to track objects in outdoor areas in large campuses without adding any cost to the network or infrastructure.

LOCATION, LOCATION

RTLS systems use various methods to determine the actual location of an object. The reported location by an RTLS system is rarely the exact location of the item, but rather an estimate of the location based on the wireless signal strength or some other sensory data. The quality of this estimate is the location accuracy of the system. Accuracy is dependent upon several factors, such as:

- The location algorithm in the RTLS

- The location environment

- The network infrastructure

- The devices or tags to be tracked

The best RTLS system optimizes the location accuracy for the given environment with minimal cost. Minimally, an RTLS system should be able to locate objects within room-level, three-to-five meters of accuracy 90 to 95 percent of the time using a Wi-Fi network that has access point density designed for enterprise-class usage. Of course, accuracy can be achieved in one-to-three meters in ideal environments, but roomlevel accuracy, particularly in hospitals, is a must-have with any RTLS system.

One issue impacting location accuracy is the timeliness of the location estimate. Because tracked objects - such as people - are constantly moving, latency in the estimate translates into a less accurate outcome. Timeliness becomes very important especially with safety related applications. If the system reports a location estimate with a 30-second delay, the object or person may have moved to another floor in that time, or the security personnel that came to the reported scene may miss the situation completely. Latency for an RTLS solution should be less than one second.

As location systems evolve, more and more objects are being tracked across larger campuses or geographically dispersed areas, which puts pressure on an RTLS system's scalability and computing speed. Scaling of the positioning area also generates problems, if the RTLS system has not been designed to scale to larger location areas.

Using a campus-wide positioning model (several million square feet) tracking 20,000 devices concurrently, a welldesigned RTLS solution should be capable of providing more than 800 hundred location estimates per second simultaneously on a standard enterprise server. The ability to balance tags across multiple servers should be a pre-requisite for growing a system that can track hundreds of thousands of assets.

The same Wi-Fi network that serves as the backbone for location tracking is being used for voice, data and video communication as well. However, the amount of traffi c generated by the location system is not an issue for today's networks. The packets sent by the tag are very small and, in most instances, the tags can be set to report their location only after being moved so they do not constantly use network resources.

VIEW TIME

The RTLS solution's end-user interface tool is typically a web browser, which enables the monitoring and confi guration of views across a wide array of situations and locations. E-mail is a popular means of communication based on system events triggered by an application. Text messaging, telephone calls, message boards, pop-ups and other eventdriven communications media are used, depending upon the capabilities of the system. The ability to use APIs that connect common gateways opens the door to a myriad of applications. These applications can either be inherent to the system, provided by other parties or added as custom third-party applications.

A real-time view gives a dynamic display of tracked objects on floor maps of the location area. The view is practical as a complete overview of the operations, for locating and tracking one or more objects, or for searching a group of objects, such as leased equipment that must be returned. Each tagged item is represented by a unique icon, allowing the end user to get a comprehensive snapshot of everything in that wing or on that fl oor.

With a real-time view, an organization can make better decisions based on the whereabouts of tracked objects. However, to do this eff ectively, a person is required to monitor the tracked items continuously, which may not be an optimal solution.

So for most applications, a practical solution entails the use of automated processes for pushing event alerts to endusers. As a result, applications will need features that allow easy confi guration of rule-based events and alerts that automate business processes. Event escalation and response requests also can be confi gured in the system to ensure that the responsible people react to these alerts in a timely manner.

In addition to packaged RTLS application software, the location data also may be integrated with other enterprise systems such as patient, warehouse or other operational management systems. This integration of location and processes provides end users with useful data for improved and more intelligent decision making. Another benefi t is that end users can continue using a system that they are already familiar with as long as it can make use of location information and alerts.

DEPLOYMENT TOOLS

Without complete visibility into the Wi-Fi network, and the tools to optimize the 802.11 performance, it is challenging - if not impossible - to deploy a highperformance Wi-Fi location tracking system. Therefore, professional deployment tools, such as a wireless site survey tool with a full RTLS deployment support, are required to achieve optimal results.

Prior to the actual deployment, the proper type of software tool can tell exactly how ready the existing Wi-Fi network is for the RTLS use. A byproduct of this survey is a complete health check of the network that directly benefi ts other applications, such as voice, video and data. Based on this initial "location survey," the Wi-Fi network can then be fi ne-tuned to ensure reliable and accurate use for asset and people tracking.

The most basic Wi-Fi RTLS deployment project is a three step process:

- Perform the Wi-Fi site survey to verify that the network is ready for RTLS

- Install the server software and application software

- Tag assets and people

After these steps are completed, the RTLS solution should be capable of providing real-time information on displays and printed reports. Through APIs, the system input should now also be ready to integrate with the existing enterprise back-office system as an event-driven comprehensive system.

COST ISSUES

The total cost of the RTLS solution includes software licenses, location hardware - such as readers and sign posts, cabling, plus planning, design, and deployment costs. These direct costs are easy to measure. However, it is more diffi cult is to measure the hidden costs in maintaining the system.

Hardware costs consist of the RTLS tags, as well as optional location readers, sign posts, chokepoints and other proprietary hardware. If the system uses the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure for location tracking, the hardware cost consists of tags only. Entry-level tags with buttons and LEDs typically cost under US$50 each. Advanced tags with messaging and rechargeable batteries are more expensive.

Some RTLS systems cannot provide high accuracy throughout an entire campus using Wi-Fi. In those cases, additional hardware is needed to bolster coverage in critical areas. This hardware typically consists of radio frequency (RF) or electromagnetic reader gates or portals that have a very short range and locate the tag within the close proximity of the device.

However, these devices add to the system cost, and installation of the devices interrupts daily routines in the positioning area. For example, in a hospital setting, the installation of additional equipment and cabling disrupts the daily operations and sometimes compromises patient safety.

In some cases, installing extra equipment does not necessarily provide 100 percent read-accuracy as the orientation of the tag, distance between the tag and the reader, or interference may prevent positive identification of the tag. Furthermore, some industries require regulatory inspections and approvals in areas where there has been any type of system installations which involve drilling holes, moving ceiling tiles or installing low or high voltage cabling.

In some cases, more access points may be needed in a Wi-Fi network to improve RTLS system performance. Such an instance typically involves an area of a building or floor that does not suffi cient coverage for other data or voice applications. In these instances, the addition of an access point or two, would not only improve the performance of the RTLS system, but also the overall network coverage for other applications as well.

When looking at the cost of operating an RTLS solution over several years, the ease of use, reliability and system maintenance becomes critical. The system needs to continually adapt to the needs of the organization using it. It must be able to accommodate new applications, scale to handle a growing coverage area, including additional locations and more tagged objects. As a general rule, software-based systems provide better cost of ownership over the long run compared to proprietary hardware.

Other ownership considerations include the ability of the system to accommodate a long-term Wi-Fi strategy where users may upgrade their system or switch vendors over time. The RTLS system must comply with this requirement to protect the investment for years to come.

THREE KEYSTONES

Wi-Fi based real-time location systems are gaining acceptance as an adjunct and alternative to active RFID systems. While the latter have been around for more than a decade, these systems have not really taken off because of their proprietary nature and high infrastructure costs. In contrast, Wi-Fi based RTLS solutions are characterized by low implementation cost, ease of installation, superior accuracy and light training and maintenance costs.

Many factors must be taken into consideration when selecting a location tracking technology and vendor. But there are ultimately three keystones that can help any organization make a sound decision.

Firstly, is the system based on real industry standards that will future-proof your investment? Or will you be locked into a vendor's proprietary system and pricing for the long term?

Secondly is it easy? For instance, are you able to implement the system with minimal disruption to your operations low support and management requirements as well as minimum training for staff ? Does the solution fit into your way of doing things to facilitate adoption by your personnel workflow? Can the system be easily scaled to meet growing demands within your organization? Is the system mature to the point that the tools are intuitive and easy to learn and use?

And finally, does the system deliver consistent and accurate location results that immediately help your personnel improve processes, spend less time searching for assets and improve the profitability of your business?

Ekahau (www.ekahau.com) is a supplier of Wi-Fi based location tracking systems.

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IMPROVING ASSET MANAGEMENT

JOHN MCFADYEN, senior vice president and general manager-international, Savi Technology, talks to Logistics Insight Asia about how the company is helping to improve asset management capabilities by linking supply chain location information with operational planning tools.

Q: What is the Savi SmartChain platform?

A: The SmartChain software suite provides real-time information on the location, condition, security and status of assets, shipments and consignments while in-transit or on-site throughout commercial, government and defense supply chains. It provides decisionmaking intelligence culled from data that's automatically transmitted by all kinds of wireless devices, including GPS, SatCom and RFID, which are affi xed to physical assets, containers and transport vehicles.

In addition to providing real-time visibility, SmartChain provides automated alerts on key planned or unplanned events, analytics, reports and collaboration features. SmartChain helps to reduce assets, inventory and transportation costs, while improving processes, efficiency and performance.

On July 7 this year we announced that the SmartChain Consignment Management Application (CMA) software platform version 6.0 had successfully achieved SAP certifi cation as powered by the SAP NetWeaver technology platform.

Q: Which market segments are you targeting with CMA?

A: While SmartChain applications are used by a wide range of public sector and commercial organizations, the Consignment Management Application (CMA) is used primarily by international defense organizations to keep track of and manage their consignments. Other market sectors that can benefit from the solution include aerospace, humanitarian relief, maintenance repair and overhaul and original equipment manufacturer sectors.

Q: Why is humanitarian relief a relevant sector?

A: Planning and organizing supplies during humanitarian and emergency response relief eff orts can be chaotic and diffi cult to manage because of their suddenness, the requirements for quick responses, and also because they are often in locations where there is little or no information infrastructure. These enduring issues can be resolved because the SmartChain suite of portable solutions can be deployed quickly and the ability to process information from wireless technologies, such as GPS, ensures continuous monitoring of tagged supplies most anywhere and anytime.

Hence, when combined with SAP's operational planning tools, humanitarian relief organizations can have better knowledge and decision-making tools to locate and balance supplies while also having real-time visibility of distribution channels to ensure timely deliveries.

Q: What initiated the relationship with SAP?

A: Customers of both Savi Technology and SAP have expressed keen interest over the past couple of years that they need a solution that enables them to keep track of supply chain events while also having sophisticated enterprise resource planning capabilities. Combining both capabilities enables users to validate planned activities in their ERP against actual events captured by Savi's SmartChain solution, enabling them to quickly adjust their supplies and deliveries to changes in demand or situational requirements.

These customers have come from a variety of markets, particularly defense organizations and their commercial suppliers. As a result, Savi and SAP have been exploring an integrated solution that combines the best attributes of both companies' solutions, which culminated in SAP's certifi cation of Savi's SmartChain software.

Q: What are the benefits of being SAP certified?

A: SAP certification means that Savi Technology's software has passed a number of rigorous technical tests, paving the way for seamless integration of Savi's supply chain execution and SAP's ERP software systems. With the valueadded solution, both companies now have access to new market channels through the companies' existing and prospective customer bases.

Q: How can customers benefit from the SAP tie-up?

A: Savi and SAP together are initially addressing defense and defense supplier markets through the integrated solution. By having both planning and execution tools, international defense organizations and their suppliers can gain a multitude of benefits, including more accurate information on consignments, mission readiness and in-theater stock levels.

In addition, they can more quickly respond to surprises by rerouting and reprioritizing consignments and assets; improve operational efficiency with better asset identification; facilitate early corrective actions by providing advance notification of consignments that may be delayed, misdirected or have been compromised en route.

Other values that can be realized by these customers include better management of distribution centers, reduced logistics footprints, lower stock levels by minimizing duplicate orders, more eff ective planning through accurate location and status information for equipment, and improved asset and equipment utilization.

Q: What about customers with non- SAP ERP systems?

A: The SmartChain suite is designed to integrate with sensors and wireless data transfer technologies, and also to all kinds of ERP or best-of-breed supply chain software solutions. Being built upon a service oriented architecture framework supports the exchange of business intelligence with other systems.

Q: Does the CMA platform need to interface with any particular Savi RFID devices?

A: While much of the information SmartChain provides comes from Savi's own low-power sensor devices, CMA (and the entire SmartChain suite) is hardware agnostic, which means it can capture automated data from most any standardsbased wireless device and transform it into actionable intelligence. Currently, SmartChain processes data from bar codes, passive and active RFID, GPS, satellite communications, GSM and GPRS (cellular).

Q: Aside from SmartChain CMA, are there any other key initiatives worth mentioning?

A: Although cautious like all businesses because of the global economic downturn, Savi Technology is optimistic and excited about its transformation this year into a marketdriven company, which is a shift away from our traditional business model as a product-driven company.

At the same time, Savi is developing Smart Asset Management solutions that incorporate low-power sensor devices to provide not only the location and condition of assets, but also their lifecycle status at the operational edge. This enables users to maximize the utilization and extend the life of critical assets at a time of fi scal constraints on purchasing additional assets.

Another initiative is development of our partner ecosystem with a view to extending market channels and applications. We see tremendous opportunities for growth both in existing defense and defense suppliers markets as well as commercial markets such as utilities, oil and gas and natural resources.

In summary, we believe that our two decades of successful experience, combined with more mainstream adoption of wireless technologies, opens up a vast array of new opportunities for Savi Technology.

MARKET RESEARCH POINTS TO RTLS GROWTH

This year, some 37 million higher-frequency RFID and RTLSenabled asset tracking and asset management tags are expected to ship. But in 2014, such shipments will total almost 150 million, according to a new study released by ABI Research. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2010- 2014 is more than 40 percent.

"The basic function of asset tracking is to answer the question, 'Where has my stuff been?" says practice director Michael Liard. "Asset management, based on real-time location system (RTLS) technologies, refi nes that question to 'Where's my stuff right now?' Some new systems even add sensors, allowing the additional question, 'How are my assets?'

"Most industries need answers to these questions, but aerospace and defense, automotive manufacturing, commercial services, and non- CPG/industrial manufacturing are showing the fastest and strongest growth in the use of RFID systems for asset management."

During the recent global recession, businesses continued to realize that optimizing their return on assets (ROA) and eliminating unnecessary asset investment was critical. As a result, the adoption of RTLS-enabled asset tracking and management solutions continues to grow at an impressive rate across verticals and regions.

An ABI Research survey of 80 RFID end-user organizations (excluding those with no interest in RFID, and those using it for item-level retail tracking or people tracking in healthcare) revealed that 65 percent of respondents were piloting, deploying, or had already deployed an RFID-based asset tracking and/ or management system. This was a higher percentage than those using RFID in its traditional areas of strength, access control and supply chain management.

This perhaps should not be surprising, says ABI, considering such systems' stellar ROI.