THRASHER2
08-18-2007, 11:31 AM
Rolling Review Kickoff: Wi-Fi Location
Let's Play Tag
Using your WLAN to track high-dollar assets and ensure tight security is a smart way to wring value out of an expensive resource. In this Rolling Review we'll issue an RFI to help you get ahead of the curve on location services
Wi-Fihttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.networkcomputing.com/channels/wireless/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=4KCGTL1ZQ2KUMQSNDLOSK H0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=201800322#) location is the ultimate answer to the needle-in-a-haystack problem: Your WLAN can enable asset tracking of expensive equipment, monitor locations of patients or personnel, facilitate stock replenishment, even pinpoint a single container within a huge warehouse. It can also tighten security by extending your NAC installation to tailor access based on a user's location within your facility. Talk about wringing additional value out of a major investment.
Wi-Fi location services have similarities to GPS and RFID technologies, but have thus far lagged in popularity. In 2006, just 135,000 Wi-Fi location tags shipped, according to a May 2007 In-Stat report. Why? They're expensive, and at an average of $60 a pop, no one is tossing Wi-Fi tags on $200 smartphones. In addition, battery life can be an issue. However, that report goes on to predict a 100% per-year growth rate, as vendors refine their offerings and prices drop. We see an opportunity for forward-thinking IT groups to get in on the ground floor with a technology that can pay off big in security and competitive advantage.
Full Story (http://www.networkcomputing.com/channels/wireless/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=4KCGTL1ZQ2KUMQSNDLOSK H0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=201800322)
Let's Play Tag
Using your WLAN to track high-dollar assets and ensure tight security is a smart way to wring value out of an expensive resource. In this Rolling Review we'll issue an RFI to help you get ahead of the curve on location services
Wi-Fihttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.networkcomputing.com/channels/wireless/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=4KCGTL1ZQ2KUMQSNDLOSK H0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=201800322#) location is the ultimate answer to the needle-in-a-haystack problem: Your WLAN can enable asset tracking of expensive equipment, monitor locations of patients or personnel, facilitate stock replenishment, even pinpoint a single container within a huge warehouse. It can also tighten security by extending your NAC installation to tailor access based on a user's location within your facility. Talk about wringing additional value out of a major investment.
Wi-Fi location services have similarities to GPS and RFID technologies, but have thus far lagged in popularity. In 2006, just 135,000 Wi-Fi location tags shipped, according to a May 2007 In-Stat report. Why? They're expensive, and at an average of $60 a pop, no one is tossing Wi-Fi tags on $200 smartphones. In addition, battery life can be an issue. However, that report goes on to predict a 100% per-year growth rate, as vendors refine their offerings and prices drop. We see an opportunity for forward-thinking IT groups to get in on the ground floor with a technology that can pay off big in security and competitive advantage.
Full Story (http://www.networkcomputing.com/channels/wireless/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=4KCGTL1ZQ2KUMQSNDLOSK H0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=201800322)