Cisco and Appear Provide Integrated RFID and Wi-Fi Context-Aware Platform
New real-time location solution allows pinpoint delivery of context-aware applications to personal devices used for maintenance, security or customer information
Stockholm, May 24, 2007 – Appear, a leading provider of enterprise mobility solutions, has introduced three new products that enhance and improve currently deployed fire control, video surveillance and asset tracking systems, in combination with the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance. The new solutions are designed to increase operational efficiencies and add new business capabilities to existing, enterprise-grade systems.
The Appear software platforms utilize a revolutionary technology based on context – or the situational information of both people and items – to dramatically enhance the productivity of onsite mobile workers. Real-time, continually updated situational information is processed and distributed over wireless networks to mobile workers or security staff equipped with handheld devices. Appear’s solutions integrate seamlessly with existing systems and procedures, including RFID tracking, adding more advanced functionality. Employees gain a more comprehensive understanding of rapidly changing situations, ultimately raising productivity, improving overall response times and better securing public safety.
In order to collect pinpoint positioning data from mobile devices and asset tags, Appear has integrated the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network with its own wireless communication platform, Appear IQ, to create a solution that understands who the end-user is, where they are and what device they are using at any given time. The solution is an excellent, safe choice for companies deploying their first location and telemetry solution. The equipment to be added is minimal (Cisco Wireless Location Appliance, Appear Server) and the management tool (Cisco Wireless Control System) is common with the WLAN. The implementation as well as the training should be fast and simple. In addition, the use of the Wi-Fi standard means that your business is not locked into a proprietary solution and can track all its Wi-Fi devices without additional cost. Wi-Fi tags can be added as well as telemetry information, and for more deterministic applications, chokepoints can be deployed to enhance the flexibility of the solution.
For a demonstration of the solution capabilities in the City of Kista, Sweden, please follow the link to our Video on Demand
Ben Gibson, Director of Mobility Solutions, Cisco, said: “By integrating the Cisco 2710 Series Wireless Location Appliance with Appear’s platform, customers can now locate the position of their workers, inside buildings, via their handheld devices far more accurately than ever before. In addition to improving customer service, this joint solution delivers important personal safety and security capabilities. For example, security workers at can now press a silent alert button on their handheld device, which notifies the command and control centre of a security alert. The Integrated Location Services Solution then determines the physical location of their wireless device in order to pinpoint the problem.”
“Today’s mobile workers and public users need access to real time information to assist them in their daily activities” said Xavier Aubry, Chief Operating Officer, Appear. “All of these mobile users need access to information quickly, without the complexities of using a search engine, moving between files, or executing complicated downloads. Context-aware solutions based on Appear IQ and the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance provide a cost-effective, easy-to-use mobile platform that delivers real-time business critical data to a variety of mobile users”
Cisco has licensed the application program interface (API) of the Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance to Appear Networks. The platform was tested by Cisco as part of the Cisco Technology Development Partner Program.
About Appear
Appear is the leading provider of context-aware software infrastructure designed to power the next generation of mobile applications and services. Using situational information (context), the AppearIQ suite of products transforms ordinary wireless data networks into rich multimedia channels that deliver information, voice, video and messages to mobile computer users. By collecting and sharing context, Appear’s solutions eliminate information overload and ensure users have exactly the information they need, when and where they need it. With Appear software, devices and applications react in real-time to users’ changing needs. Industry leaders in transportation, retail, telecommunications and government use AppearIQ. Appear has an extensive partner network including industry leaders Cisco and Intel who along with vertical market specialists work to deliver innovative, end-to-end wireless and mobile solutions. The company is privately held and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and with offices across Europe. For further information please visit www.appearnetworks.com
Press Contact:
Mia Falgard, +46 8 545 91 370
mia.falgard@appearnetworks.com
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