Revolutionizing the Learning Experience at University with Intelligent Wi-Fi Networks

Time- and location-based information automatically appears onto your laptop screen using APS, the latest wireless technology from Appear Networks

Stockholm, Sweden, 13 May 2004 - At the University of Geneva, the second largest university in Switzerland, students can now download information related to classes, timetables, last minute changes to schedules and course material onto their Wi-Fi laptops using the APS platform from Appear Networks and a Cisco-based wireless infrastructure. Information automatically appears on their screens and the content of information will depend on who the user is (a student taking math or history), where the user is (in the German department or in the seminar room), and the time of day (is it time for an exam or is the staff meeting still going ahead as scheduled).

“Our initial idea was to deliver location-based services via Bluetooth access points. After reviewing appropriate technologies, we realized that Wi-Fi networks provide a much higher bandwidth as well as better positioning capabilities”, said Professor Didier Buchs, responsible for the Sotfware Modelling Laboratory of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Geneva. “Appear Networks’ APS platform clearly stood out as the most advanced software on the market distributing over a Wi-Fi network. Not only does APS position the user at an accuracy of up to 2m using a good radio coverage, it also takes other context related criteria into account, such as the time of day, the device type used and the user profile. The APS ‘push’ capability means that students automatically receive alerts and updates pertinent to them and the courses they are registered to attend. ”

At the University of Geneva, students and teachers equipped with laptops are provided with a Wi-Fi card to connect to the wireless network. Students and teachers can then access information pertinent to their study groups, timetables for classes for the coming week, local services, course materials or course change notifications. Users don’t need to search for information they receive, this is automatically displayed on their screen, providing some relief when exams are postponed - good news for students that still have some revision to do!

Teachers avail of these services as well and can access special topics for teachers only. Access to services is relevant to who you are (i.e. which course you are registered to attend / teach), where you are (i.e. in the English Department or the German Literature Department) and the time of day (i.e. is it time to sit an exam or is it time to give a seminar).

“Our clients were requesting these advanced functionalities”, explains Xavier Aubry, Sales & Marketing Director for Appear Networks, “and the University of Geneva wanted a solution to display services linked to lectures in all areas of the University building. The APS platform can generate precise logical areas, lecture halls for instance, with an accuracy of 2m. In each of these areas, the services available can vary according to the exact time. Imagine that you enter Lecture Hall 220 at 10 a.m. for a Physics lecture and the documents relating to that lecture appear on your screen. At 11 a.m. the Biology paper is available on line. No chance of skipping lectures as applications are only available in that particular lecture hall, and not in the cafeteria, thanks to our pinpoint positioning function!”

Students using the Appear Networks technology can take advantage of services that reach far beyond web and email access!

Appear Networks is a Franco-Swedish software provider dedicated to the needs of today’s mobile users: allowing easy access to any wireless application, across different networks, on multiple mobile devices.

Appear Provisioning Server is a software platform currently used by major operators to deploy value-added services in Workspots™. Workspots are wireless-enabled zones such as airports, subway stations, or conference venues, where visitors and local workers can discover and download new applications over-the-air, in one single click, using Appear Networks’ patented Click & Run™ software technology.

The "Click & Run"™ software technology enables any communicating mobile device to discover, load and run applications available locally in one simple click. Appear Networks’ technology is ideal for local mobile workers as well as for visitors to public hotspots. Appear Networks has successfully partnered with leading IT companies such as Cisco, Capgemini, Intel and Fujitsu-Siemens Computers. Its current customers are large corporations such as RATP (French Subway), SNCF (French Railway), SL (Stockholm Public Transportation Authority), CGEA-Connex (Veolia Environment group), FMV (Swedish Defence), Sagem Defence & Security and European WLAN operators.