WWSI provides and
installs the Ekahau Wi-Fi Location System
This is a Wi-Fi enabled solution by Ekahau, leader in this new era of
converged wireless/ radio technologies. Ekahau is a Wireless RTLS (Real Time
Location System) that delivers duress/location tags and systems as well as
other services including wireless asset tracking.
The system comprises personal transmitter/receiver tags signalling
through a Wi-Fi system network to a server/monitor with management software
that runs the Vision application and the RTLS Controller. By
combining these elements, it offers a broad array of solutions to protect
staff, clients and visitors, and incidentally, locate, track and manage assets
and inventory.
In addition to monitoring and tracking personal tags for safety and
asset tracking/location applications, the Ekahau system can track and manage
other enabled devices such as Wi-Fi phones, laptop computers, PDAs, smart
phones and a large variety of other devices.
Accuracy of Location
Using a unique algorithm in its software the System is able to provide
Real Time Location anywhere within the network, generally to within a few
metres accuracy. The level of accuracy depends on the number of Wi-Fi points.
More access points mean better accuracy. Ultimately (and this is important for
tracking expensive assets), sub one-metre accuracy is possible.
Personnel Pager Tags
Staff members will carry or wear a small pager tag with the following
functions and features:
·
Push button duress alarm
·
Second programmable
messaging button. In fact each button is programmable separately, thus for
example, a warning alert can be sent (like “yellow alert”) which can be later
sent and received as a “red alert”. Staff see this as a decided advantage of
this system.
·
Duress pull-cord
· Software
enabled person-down function through programmable no-motion detection.
·
Pager display for text
messaging can be used as a standard radio pager and/or can be used to
receive the alert telling tag holders of
an duress/safety event in progress
- Identify location and ID of particular unit.
- This feature is programmable to each individual tag holder or groups (for example it could notify only tag holders on that floor)
- General emergency messages can be sent such as “Lock down immediately” for example, from a fire alarm message initiated by administration staff.
·
The activating tag gives
audible and LED visible signal for faster physical detection
·
Duress alert/safety
alert event location displayed on a central server and also sent to other tags.
(may also be received or viewed on smart phone/ tablet screens.)
·
Zones (groups of tags)
can be established for messaging
·
Fire alarm system could
be linked to send general alert
·
The system can be
programmed to advise if a tag is in the “wrong” building
·
Tags can be located at
their present or last known location and displayed on a computer screen in
admin. It is possible to have an automatic pager message sent to tags that are
detected to be in the wrong location on site or detected leaving the entry zone
of the site
·
The central server can
be accessed by any connected computer to view location details and logs with
administrator rights separately limited to selected people.
Installing the system
Site survey
The starting point for installation is to
electronically map the site and Wi-Fi coverage thoroughly. This has two main
purposes:
1. For the software to “learn” the site so the
tags can be accurately located when activated
2. To ensure all areas have radio coverage,
identify weak spots and
if and where additional access points are
needed.
The survey is conducted by trained personnel
using Ekahau mapping software with hardware that surveys in detail the entire
site. The initial site survey can take from one to six days depending on the
size of the area covered. Thereafter we recommend 18-month surveys to identify
any modifications (completed or required) to the Wi-Fi system, the impact of
new users or addition of other equipment that may interfere with the wireless
network.
No installed Wi-Fi?
Working from your accurate floor plans
software will model the facility to determine where access points should be
placed, then WWSI can plan and install.
Commissioning
Commissioning
involves establishing the system rules specific to your installation and
requirements, programming of tags, testing, server set up, training and
documentation.
Chargers
Tags are re-chargeable from either individual or 10-rack chargers.
Asset Tracking and other
applications
The System has valuable applications beyond duress notification. Using
purpose designed tags, other applications include:
- Asset location based on sensing when an item moves, when it is in a new location, and/or timed intervals.
- For example for locating any assets on site, and ensuring the timely knowledge of how to find any tagged equipment, warehouse inventory, vehicle, tools and miscellaneous assets across the whole site.
- Temperature sensing is available with special tags used for cool rooms, server rooms and manufacturing areas.
- Humidity sensing tags are available
The system will handle and track thousands of items all using just one
Server/monitor.
Software license fees are directly linked to
each tag so adding a tag automatically accounts for the license fee and
software for that tag. This eliminates the need to upgrade license fees in
large multiples as is often the case with duress and location software.
Tracking
This function enables a tag to be tracked on
the screen in real time once an alert has been activated. The tracking
frequency can be set to as low as 3-5 seconds. The tag being tracked can be
viewed moving onscreen in real time at the intervals programmed.
Logging location
Do you require an historical record of a staff member’s rounds of the
premises? While the tracking results above cannot be logged for historical
record, the Ekahau software does provide a solution.
The system (via the site survey), establishes any number of electronic
“zones”. Enter and exit rules can be established. When a tag ( eg Security
person) enters or exits a zone, the system will record tag ID time and date.
While the following level of reporting may not be required, it
nevertheless is possible; area enter rules sends an alert via email or tag
message that a tag has entered our indicative zone (and vice versa for the exit
rule). So it's possible anytime to go back and view the path of the tag from
zone to zone.
