of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, and InnerWireless, Inc., a premier provider of converged wireless solutions, today announced a strategic partnership to develop and market advanced active/passive RFID systems that leverage standards-based technologies. The companies are integrating location and telemetry technologies for asset visibility, using EPCglobal standard RFID, standard Wi-Fi and other real-time location systems (RTLS).

“RF location technology is quickly moving from singular, customized solutions to broader commercial applications for asset tracking, document management, and location awareness. We are also finding the most productive RFID location systems often incorporate both passive and active RFID technology,” said Yael Maguire, CTO, ThingMagic. “Working together, ThingMagic and InnerWireless have integrated ThingMagic’s Mercury OS software and Mercury RFID readers with InnerWireless’ PanGo product line. This combination of active and passive wireless technologies allows our customers to address all their asset tracking requirements from a single, integrated platform.”

Integrated products supporting active RTLS tags, passive RFID tags and Wi-Fi devices allow customers to cost effectively track a variety of asset types – from critical workflow assets and Wi-Fi IT devices, to inexpensive and disposable items that require continuous monitoring – at zone-, room- and choke-point levels, without proprietary hardware. By combining InnerWireless’ expertise of designing and implementing the right asset-tracking solution for organizations of all sizes with ThingMagic’s best-in-class readers and sensors, the companies validate that pervasively deployed standard technologies can be used to solve a majority of customers’ asset-tracking problems.

“Critical assets are constantly moving in most businesses and institutions, and it can be a major challenge to accurately track these assets. The ability to locate, control and manage assets with multiple location mechanisms addresses customer business performance and operational needs, and it ultimately contributes to a healthier bottom line. That’s why hospitals, manufacturers, courthouses and other facilities are adopting the integrated solution from InnerWireless and ThingMagic,” said Richard Barnwell, CTO of location for InnerWireless. “Our Web-based, enterprise asset-tracking solution provides real-time visibility regardless of asset type, and it delivers alerts and analysis about the location and status of key assets using integrated RTLS and RFID technology. By integrating passive RFID with active Wi-Fi, for example, our customers can leverage their existing Wi-Fi infrastructure and maximize their investments, while addressing their tracking needs.”

InnerWireless and ThingMagic have successfully deployed solutions at leading institutions, including the Florida 15th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, and will further the relationship with newly integrated products in the second quarter of 2008.

Both ThingMagic and InnerWireless will showcase their solutions at RFID Journal Live! April 16-18.

About InnerWireless
InnerWireless enables today’s mobile workforce with the ubiquitous in-building delivery of Wireless Wide Area Network and WLAN (Wi-Fi) for voice, data, location and other wireless services. Designed expressly for mission and life critical wireless applications, the Horizon™ Converged Wireless solution is ideal for Hospital, Fortune 100 and Hospitality customers where wired performance is expected. IT-friendly features like low OPEX, multi-carrier and AP vendor neutrality make Horizon a practical consideration as well. Businesses wishing to add asset visibility and tracking, can utilize the company’s PanGo™ asset management solution which provides identity, location and condition of key enterprise resources such as assets and people.

About ThingMagic, Inc.
ThingMagic is a developer of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, with broad experience in applying RFID in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. ThingMagic's customers include some of the world's largest retailers, consumer companies, automotive firms, manufacturers and industrial automation firms. ThingMagic products include fixed and embedded RFID readers and antennas, embedded and OEM RFID technology, and professional services to facilitate the OEM integration of RFID into a wide range of industrial and consumer products.

Information Source:    Business Wire