Real-time Location Services (RTLS): Applications, Services, and Company Analysis

Report Summary

Real-time Location Services are changing processes and procedures in yards, hospitals, warehouses, factories and any facilities in which location determination and tracking in real-time is crucial.   RTLS applications support operational areas for logistics and other services, to combine identity and location of any type of items or objects, allowing for efficient location procedures through automatic determination/tracking with the click of a mouse button.

This report provides analysis, case study assessment and evaluation of the following:

• Indoor RTLS and key players
• RFID tag types and their applications
• Current and next generation applications
• Protocols, standards, and technical details of RTLS
• Regulatory mandates regarding RFID focusing on RTLS
• Different RTLS technology approaches: GPS, WiFi, RFID
• Real-life implementation analysis with example case studies
• Importance of RTLS for large scale Tracking and Management
• How the RFID industry has grown and penetrated into daily life
• GPS based Tracking w/o Active RFID and Implementation of the system
• RTLS in various verticals including Healthcare, Yard/Port, Inventory, and more

 The report also addresses challenges and opportunities in deploying/operating RTLS including available solutions and the methodologies.  

Audience

• Venture capitalists, private equity firms, and startup companies
• RTLS and RFID hardware, software, and solution vendors and related professional services companies
• Managed RTLS service providers, outsourced RFID solutions and RTLS application providers, and RFID service bureau operators
• Healthcare management personnel responsible for tracking patients, staff personnel, equipment, inventory, and other critical resources
• Companies interested in optimizing their RFID business process strategies for tracking and telemetry with a special focus on large scale tracking.
• Retailers and personnel responsible for merchandise inventory and ordering processes, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Merchandise tracking and fraud prevention
• Personnel responsible for automating Supply Chain Management (SCM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Inventory Tracking, Fleet Management, Yard/Dock Management and other business processes

Table of Contents

Introduction to RFID 6
Understanding How RFID Works6
Types of Tags 7
Passive Tags 7
Semi Passive RFID Tags 8
Active RFID Tags 9
Active Tags with Sensors/GPS 9
Difference between Active and Passive RFID 9
Privacy Issues 12
Preventives 12
RFID in Practice 13
Manufacturing 13
Scheduling of Assembly Orders 13
Picking 14
Checking the Right Goods Are on the Right Truck 14
Retail 14
Store Level Inventory Control 14
Receiving 15
Shelf Stocking 15
Store Replenishment and Ordering 16
POS Checkout Process 16
Theft 16
Find Merchandise in the Store 16
Customer Loyalty 17
Applications for RFID  17
Prevalent Application Types 18
Item Tracking and Tracing 18
Inventory Monitoring and Control 19
Asset Monitoring and Management 19
Introduction to Real Time Locating System (RTLS) 20
The Need and Purpose of RTLS 20
Discriminating the various types of RTLS 21
Classification of RTLS 21
Advantages of RTLS 22
Improved Productivity and Cost Avoidance 22
Decreased Cycle Time and Taking Costs Out 23
Reduced Rework 23
Reduced Business Risk and Control of Assets 23
Improved Security and Service 23
Improved Utilization of Resources 23
Increased Revenues 23
Exception Management 24
Standards and Protocols 25
Standards and Protocols of RTLS 26
RTLS Services and Contracts 29
Precision factors related to RTLS 30
RTLS Evaluation Techniques 32
RTLS applications using Passive RFID 33
RTLS applications using Active RFID 33
RTLS applications using WiFi 34
RTLS applications using GPS & GPRS/CDMA/WiFi 34
Next Generation RTLS Applications using Sensor Networks 35
A short outlook into the RTLS Software Applications 35
Evaluation of the Key Areas of Application for RTLS 36
RTLS in the Automotive Industry 37
RTLS in Healthcare 38
Benefits 39
RTLS Applications for Public Safety 39
RTLS applications of the Future 39
Indoor Location based Services 42
Working Principle 42
Implementation Domain 43
Evaluation of indoor RTLS 44
Ekahau RTLS 45
Verizon Wireless 45
Nokia RTLS 46
Google WiFi Location Service 46
Apple RTLS 46
Skyhook WiFi Location Service 46
Growth Analysis of RTLS 48
Prediction of most flourishing RTLS Applications 48
The Major Drawbacks of RTLS 49
Antenna characteristics  50
Anti-collision concepts 50
Privacy Issues 51
Ways to overcome the Bottlenecks 51
Company and Product Analysis of the RTLS Domain 53
Key Players in the RTLS Domain 53
Company and Product Analysis  54
Company - AeroScout 54
Products 54
Company - Identec 56
Products 56
Company - Savi 59
Products 59
Company - Intelleflex 61
Products 61
Company - Ekahau 63
Company - Tagsense 64
Products 64
Company - WhereNet 65
Products 65
Company - Pinc Solutions 68
Products 68
Company - ContainerTrac 70
Products 70
Case Studies 71
Reva  - RTLS Solution Based on Passive RFID 71
Bluetooth-Based RTLS Solution 72
Brooke Army Medical Center - RTLS implementation 73
Wi-Fi RTLS to Locate People, Equipment 77
RTLS Developments 79
New Business Process 79
RTLS - Intelligent Services 82
Smart Vehicle Identification using License Number Plate 83
Automated Vehicle Registration 84
RTLS in Public Transport 85
RTLS Scope and Status Worldwide 86
France 86
Protocols 87
National and Private Companies working with RTLS 87
National Company 87
Private Company 88
Current Status of RTLS in France 88
Fraud Prevention and Anti-counterfeiting 88
Medical 88
Transport and Fare Cards 89
Logistics and Retail Supply Chain 89
Possible Future Developments in France with RTLS 89
Germany 91
Protocols 91
National and Private Companies working with RTLS 91
Current Status in RTLS in Germany 93
Possible Future Developments in Germany with RTLS 94
United Kingdom 96
Protocols 96
National and Private Companies working with RFID 96
Current Status of RTLS in UK 97
Possible Future Developments in United Kingdom with RTLS 98
United States of America 99
Protocols 100
National and Private Companies working with RFID 101
Current Status of RTLS in the United States 103
Possible Future Developments in the United States with RTLS 103
Conclusions 106