Siemens set to track assets and people over Wi-Fi networks using Ekahau RTLS

Siemens Communications remains on the lookout for ways to get more out of the network. Its latest endeavor involves a partnership with Ekahau to offer wireless real-time location system (RTLS) capabilities as another integrated service for Siemens' global customers.

Hymer AG is the first customer to deploy the integrated Siemens-Ekahau real-time locating solution to track motor homes as they move through the facility.

“Site surveys are conducted when you deploy Wi-Fi, and also when you deploy Ekahau RTLS to identify where to place the access points. We're combining them into a single step using the Ekahau Site Survey tool,” says Tuomo Rutanen, VP of business development for Ekahau. “Siemens Communications builds the Wi-Fi network and communications infrastructure, and can now offer additional value by delivering RTLS on top of it to get more utility out of the network.”

RTLS is powered by wireless RFID tags attached to assets to be tracked. The tags scan for the signal strength of various network access points. “The signal strength reading is transmitted to the Ekahau server, which calculates the location based on the reading,” says Rutanen. “Then you're delivering that information to the end user on the network.”

Hymer AG, a German manufacturer of motor homes, is the first customer to deploy the integrated Siemens-Ekahau solution to track units moving through a facility. At certain stages, Hymer moves vehicles off the line and parks them in holding areas. “By integrating location services with our Siemens HiPath Wireless LAN, we can optimize our assembly-line process sequence and access the necessary vehicle more quickly,” says Michael Tregner, managing director of Hymer.

" Siemens Communications builds the Wi-Fi network and communications infrastructure, and it can now offer additional value by delivering RTLS on top of it." —Tuomo Rutanen, VP of business development, Ekahau