Xirrus Location Services provide organizations different options to locate wireless devices within the operation environment. These services can be used to locate missing equipment, track down stolen items, and assist in troubleshooting user issues. Asset management integrated with location services can greatly simplify and improve business process workflow.
Asset Tracking
For real time location services used for asset management, Xirrus has partnered with Ekahau, an industry leader in Wi-Fi tracking and monitoring solutions. By combining Xirrus’ unique architecture with Ekahau’s industry best location solutions, customers can track assets across a wide variety of devices and use cases. Ekahau Wi-Fi tags can be placed on a wide range of items including projectors, hospital beds, or even children. The tags communicate through the Xirrus Wi-Fi infrastructure to an Ekahau location controller which calculates location over time for any tagged device across a building or campus. With a properly designed wireless network, devices can be tracked to within 3-5 feet accuracy. For more information on the Ekahau solution, visit our Technology Alliance Partners page.
Integrated Location Services
Xirrus provides Wi-Fi client location services integrated within each Wireless Array or across the entire Array network using the Xirrus Management System (XMS). With multiple modular APs and directional antennas, the Xirrus Array offers a unique architecture that greatly benefits location of clients in the wireless network. Each modular AP provides a signal reading for each client, and the direction of the antenna provides information about the direction of the client relative to the Array. This information can be used to determine approximate location of a client relative to each individual Array, something not possible with APs using standard omni-directional antennas. More Arrays improve the accuracy of the client location identification and is provided by the Xirrus Management System (XMS).
To augment location services in the Array and XMS, Xirrus provides the Wi-Fi inspector client application. The Wi-Fi Inspector can be installed on any Windows laptop and used to pinpoint the location of a rogue AP or ad hoc client. In location mode, the Wi-Fi Inspector will guide the user to the location by displaying signal information and an audible Geiger counter type function. Download the Wi-Fi Inspector.
Mapping
The Xirrus Management System supports mapping functionality to assist in managing a Xirrus Array deployment from a physical location perspective. Within the XMS, building floor plans and locations can be uploaded and the Arrays placed in their deployed location on the map. Based on the RF settings of the Array and the properties of the environment, the XMS will generate heat maps showing RF coverage patterns across the environment. Using these heat maps, network administrators can determine areas of potential RF coverage gaps. These maps are also used for the integrated location service functions within the XMS.
Surveying and Planning
Key to any successful wireless location service is proper wireless network design. Xirrus Wi-Fi Designer is an application created for lifecycle management of Wi-Fi network deployments. With Wi-Fi Designer, network engineers are able to execute predictive or active site surveys to determine Array placement during the wireless design process. Once the deployment is operation, Wi-Fi Designer can be used for post installation inspection to verify sufficient coverage in all areas. Proper Wi-Fi design is crucial to ensure proper wireless network performance and end user experience, as well as proper operation of location-based services.
Better Accuracy
With the Wireless Array’s unique directional antenna-based architecture, Xirrus is able to provide greater accuracy for location services than other Wi-Fi vendors based on traditional designs. When locating equipment, the more accurate the information, the more quickly assets can be located and business operations continue.
Reduce Inventory Management Cost
With accurate equipment location, Xirrus location solutions can help reduce inventory management cost. Many organizations such as hospitals, warehouses, and logistics facilities lose significant money and user productivity per year from lost inventory and manpower. Xirrus location services can help restore lost production, and are important when moving from fixed to mobile services.
Improved Workflow
For many logistics-based organizations, moving inventory and ensuring it is in the right place at the right time is a large task and critical to ongoing operation. Determining optimal patterns and timing for moving inventory, people, and supplies can benefit from the mobilized nature of Wi-Fi. Improving the visibility of asset location provides managers the ability to better plan processes and procedures that maximize resource utilization.
Improved Wi-Fi Lifecycle Management
Xirrus tools such as Wi-Fi Designer and Wi-Fi Inspector provide improved visibility and control of the Wi-Fi lifecycle, simplifying and improving the accuracy of the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of the wireless network. Proper planning and deployment of a wireless network is crucial to its successful operation and to ensure the network will successfully support location services.
The Xirrus Location Services features are integrated with ArrayOS, the Xirrus Management System (XMS), Wi-Fi Designer, and Wi-Fi Inspector. In addition, Xirrus works with our partner Ekahau for real-time location services for asset management. For more information, please visit:
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