MITRE’s large facilities needed a “best of breed” solution for their complex requirements.

MITRE needed a solution which could locate their mission critical assets (equipment), and also something less expensive for their “non critical” Assets.  Furthermore, they needed technology that would not significantly interfere with their ongoing internal engineering and testing.

Silent Partner Technologies Provides the Solution

For the “mission critical” Assets SPT provided the following features and functions:

Long Range Active Solution

• Long Range Active solution, with a Tag read range of 1,700 feet in open space.
• As a direct result of the “long range technology”, the impacts on the MITRE infrastructure requirements are minimized—essentially far less cabling.
• The technology used is 915Mhz and does not interfere with any of the “Wi-Fi” networks.
• Tags function in a response mode as opposed to just beacon mode.  As such they are “asleep” until they are asked to turn on and speak—such as a “roll call”.  This was a “key benefit” for MITRE as they wanted minimal RF noise in their buildings.
• Real-Time Inventory.  At any time, MITRE with a push of a Button can take a “Real-Time Inventory” of their Assets without any human participation, other than the push of a button on a PC.
• Tags have a battery life of up to 10 years.
• SPT provided a simple solution for locating the Assets, by placing a simple “exciter” (requires nothing more than AC Power), whereby as Assets pass by the “exciter”, the Tags then transmit their exact location.  As such we always know the last seeing location.
• Application is “browser based”, and thus easier to manage and implement across many buildings.

For the non-mission critical Assets, SPT used the less expensive UHF Passive Technology.

Short Range Passive Solution

• Because of the different size of equipment, SPT provided a “variety” of Industrial Passive Tags, ranging from “micro technology” Tags that would read at eight feet, to larger Tags that would read at 30-35 feet.
• SPT provided Portals so that as a Cart filled with equipment past thru a hall way, we would read all of the Tags on the Cart, and update system with “last seeing location” of all Assets.
• Above and beyond the Portals, SPT also provided an RFID PDA application so that MITRE can perform physical counts on an as need basis.

SPT delivered a successful implementation using a wide range of equipment tracking solutions for MITRE’s needs.  The RFID asset tracking system provides 100% visibility to all equipment in facility with reports and inquiries that include; where is item now, item history, usage of equipment, and who used it. Now projects are starting faster and no time wasted searching uselessly.

RFID equipment tracking is critical to a company’s bottom line. The company’s capability to access tool and equipment information as regards location and status instantly contributes greatly to the successful completion of a project. It is possible to implement a cost-effective automated data collection system in day-to-day operations with the help of RFID technology. In order to implement the system, each piece of equipment will have to be tagged and RFID readers, fixed or mobile, have to be made available at suitable locations. Some of the applications of RFID equipment tracking are discussed in this article.

Hospitals have always had problems with tracking equipment and assets. Typically these problems include the labor costs involved in searching for the equipment when it is required, loss of time due to the non-availability of the equipment as required, higher inventory costs due to purchase or hiring of equipment as a result of lack of availability and frustration of the staff that leads to inefficiencies in operation.

It is important for many construction, HVAC contractors and repair service companies having many vans to keep count of their expensive tools.

In large warehouses, there is always the need to locate a special forklift for a specific use. All forklifts are not manned and will not be available just like that. Many a time it is difficult to find a forklift and assign it for a job. The efficiency of operation of a warehouse can be tremendously improved by implementing the RFID equipment tracking system.

All fire stations are required to maintain apparatus inventory to enable delivery of essential services. To abide by regulation, it is necessary to stock equipment and consumables. However, it becomes a difficult to track equipment as they are continuously being inspected and placed in or out of active status. Additionally, equipment is also exchanged with other fire stations. The RFID asset tracking arrangement will be of great help to sort out their problems.

The RFID equipment tracking system will definitely help companies sort out their equipment tracking problems. RFID tags can be put on the equipment or asset. The RFID technologies that are available are:

•              Passive and Active Real Time Location Services or RLTS

•              Hybrid technology that uses sensors and integrated solutions

Passive tags such as bar code systems require the services of a person to manually scan a tag or a label to capture the data. If the tool is dirty, the barcode reader may not sense properly. A lot time and cost will be involved in handling such issues. On the other hand, active tags transmit data or information about location automatically. Since an active tag can detect movement, tampering, or environmental conditions with the help of sensors included in the tags, theft or pilferage can be prevented.

To set up RFID equipment tracking suitable for a particular application, the pros and cons of the available technologies should be assessed before implementing the project.

The patient or resident wears a tag with an embedded microchip that can be worn around the neck, clipped or sewn to clothing, or as a wristband. The tags may be passive, meaning that they store data but cannot be written to, or active, meaning that they can both read and write data. Interrogators, or readers, are installed at the entrances and exits, and in any interior areas that need to be controlled. When the tag is detected leaving its permitted area, staff are alerted to the situation.

The most basic system sounds an audible alarm when it is triggered. By adding a suite of software, tags and interrogators can be programmed to more fully personalize each patient’s permitted areas, include other dynamic data, and more actions can be taken by the system, such as the locking of doors when there is an alert. You can also choose to have staff notified by email or text message. The needs of each facility may be different, and this modular, expandable system is easily customizable to match whatever those needs might be.

RFID not only makes superior wander management solutions for ALF and nursing homes, the very same system can also be utilized to manage and track equipment, pharmaceuticals, and other inventory items. For example, the system can be set to send an alert if an item is missing from a crash cart, so that they are always ready to go in an emergency. Some units have a button that can be pressed by the patient to summon help directly.

Several frequencies are used to provide the most sensitivity. RFID does not require that the reader be in the line of sight of the tag, so coverage is complete. The dementia wander prevention system can be used outdoors, as well, so patients can have access to gardens.

The freedom that the use of a wandering management system provides improves the overall mental and physical health of patients. Families have a higher peace of mind, and none of the guilt that can come with knowing that a family member is living in a locked ward. Tags are often sewn into articles of clothing, so they are unobtrusive.

Staff benefits as well, because they are able to work more efficiently. Facility operators save money because they may not need to keep as much staff on. Furthermore, the monthly cost to the patient’s family is reduced because there is less intensive care required.

RFID wander management solutions for senior care facilities are the best way to protect residentss while retaining their personal dignity. They are efficient and reasonably priced with a fast return on investment. They reduce overall costs and reduce the risk of elopement related litigation.

 Security guards and technological devices are strategically place in museums in order to protect or safeguard artifacts, arts and other valuable items. One technological device that are commonly used in the building premises are the permanent wired motion detectors. While some museums in United States make use of sensor products combined with active RFID tags from Silent Partner Technologies which enables them to protect all the valuable and high-value assets wirelessly. The Art Monitoring Software and hardware can detect any motion which triggers an alarm when any artifacts, arts and any other valuable item where moved. With this, staffs can be alerted electronically and they are able to respond the quickest possible time.

The Silent Partner Technologies offers the best asset management solutions that may be use in museums, galleries, private and business collections, people safety and logistics or any other customized solutions that fits your needs. The RFID art monitoring system is being used at healthcare Art, French Galleries, Hess Corporation, Gramaldi Galleries and various other locations in North America.

The monitoring efforts of museums are not limited on securing their valuable properties but they also consider environmental conditions like heat or water temperatures as it may cause damages on properties. Wired technological devices are able to recognize these hazards however some museums looks for other alternatives for aesthetic reasons that doesn’t require running cables all over the exhibit. Also, some exhibits change and move from time to time and relocating your system may be required to adapt these changes.

That’s the reason why the RFID art tracking system is designed to be more convenient and nimble, says Ted Kostis, Silent Partner Technologies’ CEO of active RFID.

This system is equipped with battery-powered RFID tags that have the ability to transmit using a proprietary air-interface protocol at 2.4 GHz. The SPT Art Monitoring Software can manage and route information to the museum’s back end security or management systems. The various types of the Silent Partner Technologies’ tags usually come with a built-in motion or temperature sensors. When these tags are attached to an item in motion, the system automatically detects it and initiates an alert like a sound of a siren. Any individual holding that property will be aware of that its movement is considered unauthorized. If further movement has been detected, the SPT art monitoring software will activate its secondary alert to call the attention of the staff members or it even sounds an alarm within the entire building.

The RFID tags were directly attached to any property and asset using a wire or an adhesive. Museums make use of a specialist who set up artwork for hanging and this individual attaches this RFID tags to the artwork without doing any damages on it. After deployment, these tags transmit and forward each unique ID number and sensor update using a cabled Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the SPT Art Monitoring Software. It then interprets the read data and interfaces against the museums management software. The tags are also capable of transmitting information about its battery life in order to produce an alert when batteries’ energy is low. As per Ted Kostis, its battery life can last between 5 to 12 years.

If are you looking for the best and most effective RFID art monitoring, check out our Silent Partner RFID website and get the most competitive rates.

RFID technology is being popularly used for more than a decade now. The technology is being used by thousands of companies for different applications. The technology gained popularity because it could be used to track moving objects. Short range and long range are two major application areas where the technology is currently being used. In the Vicinity or the long range applications, it is mainly tracking and tracing. In the Proximity or short range, it is mainly access control. Governmental departments, and private organizations and corporations use this technology to track people, assets, and documents. The location of tagged assets is known instantaneously. They are used in libraries and healthcare facilities for asset management. The time saved on searching for lost unaccounted items is tremendous. The financial and impact is also immense. Many companies are offering turnkey solutions in the areas of waste management and recycling, animal tracking, product authentication, etc. One popular use of RFID application is to pay the toll booths without stopping on the highways. This is being adopted by drive in restaurants where customers can pay for the meals that they collect.  Supply chain management is yet another RFID application that major retail giants have adopted. It helps them to maintain optimal inventory, out-of-stock losses are kept to a minimum, shoplifting can be cut down to a large extent and customers can cruise out through the check-out lines in minimum time. The RFID technology has been used for long to limit physical access to restricted areas in commercial and office buildings. Earlier low-frequency systems were in vogue. But now there are higher frequency systems that offer better range. An RFID tag worn by the entrant can identify and authenticate. There is no contact, no magnetic card swipe, and consequently less maintenance. This technology is being combined with biometrics to enhance the security.

As RFID applications are becoming more popular and reliable, the associated costs are reducing. There is every chance that new areas in which they can be used effectively will soon emerge.

No longer must affected residents be restricted to locked wards. The innovation of RFID technology has made dementia wander prevention more efficient for care providers, while also giving patients a higher quality of life, because they can be allowed to live among the general population. Staff can focus more fully on their duties without having to be continually vigilant for elopement. Facility operators don’t have to worry about the legal concerns that are associated with the risk of wandering patients.

The cost of installing one of the RFID wander management solutions for assisted living facilities (ALF) is reasonable, and the system pays for itself fairly quickly in savings elsewhere. The system can also be used to manage assets and inventory, and for tracking, adding to the benefits of the cost. Because the system is modular and expandable, facilities can start small and continue to add functionality as needed without having to purchase new base equipment. More uses for this type of RFID technology are being discovered every day.

The transmitter tag contains individualized data for the patient. Using the web-based system software, permissions can be customized for each monitored area and patient group. The action taken by the system when it is triggered ranges from a simple alarm alert to the automated locking of doors or elevators and sending of email alerts to staff.

Tags are most often sewn directly into the clothing. Short term memory issues may lead dementia patients to forget what the tag is and remove it. Sewing the tag into the clothing eliminates this concern. It is more attractive, as well. Wristband style transmitters can also be used.

One of the qualities that makes RFID ideal for wandering management applications is that multiple transmissions can be read simultaneously. Radio frequencies don’t require a direct line-of-sight to the reader, so there are no blind spots. Multiple frequencies expand the response and capabilities of the system.

Patients who have the independence to move around are less stressed. Studies have shown that the sense of community provided by being able to mix with the other patients as desired is an important aspect of overall mental and physical health. The dementia wander prevention system can be utilized both indoors and outdoors, giving patients the freedom to go for a walk or enjoy the garden, while keeping them safe and secure.

The future of wander management solutions for ALF lies in these RFID technologies. They are simple to implement and unobtrusive. The peace of mind that they provide for both families of dementia patients and for the staff and operators of facilities cannot be overstated.

Safety is paramount for keeping The Boston Home residents free from harm.
The Boston Home had control and safety issues with unauthorized roaming of its wheelchair residents within or outside the limits of their 10 acre campus. The facility sought after a reliable solution to protect its residents from wandering off campus.

SPT and Vision implemented an RFID Wander Tracking, Prevention and Management software and wireless network solution that provide the facility staff with an advance warning system when motorized wheelchairs reach a monitored gate or exit checkpoint. As the resident passes through the controlled gate(s) or designated control points, an audible alarm and email is immediately initiated for the caretakers to respond quickly and prevent the potential patient wandering outside the campus limits.

The Boston Home was established in 1881 and the facility has unique electrical challenges in implementing security and monitoring systems. With the Vision expertise and the SPT open Wander Software, the companies were successful in assembling disparate equipment and technologies into an effective and simple solution. Now the Boston Home can provide the additional security it needs to keep its motorized residents safe and to maintain its reputation as a premier Long-term care facility in the New England area. Now, The Boston Home residents can safely maneuver their motorized wheelchairs within the RFID controlled area.

According to Ted, after carefully assessing Hess’s situation, Silent Partner Technologies, which specializes in the development of RFID and barcode tracking devices, procuced a web-based asset protection management system that covers inventory and collection management, including tracking and anti-theft strategies.

“One of the real benefits of RFID is that it greatly reduces the time to locate art and removes the need to handle a piece during identification,” said Ted.

He however added that their systems were designed to help art collection managers identify art pieces without have to physically move them around a gallery or unpacking them from a shipping crate. “You can read the tags read right through the crate, reducing labor, time, and potential damage,” he added.

Secondly, Ted noted that their RFID art protection systems are specifically designed to give owners and managers an improved visibility of and control high-ticketed gallery and museum artworks.

“We have created our systems in such a way that users can run more frequent inventory counts to get a handle on the whereabouts of the pieces of art at each location,” added Ted.

However, for persons within the art world that would like to know more about the awesome benefits to derived from having a RFID asset management system at their disposal, can contact Ted Kostis, president of Silent Partner Technologies.

Today, RFID tool tracking software, tags and readers not only have the ability, but the capacity to offer 100 percent guarantee that they can provide the solution of monitoring these very expensive tools in a mobile environment. This solution consists of a 53-foot trailer full of gear and equipped with RFID gates in the doorway.  Contractors can then go through the gate to pick up tools; and leave again with the tool in hand without delay.  This will create increased efficiency within the job site.

These RFID tags are placed on the employee’s badge, as well as on all of the tools.  In the software, this will link each item with a certain employee so that the job site managers can track the tools that may have disappeared.  In addition, the jobsite manager will also have the knowledge if any tools have left the site; or if any tools and other items need to be replaced or recharged. This allows the company to see who has the tools, as well as if and when they were returned.

The manner in which it works is this.  When a worker approaches the closed utility trailer, a monitor with three antennas on the gate, seizes the unique identification number on his employee badge. The ID is then sent via a wired connection to a computer that is located in the trailer, which is attached to the name of the employee and whether he or she has the authority to enter the trailer. If the individual is permitted to access the trailer, the door will then unlock and the worker can enter.  From this point, the process is very simple.  The employee must only select the tools needed to perform their job and walk back out of the trailer.  In its second pass through the gate, the employee’s ID card and the identification tag on the tool is read by the monitor.  These tools or other items are then associated with the workers identification number.  The RFID computer software translates the information and it connects the staff with the tools.  Furthermore, it provides information to those who may be looking for a specific tool. The software can also send data alerts to the job site supervisor or the management of a company.  It will notify them in the event of a tool not being returned as well as automatically send a purchase order when a predetermined maximum amount of supplies has been taken, therefore requiring replacement.

The RFID tool tracking software also allows management to analyze the use of tools in a particular work environment, and to have better information on the amount of tools and supplies that will be needed for prospective projects.  These RFID tool tracking gates can be installed on existing trailers, or a business may purchase a 53-foot trailer already equipped with the RFID gate.  There are also intentions to produce this technology in 40-foot shipping containers.  This will enable them to be transported from one job site to another without the use of a mobile trailer.

The patient or resident wears a tag with an embedded microchip that can be worn around the neck, clipped or sewn to clothing, or as a wristband. The tags may be passive, meaning that they store data but cannot be written to, or active, meaning that they can both read and write data. Interrogators, or readers, are installed at the entrances and exits, and in any interior areas that need to be controlled. When the tag is detected leaving its permitted area, staff are alerted to the situation.

The most basic system sounds an audible alarm when it is triggered. By adding a suite of software, tags and interrogators can be programmed to more fully personalize each patient’s permitted areas, include other dynamic data, and more actions can be taken by the system, such as the locking of doors when there is an alert. You can also choose to have staff notified by email or text message. The needs of each facility may be different, and this modular, expandable system is easily customized to match whatever those needs might be.

RFID not only makes superior wander management solutions for ALF and nursing homes, the very same system can also be utilized to manage and track equipment, pharmaceuticals, and other inventory items. For example, the system can be set to send an alert if an item is missing from a crash cart, so that they are always ready to go in an emergency. Some units have a button that can be pressed by the patient to summon help directly.

Several frequencies are used to provide the most sensitivity. RFID does not require that the reader be in the line of sight of the tag, so coverage is complete. The dementia wander prevention system can be used outdoors, as well, so patients can have access to gardens.

The freedom that the use of a wandering management system provides improves the overall mental and physical health of patients. Families have a higher peace of mind, and none of the guilt that can come with knowing that a family member is living in a locked ward. Tags are often sewn into articles of clothing, so they are unobtrusive.

Staff benefits as well, because they are able to work more efficiently. Facility operators save money because they may not need to keep as much staff on. Furthermore, the monthly cost to the patient’s family is reduced because there is less intensive care required.

RFID wander management solutions for senior care facilities are the best way to protect residents while retaining their personal dignity. They are efficient and reasonably priced with a fast return on investment. They reduce overall costs and reduce the risk of elopement related litigation.