Panometric

In a LinkedIn discussion a software vendor who works with healthcare clients posited that "there is not a single technology (hence not a single vendor) which is the silver bullet for healthcare" I couldn't agree more.  The real value is in the implemented solution. No hardware or software vendor can predict how your staff will [...]

I spent quite a bit of time in the last few months learning about Wikis, how to use them, and developing a software requirements application using Xwiki, a second generation Wiki platform. While Wikipedia is great, and I encourage you to monetarily support their efforts, Wikis are good for so much more. This is especially [...]

Today, I followed the link below curious in what RFID journal was writing about how to pick an RTLS. Without reading the article, I can tell you it will do little to help you decide what to buy and how to utilize an RTLS. It's only 3000 words! While I prize anyone who gets to [...]

If you are a tag designer, check out this new device that replaces the battery, rectification, and regulation functions of the power supply for use with energy harvesting.  This device, when combined with an energy harvesting source like solar cell, or mechanical source can power a tag perpetually. http://www.infinitepowersolutions.com/about-us/pr/93-ips-infinergy-launch

Dust networks has a nice summary presentation highlighting their mesh network WirelessHART implementation with channel hopping, time synchronization, and high reliability 3-5 9s reliability. It uses frequency, temporal and path diversity. What is interesting to me is that they are forecasting, albeit very vaguely, the IP addressability and RTLS integration of mesh network nodes. We [...]

The Continua Health Alliance is trying to solidify an application standard for interconnected healthcare devices that are both mobile, like pulse oximeters, and fixed like sensors used for remote patient monitoring. These technologies promise to ease the burden of caring for the elderly whether in their own homes or assisted living centers. In the quest [...]

Sensor networks with hierarchies and their resultant isolation will eventually give way to the notion that all devices should interoperate with the world, through IP protocols. I’ve advocated this trend for some time, but several news items from Sensors magazine reinforce this: Zigbee and IP and Pedigree Releases Oneview From an architectural perspective, this only [...]

In a recently released report: RFID Forecasts, Players & Opportunities 2009–2019 I found several thing interesting: (Context warning: this is related primarily to passive technologies.) 1. The total spend is only expected to grow 10% in 2009. Hardly a sign we are on the hockey stick of adoption. 2. Three of Five dollars spent is [...]

Zigbee the much touted wireless sensor network standard has been around a while now. Yet, it’s adoption has been limited. Already several variants and versions have emerged. Any willing vendor can obtain chipsets and protocol stacks and get started right away. But what always makes or breaks a new standard is how well it is [...]

Recently, the Zigbee Alliance released standards for Medical oriented devices to allow standardized interoperability for device functions. Eventually, this should allow worthwhile peer- to peer functionality on the 802.15 network, over and above centralized monitoring applications. I can see this functionality built on Zigbee being very useful in elder care facilities, because of its interaction [...]

You may be interested in this new module from G2 released just last week. It’s the most power efficient, and fully integrated Wifi device available. It’s almost everything you need to build a tag or data collection device except interconnects, sensors, a battery and housing, with all the certifications done. At $22 in quantity, this [...]

In tech adoption, there is a phase where rapid uptake and expansion occur once maturity has begun and the early adopters have proven the concepts. What I’m seeing at this show, is that passive RFID is very close to that phase. However, there are remaining barriers, and they are no longer in the fundamental technology, [...]

One method of evaluating and investment that every MBA is taught is Return on Investment – ROI. While its a fairly simple calculation and many RFID projects can expect superior ROI over other investments, there are many RFID projects that still make good sense. Why? Because the return comes as a second or third order [...]

RFID is frequently seen as method of increasing efficiency to save money. But it could be seen as much as an environmentally friendly tool as a monetary one? How? Consider that for every efficiency made, there is less energy used on wasted work, less excessive product in the supply chain, and less product wasted because [...]

There seems to be confusion in the industry about where these descriptions differ. RFID is a general description of any system that identifies without line if sight. At a cursory glance, RTLS (Real time location System) seems to add a qualitative presentation and timeliness element to data that is collected by RFID. But ask yourself [...]

I am attending RFID Live in Orlando. If you have specific questions about what RFID products might work for your application, let me know and I will be your eyes and ears. Whatever I find, I will provide short leads for you at no charge as a gift to my network. Free expert advice, just [...]