Selecting RTLS solution

Selecting the best RTLS solution is a challenging task as there is no global solution like GPS on the market. Players in this field have ended up using different approaches to implement their RTLS solution making comparison between different products and solutions difficult and time consuming.

IPCS by 9Solutions is built on robust wireless technology, used in roughly 3 billion devices globally and the number keeps growing as approximately 19 million new units are sold every week. A combination of solid technology platform and 9Solutions' strong IPR portfolio has enabled us to build unique solution that meets all the requirements of future RTLS.

We have further identified characteristics to indicate what makes IPCS by 9Solutions unique in order to ease up your decision:

  • User experience
  • No hidden costs
  • Standardized technology
  • Fast Installation
  • Low maintenance costs
  • Easy integration with legacy solutions
  • Locating accuracy
  • Data security and privacy
  • Safety

User experience

All IPCS components have been designed keeping the 9Solutions’ motto "Keep it Simple" in mind. Despite being elegant and good looking, the unified user interface is extremely easy to use and understand. This ensures a fast adoption process and allows customers to focus on their daily tasks, instead of maintaining RTLS solutions.

Operating time of IPCS devices is really long. IPCS Tags, like miniature uTag, offers years of battery lifetime in active use. In comparison, many competing RTLS solutions have the battery life of 1-2 weeks in active person tracking.

No hidden costs.

IPCS Service Subscription always includes the latest software versions available. IPCS network infrastructure does not rely on existing IT- infra. IPCS quotation includes all the components needed for fully functional RTLS solution, which eliminates the need of specialized staff to keep the IPCS up and running.

Standardized technology

As based on standardized Bluetooth technology IPCS enables a real-time tracking of IPCS Tags and billions of other Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth technology also supports device-to-device communication without any additional drivers or applications being required. IPCS is the first and only solution, which is compatible with commonly used mobile devices as most of them have Bluetooth on-board. IPCS is also compatible with future devices as it supports both traditional Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy.

Fast installation

Installation of IPCS infra is completely dust free and extremely fast. Thanks to SaaS model and IT network independent solution, no local software installations or cabling is required. Installation time per room is at level of seconds. The system is ready to use when you have plugged in the last Node. No calibration is needed. The production use of premises can continue normally in parallel with IPCS installation. As an example, 9Solutions installed IPCS system in 140 rooms of a big hospital. Installation took 12 hours for a single person and IT personnel of the hospital did not have to participate in the installation process.

Low maintenance costs

SaaS based IPCS solution enables effortless maintenance. End customers always have the latest software version in use and they don’t have to take care of maintaining the software running on their own server as 9Solutions is hosting all required software. IPCS applications are available from any web device—anytime, anywhere. There is no need to store customer specific components or configuration files because all system components are identical. The only customer specific component is IPCS Activation Key.

9Solutions monitors the solution performance 24/7; both server software and all IPCS installations. IPCS Diagnostics engine will raise alarms within 20 seconds in case of Node malfunction and indicates the location of a failed device – hot swap of the broken device is only required fixing the issue while the system remains fully operational. There is no need to recalibrate or reconfigure the IPCS.

If the problem is in IPCS software, 9Solutions is able to address the issue immediately as system software is located in 9Solutions’ server farm. If Node, CCU, Internet connection or Tag fails, a reseller is responsible for fixing the issue.

Easy integration with legacy solutions

You can start using the positioning data of assets and people as integral part of your software solution in no time thanks to the application programming interfaces of the IPCS. You can also use the IPCS as stand-alone solution.

Entire feature set of the IPCS is accessible via IPCS Application Programing Interface (API).

Locating accuracy

Locating accuracy of IPCS can be defined case by case to meet customer demand. IPCS locating accuracy is as good as one meter. This enables applications like bed level locating tracking in hospital environments.

IPCS tracking accuracy is device independent. IPCS is cell-based solution, which is not using absolute power or signal quality parameters to determine the location of the device. Tracking accuracy is the same if you track IPCS Tags or mobile phone because only relative data is required.

Data security and privacy

Issues, related to information security and privacy are carefully considered in IPCS design. IPCS Network does not use existing IT infra. Hence, it does not load infra or add security risks as there is no physical connection between the networks.

IPCS gives ID numbers to all tracked objects and locations. Instead of personal information, only ID numbers are transferred between 9Solutions servers, IPCS network installed in customer premises and Tags. IPCS Tags also allow users to switch their status to “Do No Track Me”. In that mode, no-one can track the person unless Alarm button is pressed. Legacy database content remains as secured as it was before the integration.

Safety

Human exposure to high-frequency radiation (SAR) is very low as IPCS uses very low radio power levels. The SAR values of IPCS tags are less than 1% of typical mobile phone or Wi-Fi device.