Ekahau Launches Next-Generation Software Engine for Real-Time Location Tracking

Ekahau Launches Next-Generation Software Engine for Real-Time Location Tracking

November 09, 2006

EPE 4.0 Features Improved Accuracy and Scalability, Ease of Deployment and Integrated Tag Management Capabilities

    SARATOGA, Calif., Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Ekahau
Inc., a leading provider of Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location
Systems (RTLS), today introduced the Ekahau Positioning
Engine (EPE) 4.0, a major upgrade of Ekahau's server
software that features faster and more accurate location
tracking capabilities than its predecessor. As the key
component of Ekahau's turn-key RTLS solution, the EPE 4.0
significantly eases the deployment and management of a
real-time location solution, while providing the ability to
track more than 10,000 objects.

    "Since our first positioning engine was introduced
in 2002, we have been working with our customers on ways to
improve the functionality of RTLS and simplify its
use," said Lare Lekman, chief technology officer at
Ekahau. "Ekahau's extensive research and development
efforts, coupled with customer feedback, have resulted in a
product set that is unrivaled in its capabilities. The
launch of this next-generation server software seals
Ekahau's position as an innovator with the best-in-class
solutions for the RTLS industry." 

    The EPE 4.0 includes a number of new features that
improve the performance of Ekahau's turn-key RTLS solution.
These features include:

    * Improved Accuracy and Scalability: New,
patent-pending 
      probabilistic algorithms in the EPE 4.0 deliver a
higher 
      percentage of accuracy in locating tracked items or
people 
      to within up to one to two meters. The software is
capable 
      of tracking more than a total of 10,000 objects and
can 
      complete 600 location transactions per second. 

    * Simplified Set-Up and Monitoring: The EPE 4.0
includes a 
      new web-based administrator interface and a new
deployment 
      tool, the Ekahau Location Survey, for pre-survey and
site 
      calibration that cuts deployment time of Wi-Fi-based
RTLS 
      in half compared to the previous version. The new EPE
also 
      supports the site survey data collected with Ekahau
Site 
      Survey (ESS) 2.2, enabling end-to-end process from
Wi-Fi 
      planning and surveys to RTLS deployment. 

    * Rapid Application Development and Integration: The
EPE 4.0 
      features a new HTTP-XML application programming
interface 
      (API) that speeds application development and
integration 
      with third-party systems. The 4.0 version also
enables 
      tighter integration of EPE to support different Wi-Fi

      vendors' network architecture, and enhanced support
to 
      Wi-Fi based client devices.  

    * Remote Tag Management: The EPE 4.0 includes
integrated tag 
      management tools that enable users to monitor battery
level, 
      control LED and buzzers, and reconfigure and update
firmware
      over the air.

    The EPE 4.0 has undergone extensive beta testing with a
number of Fortune 1000 companies. It also is being
integrated with the middleware applications available from
Ekahau partners, including Sybase iAnywhere.

    "Our strong partner relationship has resulted in
tight integration with the EPE 4.0 right from the
start," said Martyn Mallick, director of RFID and
Mobile Solutions at Sybase iAnywhere. "By combining
the EPE 4.0 with Sybase's RFID Anywhere solution, our
customers are able to easily extend Ekahau's RTLS
capabilities, along with other sensory data, into their
applications."

    The EPE 4.0 powers the Ekahau RTLS solution. Ekahau has
deployed its RTLS system worldwide in hospitals,
manufacturing facilities, mines, museums and on military
bases. The applications of Ekahau RTLS allow these
industries to track people and assets in real time, as well
as improve efficiency, safety and security. 
    
    The EPE 4.0 will be generally available in November
30th, 2006.  Free evaluation software is now available. For
more information, please visit http://www.ekahau.com/eval .


    About Ekahau Inc.

    Ekahau Inc. is the industry leader in providing Wi-Fi
based RTLS solutions. Ekahau's customers, including several
Fortune 500 companies worldwide, are realizing the benefits
of Wi-Fi based location services and innovative Wi-Fi
network planning and optimization tools. Ekahau partners
include wireless software developers, leading system
integrators, and international OEM partners, who develop
and market wireless enterprise applications. Ekahau is a
U.S. based corporation, with offices in Saratoga, CA;
Reston, VA; Helsinki, Finland; and Hong Kong, China. For
more information about Ekahau, please visit at
http://www.ekahau.com .

    For more information, please contact:

    Media Contact U.S. 
     Juliet Travis 
     Rocket Science PR
     Tel:   [phone] x5
     Email: [e-mail]

    Europe 
     Arttu Huhtiniemi
     Director, 
     Product Management
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Nina Mattsson
     Sr Marketing Manager
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Ekahau Inc.