Products Overview

What RFind Offers

RFind, as the inventors and developers of it’s pragmatic RTLS, offer a full suite of products and services: From the active RFID/RTLS hardware and ancillaries; through to the RTLS software and an easy API for seamless systems integration; up to delivering all the professional services needed to ensure a successful deployment, on time and on budget.

RFind’s RTLS works both indoors and outdoors, offering the same levels of location finding and accuracy no matter where it is deployed.

RFind’s RTLS Product Range

RFind’s RTLS uses just three key components – Tags, Gateway device(s) and Software. In addition RFind offers a full set of professional services to manage the RTLS deployment from start to finish and beyond.

The tags are configured as Asset, Reference or Gatepost Tags depending on the functional requirements of the system. All tags communicate bi-directionally with the Gateways which process received signals and pass tag data to the software.

RFind Gateway

The Gateways are the only devices that typically require mains power and LAN connections. However, Gateways are also offered in WLAN versions. These low power devices are capable of being powered from Low Voltage networks, batteries and solar panels – if so required or desired. Finally, Gateways act as dataloggers, capable of storing received data in the event of LAN disruptions.

RFind’s software – Expeditor 2D (E2D) – is designed as a robust yet cost-effective and simple location engine. It is a web-based application, requiring a Microsoft Server OS and SQL Server instance for the core components and database. It’s primary function is to calculate asset locations and to make this data available to third party systems or display locations on a site map for the user via a web-browser interface.

RFind Tags

RFind Tags

RFind’s RTLS tags can be configured to function as either an Asset tag or as a fixed point Reference tag or Gatepost Tag. This unique, patented solution eliminates costly reader infrastructures, which involve extensive cabling, networks, power and multiple devices as is typically found in conventional RFID/RTLS. RFind tags can be easily installed in user customizable configurations and can be placed in locations to exactly suit the level of accuracy required for asset management area by area. Tags are typically battery powered, but can be powered by mains or low voltage power or solar panels. They are easily commissioned wirelessly and have various options in how they can be fastened to the asset. When an asset is no longer being managed, the tags are reusable and can be reapplied to other items. The tags can be equipped with motion detection capabilities, providing detailed real time location information.

The standard tag is durable and sized to fit the palm of your hand. This tag’s robustness and long-life capability (5 years typical) enables them to be used in harsh and rugged environments; both indoors and outside. Using Reference tags that are self contained – a truly wireless solution – means they can be picked-up and moved at any time when renovations or reconfigurations are required. When the environment changes, the tags are self-adjusting and will adapt to the change. And expanding the system can be done in a snap by just adding more tags as required—a very scalable and flexible system! Smaller tag designs are due for release during 2012.

Active RFID Capabilities

If only presence detection, not exact location reporting is required, RFind’s RFID system has two hardware elements; Presence Detection Asset tags and  Gateways. This is a highly affordable and flexible option for basic asset management solutions. The tags feature replaceable batteries and can be programmed for beaconing at predefined intervals with configurable power saving features.

Customised solutions using Presence Detection have been developed for RFind partners, such as identifying vehicles arriving at refuelling points to ensure that only authorised vehicles obtain fuel.

Other Products

Actuator Tag (with LED Button)

RFind offers variants of both tags and Gateways, such as Actuator and Gatepost tags, Gatepost devices and Gate Masters. These simply operate differently to a standard tag or Gateway, using the same hardware platform.  The highly flexible hardware platform allows us to easily customise a product to suit your specific needs without great expense or time delay. Also available from RFind are demonstration kits, solar power options, power modules, mounting brackets and other useful ancillaries.

Software

Expeditor 2D (E2D) is the software heart of RFind’s RTLS. This web-based application offers a map view, fast asset location methods, various standard reports, health monitoring of all hardware devices and easy administration of the RTLS. It comes with an open API (.Net DLL or Webservice interface options) that is easy to use. The API offers data ‘pull’ and ‘push’ functions – as you need. Systems integration is usually accomplished within a couple days at most.

E2D employs a number of proprietary location algorithms developed by RFind. It functions as the ‘location engine‘, leaving more advanced asset management functions to the systems it is integrated with. It can operate as a standalone asset location tracking system when this is all you need.