Communication Solutions

Visible Assets recently revealed that it has signed an agreement with CipherLab to supply a solution for asset management and logistics systems. This new solution is seeking to replace the current radio frequency identification (RFID)-based systems.

 

The new solution will use an interface built using Visible Assets’ technology, RuBee protocol. This protocol, conforming to IEEE (News - Alert) standards, will provide the underlying support for CipherLab’s mobile industrial computers, the 9400 and 9500. This combination is expected to tackle many of the complications that currently arise in relation to RFID-based asset management solutions. These include system discrepancies when the system is close to either water or certain kinds of metal. The targeted market for Visible Assets’ and CipherLab’s solution will be organizations in industries like the government, agriculture, and healthcare, among others.

 

“CipherLab is a great choice for Visible as a partner to help us transition customers with existing manual data capture or logistics systems to fully automated Visibility Networks based on RuBee and Dot-Tag networked solutions,” said John Stevens, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Visible Assets. “Many customers want a ruggedized, Windows-based system without multiple wireless communication protocols, and CipherLab’s handheld mobile computers are reliable, affordable and easily tailored to meet individual customer requirements. Together, we offer a logistics and asset management system that delivers enhanced security, longer range and that is unaffected by noise and traffic.”

 

The RuBee solution leverages the peer-to-peer protocol, while also being wireless and having the ability to transmit data in both directions. The system is based on magnetic energy, as opposed to radio frequencies. The utility of the system is in its ability to provide organizations with an affordable system for supply chain asset identification tracking. Additionally, the solution will lend transparency to the processes that are involved in the manufacturing procedure.

 

The main differentiating factor between RFID and RuBee is that the latter is volumetric. This essentially means that the signals that are required for the system to communicate within itself, and the external environment, are not hampered by metals, liquids or, for that matter, living beings. This is in sharp contrast to the RFID signals where in inclement conditions, line of sight is essential for the system to function.