Sweden's Stockholm Subway Implements Indoor Location-Based Services Platform with Cisco Systems

location based services

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) today announced a collaboration with software provider Appear Networks to deliver an Integrated Location Services Solution for the Stockholm Subway, delivering personalised, real-time information to users in underground stations, anywhere across the Wi-Fi network.
Based on contextual information such as time of day, job role, and current physical location, the solution is able to access the right information, which is interpreted and pushed out in real time to the right users, and to the right location. This Integrated Location Services Solution is also able to determine the location of a handheld mobile device to within a few meters, leading to a better-informed and more effective workforce.
Appear Networks has integrated the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network with its own wireless communication platform, Appear IQ, to create an Integrated Location Services Solution that understands who the end-user is, where they are and what device they are using at any given time.
In addition to the deployment at the Stockholm Subway, a new field trial is currently underway with Stockholm's Kista Galleria, one of the most successful shopping malls in Northern Europe. The full solution is based on the Cisco Unified Wireless Network infrastructure of Cisco Aironet(R) lightweight access points, Cisco wireless LAN controllers, the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) and the Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance.
Andy Oldfield, Manager, Wireless Technology Marketing for European & Emerging Markets at Cisco Systems, said, "By integrating the Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance with Appear's platform, customers can now locate the position of their workers via their handheld devices far more accurately than ever before. In addition to improving customer service, this joint solution delivers important personal safety and security capabilities. For example, security workers at the Stockholm Subway can now press a silent alert button on their handheld device, which notifies the command and control centre of a security alert. The Integrated Location Services Solution then determines the physical location of their wireless device in order to pinpoint the problem."
Since implementing this platform in December 2005, Stockholm Subway, operated by Connex AB, has been able to act on real-time data supplied by the network, such as up to date travel news, to improve customer service through better information and better-connected employees. In addition to improving station safety, the new solution accelerates access to service disruption updates for staff working on train platforms. Connex AB has also noted a measurable increase in personnel efficiency since deployment, due to improvements in the way maintenance issues are communicated to engineering staff in the field.
"In short, this solution has completely transformed our business," said Edvard Brinck, project manager of the wireless project at Connex AB. "Cisco and Appear have been central to us achieving our vision of a transport system that gives people better and faster information as and when they need it. In addition to being able to give our customers durable levels of improved service, we have also seen a significant return on investment."
Appear has also begun a field trial with the Kista Galleria, where both the mall's employees and customers can access context aware applications through their personal Wi-Fi device. Once inside the mall, visitors are able to test various services and applications dependent on their location. The mall hosts a number of demo zones including the subway entrance, the grocery stores, clothing shops and a food area. The Galleria's service can be used to notify visitors of a particular promotion in a nearby restaurant, access the list of menus available in the food court, or to access movie trailers.
Similarly to the Stockholm Subway, the mall's security employees are notified via their handheld device if there is a security alert in a near-by area. The security employee can then access the relevant video surveillance stream to confirm the situation. Then, when they call their closest colleague, the Appear IQ platform takes into account the user's location to intelligently route the Wi-Fi call.
"Today's mobile workers and public users need access to real time information to assist them in their daily activities," said Xavier Aubry, Chief Operating Officer, Appear Networks. "All of these mobile users need access to information quickly, without the complexities of using a search engine, moving between files, or executing complicated downloads. Organizations need a cost-effective, easy-to-use mobile solution that delivers real-time business critical data to a variety of mobile users."
The Appear IQ Wireless Platform is designed to meet the needs of mobile users, whether consumers or frontline workers, and facilitate their successful use of technology. The Cisco Unified Wireless Network supports highly secure wireless LANs that can not only deliver data, but also mobility services such as voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) and location based solutions including asset tracking and context aware application provisioning. The Integrated Location Services Solution from Cisco and Appear helps organizations to deploy a more successful mobile workforce.
This joint solution helps make frontline employees more productive, reduces the costs of operating handheld devices, and enhances customer satisfaction. It also helps increase employee productivity while minimizing the headache of data synchronization, application provisioning, and tracking of wireless devices. Together, the Cisco Unified Wireless Network and the Appear IQ Wireless Platform deliver context-aware intelligence that proactively provides mobile workers with the relevant tools and mission-critical information that they need to work faster and more effectively.
Cisco has licensed the application program interface (API) of the Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance to Appear Networks. The platform was tested by Cisco as part of the Cisco Technology Development Partner Program.
About Appear Networks
Appear Networks is a leading provider of wireless communication platforms that enable successful enterprise mobility solutions. The Appear IQ suite of products transforms standard wireless data networks into multimedia channels for the proactive delivery of personalized, real-time information, mission-critical video and VoIP communication to mobile workers. In highly demanding, mobile environments, Appear IQ makes technology accessible and intuitive, leveraging existing IT investments to maximize employee productivity and the effectiveness of customer interactions. Appear IQ is used by leaders in the transportation, telecommunication and public sector, including, among others, Netherlands Railway (NS), Stockholm Subway (SL), Paris Local Transport Authority (RATP), Connex, France Telecom and the City of Kista, Sweden. Appear Networks collaborates with IT industry leaders Cisco, Capgemini, Intel and Fujitsu Siemens Computers to deliver innovative, end-to-end, integrated WLAN solutions. The company is privately held and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information, please visit us at http://www.appearnetworks.com/cisco-location-services
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