February 8, 2008
Axcess International and Vector Networks recently announced the successful implementation of a RFID solution set to automate a large government agency's process of tracking thousands of assets while providing real-time reports.
"According to the 2007 CSI Computer Crime and Security Survey, 50 percent of the 436 respondents admitted laptop theft," said Allan Griebenow, Axcess' CEO and president. "The 194 companies that had laptop or mobile devices stolen in 2007 reported their loss at $8.43 million, or $43,500 per company. By automating the process of tracking assets and reporting their location in realtime, Axcess and Vector can ensure the security of valuable assets, some containing sensitive information. You cannot protect something if you don't know its location."
Vector's customer asked the company to identify the best solution to address a memorandum they received mandating they conduct monthly inventories of all owned and leased assets valued at more than $500. The company knew it was not feasible to try and manually inventory the large number of assets, especially with laptops and other portable equipment moving between floors on a regular basis. The customer wanted a solution that could track the physical location of tagged devices and provide that information within Vector's asset management solution that has complete software and hardware capabilities.
Most wireless systems determine location on distance without differentiating between up, down or across directions. Vector needed a wireless partner that could identify the location of assets by floor.
"We recommended Axcess to our customer," said Kevin Kiley, vice president of Vector. "Axcess is an ideal partner for the job because of its reliable technology, small form factor and low-cost tags"
After seeing the solution presented by Axcess and Vector, the federal agency agreed that it offered all the features it needed.
Axcess' RFID asset protection solution, part of the overall software and hardware system implemented, enables assets to be located, tracked and protected automatically using small, low-cost, micro-wireless tags that activate on-demand at specific control points positioned around a perimeter to determine movement and precise location.
Tags, either embedded into or attached to assets, securely transmit their location ID and unique identifying number. The tag information is sent via an efficient and reliable wireless signal supported by battery power on the tags to ensure robust communication. The system can be tied directly into existing security and access control systems for seamless system operation. Tags approaching an unauthorized area trigger an alarm and automatically send wireless messages to security and first responders to prevent asset loss and enable immediate recovery.
Together, the companies successfully automated the agency's process of tracking assets and provided realtime reports.
"With Axcess' RFID solution, the government agency will be equipped to meet the administration's mandate of tracking their valuable assets on a monthly basis," Kiley said. "The system is expected to save the employees a significant amount of time by automatically and accurately tracking the assets for them."