Additional Product Offerings Leverage Existing WhereNet Infrastructures in Automotive Factories; “Hands-Free” Machine Messaging Brings Intelligence to the Assembly Line

SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Nov. 18, 2003—WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today two additional solutions for the automotive industry and other industrial manufacturers. The WhereNet® Process Control Messaging and Machine Messaging applications leverage the existing WhereNet messaging devices and real-time locating system (RTLS) wireless infrastructure installed in automotive facilities. These new, low-cost, highly flexible messaging applications help automakers automate and manage various processes that require the ability to instantly convey a manufacturing-related message or request — whether it’s from an assembly line operator or a machine.

“WhereNet is one of the first companies to deliver true M2M applications with a proven return on investment. Whether machine-to-machine or machine-to-mobile, WhereNet enables real-time connectivity of smart devices with people and information systems in dynamic enterprise environments,” said Ian Barkin, managing director of The FocalPoint Group. “We expect a proliferation of M2M devices and applications in the next couple of years, resulting in greater intelligence in the enterprise, giant efficiency gains, and significant cost savings.”

With the single, multi-use WhereNet system, automakers realize a lower total cost of ownership as the WhereNet wireless infrastructure can simultaneously support event messaging, location and tracking, status monitoring, and workforce communications. Installed in more than 75 automotive facilities around the world, the WhereNet wireless applications are providing automakers with significant savings through lower installations costs, increased operation efficiency, lower inventory quantities, and greater manufacturing flexibility.

“While all of our customers realize a complete return on investment in less than one year based on the initial application of our technology; the real beauty of our system is realized with the deployment of each additional application that leverages the same wireless infrastructure,” said Tom Bacon, vice president and general manager of WhereNet’s automotive division. “Our breakthrough wireless system can be simultaneously used to manage fleets, replenish parts on the assembly line, track inventory, and provide automated machine messaging. All of these applications support automakers’ ultimate goal — to make their enterprises more intelligent, proactive, and efficient by eliminating manual-intensive, latent, error-prone processes.”

Wireless Intelligence at the Assembly Line
By connecting people and machines via wireless messaging applications, WhereNet is bringing more intelligence and mobility to the factory floor. Whether interfaced directly to a machine and gathering real-time data and preventative maintenance information or awaiting a manual push-button request from a line-side operator who needs supervisor assistance, the WhereNet wireless Process Control Messaging and Machine Messaging solutions are fundamentally changing workflow processes and enhancing operational efficiencies in manufacturing environments.

WhereNet’s wireless applications provide several benefits over hardwired messaging products, including 25-50 percent less in installation and labor costs, improved workflow and operator flexibility, and the ability to easily transmit multiple messaging options. While hard-wired systems inherently limit the number of message delivery methods, the WhereNet system can send requests to production control boards, email systems, pagers, text-message-enabled phones, or third party applications without requiring that the user install separate wired devices for each type of message recipient. Furthermore, the solutions offer workflow options that enable alerts and alarms to be sent to multiple destinations and be resent if not responded to within user-defined limits.

The automated, wireless machine-messaging solution is leveraged in manufacturing environments to enable real-time, accurate data collection; to send machine fault alerts; and to trigger preventative maintenance by monitoring production counts. The process control messaging solution is utilized in manufacturing environments to activate a process control board based on the operator-messaging request. Whether initiating “hands-free” machine messaging or more traditional manual event messaging via a call-button device, the new WhereNet solutions provide multiple benefits; the solutions are

• Manageable – The wireless-based solutions ensure that change-over costs are negligible, since moving or modifying operations does not require hardwire moves.
• Expandable – By leveraging the same antenna infrastructure, users only need to add new low-cost message tags to expand the system (no additional software is required).
• Flexible – The solutions allows individual operators to optimize the positioning of message tags in their respective work areas and offers numerous message choices, including:
  
  • Quality alert messages
  • Health alert messages
  • Supervisor assistance request
  • Maintenance request
  • Coordinator request
  • Machine fault alerts
  • Machine production counts
  • Any plant floor request

About WhereNet Corp.
A Zebra Technologies company, WhereNet is the first company to deliver a single wireless location and communication infrastructure that reliably and cost-effectively manages valuable mobile resources and delivers a complete return on investment within 6-12 months. Based on patented, standards-compliant technology resulting from a collective 100+ years of development, the WhereNet active RFID, real-time locating system solutions enable companies such as APL, BMW, Ford Motor Company, and NYK Logistics and facilities like Tobyhanna Army Depot to reduce inventory, lower operating costs, and improve operations. The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award; was recognized for strong ROI by Computerworld; was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100; and has been recognized as a wireless innovator by Forrester Research, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies, Plant Engineering, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazines. WhereNet is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has offices throughout the United States and Europe. For more information, visit the WhereNet Web site at www.wherenet.com, or call 408-845-8500 (in the U.S.) or +32 3 286 84 50 (in Europe).

WhereNet is a registered trademark and WhereTag is a trademark of WhereNet Corp. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.