UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) :
The University of Illinois at Chicago with a few hundred devices that are placed across three floors required constant vigilance and it didn’t seem pragmatic when technicians and system administrators had to manually locate these assets. Tracking the assets manually was time consuming as an inventory had to be maintained for assets that were dislodged, replaced, stolen/missing.
In 2007, the University of Illinois at Chicago considered the use of an RFID asset tracking system that could enhance asset management and retain security. Reltronics Technologies assisted in implement the RFID asset tracking system at the University, which furnishes reports on asset movement, relocation, and replacement. Likewise, it also assists in identifying equipment that is lost or damaged.
The initial phase of execution was a remarkably challenging but UIC partnership with Reltronics Technologies was a fundamental part that progressively achieved the objective.
Performing a manual search for an asset that could be located in any room among 3 floors of a building could result chaotic. Similarly, theft control was a crucial task that needed to integrated to the Chicago police notifying them during security breach. To resolve this, Reltronics Technologies incorporated an alarm system that initiates alarms to the Police department when assets leave the premises. The RFID asset tracking system is integrated to the existing wireless network and the Reltronics Technologies has a custom developed Software application that creates tracking reports of assets and their status.
When an asset is moved out of the premise for maintenance, the administrator is made aware of when it has to be returned and can thus follow up if isn’t replaced. The administrators and technicians needn’t go scrambling for a missing/misplaced asset as the tracking reports provide the exact location of an asset. This automatically enhances accuracy and efficiency in the system, as the traceability is exceptional.
The Technology
The RFID tags are attached to assets that need to be tracked and located. Each of these tags has their own unique ID number that helps distinguish them. Bi-directional Patch antennas detect the tags that are within its read range and transfer this data to the reader. Data is transitioned over a middleware equipment called the SmartInstrument, which integrates all the data collected. Data can be accessed by remotely logging into the SmartInstrument using the designated IP address allocated to it. The RFID system is installed at the Grand Hall and is monitored at the systems administration block that is located farther away on the campus.
Reltronics Technologies utilized the ReALTrack-AMS software application at UIC for asset tracking. Tracking records are generated based on every status of the asset that needs to be monitored. The ReALTrack-AMS permits authorized users to login, view and track assets. Staffs at the UIC can clearly delineated in the software application to restrict access rights. The security system hardware is integrated into the Reltronics Technologies’ system to alert the Chicago police when assets are moved out of the premises without notification. Alarms are raised at the police department alerting them of a security situation along with precise information on the exit from where the asset is being moved. Besides the exits, the timely feedback of assets movement between floors is also established actively.
The ultimate objective is to essentially improve the management of the security system as well as the asset management system to ensure that the appropriate personnel are alerted at the right situation.
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