One hundred and ninety acres without a wire in sight: Vivato scores a major port: The Port of Seattle is a sprawling, busy industrial center with containers moving in and out at an alarming rate. Coordinating data across this multi-hundred acre space is obviously a nightmare. Stretching wire is expensive, even when possible. Many solutions involve proprietary equipment and licensed spectrum.
The port's information technology subcontractor, Tideworks Technology, said today that they installed four Vivato 802.11b switches to cover 190 acres of the outdoor containerized terminal, which they estimate can serve 100 simultaneous users. Tideworks worked with Psion Teklogix, which deploys wireless technology at seaports.
Vivato's switch uses a phased-array antenna technology which can intelligently scan for and pinpoint users, which allows a greater effective range with fewer devices than even extended-range access points. Vivato has had few big sales--even this one is only six individual pieces of gear--and has suffered criticism over performance of its first-generation 802.11b equipment. However, the company expects its 802.11g re-engineered device to ship later this year.
The cost of the deployment wasn't released, but a Vivato spokesperson and the press release both reiterate that the proprietary bids for data service would have runs in the many millions. Vivato's switch was originally retailing for about $15,000 in its base outdoor configuration. They're using two of Vivato's bridge/routers. There's practically no wire in this entire configuration according to the release.
Some of the uses of this 190-acre network include allowing remote, instant reporting of container levels, as well as coordinating movement of equipment and personnel who move the containers.