Omnitrol Networks and Time Domain Bring Ultra Wideband Real-Time Operational Visibility to Aerospace and Defense Industries

New offering combines work-in-process visibility software appliance and ultra wideband real-time precision location system technology

Huntsville, AL and Mountain View, CA – April 16, 2008 – Omnitrol Networks and Time Domain Corporation today announced a partnership that will bring real-time precision location visibility and traceability to manufacturing processes in both the aerospace and defense industries. The joint offering, which combines Omnitrol Networks’ Work-in-Process (WIP) Visibility solution with Time Domain’s ultra wideband (UWB) real-time location system (RTLS), is designed to solve the production and operational challenges of precisely locating assets in large and environmentally-harsh environments. With precise location accuracy, manufacturers can reduce costly work-in-process errors due to a lack of visibility in production.

In aerospace and defense manufacturing applications, thousands of parts are continuously moving throughout a vast assembly facility with multiple work cells. The ability to precisely locate assets is made difficult by their size, the large distance and multiple walls separating them, and the highly metallic environment. Time Domain’s PLUS platform of UWB active RFID tags, readers, ceiling-tile antennas, synchronization distribution panels and software extends precision visibility in these applications. PLUS can read thousands of small, active RFID tags per second through multiple walls with a precision of 12-36 inches, and its short pulse approach provides precision location in indoor environments where wiring and metal fixtures are often problematic for other RTLS systems.

Omnitrol Networks’ WIP Visibility Solution processes the information from Time Domain’s PLUS tags and integrates it into the context of manufacturing workflow. The off-the-shelf solution overlays the existing manufacturing process to simply track each stage of manufacture from work-order receipt through work order kitting, assembly, test, packaging, and shipping. Using the WIP Visibility Solution, manufacturers can customize a modular process to meet stable process requirement or change it on the fly in a dynamic environment. All exceptions and timings are recorded for analysis, and alerts and notifications are easily configured. For example, the Omnitrol Networks’ system would automatically generate an alert if a material, such as an avionics component, moved to an area in the plant where it was not supposed to be, or if a work order did not reach an assembly stage in time.

“Our strategic alliance with Time Domain creates a complete packaged solution that gives our customers real-time, precise knowledge they can use to streamline manufacturing and business processes,” said Ravi Rishy-Maharaj, vice president of business development at Omnitrol Networks. “Time Domain’s flexible, high performance UWB RTLS tracking solution, coupled with their experience in the defense and aerospace markets, makes them a natural partner for our WIP Visibility solution.”

“Precision asset location is a critical requirement in the aerospace and defense industries, and other types of RTLS technologies can’t solve this need,” said Greg Clawson, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Time Domain. “Working with Omnitrol Networks to add UWB capability to their best-in-class WIP visibility solution will offer customers the solution they are seeking to improve their work-in-process operations.”

The UWB-enabled real-time Work-in-Process Visibility solution will be demonstrated at RFID Journal Live in Las Vegas, April 16-18 in the Omnitrol Networks booth # 330. The UWB products can be viewed in Time Domain’s booth # 137.

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PRESS INFORMATION

Time Domain Corporation
Jennifer Goodman
256-922-9229 x 825
jennifer.goodman@timedomain.com

Bridgeman Communications
Kim Novino
617-742-7270
kim@bridgeman.com

Omnitrol Networks
Hanni Itah 847-415-9324
hitah@sspr.com

About Time Domain

Time Domain is the world leader in ultra wideband (UWB) product development and provides solutions that enable enterprises to maximize productivity of their people and assets using a real-time location system (RTLS).  Our products and professional services deliver "Precise Location for a World in Motion" to the healthcare, retail, and other vertical markets and are sold and supported through a network of certified channel partners.  Time Domain's new Precision Location UWB System (PLUS) products are powered by the innovative PulsON suite of UWB technologies, which are also available for strategic UWB OEM integration.

www.timedomain.com.

About Omnitrol

Omnitrol Networks Inc. is a leading provider of complete EPC-based business application solutions for the emerging wireless, RFID and sensor automation market. The company's award-winning OMNITROL appliance and Edge Application and Services Engine (EASETM) software have pioneered the market for “Always On” real-time operational visibility, traceability and automation solutions. OMNITROL’s unique edge-centric solution architecture enables the industry's most flexible and reliable means to deploy scalable Auto-ID application intelligent networks at the lowest total cost of ownership in the market. Omnitrol Networks Inc. is a privately held company with corporate headquarters in Mountain View, California, USA. Additional information about Omnitrol Networks’ products and services are available at www.omnitrol.com.