ZuluTime® technology delivers a new approach to solving
location-based business problems in interior spaces where
other methodologies come up short.
Using existing wireless infrastructure, ZuluTime delivers the necessary accuracy and scalability that GPS and other location methodologies simply cannot provide for in-store, 1-to-1 location-based marketing services.
At its core, ZuluTime’s solution harvests asynchronous timing data from devices in a network, such as smartphones, in a proprietary and patented methodology, thus generating a unique ‘network time’ that is far more precise than the network’s existing, innate timing. Timing is the fundamental enabler of any real-time navigation system. ZuluTime's complex algorithms then process that enhanced data timing data to determine accurate location.
A ZuluTime enabled network gives users reliable, accurate, and continuous positioning information without any special chipset or device. Nodes in ZuluTime enabled wireless networks (access points, tags, laptops, PDAs, vehicles, etc.) can be located reliably and accurately regardless of whether they are stationary or moving.
This exclusive capability – to span wireless standards and architecture – allows ZuluTime customers to capitalize on existing infrastructure and to deploy more rapidly and cost-effectively than existing methods. The global network of billions of mobile communication devices can ultimately make ZuluTime positioning ubiquitous.
• GPS requires an unobstructed line of site to multiple satellites for reliable positioning. It is highly unreliable indoors and in industrial settings where metal structures deflect the signal. It is a fantastic tool to navigate TO the store, but it does not provide the relevant accuracy INSIDE the store for aisle-level location.
• TDOA and RSSI techniques require a fixed reference network of transmitters of known location. RSSI requires detailed site surveys and relatively stable environments to account for signal distortion. They provide variable resolution, varying reliability and the inability to work in dynamic environments where all inventory and shopper population change throughout the store.
• NFC only carries for short distances, typically measured in inches. This means that the entire shopper behavior and experience cannot be captured, with only limited insights. Some product-specific actions can be recorded; however, deep engagement with the customer cannot be achieved with respect to anticipatory selling.
Other techniques, such as combinations of RSSI and video monitoring, provide some accuracies. However, they are very expensive to install and operate on a continual basis.
As a permissions-based solution that works within the retailer's or brand's own smartphone applications, the in-store Wi-Fi network provides a passive means to locate the shopper with no embedded technology needed on the smartphone itself. The shopper need only opt-in to the capability inside the retailer loyalty program, application or mobile website.
To deploy the ZuluTime solution, Wi-Fi access points (APs) and/or cost-effective Wi-Fi beacons are placed in the store which form the LiveFind location network. ZuluTime's Location Based Router, operating at the store level, at a datacenter, in the Cloud or as a Saas solution, processes the raw location information for final x,y,z,t delivery. This enables fast and efficient scaling across chains serving thousands of stores simultaneously.
ZuluTime is the only cost-effective, accurate and scalable in-aisle location system for smartphones today. Contact us today to learn how ZuluTime can empower your customer engagement and business intelligence strategies.
A superior technological approach
ZuluTime is a patent protected, differentiated platform providing high-accuracy location on a reliable and scalable basis. The mature software solution has been in development for over five years, targeted toward many applications such as high dynamic guidance and navigation, sensor netting and asset tracking. The challenges in locating an in-store shopper at product level are very similar to these other areas of implementation, especially when needing to provide the retailer a low total cost of ownership solution such as ZuluTime.At its core, ZuluTime’s solution harvests asynchronous timing data from devices in a network, such as smartphones, in a proprietary and patented methodology, thus generating a unique ‘network time’ that is far more precise than the network’s existing, innate timing. Timing is the fundamental enabler of any real-time navigation system. ZuluTime's complex algorithms then process that enhanced data timing data to determine accurate location.
A ZuluTime enabled network gives users reliable, accurate, and continuous positioning information without any special chipset or device. Nodes in ZuluTime enabled wireless networks (access points, tags, laptops, PDAs, vehicles, etc.) can be located reliably and accurately regardless of whether they are stationary or moving.
This exclusive capability – to span wireless standards and architecture – allows ZuluTime customers to capitalize on existing infrastructure and to deploy more rapidly and cost-effectively than existing methods. The global network of billions of mobile communication devices can ultimately make ZuluTime positioning ubiquitous.
Why current solutions fail to deliver
Location-based applications typically use one of these four methodologies: GPS, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Relative Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), or Near Field Communications (NFC).• GPS requires an unobstructed line of site to multiple satellites for reliable positioning. It is highly unreliable indoors and in industrial settings where metal structures deflect the signal. It is a fantastic tool to navigate TO the store, but it does not provide the relevant accuracy INSIDE the store for aisle-level location.
• TDOA and RSSI techniques require a fixed reference network of transmitters of known location. RSSI requires detailed site surveys and relatively stable environments to account for signal distortion. They provide variable resolution, varying reliability and the inability to work in dynamic environments where all inventory and shopper population change throughout the store.
• NFC only carries for short distances, typically measured in inches. This means that the entire shopper behavior and experience cannot be captured, with only limited insights. Some product-specific actions can be recorded; however, deep engagement with the customer cannot be achieved with respect to anticipatory selling.
Other techniques, such as combinations of RSSI and video monitoring, provide some accuracies. However, they are very expensive to install and operate on a continual basis.
The right solution for retail-location deployment
ZuluTime LiveFind is the only technology that can provide total low-cost of ownership, accurate and reliable location information within difficult environments. Most retailers already have Wi-Fi networks deployed at the store level, making the integration of ZuluTime a rapid and cost-effective solution.As a permissions-based solution that works within the retailer's or brand's own smartphone applications, the in-store Wi-Fi network provides a passive means to locate the shopper with no embedded technology needed on the smartphone itself. The shopper need only opt-in to the capability inside the retailer loyalty program, application or mobile website.
To deploy the ZuluTime solution, Wi-Fi access points (APs) and/or cost-effective Wi-Fi beacons are placed in the store which form the LiveFind location network. ZuluTime's Location Based Router, operating at the store level, at a datacenter, in the Cloud or as a Saas solution, processes the raw location information for final x,y,z,t delivery. This enables fast and efficient scaling across chains serving thousands of stores simultaneously.
ZuluTime is the only cost-effective, accurate and scalable in-aisle location system for smartphones today. Contact us today to learn how ZuluTime can empower your customer engagement and business intelligence strategies.