Sweden's Stockholm Subway Implements Indoor Location-Based Services Platform with Cisco Systems and Appear Networks

Cisco Systems and Appear Networks Solution Allows Delivery of Targeted Applications to Personal Devices from 'Context-Aware' Mobile Networks

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) today announced a collaborationwith software provider Appear Networks to deliver an IntegratedLocation Services Solution for the Stockholm Subway, deliveringpersonalised, real-time information to users in underground stations,anywhere across the Wi-Fi network.

Based on contextual information such as time of day, job role, andcurrent physical location, the solution is able to access the rightinformation, which is interpreted and pushed out in real time to theright users, and to the right location. This Integrated LocationServices Solution is also able to determine the location of a handheldmobile device to within a few meters, leading to a better-informed andmore effective workforce.

Appear Networks has integrated the Cisco Wireless LocationAppliance of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network with its own wirelesscommunication platform, Appear IQ, to create an Integrated LocationServices Solution that understands who the end-user is, where they areand what device they are using at any given time.

In addition to the deployment at the Stockholm Subway, a new fieldtrial is currently underway with Stockholm's Kista Galleria, one ofthe most successful shopping malls in Northern Europe. The fullsolution is based on the Cisco Unified Wireless Network infrastructureof Cisco Aironet(R) lightweight access points, Cisco wireless LANcontrollers, the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) and the Cisco2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance.

Andy Oldfield, Manager, Wireless Technology Marketing for European& Emerging Markets at Cisco Systems, said, "By integrating the Cisco2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance with Appear's platform,customers can now locate the position of their workers via theirhandheld devices far more accurately than ever before. In addition toimproving customer service, this joint solution delivers importantpersonal safety and security capabilities. For example, securityworkers at the Stockholm Subway can now press a silent alert button ontheir handheld device, which notifies the command and control centreof a security alert. The Integrated Location Services Solution thendetermines the physical location of their wireless device in order topinpoint the problem."

Since implementing this platform in December 2005, StockholmSubway, operated by Connex AB, has been able to act on real-time datasupplied by the network, such as up to date travel news, to improvecustomer service through better information and better-connectedemployees. In addition to improving station safety, the new solutionaccelerates access to service disruption updates for staff working ontrain platforms. Connex AB has also noted a measurable increase inpersonnel efficiency since deployment, due to improvements in the waymaintenance issues are communicated to engineering staff in the field.

"In short, this solution has completely transformed our business,"said Edvard Brinck, project manager of the wireless project at ConnexAB. "Cisco and Appear have been central to us achieving our vision ofa transport system that gives people better and faster information asand when they need it. In addition to being able to give our customersdurable levels of improved service, we have also seen a significantreturn on investment."

Appear has also begun a field trial with the Kista Galleria, whereboth the mall's employees and customers can access context awareapplications through their personal Wi-Fi device. Once inside themall, visitors are able to test various services and applicationsdependent on their location. The mall hosts a number of demo zonesincluding the subway entrance, the grocery stores, clothing shops anda food area. The Galleria's service can be used to notify visitors ofa particular promotion in a nearby restaurant, access the list ofmenus available in the food court, or to access movie trailers.

Similarly to the Stockholm Subway, the mall's security employeesare notified via their handheld device if there is a security alert ina near-by area. The security employee can then access the relevantvideo surveillance stream to confirm the situation. Then, when theycall their closest colleague, the Appear IQ platform takes intoaccount the user's location to intelligently route the Wi-Fi call.

"Today's mobile workers and public users need access to real timeinformation to assist them in their daily activities," said XavierAubry, Chief Operating Officer, Appear Networks. "All of these mobileusers need access to information quickly, without the complexities ofusing a search engine, moving between files, or executing complicateddownloads. Organizations need a cost-effective, easy-to-use mobilesolution that delivers real-time business critical data to a varietyof mobile users."

The Appear IQ Wireless Platform is designed to meet the needs ofmobile users, whether consumers or frontline workers, and facilitatetheir successful use of technology. The Cisco Unified Wireless Networksupports highly secure wireless LANs that can not only deliver data,but also mobility services such as voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) andlocation based solutions including asset tracking and context awareapplication provisioning. The Integrated Location Services Solutionfrom Cisco and Appear helps organizations to deploy a more successfulmobile workforce.

This joint solution helps make frontline employees moreproductive, reduces the costs of operating handheld devices, andenhances customer satisfaction. It also helps increase employeeproductivity while minimizing the headache of data synchronization,application provisioning, and tracking of wireless devices. Together,the Cisco Unified Wireless Network and the Appear IQ Wireless Platformdeliver context-aware intelligence that proactively provides mobileworkers with the relevant tools and mission-critical information thatthey need to work faster and more effectively.

Cisco has licensed the application program interface (API) of theCisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance to Appear Networks. Theplatform was tested by Cisco as part of the Cisco TechnologyDevelopment Partner Program.

About Appear Networks

Appear Networks is a leading provider of wireless communicationplatforms that enable successful enterprise mobility solutions. TheAppear IQ suite of products transforms standard wireless data networksinto multimedia channels for the proactive delivery of personalized,real-time information, mission-critical video and VoIP communicationto mobile workers. In highly demanding, mobile environments, Appear IQmakes technology accessible and intuitive, leveraging existing ITinvestments to maximize employee productivity and the effectiveness ofcustomer interactions. Appear IQ is used by leaders in thetransportation, telecommunication and public sector, including, amongothers, Netherlands Railway (NS), Stockholm Subway (SL), Paris LocalTransport Authority (RATP), Connex, France Telecom and the City ofKista, Sweden. Appear Networks collaborates with IT industry leadersCisco, Capgemini, Intel and Fujitsu Siemens Computers to deliverinnovative, end-to-end, integrated WLAN solutions. The company isprivately held and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. For moreinformation, please visit us athttp://www.appearnetworks.com/cisco-location-services

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networkingfor the Internet. Cisco news and information are available athttp://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied byCisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of CiscoSystems, Inc.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registeredtrademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliatesin the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarksmentioned in this document are the property of their respectiveowners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnershiprelationship between Cisco and any other company. This document isCisco Public Information.