Based on the Sun Fire V1280 server, Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array, and LocatioNet, Inc.'s middleware, GIS engine and suite of applications, the Mobile Location Services Reference Architecture provides a solution for organizations interested in offering location-based services to consumer or business subscribers. The openness, scalability, and flexibility of the solution allows enterprises to start out small and easily scale from thousands to millions of subscribers.
The following organizations may find the Mobile Location Services Reference Architecture useful to deploy a communication IT infrastructure that includes location-based services.
Telecommunication carriers that are looking to offer location-based services to their subscribers.
Network equipment providers (NEPs) that are working on wireless infrastructure solution stacks.
Enterprises that are implementing location-based applications for their employees, partners, and customers.
Government organizations that need location-based information for military, security, and emergency response applications.
There are two categories of mobile location-based services and applications: location-aware and location-enabled.
The principle behind mobile location services is simple: Location-based services use the geographical location of an individual on the move to provide personalized information, transactions, or interactions. This kind of location-aware dynamic content provides the foundation for a variety of wireless services: navigation, traffic, concierge, and emergency services, "friend finder," and mobile commerce applications. Mobile location-based services (MLS) also offer significant potential for businesses and government organizations seeking to increase efficiencies and cut costs by tracking their mobile personnel and assets more effectively.
Location-enabled applications add the important aspect of the device's location on top of existing applications. The LocatioNet solution allows for a myriad of applications to be location enabled. Consumer examples include instant messaging, chatting, matchmaking, and so on. Enterprise examples are sales force automation and customer relationship management.
The Mobile Location Services Reference Architecture describes how to implement a complete end-to-end mobile location services solution. It addresses all aspects of location-based services, as well as interfaces with other telecommunications systems.
LocatioNet, Inc. is based in New York City. LocatioNet's research and development is located in Israel together with LocatioNet Systems. LocatioNet also has subsidiaries in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Frankfurt, Germany.
LocatioNet started over eleven years ago as a provider of location solutions to the Israeli military: LocatioNet offered the ability to integrate in real time across multiple location technologies (such as GPS-based or network-based) and deliver location of soldiers and vehicles to command and control centers in real time on different kinds of maps. The company then "civilized" the technology, and created a wide range of location solutions for businesses including mobile workforce management, asset tracking, and so on.
LocatioNet clients consist of wireless carriers and other enterprises that provide location-dependent services to their clients, such as wireless ASPs providing mobile workforce management services, fleet management service providers, in-vehicle portal companies, car security systems, and the National Defense.
LocatioNet, Inc.'s location-based services solution is based on the following three products:
The LocatioNet Platform is the industry's most comprehensive set of location-based services (LBS) gateways and managers. It integrates user location with full Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and access to any of the local content providers the carrier chooses to work with. The middleware simultaneously maintains the full management of LBS privacy, provisioning, personalization, flexible generation of LBS CDR (to settle up with providers of content, GIS, and applications, and charge users based on a variety of business models), and a state-of-the-art application manager.
The LocatioNet GIS engine was originally designed to support military applications, and then became the industry's best real-time tool for rendering maps of any kind (including aerial photos), geo-coding and reverse geo-coding, and routing and navigation.
A suite of LBS applications allows carriers to go to market quickly and make money from inception. Consumer applications include a Point of Interest finder, an event finder, and a "where are they now," in addition to various business applications for fleet management and asset tracking.
Utilizing the most powerful, field proven technology of its kind, LocatioNet has developed the LocatioNet Platform--the most comprehensive, integrated platform for mobile location-based services, to maximize wireless operators' revenue generation. LocatioNet offers operators immediate location based service deployment, with a full set of revenue-generating applications and effective service, enabling centralized management.
The LocatioNet Platform unites all location-based service-related elements, assuring both present service success and easy addition of new applications and system capabilities as they emerge. LocatioNet product architecture and framework align closely with Sun's vision of next-generation applications and technologies.
