Comments on: Boeing Delivers First 787 Dreamliner. Cisco Delivers Solutions to Boeing. Congratulations Both!

By: Peter Granger

Peter Granger — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:15:58 +0000

Very good questions Joe. The beauty of the Cisco Context aware Solution is that the RFID tags are not all online at the same time. In fact these are ‘Active’ rather than ‘Passive’ RFID units. They are quite small (less than 2″ by 1 1/2″ byr 1/2″) and are powered by a small battery that lasts for more than 5 years. The passive type do have their uses and are very inexpensive – rather like the security tags on merchandise in a store, buy don’t have the capabilities that the active ones have, specifically ‘chirping’ at set intervals to make the wireless network aware of where they are, or ‘excited’ by an exciter in, say, a doorway, so that their movement can be tracked though pathways. My blog RFID: Context Aware and Location – a Brief History & Introduction – talks about how this sort of RFID works. The tags are programmable for how often they chirp – the more they chirp the more power is used. They are often used for tracking tools and equipment, or equipment carriers or WIP cages, and are reuseable which defrays the cost ($25 to $100 in most cases). My other blog re: Cisco and Partners add Business Value for Continental Tire talks about the wip side of the business for Continental Tire of the Americas.The tags are getting so advanced now that they can also detect and transmit temperature and humidity, and even poisonous gases in some cases. Hope this helps. Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Peter

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By: Joe Zlotnicki

Joe Zlotnicki — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:28:22 +0000

Peter:

I am curious: How many RFID tags would Boeing have “on line” in any given factory? Do they go down to the individual bolt or even carbon fibre? Are these tags relatively large? (I assume they need some sort of internal power for WiFi.) Thanks, Joe

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By: Peter Granger

Peter Granger — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:39:07 +0000

I read that as well. Looks like: they’ll get ithe first in early 2012. CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — United Continental Holdings (NYSE:UAL – News) announced that the first of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft enters the assembly phase at Boeing’s facility in Everett, Wash., today. In early 2012, United will be the first North American carrier to take delivery of the aircraft, marking the first of 50 Dreamliners for the airline.

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By: Peter Granger

Peter Granger — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:05:30 +0000

Thanks Andrew – well, maybe I could add Marketing Managers to the mix next time – really interested in those Account managers and SEs that deal face-toface with their customers everyday so I could quote them. But if I got a really good story from a marketing manager, well, maybe…

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By: Andrew Lach

Andrew Lach — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:54:58 +0000

Hi Peter – Why aren’t marketing managers eligible to receive coffee rewards?!

This really is a great achievement for Boeing, especially considering the political and labor issues the company was facing recently over its new 787 assembly plant. I like how you outlined where Cisco technologies could benefit this type of process, and I hope to Have the pleasure of seeing some good success examples from your readers!

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By: Patent Attorney

Patent Attorney — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:59:54 +0000

United Airlines expects to be the first North American carrier to get a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with delivery?

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