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ON LOCATION

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10 years ago

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Updated : November 7, 2013 0:0  ,
By Nader Baghdadi

Location-based Wi-Fi services can add real and immediate value to existing enterprise and carrier Wi-Fi deployments writes Nader Baghdadi – Regional Director, Middle East, Ruckus Wireless

Knowing where someone is, is important. If you know where someone is, you are in a better position to do something for or with them. This is the basic concept behind location-based Wi-Fi services (so-called LBS).

Indoor location technologies have received a lot of attention in the mobile world recently, with Apple’s acquisition of WiFiSLAM, Google’s increasing support for indoor locations in Google Maps, and Microsoft’s expansion of indoor maps in Bing.

By knowing where clients are, companies are able to help them get wherever they need to go, make the network experience better for them, use data from their location to optimize their experience, offer and tell them stuff along the way, and tell them stuff along the way. As Smart Wi-Fi solves the capacity, reliability, and performance problems on Wi-Fi infrastructures, enterprises and carriers have become keenly interested in offering LBS services to their customers and their’ clients.

Different Approaches to Using Wi-Fi to Determine Location

Think of Wi-Fi location as indoor GPS. Wi-Fi-based positioning systems are used where GPS is inadequate, due to various causes including multipath and signal blockage indoors. Though the Wi-Fi protocol fundamentals haven’t changed much in the past few years, the ecology of Wi-Fi location services have completely flipped.

Now that almost every human on the planet has multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices—in pocket, on hip, in hand, on desk—businesses from retail and hospitality to healthcare and education are looking to capitalize. With that shift, new techniques to improve accuracy are emerging, user behavior and expectations are changing, and new location service models are being built.

Wi-Fi supports a number of different location approaches today, but signal strength localization based on signal strength (using multiple received signal measurements to calculate the source’s location) and RF fingerprinting (collecting on-site RF data to map signal measurements to locations) have been the most common. Most of the focus on location was initially placed on asset tracking or locating clients and rogue APs.

Some techniques to determine client location include RTLS, mobile applications, Wi-Fi signal-based localization and RF Fingerprinting, and time difference of Arrival (TDOA)

Crunching Location Data Improves Reliability

With mobile devices as the catalyst, a more user- and consumer-centric approach to location is taking form, where businesses seek to benefit indirectly by adding value to their customers, guests, or end-users. The breadth of appeal for mobile and the increasing use of Wi-Fi also enable businesses to justify the cost of application development (and the Wi-Fi network itself), because suddenly Wi-Fi is tied to revenue instead of expenses.

Borrowing a theme from the mobile ecosystem, location platforms are creating easy-to-use APIs and SDKs, simplifying the integration and customization issues. Instead of building a generic application tailored for some specific customers, location vendors build the location tools and then allow the customer to build their unique application.

Beyond the Infrastructure: Data is King

It’s important to note that the biggest single benefit of LBS services is gathering data and analytics from users that can be used by organizations to improve the user experience and customer service. Almost always, when you hear pundits talk about location services, they cite the usefulness of location to push people advertisements and coupons. This is interesting and useful but users find it bothersome at best.

Naturally, a lot of focus has been on retail, where location and analytics are wed. As we’re already seeing, many solutions focus on higher-level analytics with rough RSSI data to evaluate customer traffic trends, capture rates, return rates, and similar. But with more information, retail centers can optimize stores based on typical customer traffic paths, or venue owners can charge more for premium storefront or high-view ad spots.

But look at verticals such as hospitality. They have elements of retail (bar, restaurant, spa/massage services). Then they have navigation challenges (where is the conference room, bar, my child, pool, fitness area, etc.), where a site mapping/navigation app could be helpful.

Then there’s the huge premium on customer service, where location services could be tied to customer service systems—personalized greetings for loyalty members, quicker in-app check-in on arrival, and you can dream up any number of ways to pamper guests with location-specific customer service enhancements.

And the wheels are spinning in other industries, like transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, stadiums, and other venues. Expect Wi-Fi to provide much more than Internet access; as the trend matures, users will begin looking for site/venue-specific apps on arrival.

Beyond the enterprise, carriers have an even stronger interest in offering location services and analytics – not only to better tune their network but to also help monetize them.

Smarter Wi-Fi services that add granular location details of users leveraging basic network information allow carriers and their customer to deliver much a higher quality experience to end users.

If it’s not already, put this topic on your radar. Location may be the next place to be.

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MERED Sponsors Aspiring Architects in Pininfarina Academy’s Inaugural Summer School

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2 days ago

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March 21, 2025

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MERED

MERED is supporting the inaugural Pininfarina Academy, an educational initiative by Pininfarina, a global icon of Italian design. The academy is dedicated to fostering excellence in architectural design among emerging industry professionals, providing them with the opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts and explore cutting-edge design concepts at the company’s headquarters in Turin, Italy. As part of this initiative, MERED will sponsor four students to attend the Pininfarina Architecture Summer School.

The exclusive 3 X 3 X 3 Summer School launches this July with a course integrating advanced design techniques and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) in contemporary architecture. The program is tailored to equip young architects with the skills and expertise to redefine modern architecture and urban development. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, keynote lectures by industry leaders, and practical applications of state-of-the-art technology, including AI-driven design, parametric modelling, and immersive VR/AR tools.

By sponsoring four students, MERED reinforces its mission to redefine premium developments through visionary design and strategic partnerships by nurturing next-generation talent. With a portfolio that includes the ultra-luxury 290-meter ICONIC Residences in Dubai Design by Pininfarina, an upcoming waterfront project in Abu Dhabi and having entered the Saudi Arabian market, MERED is shaping the future of high-end real estate. The developer is dedicated to having an expert team that can push the boundaries of design excellence in the global real estate landscape.

The Pininfarina Architecture Summer School will be held from July 14 to 25, 2025, and instruction will be conducted in English. Applications are open to a select 12 aspiring architects, offering them a unique learning experience, the chance to connect with like-minded peers, and the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders.

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Corinthia and Kuwaiti Action Real Estate Company acquire prime location properties in Beverly Hills

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2 days ago

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March 21, 2025

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Corinthia Hotel

Corinthia Group, trading as IHI plc, announces that its recently formed partnership with Action Real Estate Company of Kuwait has acquired two boutique hotel properties totalling 100 keys in a prime location in Beverly Hills, California.

The acquisition of the neighbouring Maison and Mosaic Hotels by the Action Corinthia joint venture, in which IHI plc owns a minority stake, is part of a broader strategy for the Beverly Hills market.

Simon Naudi, Corinthia Group CEO, said: “This is an important step forward for Corinthia. Beverly Hills is one of the world’s foremost hospitality destinations and we are determined to add value and create luxury products and services to the benefit of the local community and our Corinthia brand’s global positioning.”

Action Real Estate Company Chairman Sheikh Mubarak A. M. Al Sabah said: “We are thrilled to announce our entry into the prestigious Beverly Hills market, marking a significant milestone in our strategic partnership with Corinthia. As a company with a strong track record in global real estate and hospitality investments, this transaction represents an exciting new chapter for us. With decades of experience in markets around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, we are now expanding into the United States, which remains a key market for future growth and innovation.”

The hotels will be operated in the immediate term by a specialist Los Angeles operator Palisociety under current branding arrangements, under the supervision of Corinthia’s development arm Corinthia Real Estate Ventures (C-REV) and its Managing Partners Marcus Pisani and Alex Chazkel. C-REV will also handle asset management and explore opportunities for future value creation.

Corinthia Group operates globally and includes investment, development and operating arms, principally focused on high end real estate projects and operations.

The Group announced last December that it had entered into a partnership with Kuwaiti-based conglomerate Action Real Estate Company to explore investment opportunities for luxury hotels and real estate at prime locations in the Americas and beyond.

More recently, Corinthia marked its entrance into North America as a hotel operator with the opening of The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel in New York, which has been transformed into a signature property – featuring 100 guestrooms and suites and 14 private residences – bringing a new design and luxury experience to one of the most coveted addresses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

In other developments, the Group also recently completed the redevelopment of Brussels’ historic Grand Hotel Astoria following an extensive €150 million rebuild and restoration of the landmark property, and, last week, announced plans to operate a landmark 102-storey hotel and residential project under development in the heart of Dubai.

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CFI Celebrated Women’s Month with Exclusive Suhoor Event

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5 days ago

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March 18, 2025

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CFI Financial Group was honored to host last week a special Suhoor event in Dubai to celebrate Women’s Month and honor the incredible achievements of women in business and entrepreneurship. The exclusive event, which took place on March 13th, brought together a distinguished group of successful businesswomen, entrepreneurs, and media professionals for an inspiring evening designed to empower and connect women in the professional world.

The event featured a keynote by Carol Glynn, a renowned finance coach and chartered accountant, known for inspiring attendees to pursue sustainable careers and entrepreneurial efforts confidently. Glynn shared essential insights on empowering women to manage financial futures and advancing careers.

In addition to the keynote address, attendees were treated to a unique experience, as an illustrator designed personalized Ramadan keepsakes for each guest, adding a thoughtful and personal touch to the evening while celebrating the spirit of generosity during the holy month of Ramadan.

CFI remains committed to empowering women year-round by providing opportunities to grow, learn, and connect within their professional fields. This ongoing support helps women build sustainable careers and establish valuable networks, highlighting CFI’s dedication to fostering women’s advancement in business.

“We were thrilled to host this Suhoor event for Women’s Month and are proud to have fostered a space for learning and empowerment,” said Zarrin Baig, CFI’s Group Head of HR. “CFI is committed to financial literacy as a crucial tool for empowering women. We are grateful to our distinguished attendees for enriching our mission with their valuable insights, furthering our commitment to support women in their personal and professional growth, and building a more equitable future.”

The event was a resounding success, providing an evening of meaningful conversations, networking, and empowerment, reflecting CFI’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community for women.

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