WhereNet Active RFID Technology Chosen To Enhance Security At Major California Ports

WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today that PierPASS Inc., a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, will equip up to 10,000 drayage trucks serving the two ports with WhereNet active RFID tags to enhance security at the ports. Marine terminals are taking a proactive approach to meet the security requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard by ensuring that only those with proper business at the ports will be granted entry. WhereNet is installing RFID readers at each marine terminal to read the truck tag as the driver arrives at the facility and approaches security.

"We are committed to enhancing security at the ports by embracing technology that mutually benefits terminal operators, truckers, and citizens alike," said Bruce Wargo, President and CEO of PierPASS Inc. "With its unique, wireless, location-based applications, WhereNet will enable secure, expedited check-in procedures for drayage drivers servicing the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach."

The WhereNet standards-based, active RFID, Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) technology provides a multitude of benefits to marine terminal operators, truckers, and the public, by:

• Providing automated data collection of essential information on trucks entering the terminal.
• Replacing a manual verification process, thereby reducing errors in critical security checkpoints.
• Positively identifying the truck entering any marine facility and providing the marine terminal operator with other relevant registration information, including registered drivers and approved trucking companies.
• Enhancing Homeland Security by verifying who is coming into port complexes.
• Providing an efficient system and process for moving trucks through security procedures.

Tagging All Trucks -- Building Out the WhereNet Ecosystem
PierPASS has purchased 10,000 WhereTag active RFID transmitters and is contracting with WhereNet and eModal to distribute the tags to drayage companies serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The cab of each drayage truck will be outfitted with one WhereTag active RFID transmitter. Upon arrival at the gate, the WhereTag on each drayage vehicle will be picked up by the WhereNet RTLS infrastructure of antennas installed at each marine terminal and automatically cross-referenced with the information available to the marine terminal, thereby assisting the check-in process and granting entry for the drivers already registered in the system. The new PierPASS system will provide a U.S. Coast Guard-sanctioned level of security.

"With a record volume of imports bound for U.S. ports, security has become an even bigger concern -- and it all begins with a secure check-in process at the gate. Our wireless location-based solutions have consistently delivered a return on investment in less than one year by increasing supply chain velocity and efficiency in high-volume distribution environments," said Dan Doles, president and CEO, WhereNet. "As we build out the WhereNet ecosystem along the West Coast, the value of the network dramatically increases for all participants -- whether shippers, ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, draymen, transloaders, or rail operators."

About PierPASS
PierPASS is a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, security and air quality. Detailed information on PierPASS, the OffPeak program, the Traffic Mitigation Fee (including who must pay it, when it must be paid, payment methods, and credit account information) is available at http://www.pierpass.org.

About WhereNet Corp.
WhereNet is the first company to deliver a single wireless location and communication infrastructure that reliably and cost-effectively manages valuable mobile resources and delivers a complete return on investment within 6-12 months. Based on patented, standards-compliant technology resulting from a collective 100+ years of development, the WhereNet real-time solutions enable companies such as BMW, Ford Motor Company, and NYK Logistics to reduce inventory, lower operating costs, and improve operations. The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award; was recognized for strong ROI by Computerworld; was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100; and has been recognized as a wireless innovator by Forrester Research, Computerworld ROI, Frontline Solutions, Plant Engineering, and Supply Chain Systems magazines. WhereNet is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and has offices throughout the United States and Europe. For more information, visit the WhereNet Web site at http://www.wherenet.com, or call 408-845-8500 (in the U.S.) or +32-3-286-84-50 (in Europe).