The best way to get a quote is via a form on the Contact Us page. To give an accurate quote, we must get some basic information from you on what types of assets you need to protect, quantities, level of integration and an understanding of your requirements and the space in question. Working from floor plans can be extremely helpful at this stage. Due to the nature of the application, we appreciate the sensitivity of this information and encourage the signing of mutual non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) which we can provide.

Each solution is designed bespoke on a per project basis. Pricing is determined by infrastructure requirements, number of sensors, location, the level of integration and number of modules used in the software. Contact us for a quote today.

No. Our clients supply their own PCs to ensure compatibility with their networks and IT systems. Fortecho Solutions provides minimum PC specifications to ensure the client experiences optimum performance.

Fortecho Solutions has spent over 20 man-years developing the “open architecture” Fortecho™ software – we are not tied to proprietary hardware. After considerable testing and evaluation, we integrate Fortecho™ Industry with products from some of the world’s leading RFID hardware developers. This flexibility ensures that we remain at the forefront of technological development in this field, and will always supply and support the preferred solution for each client’s application.

Fortecho Solution’s  broad spectrum of customer sites as well as many years of installation practice and customer support has enabled us unparalleled solution management and integration expertise.

Our system runs off a UPS battery backup, which provides power for at least 20 hours.

Ours is not a GPS tracking system. Tags are monitored over relatively short distances up to 70 metres of an RFID receiver within a building (or 200m outside) – this type of system is a called “local positioning system” or LPS. In a security context, Fortecho Industry raises an alarm if an asset moves, tracks the direction in which an asset is moving and raises an additional alarm if the asset leaves the building. It automatically records an authorised removal, but cannot identify its location once outside the read range of a receiver.

Yes. We can configure your system to send alerts to pager receivers, by email, by SMS and through an integrated security management / intruder detection system. It is also possible to monitor the system remotely from a client PC running the software.

Yes. Fortecho Industry has been written using modern programming tools allowing for easy import and export of data.

Yes. Fortecho Industry has the capability to monitor and protect assets within multiple buildings. Data entry is only required once. Our software is networkable; clients may monitor systems in one country, while managing them from another.

There is no practical limit to the amount of assets that can be registered and protected by the Fortecho™ software.

RFID systems hardware can be constricted by an upper limit that varies between manufacturers. “Collision” and “pick rate” are the two most frequently used terms when assessing the functionality of an RFID system. Collision is when too many tags are present within the read-range and the transmission of one tag collides with that of another. Pick rate refers to the ability of a sensor to recognise tags within a certain timeframe, such as per second.

We only offer an RFID solution best suited to the needs of a client. We consult extensively with our clients before offering our recommendation.

Most processes are automated, so once an asset is tagged minimal management is required. IT/Security/Facilities/Operations Staff may prefer to rely on their suppliers or an internal rollout team for asset tagging, though Fortecho Solutions also offers a tagging and registration service.

Fortecho Industry benefits various internal departments and is networkable; it only shows information specific to the department’s needs. Security controllers have limited access to the software, and really only react to security/safety alerts or monitor the flow of assets through a protected area. Once Fortecho Industry is installed, Registrars and Auditors may print out what is in and what is out of the building on any given day and make that information available to other departments for an up-to-date accurate balance sheet.

No, with the exception of the IS-TGF personnel tag. To ensure tags are useable in most environments, and do not damage the assets to which they attach, most tags are ultrasonically sealed and often weather-proofed. Technological advancements over a tag’s 5-12 year lifespan make replacing the entire tag a sensible proposition.

Given the variety of asset types, shapes, sizes and materials, we have a variety of corresponding tags and attachment methods. Our aim is to maximise sensor function and purpose with minimal physical effort or thought required on the part of the handlers. For crates and large items, we typically stick, nail or drill a ruggedized IS-TGA tag onto the asset using the supplied flanges. Alternatively, we may insert a slim-line tag into a tamper wallet, which in turn is stuck to the asset.

If monitoring for tamper on cases and crates, tags will be stuck on using a tamper VHB adhesive, though other attachment methods are possible.

Tags may be hidden inside, stuck on or hung from the object. Other technologies are available if this is not possible. Our team of RFID experts are on hand to consult on tag attachment best practises.

As an existing customer, you can find detailed guidelines on tag attachment in the Downloads section.

Yes. We offer annual software support which includes upgrades, system health-checks, remote monitoring and diagnosis, as well as online support.

We also offer annual hardware maintenance, which includes corrective and preventive maintenance, as well as the repairing or replacing of all equipment that through fair wear and tear become unserviceable. With our help, your security/electrical systems installer may manage the hardware maintenance going forwards.

As with all hardware-based systems, some maintenance is required. Clients with annual hardware maintenance contracts benefit from regular visits carrying out corrective and preventative maintenance, with broken equipment repaired or replaced free of charge. Environments change over time, so our technicians check RSSI (radio signal strength), 3rd party hardware/software links, system integrity, functionality and more.

There is also essential software maintenance. This includes an upgrade to the latest version of the software (typically several times a year) and bug fixes, remote health-checks, cleaning of the database, checking communication, monitoring the back-end ‘system log’ and the operating PC(s). Most if not all of this can be achieved remotely. All clients must have a software maintenance agreement in place as Fortecho Solutions cannot support systems with legacy software. It is possible for local system installers to take on the hardware maintenance.

Yes. There is 12 month warranty on all hardware. Beyond the first 12 months, Fortecho Solutions will replace all hardware free of charge provided there is a hardware maintenance contract in place.

No. Our hardware operates at 433.92 MHz with communication taking place over specific encoded protocols. WiFi (at a much higher frequency), NFC, Bluetooth and the vast majority of other Radio systems do not have an impact.

No, our RFID receivers see tags through most surfaces excluding metal (which reflects the signal) and water. Tag antennas are uni-directional, making attachment and placement simple.

Under optimal conditions, the system will locate items to within 3m of their location. With multiple floors, dividers, mirrored surfaces and moving crowds, tracking to such a level becomes more complex. Most industrial applications require more approximate zonal tracking; if an asset is on the move, it’s possible to rapidly ‘fence in’ the asset as it moves from East to West, North to South, or from one room / zone to the next.

Primarily we use ‘Active’ long range RFID equipment, paired with sophisticated but simple-to-use software running on SQL server (developed in Microsoft Visual Studio.)

To improve object protection and surveillance we also integrate infrared laser, volumetric detection, pressure-sensing, and environment monitoring systems.

Tag read range is largely dependent on the antennae paired with the receiver. Outdoors with line-of-sight and our O.D.P. 6dBi antenna, it’s possible to achieve up to 200m, however using our standard helical stub antenna (IS-AN300), we typically expect up to 50m. Indoors this range usually falls to between 15 and 30m (depending on the environment.)

Receivers see through most walls, floors, ceilings and doors, so receivers in the roof or basement levels may cover an entire building (this is excluding heavily-metalized environments where a higher density of receivers may be required to achieve optimal coverage).

Yes. The software monitors ‘heartbeat’ messages from the tags with a ‘low battery’ warning appearing for each tag when they have less than 6 months remaining. If the tags are not seen by the system, a ‘missing tag’ alarm is raised. The Fortecho software can also generate separate battery reports on all registered tags.

In the software – and through third party systems – visible and audible alarms and email alerts may be raised for movement, tamper, proximity, vibration/attack, low battery, missing tags, system tamper, PC crash, personnel panic or duress, radio jamming and offline receivers.

A tamper alarm is raised in the software when someone attempts to remove a tag from an asset, or open a case, or touch our security equipment without prior authorisation.

Tag size, form factor, system cost and battery life are still limiting factors for GPS applications in this field. GPS/GPRS, while excellent for tracking over large distances, requires coverage that cannot be relied upon indoors, in metalized environments or in low-lying areas (between buildings, trees, hills…). As an energy-intensive technology, sensors must be hardwired, or charged at least daily if they’re to be used for long periods at a time. For GPS to beacon as often as RFID tags, battery life can decrease to just a few hours. Signal can be easily shielded / circumnavigated as GPS requires clean line-of-sight between the tags and satellites – if tags are removed in an area of no coverage, it may be hours or days before the issue is recognised. Signal is weaker than RFID and easier to ‘jam’ or block – with only 2 satellites seeing the device, location could be severely misrepresented.

No. All tags that form part of the Fortecho™ system are categorised MPT 1340 License Exempt by the Radio Telecommunications Agency. This means that they are not allowed to emit more power than 10 milliwatts – such low power output does not affect everyday office electronic equipment.

No. Electronic equipment has to pass international CE regulatory approval, i.e. it is not allowed to radiate. External surfaces of most electronic equipment have been “screened” – metal plates are often used to prevent radio emissions.

Tags can be reverse-engineered into the product at the sub-assembly stage of the manufacturing process, but the aerial of the tag must be located towards an outside surface and away from the CE screening.

Until manufacturers of IT equipment integrate tags into the sub-assembly and test the application comprehensively, Fortecho Solutions recommends that tags be attached externally in industrial/enterprise environments – it also serves as a good visual deterrent against theft.

Tags are designed to operate in temperatures ranging between -30°C and +60°C, while in store, the range extends to -40°C and +70°C.