Swirl Announces Support for Eddystone™-EID Beacon Format from Google

BOSTON, April, 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Swirl Networks, the leading in-store digital marketing technology provider, announced today that its beacon hardware and software platform now fully support Google's secure beacon broadcast frame, Eddystone-EID. Swirl was one of a select group of companies that has been collaborating with Google to make this secure beacon protocol available to marketers and location owners who have a strong need for beacon signal and data security. The Eddystone-EID frame type adds to Swirl's existing support for Eddystone formats including Eddystone-URL, which allows Google Chrome users to easily access URL's relevant to their surroundings, and Eddystone-UID, an open beacon format that supports Android and iOS devices.

Google launched Eddystone, its open Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon format in 2015. Eddystone's extensible frame formats were designed to support a variety of use cases, including enabling marketers to deliver relevant mobile experiences based on a user's physical location. Eddystone works across Android and iOS devices. Eddystone-EID incorporates Ephemeral Identifiers, frequently changing beacon location identifiers that can only be decoded by authorized clients, to support privacy and security-sensitive applications.  

Swirl's industry-leading beacon hardware can be configured to broadcast a variety of Bluetooth communication protocols, including all of the Eddystone frame formats. In addition to providing a full suite of in-store digital marketing capabilities, Swirl's cloud-based software platform also delivers enterprise-class beacon management functionality. Using the Swirl software platform, retailers can control and manage access to Swirl beacons, as well as a variety of compatible third party beacon hardware.

"For leading retailers who are deploying and managing large-scale beacon networks, security and privacy continue to be top priorities," said Swirl founder and CEO Hilmi Ozguc. "Eddystone-EID provides a trusted layer of security that allows these retailers to tightly control their in-store beacon signals, thus preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to a hugely valuable data asset. We look forward to continuing our work with Google to grow the beacon marketing ecosystem and create even greater value for consumers and retailers."

ABOUT SWIRL NETWORKS
Swirl offers leading retailers the industry's most advanced platform for in-store digital marketing. By leveraging the power of mobile presence, Swirl is enabling retailers to create a powerful omnichannel advantage with their brick and mortar stores. Swirl's patented technology is used by leading retailers such as Lord & Taylor, Hudson's Bay, Urban Outfitters, Alex and Ani, Timberland and many more. Swirl is backed by top-tier investors including Twitter, Simon, Hearst, SoftBank and Longworth Venture Partners.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Christine Lewis
InkHouse (for Swirl Networks, Inc.)
+1 781-966-4157
[email protected]

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SOURCE Swirl Networks